Immuneering Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates
08 May 2024 - 6:05AM
Immuneering Corporation (Nasdaq: IMRX), a clinical-stage oncology
company seeking to develop and commercialize universal-RAS/RAF
medicines for broad populations of cancer patients, today reported
financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, and
provided business updates.
“Never before have we had more evidence that
IMM-1-104 performs as intended in patients, or that Deep Cyclic
Inhibition - the mechanism by which it aims to attack cancer while
sparing healthy cells - is capable of shrinking tumors in a
well-tolerated way relative to other MAPK pathway inhibitors,” said
Ben Zeskind, Ph.D., Co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer of
Immuneering. “We believe the positive topline results from the
Phase 1 portion of our Phase 1/2a study, along with the preclinical
data we recently presented at AACR, further de-risk IMM-1-104 and
bode well for the five arms of our ongoing Phase 2a study – all of
which have tumor objective response rate (ORR) as a primary
endpoint. Initial data readouts from multiple arms of the Phase 2a
study of IMM-1-104 are expected this year, along with initial PK,
PD and safety data from our Phase 1/2a study of IMM-6-415. We
expect the rest of 2024 to be a data-rich time for Immuneering, and
we look forward to providing updates in the coming months.”
Corporate Highlights
-
Preclinical Data Presented at AACR Demonstrating that
IMM-1-104 is Synergistic with Chemotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer
Models: In April, Immuneering presented preclinical data
at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual
Meeting, which the Company views as supportive of its ongoing Phase
2a clinical trial of IMM-1-104 in RAS-mutated advanced or
metastatic solid tumors.
-
Announced Positive Topline Results from the Phase 1 Portion
of a Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial of IMM-1-104 in RAS-Mutant Solid
Tumors: In March, the Company reported positive topline
results from the Phase 1 portion of its Phase 1/2a trial of
IMM-1-104. As reported at the data cutoff date of February 20,
2024, IMM-1-104 was observed to be well-tolerated, demonstrating
the potential for a differentiated safety profile. In addition, one
hundred percent suppression of acquired RAS alterations was
observed in evaluable patients profiled for ctDNA and treated with
IMM-1-104, supporting the Company’s goal of Universal-RAS activity
for this drug candidate. Through the data cutoff date, target
lesion regression was observed in over half of patients treated
with IMM-1-104 at 320mg or 240mg QD, with a best individual lesion
regression of -35.7% and best RECIST sum of longest diameters (SLD)
of -18.9%, both at 320mg. The candidate recommended Phase 2 dose –
a key objective of the Phase 1 portion - of 320mg QD is supported
by tolerability, PK/PD, ctDNA results and initial anti-tumor
activity.
- Dosed
the First Patient in the Phase 2a Clinical Trial of
IMM-1-104: In March, the Company announced it had dosed
the first patient in the Phase 2a portion of its Phase 1/2a
clinical trial of IMM-1-104, which includes three monotherapy and
two combination arms in earlier lines of treatment, including first
line, with initial data from multiple arms expected in 2024.
- First
Patient Dosed in a Phase 1/2a Trial of IMM-6-415 to Treat Advanced
Solid Tumors with RAF or RAS Mutations: In March,
Immuneering dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/2a trial of
IMM-6-415. IMM-6-415 is a Deep Cyclic Inhibitor (DCI) of the MAPK
pathway designed with unique drug-like properties including a
shorter half-life than IMM-1-104 for an accelerated cadence that
will be evaluated as an oral, twice-daily treatment in humans. In
animal studies, IMM-6-415 strongly inhibited the growth of tumors
with RAF or RAS mutations, as both a monotherapy and in
combinations.
-
Appointed Thomas J. Schall, Ph.D. to the Board of
Directors: In March, Immuneering announced the appointment
of Thomas J. Schall, Ph.D., former Chairman, CEO and Founder of
ChemoCentryx before its acquisition by Amgen, to its Board of
Directors.
- Received
FDA Fast Track Designation for IMM-1-104 in Pancreatic
Cancer: In February, Immuneering announced that the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track
designation for IMM-1-104, for the treatment of patients with
pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who have failed one line of
treatment. Fast Track Designation is a program designed to
facilitate the development and expedite the review of medicines
with the potential to treat serious conditions and fulfill an unmet
medical need. An investigational medicine that receives Fast Track
Designation may be eligible for more frequent interactions with the
FDA to discuss the candidate’s development plan and, if relevant
criteria are met, may be eligible for accelerated approval and
priority review.
Near-Term Milestone
Expectations
IMM-1-104
- Initial data
from multiple arms of the Phase 2a portion of the Company’s Phase
1/2a study expected in 2024.
IMM-6-415
- Initial
pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and safety data expected
in 2024.
First Quarter 2024 Financial
Highlights
- Cash
Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
as of March 31, 2024, were $71.3 million, compared with $85.7
million as of December 31, 2023.
- Research
and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for
the first quarter of 2024 were $11.2 million compared with $10.2
million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in R&D
expenses was primarily attributable to higher clinical costs
related to the Company’s lead program and increased personnel to
support ongoing research and development activities.
- General
and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses
for the first quarter of 2024 were $4.1 million compared with $4.5
million for the same period of 2023. The decrease in G&A is
primarily attributed to a decrease in the Company’s external
professional fees related to the general and administrative
functions supporting the business.
- Net
Loss: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was
$14.3 million, or $0.49 per share, for the first quarter ended
March 31, 2024, compared to $13.6 million, or $0.51 per share, for
the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
2024 Financial Guidance
- Based on cash,
cash equivalents and marketable securities, as of March 31, 2024,
and current operating plans, the Company expects its cash runway to
be sufficient to fund operations into the second half of 2025.
About Immuneering
Corporation
Immuneering is a clinical-stage oncology company
seeking to develop and commercialize universal-RAS/RAF medicines
for broad populations of cancer patients with an initial aim to
develop a universal-RAS therapy. The Company aims to achieve
universal activity through Deep Cyclic Inhibition of the MAPK
pathway, impacting cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
Immuneering’s lead product candidate, IMM-1-104, is an oral,
once-daily Deep Cyclic Inhibitor currently in a Phase 1/2a trial in
patients with advanced solid tumors harboring RAS mutations.
IMM-6-415 is an oral, twice-daily Deep Cyclic Inhibitor currently
in a Phase 1/2a trial in patients with advanced solid tumors
harboring RAS or RAF mutations. The Company’s development pipeline
also includes several early-stage programs. For more information,
please visit www.immuneering.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements, including within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this
press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact
should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements regarding: Immuneering’s plans to develop,
manufacture and commercialize its product candidates; the treatment
potential of IMM-1-104 and IMM-6-415, alone or in combination with
other agents, including the ability to shrink tumors in a
well-tolerated way relative to other MAPK pathway inhibitors; the
design, enrollment criteria and conduct of the Phase 1/2a clinical
trials of IMM-1-104 and IMM-6-415; the translation of preclinical
data into human clinical data; the potential advantages and
effectiveness of Immuneering’s clinical and preclinical candidates;
and the timing of results of the Phase 2a portion of the trial for
IMM-1-104 and initial data for IMM-6-415.
These forward-looking statements are based on
management’s current expectations. These statements are neither
promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not
limited to, the following: the risks inherent in oncology drug
research and development, including target discovery, target
validation, lead compound identification, and lead compound
optimization; we have incurred significant losses, are not
currently profitable and may never become profitable; our projected
cash runway; our need for additional funding; our unproven approach
to therapeutic intervention; our ability to address regulatory
questions and the uncertainties relating to regulatory filings,
reviews and approvals; the lengthy, expensive, and uncertain
process of clinical drug development, including potential delays in
or failure to obtain regulatory approvals; our reliance on third
parties and collaborators to conduct our clinical trials,
manufacture our product candidates, and develop and commercialize
our product candidates, if approved; failure to compete
successfully against other drug companies; protection of our
proprietary technology and the confidentiality of our trade
secrets; potential lawsuits for, or claims of, infringement of
third-party intellectual property or challenges to the ownership of
our intellectual property; our patents being found invalid or
unenforceable; costs and resources of operating as a public
company; and unfavorable or no analyst research or reports.
These and other important factors discussed
under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, and our other
reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press
release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's
estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect
to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the
future, except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to do
so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as
representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of
this press release.
Media Contact:Gina
Nugentgina@nugentcommunications.com
Investor Contact:Laurence
Watts619-916-7620laurence@newstreetir.com
|
IMMUNEERING CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS |
|
|
March 31,2024 |
December 31,2023 |
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
66,287,148 |
|
$ |
59,405,817 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
4,991,200 |
|
|
26,259,868 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Prepaids and other current assets |
|
3,169,089 |
|
|
3,417,984 |
|
Total current assets |
|
74,447,437 |
|
|
89,083,669 |
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
1,347,852 |
|
|
1,400,582 |
|
Goodwill |
|
6,690,431 |
|
|
6,690,431 |
|
Intangible asset, net |
|
372,363 |
|
|
379,680 |
|
Right-of-use assets, net |
|
3,905,575 |
|
|
3,995,730 |
|
Other assets |
|
1,219,182 |
|
|
1,034,446 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
87,982,840 |
|
$ |
102,584,538 |
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
2,270,862 |
|
$ |
2,111,666 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
2,584,359 |
|
|
5,173,960 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
23,634 |
|
|
259,770 |
|
Lease liabilities |
|
298,543 |
|
|
300,107 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
5,177,398 |
|
|
7,845,503 |
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities: |
|
|
Lease liabilities, net of current portion |
|
4,082,713 |
|
|
4,162,852 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
9,260,111 |
|
|
12,008,355 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) |
|
|
Stockholders’ equity: |
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at
September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022; 0 shares issued or
outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2021 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares
authorized at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022; 26,404,732 and
26,320,199 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and
December 31, 2021, respectively |
|
29,653 |
|
|
29,272 |
|
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares
authorized at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022; 0 shares issued
and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
256,260,567 |
|
|
253,806,267 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
(1,084 |
) |
|
(778 |
) |
Accumulated deficit |
|
(177,566,407 |
) |
|
(163,258,578 |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
78,722,729 |
|
|
90,576,183 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
$ |
87,982,840 |
|
$ |
102,584,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
IMMUNEERING CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS(Unaudited) |
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
Research and development |
|
11,202,414 |
|
|
10,210,926 |
|
General and administrative |
|
4,116,019 |
|
|
4,461,331 |
|
Amortization of intangible asset |
|
7,317 |
|
|
7,317 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
15,325,750 |
|
|
14,679,574 |
|
Loss from operations |
|
(15,325,750 |
) |
|
(14,679,574 |
) |
|
|
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
Interest income |
|
804,884 |
|
|
831,274 |
|
Other income, net |
|
213,037 |
|
|
244,129 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(14,307,829 |
) |
$ |
(13,604,171 |
) |
|
|
|
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and
diluted |
$ |
(0.49 |
) |
$ |
(0.51 |
) |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
|
29,370,357 |
|
|
26,442,216 |
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive loss: |
|
|
Unrealized gains (losses) from marketable securities |
|
(306 |
) |
|
30,626 |
|
Comprehensive Loss |
$ |
(14,308,135 |
) |
$ |
(13,573,545 |
) |
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