SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of August 2024
Commission File Number 001-38512
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
Suite 804, 322 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2R 0C5
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
EXHIBIT INDEX
The Registrant’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations and Financial Condition for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, included as Exhibit 99.2 of this Form 6-K and the Interim Financial Statements as of and for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, included as Exhibit 99.1 of this Form 6-K (Commission File No. 001-38512), furnished to the Commission on August 1, 2024, are incorporated by reference into the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-10 (Commission File No. 333-281009).
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EXHIBIT NUMBER | | DESCRIPTION |
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99.1 | | |
99.2 | | |
99.3 | | |
99.4 | | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Registrant) |
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Date: August 1, 2024 | | By: | | /s/ Kirk Look
Kirk Look Chief Financial Officer |
Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Oncolytics Biotech® Inc.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
As at | June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Assets | | | |
Current assets | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents (note 4) | $ | 24,850 | | | $ | 34,912 | |
Other receivables (note 4) | 1,571 | | | 15 | |
Prepaid expenses | 3,364 | | | 3,246 | |
Warrant derivative (note 6) | 848 | | | — | |
Total current assets | 30,633 | | | 38,173 | |
Property and equipment | 430 | | | 282 | |
Right-of-use assets (note 5) | 1,006 | | | 365 | |
Total assets | $ | 32,069 | | | $ | 38,820 | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | | | |
Current liabilities | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 4) | $ | 4,653 | | | $ | 3,572 | |
Other liabilities (note 4) | 1,259 | | | 332 | |
| | | |
Lease liabilities (note 5) | 225 | | | 133 | |
Warrant derivative (note 6) | — | | | 200 | |
Total current liabilities | 6,137 | | | 4,237 | |
Contract liability | 6,730 | | | 6,730 | |
Lease liabilities (note 5) | 891 | | | 290 | |
Total liabilities | 13,758 | | | 11,257 | |
Commitments and contingencies (note 10) | | | |
Shareholders' equity | | | |
Share capital (note 7) Authorized: unlimited Issued: June 30, 2024 – 76,857,199 December 31, 2023 – 74,423,960 | 434,547 | | | 430,906 | |
Contributed surplus (note 8) | 43,195 | | | 42,116 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 722 | | | 544 | |
Accumulated deficit | (460,153) | | | (446,003) | |
Total shareholders' equity | 18,311 | | | 27,563 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 32,069 | | | $ | 38,820 | |
See accompanying notes
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Expenses | | | | | | | |
Research and development (note 14) | $ | 4,558 | | | $ | 3,701 | | | $ | 10,301 | | | $ | 7,240 | |
General and administrative (note 14) | 3,362 | | | 3,459 | | | 6,345 | | | 6,654 | |
Loss before the following | (7,920) | | | (7,160) | | | (16,646) | | | (13,894) | |
Change in fair value of warrant derivative (note 6) | 235 | | | (107) | | | 1,104 | | | (76) | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | 184 | | | (394) | | | 701 | | | (393) | |
Interest income, net | 340 | | | 267 | | | 786 | | | 532 | |
Loss before income taxes | (7,161) | | | (7,394) | | | (14,055) | | | (13,831) | |
Income tax expense | (95) | | | (47) | | | (95) | | | (47) | |
Net loss | (7,256) | | | (7,441) | | | (14,150) | | | (13,878) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) items that may be reclassified to net loss | | | | | | | |
Translation adjustment | 52 | | | (105) | | | 178 | | | (108) | |
Net comprehensive loss | $ | (7,204) | | | $ | (7,546) | | | $ | (13,972) | | | $ | (13,986) | |
| | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss per common share (note 9) | $ | (0.10) | | | $ | (0.12) | | | $ | (0.19) | | | $ | (0.22) | |
Weighted average number of shares (basic and diluted) (note 9) | 76,090,406 | | | 64,467,908 | | | 75,667,521 | | | 63,412,091 | |
See accompanying notes
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Share Capital | | | | Contributed Surplus | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | | Accumulated Deficit | | Total |
As at December 31, 2022 | $ | 404,040 | | | | | $ | 40,051 | | | $ | 662 | | | $ | (418,251) | | | $ | 26,502 | |
Net loss and other comprehensive loss | — | | | | | — | | | (108) | | | (13,878) | | | (13,986) | |
Issued pursuant to stock option plan (notes 7, 8) | 563 | | | | | (220) | | | — | | | — | | | 343 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Issued pursuant to "At the Market" Agreement (note 7) | 9,128 | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,128 | |
Share issue costs (note 7) | (307) | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (307) | |
Share-based compensation expense (note 8) | — | | | | | 559 | | | — | | | — | | | 559 | |
As at June 30, 2023 | $ | 413,424 | | | | | $ | 40,390 | | | $ | 554 | | | $ | (432,129) | | | $ | 22,239 | |
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As at December 31, 2023 | $ | 430,906 | | | | | $ | 42,116 | | | $ | 544 | | | $ | (446,003) | | | $ | 27,563 | |
Net loss and other comprehensive income | — | | | | | — | | | 178 | | | (14,150) | | | (13,972) | |
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Issued pursuant to incentive share award plan (notes 7, 8) | 3 | | | | | (3) | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Issued pursuant to "At the Market" Agreement (note 7) | 3,840 | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,840 | |
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Share issue costs (note 7) | (202) | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (202) | |
Share-based compensation expense (note 8) | — | | | | | 1,082 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,082 | |
As at June 30, 2024 | $ | 434,547 | | | | | $ | 43,195 | | | $ | 722 | | | $ | (460,153) | | | $ | 18,311 | |
See accompanying notes
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
Operating Activities | | | | |
Net loss for the period | | $ | (14,150) | | | $ | (13,878) | |
Depreciation - property and equipment (note 14) | | 56 | | | 42 | |
Depreciation - right-of-use-assets (note 14) | | 165 | | | 151 | |
Share-based compensation expense (notes 8, 14, 15) | | 1,082 | | | 559 | |
| | | | |
Interest expense (income), net | | 57 | | | (21) | |
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss | | (576) | | | 213 | |
Change in fair value of warrant derivative (note 6) | | (1,104) | | | 76 | |
Net change in non-cash working capital (note 13) | | 182 | | | (3,436) | |
Cash used in operating activities | | (14,288) | | | (16,294) | |
Investing Activities | | | | |
Acquisition of property and equipment | | (201) | | | (5) | |
Maturities of marketable securities | | — | | | 13,464 | |
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities | | (201) | | | 13,459 | |
Financing Activities | | | | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (note 8) | | — | | | 343 | |
| | | | |
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Proceeds from "At the Market" equity distribution agreement, net (note 7) | | 3,638 | | | 8,821 | |
| | | | |
Payment of lease liabilities | | (168) | | | (201) | |
Cash provided by financing activities | | 3,470 | | | 8,963 | |
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | (11,019) | | | 6,128 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 34,912 | | | 11,666 | |
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents | | 957 | | | (274) | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 24,850 | | | $ | 17,520 | |
See accompanying notes
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Note 1: Nature of Operations
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. was incorporated on April 2, 1998, under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) as 779738 Alberta Ltd. On April 8, 1998, we changed our name to Oncolytics Biotech Inc. We are a limited company incorporated and domiciled in Canada. Our shares are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Our principal place of business is located at 804, 322 11th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing pelareorep, a safe and well-tolerated intravenously delivered
immunotherapeutic agent that activates the innate and adaptive immune systems and weakens tumor defense mechanisms. This improves the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, making tumors more susceptible to a broad range of oncology treatments. Our primary focus is to advance our programs in hormone receptor-positive / human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to registration-enabling clinical studies. In addition, we are exploring opportunities for registrational programs in other gastrointestinal cancers through our GOBLET platform study.
We have not been profitable since our inception and expect to continue to incur substantial losses as we continue our research and development efforts. As at June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $460,153. We do not expect to generate significant revenues until and unless pelareorep becomes commercially viable. To date, we have funded our operations mainly through issuing additional capital via public offerings, equity distribution arrangements, and the exercise of warrants and stock options. Management has applied significant judgment in the assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern when preparing our condensed interim consolidated financial statements. As at June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $24,850. We plan to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the balance sheet date with the cash and cash equivalents on hand, maintain an ATM equity distribution agreement, and explore potential collaborations and strategic transactions. Additional activities, such as future clinical trials, continue to be subject to adequate resources and funding activities. We believe we have the ability to reduce or eliminate planned expenditures to extend our operating runway until we obtain sufficient financing. Factors that will affect our anticipated cash needs for the next twelve months include, but are not limited to, expansion of our clinical trial program, the timing of patient enrollment in our clinical trials, the actual costs incurred to support each clinical trial, the number of treatments each patient will receive, the timing of activity with our clinical trial research collaborations, the number, timing and costs of manufacturing runs required to conclude the validation process and supply product to our clinical trial program, and the level of collaborative activity undertaken. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds through the sale of our common shares or other capital resources. Failure to raise additional capital would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Note 2: Basis of Presentation
Statement of compliance
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and in compliance with International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
Our condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, were authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors on August 1, 2024.
Basis of presentation
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for certain assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value as explained in the notes to these financial statements.
The notes presented in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements include only significant events and transactions occurring since our last fiscal year end and are not fully inclusive of all matters required to be disclosed in our annual audited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our most recent annual audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Our condensed interim consolidated financial statements include our financial statements and the financial statements of our subsidiaries, Oncolytics Biotech (Barbados) Inc. and Oncolytics Biotech (U.S.) Inc, and are presented in Canadian dollars, our functional currency.
Use of estimates
The preparation of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires us to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, the reported amounts, and disclosures in our condensed interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management makes estimates based on our best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future. We consider the potential impact of certain external factors outside of our control, including global political conflicts, supply chain disruptions, pandemics, inflation, rising interest rates, and liquidity, when making certain estimates and judgments relating to the preparation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could be material.
Note 3: Material Accounting Policies
The accounting policies applied in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements are the same as those applied in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Adoption of new accounting standards
IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current
In October 2022, the IASB issued amendments to clarify how conditions with which an entity must comply within 12 months after the reporting period affect the classification of a liability. This is in addition to the amendment from January 2020 where the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, to provide a more general approach to the presentation of liabilities as current or non-current based on contractual arrangements in place at the reporting date. These amendments specify that the rights and conditions existing at the end of the reporting period are relevant in determining whether the Company has a right to defer settlement of a liability by at least 12 months, provided that management's expectations are not a relevant consideration as to whether the Company will exercise its rights to defer settlement of a liability and clarify when a liability is considered settled. The amendments became effective on January 1, 2024. Adopting the amendments did not have a material impact on our condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
Accounting standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective
IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
In April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements which replaces IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. IFRS 18 introduces new requirements on presentation within the statement of profit or loss, including specified totals and subtotals. It also requires disclosure of management-defined performance measures and includes new requirements for aggregation and disaggregation of financial information based on the identified roles of the primary financial statements and the notes. Narrow scope amendments have been made to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and some requirements previously included within IAS 1 have been moved to IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, which has also been renamed IAS 8 Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements. IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting has also been amended to require disclosure of management-defined performance measures. IFRS 18 and the amendments to the other standards are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027, with early application permitted. IFRS 18 applies retrospectively to both annual and interim financial statements. We are assessing the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 4: Balance Sheet Details
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of interest-bearing deposits with our bank totaling $22,295 as at June 30, 2024 (December 31, 2023 – $31,534).
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Other receivables and liabilities
In 2023, we were selected by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) as the recipient of its Therapeutic Accelerator Award to conduct a clinical trial with pelareorep in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy with or without an immune checkpoint inhibitor in pancreatic cancer patients. Under the terms of the award agreement, we are entitled to receive up to US$5 million in funding for eligible research expenses, and we must comply with the conditions set out with the award agreement, including providing periodic performance progress reports. As at June 30, 2024, we recorded US$1,125 ($1,540) (December 31, 2023 – US$225 ($298)) in other receivables related to grant funds due from PanCAN per the award agreement and US$922 ($1,259) in other liabilities representing funding to be applied against future eligible research expenses.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Trade payables | $ | 886 | | | $ | 1,082 | |
Accrued liabilities | 3,767 | | | 2,490 | |
| $ | 4,653 | | | $ | 3,572 | |
Note 5: Leases
We have office space leases with initial lease terms generally between 3 to 6 years. We currently do not have leases with residual value guarantees or leases not yet commenced to which we are committed. We have variable lease payments related to office space lease operating costs that are not material. Lease liabilities have been measured by discounting future lease payments using our incremental borrowing rate, as rates implicit in the leases were not readily determinable. The weighted average rate applied was 15%.
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded an increase of $785 to the lease liability and $794 to the right-of-use asset relating to one of our subsidiaries' office leases.
Our total undiscounted lease liabilities as at June 30, 2024, were as follows:
| | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 |
Less than one year | $ | 378 | |
One to five years | 1,151 | |
More than five years | — | |
Total undiscounted lease liabilities | $ | 1,529 | |
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Note 6: Warrant Derivative
Our common share purchase warrants ("warrants") with a U.S. dollar exercise price, which differs from our functional currency, are treated as a derivative measured at fair value, and revalued each period end at fair value through profit and loss. There is no cash flow impact as a result of the accounting treatment for changes in the fair value of the warrant derivative or when warrants expire unexercised.
Changes in the value of our warrant derivative were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Warrants Outstanding | | Fair Value of Warrant Derivative |
As at December 31, 2022 | 64,035 | | | $ | 79 | |
Issued pursuant to public offering | 7,667,050 | | | 7,360 | |
Discount on warrants issued | — | | | (1,822) | |
| | | |
Amortization of discount on warrants issued | — | | | 146 | |
Change in fair value | — | | | (5,431) | |
Foreign exchange impact | — | | | (132) | |
As at December 31, 2023 | 7,731,085 | | | $ | 200 | |
Amortization of discount on warrants issued | — | | | 182 | |
Change in fair value | — | | | (1,286) | |
Foreign exchange impact | — | | | 56 | |
As at June 30, 2024 | 7,731,085 | | | $ | (848) | |
The following table summarizes our outstanding warrant derivative as at June 30, 2024:
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Exercise price | | Issuance date | | Expiry date | | Number of Warrants Outstanding |
US$0.90 | | August 16, 2019 | | August 16, 2024 | | 64,035 | |
US$2.81 | | August 8, 2023 | | August 8, 2028 | | 6,667,000 | |
US$2.81 | | September 7, 2023 | | August 8, 2028 | | 1,000,050 | |
| | | | | | 7,731,085 | |
On August 8, 2023, pursuant to an underwritten public offering, we issued 6,667,000 units for gross proceeds of $20,185 (US$15,001) at a price of US$2.25 per unit. On September 7, 2023, pursuant to the over-allotment option exercised by the underwriter, we issued an additional 1,000,050 units for gross proceeds of $3,077 (US$2,250) at a price of US$2.25 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one common share purchase warrant ("warrant"), which were immediately separable and issued separately in this offering. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of US$2.81 up to 60 months from the date of issuance. Proceeds were allocated amongst common shares and warrants by applying a relative fair value approach, which resulted in $17,724 recorded in share capital and an initial warrant derivative liability of $7,360. The difference between the fair value of the warrants and their allocated proceeds was a discount of $1,822, which is amortized on a straight-line basis over the five-year expected life of the warrants and recorded under change in fair value of warrant derivative on our consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
At June 30, 2024, as the unamortized discount balance was greater than the fair value of the warrant derivative liability, the net balance was presented as an asset on our condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position.
We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value. The expected volatility is based on the Company's common share historical volatility less an estimated market participant risk adjustment. The risk-free interest rate is based on the Government of Canada benchmark bond yield rates with an approximate equivalent remaining term in effect at the time of valuation, and the expected life represents the estimated length of time the warrants are expected to remain outstanding.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
The estimated fair value of the warrant derivative with an exercise price of US$2.81 was determined using the following assumptions:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Underlying share price | US$0.99 | | US$1.35 |
Risk-free interest rate | 3.5% | | 3.2% |
Expected life | 4.1 years | | 4.6 years |
Expected volatility | 36.5% | | 36.5% |
Expected dividend yield | Nil | | Nil |
Fair value per warrant | US$0.06 | | US$0.18 |
Note 7: Share Capital
Authorized
Unlimited number of no par value common shares
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares | | |
| Number | | Amount | | |
As at December 31, 2022 | 61,327,914 | | | $ | 404,040 | | | |
Issued pursuant to stock option plan | 450,391 | | | 1,271 | | | |
Issued pursuant to "At the Market" (ATM) equity distribution agreement(a) | 4,978,605 | | | 10,676 | | | |
Issued pursuant to public offering(b) | 7,667,050 | | | 17,724 | | | |
Share issue costs | — | | | (2,805) | | | |
As at December 31, 2023 | 74,423,960 | | | $ | 430,906 | | | |
| | | | | |
Issued pursuant to incentive share award plan | 1,140 | | | 3 | | | |
Issued pursuant to "At the Market" (ATM) equity distribution agreement(a) | 2,432,099 | | | 3,840 | | | |
| | | | | |
Share issue costs | — | | | (202) | | | |
As at June 30, 2024 | 76,857,199 | | | $ | 434,547 | | | |
(a)On June 17, 2022, we entered into an ATM equity distribution agreement with Canaccord Genuity Inc. The ATM allows us to issue common shares, at prevailing market prices, with an aggregate offering value of up to US$65,000 over a 25-month period through the facilities of the Nasdaq Capital Market in the United States. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we sold 2,432,099 (June 30, 2023 - 4,205,240) common shares for gross proceeds of $3,840 (US$2,835) (June 30, 2023 - $9,128 (US$6,764)) at an average price of $1.58 (US$1.17) (June 30, 2023 - $2.17 (US$1.61)). We received proceeds of $3,725 (US$2,750) (June 30, 2023 - $8,854 (US$6,561)) after commissions of $115 (US$85) (June 30, 2023 - $274 (US$203)). In total, we incurred share issue costs (including commissions) of $202 (June 30, 2023 - $307).
(b)On August 8, 2023, pursuant to an underwritten public offering, we issued 6,667,000 units for gross proceeds of $20,185 (US$15,001) at a price of US$2.25 per unit. On September 7, 2023, pursuant to the over-allotment option exercised by the underwriter, we issued an additional 1,000,050 units for gross proceeds of $3,077 (US$2,250) at a price of US$2.25 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one warrant, which were immediately separable and issued separately in this offering. These warrants were classified as a financial liability (see note 6). Proceeds were allocated amongst common shares and warrants by applying a relative fair value approach, which resulted in $17,724 recorded in share capital and an initial warrant derivative liability of $7,360. In consideration of the services rendered by the underwriter, we issued 536,693 compensation warrants (see note 8). In total, we incurred transaction costs of $3,130 (including a fair value of $638 (US$473) for the compensation warrants), of which $2,390 were allocated to share issue costs and $740 were allocated to operating expenses, based on the relative fair values of the common share and warrant of each unit.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Note 8: Share-Based Compensation
Stock options and share awards
(a)Our amended and restated Stock Option Plan and Share Award Plan (collectively, the "Equity Incentive Plans") were approved by our shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders on May 9, 2023. Pursuant to our Equity Incentive Plans, we may grant stock options, restricted share awards, and performance share awards. The number of common shares reserved for issuance under our Equity Incentive Plans in aggregate shall not exceed 14% of the total number of issued and outstanding common shares from time to time. As at June 30, 2024, we reserved 10,760,008 common shares for issuance relating to our Equity Incentive Plans. Our share-based compensation expense was $506 and $1,082 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively (June 30, 2023 - $242 and $559, respectively).
(b)Our stock option activity for the six months ended June 30 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Stock Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price $ | | Stock Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price $ |
Outstanding, beginning of the period | 7,063,333 | | | 2.72 | | 5,963,185 | | | 2.91 |
Granted | 310,000 | | | 1.57 | | — | | | — |
Forfeited | (95,535) | | | 2.25 | | (44,950) | | | 3.01 |
Expired | (65,263) | | | 5.93 | | (5,263) | | | 27.46 |
Exercised | — | | | — | | (168,643) | | | 2.04 |
Outstanding, end of the period | 7,212,535 | | | 2.65 | | 5,744,329 | | | 2.91 |
Exercisable, end of the period | 5,255,889 | | | 2.83 | | 4,677,826 | | | 2.98 |
The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Range of Exercise Prices | | Number Outstanding | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years) | | Weighted Average Exercise Price $ | | Number Exercisable | | Weighted Average Exercise Price $ |
$1.14 - $2.00 | | 2,291,233 | | | 3.5 | | 1.72 | | 1,132,629 | | | 1.62 |
$2.01 - $2.70 | | 1,212,322 | | | 1.9 | | 2.25 | | 1,028,148 | | | 2.24 |
$2.71 - $3.11 | | 978,033 | | | 3.6 | | 2.78 | | 364,165 | | | 2.80 |
$3.12 - $4.00 | | 2,653,269 | | | 1.0 | | 3.32 | | 2,653,269 | | | 3.32 |
$4.01 - $16.53 | | 77,678 | | | 0.6 | | 11.96 | | 77,678 | | | 11.96 |
| | 7,212,535 | | | 2.3 | | 2.65 | | 5,255,889 | | | 2.83 |
Option grants vest either immediately or annually over periods ranging from one to three years.
We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value. We use historical data to estimate the expected dividend yield and expected volatility of our stock in determining the fair value of the stock options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the Government of Canada benchmark bond yield rates in effect at the time of grant. The expected life of the options represents the estimated length of time the options are expected to remain outstanding.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
The estimated fair value of stock options granted during the six months ended June 30 were determined using the following weighted average assumptions:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Risk-free interest rate | 4.0% | | n/a |
Expected life | 3.0 years | | n/a |
Expected volatility | 64.8% | | n/a |
| | | |
Expected dividend yield | Nil | | n/a |
Weighted average fair value of options | $0.72 | | n/a |
(c)Our share award activity for the six months ended June 30 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
Outstanding, beginning of the period | 398,440 | | | — | |
| | | |
Released | (1,140) | | | — | |
Outstanding, end of the period | 397,300 | | | — | |
We have granted restricted share awards to officers of the Company. Restricted share award grants vest over a three-year period.
Compensation warrants
In consideration of the services rendered by the underwriter as part of a public offering in 2023 (see note 7(b)), we issued 536,693 compensation warrants. Each compensation warrant is exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of US$2.25 up to 60 months from the date of issuance. At issuance date, we used the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of the services rendered. As at June 30, 2024, there were 536,693 compensation warrants outstanding.
Note 9: Loss Per Common Share
Loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss for the period and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, of 76,090,406 and 75,667,521, respectively (June 30, 2023 - 64,467,908 and 63,412,091, respectively). The effect of any potential exercise of our stock options and warrants outstanding during the period has been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per common share, as it would be anti-dilutive.
Note 10: Commitments
We are committed to payments of approximately $11,300 for activities mainly related to our clinical trial and manufacturing programs, which are expected to occur over the next two years. Approximately half of the committed payments relate to a production service agreement with our primary toll manufacturer, which cannot be canceled without a significant penalty. We are able to cancel most of the remaining agreements with notice.
Note 11: Capital Disclosures
Our objective when managing capital is to maintain a strong statement of financial position. We achieve our objective by obtaining adequate cash resources to support planned activities, including our clinical trial program, product manufacturing, administrative costs, and intellectual property expansion and protection. We include shareholders' equity and cash and cash equivalents in the definition of capital.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 24,850 | | | $ | 34,912 | |
Shareholders' equity | $ | 18,311 | | | $ | 27,563 | |
We have no debt other than accounts payable and accrued liabilities and lease liabilities. We also have commitments and potential contingent obligations relating to completing our research and development of pelareorep.
In managing our capital, we estimate our future cash requirements by preparing a budget and a multi-year plan annually for review and approval by our Board. The budget establishes the approved activities for the upcoming year and estimates the associated costs. The multi-year plan estimates future activity along with the potential cash requirements and is based on our assessment of our current clinical trial progress along with the expected results from the coming year’s activity. Budget to actual variances are prepared and reviewed by management and are presented quarterly to the Board.
Historically, funding for our plan is primarily managed through the issuance of additional common shares and common share purchase warrants that are converted to common shares upon exercise. Management regularly monitors the capital markets attempting to balance the timing of issuing additional equity with our progress through our clinical trial program, general market conditions, and the availability of capital. There are no assurances that funds will be made available to us when required.
On June 16, 2022, we renewed our short form base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf") that qualifies for distribution of up to $150,000 of common shares, subscription receipts, warrants, or units (the "Securities") in either Canada, the U.S. or both. The Base Shelf is effective until July 16, 2024 (see note 16 for details on the subsequent Base Shelf renewal). Under the Base Shelf, we may sell Securities to or through underwriters, dealers, placement agents, or other intermediaries. We may also sell Securities directly to purchasers or through agents, subject to obtaining any applicable exemption from registration requirements. The distribution of Securities may be performed from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be subject to change, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at prices related to such prevailing market prices to be negotiated with purchasers and as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
Renewing our Base Shelf provides additional flexibility when managing our cash resources as, under certain circumstances, it shortens the time required to close a financing and is expected to increase the number of potential investors that may be prepared to invest in the Company. Funds received from using our Base Shelf would be used in line with our Board-approved budget and multi-year plan.
Our Base Shelf allowed us to enter our ATM equity distribution agreement and 2023 public offering (see note 7). We used these equity arrangements to assist us in achieving our capital objective. These arrangements provided us with the opportunity to raise capital and better manage our cash resources.
We are not subject to externally imposed capital requirements, and there have been no changes in how we define or manage our capital in 2024.
Note 12: Financial Instruments
Fair value of financial instruments
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, other liabilities, and warrant derivative. As at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and other liabilities approximated their fair value due to their short-term maturity. The warrant derivative is a recurring Level 2 fair value measurement as these warrants have not been listed on an exchange and, therefore, do not trade on an active market. As at June 30, 2024, the fair value of our warrant derivative was presented as an asset of $848 (December 31, 2023 - liability of $200) (see note 6).
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Financial risk management
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of a financial loss if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. As at June 30, 2024, we were exposed to credit risk on our cash and cash equivalents and other receivables from PanCAN in connection with the Therapeutic Accelerator Award (see note 4) in the event of non-performance by counterparties, but we do not anticipate such non-performance. Our maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of the period is the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents and other receivables from PanCAN.
We mitigate our exposure to credit risk connected to our cash and cash equivalents by maintaining our primary operating and investment bank accounts with Schedule I banks in Canada. For our foreign-domiciled bank accounts, we use referrals or recommendations from our Canadian banks to open foreign bank accounts. Our foreign-domiciled bank accounts are used solely for the purpose of settling accounts payable and accrued liabilities or payroll.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that a financial instrument's fair value or future cash flows will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. We hold our cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts or high-interest investment accounts with variable interest rates. We mitigate interest rate risk through our investment policy that only allows the investment of excess cash resources in investment-grade vehicles while matching maturities with our operational requirements.
Fluctuations in market interest rates do not significantly impact our results of operations due to the short-term maturity of the investments held.
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk arises from changes in foreign exchange rates that may affect the fair value or future cash flows of our financial assets or liabilities. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we were primarily exposed to the risk of changes in the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, as a portion of our financial assets and liabilities were denominated in such currency. The impact of a $0.01 increase in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar would have decreased our total comprehensive loss in 2024 by approximately $179 (June 30, 2023 - $158).
We mitigate our foreign exchange risk by maintaining sufficient foreign currencies by purchasing foreign currencies or receiving foreign currencies from financing activities to settle our foreign accounts payable.
Significant balances denominated in U.S. dollars were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16,906 | | | $ | 24,294 | |
Other receivables | 1,125 | | | — | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (1,033) | | | (1,476) | |
Other liabilities | (922) | | | (251) | |
| $ | 16,076 | | | $ | 22,567 | |
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will encounter difficulty meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. We manage liquidity risk by managing our capital structure as outlined in note 11. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are all due within the current operating period.
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Note 13: Additional Cash Flow Disclosures
Net Change In Non-Cash Working Capital
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Change in: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other receivables | | | | | $ | (1,556) | | | $ | (38) | |
Prepaid expenses | | | | | (118) | | | (2,289) | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | | | 1,081 | | | (1,285) | |
| | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | | | 927 | | | — | |
Non-cash impact of foreign exchange | | | | | (152) | | | 176 | |
Change in non-cash working capital related to operating activities | | | | | $ | 182 | | | $ | (3,436) | |
Other Cash Flow Disclosures
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Cash interest received | | | | | $ | 843 | | | $ | 511 | |
Cash taxes paid | | | | | $ | 147 | | | $ | 86 | |
Note 14: Components of Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Research and development expenses | | | | | | | |
Clinical trial expenses | $ | 2,164 | | | $ | 1,022 | | | $ | 2,966 | | | $ | 1,931 | |
Manufacturing and related process development expenses | 662 | | | 1,005 | | | 3,840 | | | 1,877 | |
Intellectual property expenses | 72 | | | 100 | | | 198 | | | 243 | |
| | | | | | | |
Personnel-related expenses | 1,288 | | | 1,374 | | | 2,559 | | | 2,754 | |
Share-based compensation expense | 310 | | | 142 | | | 650 | | | 336 | |
Other expenses | 62 | | | 58 | | | 88 | | | 99 | |
| $ | 4,558 | | | $ | 3,701 | | | $ | 10,301 | | | $ | 7,240 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | | | | | |
Public company-related expenses | $ | 2,275 | | | $ | 2,487 | | | $ | 4,119 | | | $ | 4,688 | |
Office expenses | 793 | | | 776 | | | 1,573 | | | 1,550 | |
Share-based compensation expense | 196 | | | 100 | | | 432 | | | 223 | |
Depreciation - property and equipment | 28 | | | 21 | | | 56 | | | 42 | |
Depreciation - right-of-use assets | 70 | | | 75 | | | 165 | | | 151 | |
| $ | 3,362 | | | $ | 3,459 | | | $ | 6,345 | | | $ | 6,654 | |
Our research and development personnel-related expenses included employee compensation and benefits of $1,253 and $2,524 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively (June 30, 2023 - $1,374 and $2,754, respectively).
Our general and administrative office expenses included employee compensation and benefits of $577 and $1,121 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively (June 30, 2023 - $661 and $1,327, respectively).
ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts and where indicated)
Note 15: Related Party Transactions
Compensation of Key Management Personnel
Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling our activities as a whole. We have determined that key management personnel comprise the Board of Directors, Executive Officers, President, and Vice Presidents.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Compensation and short-term benefits | $ | 985 | | | $ | 1,026 | | | $ | 1,913 | | | $ | 2,026 | |
| | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation expense | 436 | | | 171 | | | 934 | | | 400 | |
| $ | 1,421 | | | $ | 1,197 | | | $ | 2,847 | | | $ | 2,426 | |
Note 16: Subsequent Events
On July 19, 2024, we renewed our Base Shelf that qualifies for distribution of up to $150,000 of common shares, subscription receipts, warrants, or units in either Canada, the U.S. or both. The Base Shelf will be effective until August 19, 2026.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
June 30, 2024
August 1, 2024
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and should also be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) contained in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "$" and "dollars" in this discussion and analysis mean Canadian dollars.
All references in this MD&A to "the Company," "Oncolytics," "we," "us," or "our" and similar expressions refer to Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and the subsidiaries through which it conducts its business unless otherwise indicated.
Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws (such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements, including: our belief as to the potential and mechanism of action of pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent, as a cancer therapeutic; our expectation that pelareorep’s ability to enhance innate adaptive immune responses within the TME will play an increasingly important role as our clinical development program advances; our business strategy, goals, focus, and objectives for the development of pelareorep, including our immediate primary focus on advancing our programs in hormone receptor-positive / human epidermal growth factor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to registration-enabling clinical studies and our exploration of opportunities for registrational programs in other gastrointestinal cancers through our GOBLET platform study; our belief that our approach will increase opportunities for expanding our clinical program and business development and partnering opportunities, has the most promise for generating clinically impactful data and offers the most expeditious path to regulatory approval; our expectation that we will incur substantial losses and will not generate significant revenues until and unless pelareorep becomes commercially viable; the judgment applied in assessing our ability to continue as a going concern, our belief that we can fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the balance sheet date with the cash and cash equivalents on hand, our intention to maintain an ATM equity distribution agreement and explore potential collaborations and strategic transactions; our belief that we have the ability to reduce or eliminate planned expenditures to extend our operating runway until we obtain sufficient financing; our belief that the design of our adaptive trial with GCAR could accelerate the registrational timeline and provide substantial cost savings compared to traditional trial designs; the anticipated design and outcomes of our various planned studies; the anticipated timing of final OS analysis of our BRACELET-1 study; our belief that we currently have sufficient drug product to support our clinical development program and our focus on expanding the scale of our production capabilities to ensure we will be registration ready; our expected pelareorep development plan for 2024, including our plans to finalize the master protocol with GCAR, commence a registration-enabling study in pancreatic cancer and to continue enrolling our expanded anal cancer cohort and new pancreatic cancer cohort; our intention to finalize our breast cancer program registration pathway and plan the relevant clinical study; the focus of and plans for our manufacturing program; our plans for our intellectual property program; our ongoing evaluation of all types of financing arrangements and our expectation that we will continue to access our equity arrangement to help support our operations; our continued management of our research and development plan; our expectation that we will increase our spending in connection with the research and development of pelareorep over the next several years as we look to advance our breast and gastrointestinal cancer programs into later stages of clinical development; the factors that affect our cash usage; our approach to credit rate, interest rate, foreign exchange, and liquidity risk mitigation; our anticipated use of the remaining proceeds raised as part of our 2023 public offering of common shares and warrants; the effectiveness of our internal control systems; and other statements that are not historical facts or which are related to anticipated developments in our business and technologies. In any forward-looking statement in which we express an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectations or beliefs are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation, or belief will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the need for and availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of pelareorep as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and
trials, our ability to successfully commercialize pelareorep, uncertainties related to the research, development, and manufacturing of pelareorep, uncertainties related to competition, changes in technology, the regulatory process, and general changes to the economic environment.
With respect to the forward-looking statements made within this MD&A, we have made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: our ability to recruit and retain employees, our continued ability to obtain financing to fund our clinical development plan, our ability to receive regulatory approval to commence enrollment in the clinical studies which are part of our clinical development plan, our ability to maintain our supply of pelareorep, and future expense levels being within our current expectations.
Investors should consult our quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, projections, estimates, and expectations of management at the time such forward-looking statements are made, and such assumptions, projections, estimates and/or expectations could change or prove to be incorrect or inaccurate. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
Company Overview
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing pelareorep, a safe and well-tolerated intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent that activates the innate and adaptive immune systems and weakens tumor defense mechanisms. This improves the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, making tumors more susceptible to a broad range of oncology treatments.
Pelareorep is a proprietary isolate of reovirus, a naturally occurring, non-pathogenic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus commonly found in environmental waters. Pelareorep has shown promising results in changing the tumor microenvironment (TME). This creates a more immunologically favorable TME, which in turn makes the tumor more susceptible to various treatment combinations. These treatments include chemotherapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and other immuno-oncology approaches such as CAR T therapies, bispecific antibodies, and CDK4/6 inhibitors. Pelareorep induces a new army of tumor-reactive T cells, helps these cells to infiltrate the tumor through an inflammatory process, and promotes the overexpression of PD-1/PD-L1. By priming the immune system with pelareorep, we believe we can increase the proportion of patients who respond to immunotherapies and other cancer treatments, especially in cancers where immunotherapies have failed or provided limited benefit.
As our clinical development program advances, we anticipate pelareorep's ability to enhance innate and adaptive immune responses within the TME will play an increasingly important role. This greatly increases opportunities for expanding our clinical program, business development, and partnering opportunities to address a broad range of cancers in combination with various other therapies. We believe this approach has the most promise for generating clinically impactful data and offers the most expeditious path to regulatory approval.
Our primary focus is to advance our programs in hormone receptor-positive / human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to registration-enabling clinical studies. In addition, we are exploring opportunities for registrational programs in other gastrointestinal cancers through our GOBLET platform study.
We have not been profitable since our inception and expect to continue to incur substantial losses as we continue research and development efforts. We do not expect to generate significant revenues until and unless pelareorep becomes commercially viable. Management has applied significant judgment in the assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern. As at June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $24,850. We plan to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the balance sheet date with the cash and cash equivalents on hand, maintain an ATM equity distribution agreement, and explore potential collaborations and strategic transactions. Additional activities, such as future clinical trials, continue to be subject to adequate resources and funding activities. We believe we have the ability to reduce or eliminate planned expenditures to extend our operating runway until we obtain sufficient financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds through the sale of our common shares or other capital resources. Failure to raise additional capital would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
During the second quarter of 2024, Dr. Matt Coffey, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics commenced a medical leave of absence. Wayne Pisano, Chair of Oncolytics’ Board of Directors, was appointed interim CEO during Dr. Coffey’s absence.
Second Quarter 2024 Pelareorep Development Update
Clinical Trial Program
Gastrointestinal cancer program
Preliminary collaboration agreement with GCAR for inclusion in anticipated pancreatic cancer trial
In the second quarter of 2024, we entered into a preliminary collaboration with the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR). The purpose of the preliminary collaboration is to commence planning activities for evaluating pelareorep in the treatment of first-line metastatic PDAC as part of GCAR’s anticipated master protocol for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Compared to a chemotherapy control arm, the investigational treatment regimen is expected to be pelareorep, gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and atezolizumab. This adaptive trial design could accelerate the registrational timeline and provide substantial cost savings compared to traditional trial designs.
Collaboration with Roche and AIO-Studien-gGmbH: GOBLET platform study
Our GOBLET platform study is a collaboration with Roche and AIO-Studien-gGmbH, a leading academic cooperative medical oncology group based in Germany. The study is investigating the use of pelareorep, in combination with Roche's anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab (Tecentriq®), in advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal tumors. The study is being conducted at 17 centers in Germany. The study's co-primary endpoints are safety and objective response rate and/or disease control rate at week 16. Key secondary and exploratory endpoints include additional efficacy assessments and evaluation of potential biomarkers. The study employs a two-stage design comprising of patients with first-line advanced/metastatic and newly diagnosed metastatic PDAC, first- and third-line metastatic colorectal (CRC), and second-line or later anal cancer. Any cohort meeting pre-specified efficacy criteria in Stage 1 may be advanced to Stage 2 and enroll additional patients. Our first-line advanced/metastatic PDAC, third-line metastatic CRC, and second-line or later anal cancer cohorts have completed Stage 1 and met the pre-specified success criteria.
In the second quarter of 2024, we received regulatory clearance to commence enrollment into our fifth cohort and dosed the first patient. This cohort is supported by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Therapeutic Accelerator Award and is evaluating newly diagnosed metastatic PDAC patients treated with pelareorep in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX with or without atezolizumab (Tecentriq®).
Additionally, we continued to enroll patients in our expanded anal cancer cohort. We also continued to monitor, evaluate, and perform sample analysis for patients in the other cohorts.
Breast cancer program
Type C meeting request to FDA: defining a path to registration
In the second quarter of 2024, we held a Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss our planned potential registration-enabling trial for pelareorep in HR+/HER2- mBC. The FDA supports progression-free survival (PFS) as the study's primary endpoint, with overall survival (OS) as a key secondary endpoint. Our proposed study will enroll patients who have failed hormonal therapy and have received no more than one line of antibody-drug conjugate therapy.
Co-development agreement with Pfizer Inc. and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany: BRACELET-1 study
We have entered into a co-development agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer Inc. to co-develop pelareorep in combination with paclitaxel and avelumab (Bavencio®), a human anti-PD-L1 antibody, for the treatment of HR+/HER2- mBC. This phase 2 clinical trial was jointly funded by Oncolytics and Pfizer. The study, known as BRACELET-1, is a randomized open-label study that enrolled 48 patients into three cohorts: paclitaxel alone, paclitaxel in combination with pelareorep, and paclitaxel in combination with both pelareorep and avelumab. PrECOG LLC, a leading cancer research network, managed the BRACELET-1 study.
In the second quarter of 2024, we continued monitoring BRACELET-1 patients for PFS and OS in all treatment groups. Additionally, we continued to have productive dialogues with current and potential clinical collaborators regarding optimal registrational study plans. The final OS analysis is currently planned for the second half of 2024.
Pelareorep’s mechanism of action
During the second quarter of 2024 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, we presented data showing pelareorep’s ability to induce the expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) across multiple cancers and the correlation between TIL expansion and tumor response. Pelareorep’s ability to expand TILs highlights its immunotherapeutic mechanism of action and potential as a backbone immunotherapy for multiple indications.
Highlights include:
•The presence and expansion of TILs are associated with a better prognosis and response to treatment in cancer patients.
•Pelareorep treatment increased TIL expansion in the blood in all pancreatic, breast, and colorectal cancer patients evaluated after one cycle of treatment.
•Pre-existing TIL clonal expansion in the blood appears to correlate with tumor responses in pancreatic cancer patients.
•The addition of the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab, unlike atezolizumab, eliminated pre-existing TIL expansion in the blood and reduced pelareorep’s clinical activity.
These data suggest that pelareorep offers a simple, reliable way to expand TILs to provide clinical benefit.
Manufacturing and Process Development
While we currently have sufficient drug product supply to support our clinical development program, we continued our activities to expand our production capabilities as we focus on advancing our active drug substance and finished drug product towards registration and commercial readiness. During the second quarter of 2024, we continued the potency assay validation using the master cell bank created in 2023 and completed production of a new working cell bank. We also sourced materials required for our planned product fills and incurred storage and distribution costs to maintain our product supply. Ongoing bulk manufacturing and expanded filling capabilities are both part of the planned process validation. Continued process validation is required to ensure that the resulting product meets the specifications and quality standards and will form part of our submission to regulators, including the FDA, for product approval.
Intellectual Property
At the end of the second quarter of 2024, we had 149 patents, including 13 U.S. and 7 Canadian patents, and issuances in other jurisdictions. We have an extensive patent portfolio covering the oncolytic reovirus and formulations that we use in our clinical trial program. These patent rights extend to at least the end of 2031.
Financing Activity
U.S. "at-the-market" (ATM) equity distribution agreement
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we sold 2,432,099 common shares for gross proceeds of $3,840 (US$2,835) at an average price of $1.58 (US$1.17). We received proceeds of $3,725 (US$2,750) after commissions of $115 (US$85). In total, we incurred share issue costs (including commissions) of $202.
Cash Resources
We ended the second quarter of 2024 with cash and cash equivalents of $24,850 (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources").
Pelareorep Development for the Remainder of 2024
For the remainder of 2024, our clinical objectives will continue to revolve around our breast and pancreatic programs. We intend to finalize the master protocol with GCAR associated with an adaptive study in pancreatic cancer. We also plan to continue enrolling GOBLET's expanded anal cancer and newly added pancreatic cancer cohorts. In relation to our breast cancer program, having completed a Type C meeting with the FDA in the second quarter of 2024 and received productive guidance on our registrational study plans, we intend to finalize our registration pathway and plan the relevant clinical study. Our manufacturing program will focus on completing a second 200-L cGMP production run and the related batch testing. We also expect to fill product and perform the associated analytical testing, as well as labeling, packaging, and distribution of pelareorep to our various clinical sites for ongoing and upcoming activities. In addition, we will initiate the sourcing of a secondary fill/finish supplier. Finally, our intellectual property program includes filings for additional patents and monitoring activities required to protect our patent portfolio.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023:
Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts below are presented in thousands of Canadian dollars, except for share amounts.
Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $7,256 compared to $7,441 for the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Research and Development Expenses (“R&D”)
Our R&D expenses increased by $857 from $3,701 for the three months ended June 30, 2023, to $4,558 for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The following table summarizes our R&D expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
Clinical trial expenses | $ | 2,164 | | | $ | 1,022 | | | $ | 1,142 | |
Manufacturing and related process development expenses | 662 | | | 1,005 | | | (343) | |
Intellectual property expenses | 72 | | | 100 | | | (28) | |
| | | | | |
Personnel-related expenses | 1,288 | | | 1,374 | | | (86) | |
Share-based compensation expense | 310 | | | 142 | | | 168 | |
Other expenses | 62 | | | 58 | | | 4 | |
Research and development expenses | $ | 4,558 | | | $ | 3,701 | | | $ | 857 | |
The increase in our R&D expenses in the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to the following:
•Increased clinical trial expenses associated with BRACELET-1's patient data management and analysis, and planning activities as part of GCAR’s anticipated metastatic pancreatic cancer master protocol. The increase was partly offset by lower GOBLET study costs related to Stage 1 patients and clinical data management of legacy studies; and
•Increased share-based compensation expense resulting from the restricted share awards granted in the second half of 2023 and the impact of the vesting of options granted in prior periods.
Decreased manufacturing and related process development expenses partly offset the above increases. In the second quarter of 2023, we had started an engineering production run and performed higher process and analytical development activities.
General and Administrative Expenses ("G&A")
Our G&A expenses decreased by $97 from $3,459 for the three months ended June 30, 2023, to $3,362 for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The following table summarizes our G&A expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
Public company-related expenses | $ | 2,275 | | | $ | 2,487 | | | $ | (212) | |
Office expenses | 793 | | | 776 | | | 17 | |
Share-based compensation expense | 196 | | | 100 | | | 96 | |
Depreciation - property and equipment | 28 | | | 21 | | | 7 | |
Depreciation - right-of-use assets | 70 | | | 75 | | | (5) | |
General and administrative expenses | $ | 3,362 | | | $ | 3,459 | | | $ | (97) | |
Our G&A expenses in the second quarter of 2024 remained consistent with the second quarter of 2023.
Change in fair value of warrant derivative
In the second quarter of 2024, we recognized a gain of $235 on the change in fair value of our warrant derivative compared to a loss of $107 in the second quarter of 2023. The gain recognized in 2024 primarily related to the warrants issued as part of our 2023 financing, where the underlying market price of these warrants changed from US$1.07 at March 31, 2024, to US$0.99 at June 30, 2024. The number of outstanding warrants was 7,731,085 at June 30, 2024, and March 31, 2024. The loss recognized in 2023 related to the warrants issued as part of our 2019 financing, where the underlying market price of these warrants changed from US$1.20 at March 31, 2023, to US$2.60 at June 30, 2023.
Foreign Exchange
Our foreign exchange gains were $184 for the second quarter of 2024 compared to losses of $394 for the second quarter of 2023. The foreign exchange impact mainly reflected the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar throughout the respective periods, primarily on our U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities balances.
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023:
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $14,150 compared to $13,878 for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Research and development expenses (“R&D”)
Our R&D expenses increased by $3,061 from $7,240 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, to $10,301 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The following table summarizes our R&D expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended June 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
Clinical trial expenses | $ | 2,966 | | | $ | 1,931 | | | $ | 1,035 | |
Manufacturing and related process development expenses | 3,840 | | | 1,877 | | | 1,963 | |
Intellectual property expenses | 198 | | | 243 | | | (45) | |
| | | | | |
Personnel-related expenses | 2,559 | | | 2,754 | | | (195) | |
Share-based compensation expense | 650 | | | 336 | | | 314 | |
Other expenses | 88 | | | 99 | | | (11) | |
Research and development expenses | $ | 10,301 | | | $ | 7,240 | | | $ | 3,061 | |
The increase in our R&D expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was primarily due to the following:
•Increased clinical trial expenses associated with BRACELET-1's patient data management and analysis, and planning activities as part of GCAR’s anticipated pancreatic cancer master protocol. The increase was partly offset by lower GOBLET study costs related to Stage 1 patients and clinical data management of legacy studies;
•Increased manufacturing and related process development expenses associated with completing a cGMP production run and the related batch testing compared to starting an engineering production run during the same period in the prior year; and
•Increased share-based compensation expense resulting from the restricted share awards granted in the second half of 2023 and the impact of the vesting of options granted in prior periods.
General and administrative expenses ("G&A")
Our G&A expenses decreased by $309 from $6,654 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, to $6,345 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The following table summarizes our G&A expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended June 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
Public company-related expenses | $ | 4,119 | | | $ | 4,688 | | | $ | (569) | |
Office expenses | 1,573 | | | 1,550 | | | 23 | |
Share-based compensation expense | 432 | | | 223 | | | 209 | |
Depreciation - property and equipment | 56 | | | 42 | | | 14 | |
Depreciation - right-of-use assets | 165 | | | 151 | | | 14 | |
General and administrative expenses | $ | 6,345 | | | $ | 6,654 | | | $ | (309) | |
The decrease in our G&A expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was primarily due to lower public-company related expenses associated with lower investor relations activities and lower directors and officers liability insurance premiums. The above decrease was partly offset by higher share-based compensation expense resulting from the restricted share awards granted in the second half of 2023 and the impact of the vesting of options granted in prior periods.
Change in fair value of warrant derivative
For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recognized a gain of $1,104 on the change in fair value of our warrant derivative compared to a loss of $76 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The gain recognized in 2024 primarily related to the warrants issued as part of our 2023 financing, where the underlying market price of these warrants changed from US$1.35 at December 31, 2023, to US$0.99 at June 30, 2024. The number of outstanding warrants was 7,731,085 at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
Foreign exchange
Our foreign exchange gains for the six months ended June 30, 2024, were $701 compared to losses of $393 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The foreign exchange impact mainly reflected the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar throughout the respective periods, primarily on our U.S. dollar-denominated cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities balances.
Summary of Quarterly Results
Historical patterns of expenditures cannot be taken as an indication of future expenditures. Our current and future expenditures are subject to numerous uncertainties, including the duration, timing, and costs of R&D activities ongoing during each period and the availability of funding from investors and prospective partners. As a result, the amount and timing of expenditures and, therefore, liquidity and capital resources may vary substantially from period to period.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| June(4) | March(4) | Dec.(4) | Sept. | June | March | Dec. | Sept. |
Revenue | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Net loss(1)(2)(3) | (7,256) | | (6,894) | | (3,949) | | (9,925) | | (7,441) | | (6,437) | | (8,554) | | (4,407) | |
Basic and diluted loss per common share(1)(2)(3) | $ | (0.10) | | $ | (0.09) | | $ | (0.05) | | $ | (0.14) | | $ | (0.12) | | $ | (0.10) | | $ | (0.14) | | $ | (0.08) | |
Total assets(5) | 32,069 | 34,750 | 38,820 | 46,089 | | 31,966 | | 35,328 | | 37,334 | | 38,959 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities(5) | 24,850 | | 29,603 | 34,912 | 39,981 | | 24,351 | | 29,670 | | 32,138 | | 32,362 | |
Total long-term debt | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Cash dividends declared(6) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
(1)Included in consolidated net loss and loss per common share were share-based compensation expenses of $506, $576, $759, $599, $242, $317, $749, and $500, respectively.
(2)Included in consolidated net loss and loss per common share were foreign exchange gains (losses) of $184, $517, $(392), $310, $(394), $1, $(274), and $1,526, respectively.
(3)Included in consolidated net loss and loss per common share was interest income of $382, $461, $508, $324, $286, $280, $330, and $165, respectively.
(4)Included in consolidated net loss and loss per common share were gains resulting from a change in fair value of warrant derivative of $235, $869, and $4,846, respectively.
(5)We issued 2,433,239 common shares for net cash proceeds of $3.6 million in 2024 (2023 - 13,096,046 common shares for net cash proceeds of $31.8 million).
(6)We have not declared or paid any dividends since incorporation.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, we completed an engineering production run, resulting in higher manufacturing and related process development expenses. We also incurred higher public company-related expenses associated with higher investor relations activities and the portion of the 2023 public offering transaction costs allocated to warrants (see note 7(b) of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements). During the quarters ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, we incurred expenses related to annual short-term incentive awards.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, we have not been profitable since our inception. We expect to continue to incur substantial losses as we continue our research and development efforts. We do not expect to generate significant revenues until and unless pelareorep becomes commercially viable. To date, we have funded our operations mainly through issuing additional capital via public offerings, equity distribution arrangements, and the exercise of warrants and stock options. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we were able to raise funds through our U.S. ATM.
We have no assurances that we will be able to raise additional funds through the sale of our common shares. Consequently, we will continue to evaluate all types of financing arrangements.
On June 16, 2022, we renewed our short form base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf") that qualifies for distribution of up to $150.0 million of common shares, subscription receipts, warrants, or units (the "Securities") in either Canada, the U.S. or both. The Base Shelf was effective until July 16, 2024. On July 19, 2024, we renewed our Base Shelf that qualifies for distribution of up to $150.0 million of common shares, subscription receipts, warrants, or units in either Canada, the U.S. or both. Our renewed Base Shelf will be effective until August 19, 2026. Under the Base Shelf, we may sell Securities to or through underwriters, dealers, placement agents, or other intermediaries. We may also sell Securities directly to purchasers or through agents, subject to obtaining any applicable exemption from registration requirements. The distribution of Securities may be performed from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be subject to change, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices to be negotiated with purchasers and as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
Renewing our Base Shelf provides additional flexibility when managing our cash resources as, under certain circumstances, it shortens the time required to close a financing and is expected to increase the number of potential investors that may be
prepared to invest in the Company. Funds received from using our Base Shelf would be used in line with our Board-approved budget and multi-year plan.
Our Base Shelf allowed us to enter our June 2022 ATM equity distribution agreement and 2023 public offering (see note 7 of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements). We used these equity arrangements to assist us in achieving our capital objective. These arrangements provided us with the opportunity to raise capital and better manage our cash resources. We expect to continue to access equity arrangements to help support our operations.
As at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 24,850 | | | $ | 34,912 | |
| | | |
We have no debt other than accounts payable and accrued liabilities and lease liabilities. We have commitments and contingent obligations relating to completing our research and development of pelareorep.
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Six Months Ended June 30, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
Cash used in operating activities | $ | (14,288) | | | $ | (16,294) | | | $ | 2,006 | |
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (201) | | | 13,459 | | | (13,660) | |
Cash provided by financing activities | 3,470 | | | 8,963 | | | (5,493) | |
Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents | 957 | | | (274) | | | 1,231 | |
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (10,062) | | | $ | 5,854 | | | $ | (15,916) | |
Cash used in operating activities
The decrease reflected non-cash working capital changes, partly offset by higher net operating activities in 2024.
Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024, consisted of a net loss of $14,150 less non-cash adjustments of $320 offset by non-cash working capital changes of $182. Non-cash items primarily included change in fair value of warrant derivative, share-based compensation expense, and unrealized foreign exchange gains. Non-cash working capital changes mainly reflected increased other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and other liabilities (see note 13 of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements).
Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, consisted of a net loss of $13,878 offset by non-cash adjustments of $1,020 less non-cash working capital changes of $3,436. Non-cash items primarily included share-based compensation expense and unrealized foreign exchange losses. Non-cash working capital changes mainly reflected an increased use of cash to increase prepaid expenses and decrease accounts payable and accrued liabilities (see note 13 of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements).
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
The change was primarily related to the maturities of marketable securities in the first six months of 2023. We assess whether to acquire marketable securities based on a comparative analysis of the anticipated yield from an investment in marketable securities versus the interest earnings from our cash deposits in interest-bearing accounts.
Cash provided by financing activities
The decrease was mainly due to our U.S. ATM activities. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we sold 2,432,099 common shares for gross proceeds of $3,840 (US$2,835) at an average price of $1.58 (US$1.17). During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we sold 4,205,240 common shares for gross proceeds of $9,128 (US$6,764) at an average price of $2.17 (US$1.61).
Our objective is to maintain adequate cash reserves to support our planned activities, including our clinical trial program, product manufacturing, administrative costs, and intellectual property protection. To do so, we estimate our future cash requirements by preparing a budget and a multi-year plan annually for review and approval by our Board. The budget establishes the approved activities for the upcoming year and estimates the associated costs. The multi-year plan estimates future activity along with the potential cash requirements and is based on our assessment of our current clinical trial progress
along with the expected results from the coming year’s activity. Budget to actual variances are prepared and reviewed by management and are presented quarterly to the Board.
We continue to manage our research and development plan to ensure optimal use of our existing resources as we expect to fund our expenditure requirements and commitments with existing working capital. Management has applied significant judgment in the assessment of our ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the balance sheet date with the cash and cash equivalents on hand, maintain an ATM equity distribution agreement, and explore potential collaborations and strategic transactions. Additional activities, such as future clinical trials, continue to be subject to adequate resources and funding activities. We believe we have the ability to reduce or eliminate planned expenditures to extend our operating runway until we obtain sufficient financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds through the sale of our common shares or other capital resources. Failure to raise additional capital would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Factors that will affect our anticipated cash usage for which additional funding might be required include, but are not limited to, expansion of our clinical trial program, the timing of patient enrollment in our clinical trials, the actual costs incurred to support each clinical trial, the number of treatments each patient will receive, the timing of R&D activity with our clinical trial research collaborations, the number, timing and costs of manufacturing runs required to conclude the validation process and supply product to our clinical trial program, and the level of collaborative activity undertaken, and other factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent annual report on Form 20-F. We expect to increase our spending in connection with the research and development of pelareorep over the next several years as we look to advance our breast and gastrointestinal cancer programs into later stages of clinical development. A product candidate in later stages of clinical development generally has higher costs than those in earlier stages, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. Additionally, we expect to continue to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company.
Conducting clinical trials necessary to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time-consuming. We may never succeed in achieving marketing approval. The probability of successful commercialization of our drug candidates may be affected by numerous factors, including clinical data obtained in future trials, competition, manufacturing capability and commercial viability. As a result, we are unable to determine the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or when and to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of any of our product candidates.
We are not subject to externally imposed capital requirements, and there have been no changes in how we define or manage our capital in 2024.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as at June 30, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | Less than 1 year |
1 -3 years |
4 - 5 years | More than 5 years |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 4,653 | | $ | 4,653 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Lease obligations | 1,529 | | 378 | | 903 | | 248 | | — | |
Total contractual obligations | $ | 6,182 | | $ | 5,031 | | $ | 903 | | $ | 248 | | $ | — | |
In addition, we are committed to payments totaling approximately $11,300 for activities mainly related to our clinical trial and manufacturing programs, which are expected to occur over the next two years. Approximately half of the committed payments relate to a production service agreement with our primary toll manufacturer, which cannot be canceled without a significant penalty. We are able to cancel most of the remaining agreements with notice. The ultimate amount and timing of these payments are subject to changes in our research and development plan.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As at June 30, 2024, we had not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Transactions with Related Parties
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, we did not enter into any related party transactions other than compensation paid to key management personnel. Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling our activities as a whole. We have determined that key management personnel comprise the Board of Directors, Executive Officers, President, and Vice Presidents.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30, | | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Compensation and short-term benefits | $ | 985 | | | $ | 1,026 | | | $ | 1,913 | | | $ | 2,026 | |
| | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation expense | 436 | | | 171 | | | 934 | | | 400 | |
| $ | 1,421 | | | $ | 1,197 | | | $ | 2,847 | | | $ | 2,426 | |
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In preparing our condensed interim consolidated financial statements, we use IFRS as issued by the IASB. IFRS requires us to make certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on the information available in applying our accounting policies. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our condensed interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.
Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and contained in our annual report on Form 20-F filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies in the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Adoption of new accounting standards
IAS 1 Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current
In October 2022, the IASB issued amendments to clarify how conditions with which an entity must comply within 12 months after the reporting period affect the classification of a liability. This is in addition to the amendment from January 2020 where the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, to provide a more general approach to the presentation of liabilities as current or non-current based on contractual arrangements in place at the reporting date. These amendments specify that the rights and conditions existing at the end of the reporting period are relevant in determining whether the Company has a right to defer settlement of a liability by at least 12 months, provided that management's expectations are not a relevant consideration as to whether the Company will exercise its rights to defer settlement of a liability and clarify when a liability is considered settled. The amendments became effective on January 1, 2024. Adopting the amendments did not have a material impact on our condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
Accounting standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective
IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements
In April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements which replaces IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. IFRS 18 introduces new requirements on presentation within the statement of profit or loss, including specified totals and subtotals. It also requires disclosure of management-defined performance measures and includes new requirements for aggregation and disaggregation of financial information based on the identified roles of the primary financial statements and the notes. Narrow scope amendments have been made to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and some requirements previously included within IAS 1 have been moved to IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, which has also been renamed IAS 8 Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements. IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting has also been amended to require disclosure of management-defined performance measures. IFRS 18 and the amendments to the other standards are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027, with early application permitted. IFRS 18 applies retrospectively to both annual and interim financial statements. We are assessing the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments and Other Instruments
Fair value of financial instruments
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, other liabilities, and warrant derivative. As at June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and other liabilities approximated their fair value due to their short-term maturity. The warrant derivative is a recurring Level 2 fair value measurement as these warrants have not been listed on an exchange and, therefore, do not trade on an active market. As at June 30, 2024, the fair value of our warrant derivative was presented as an asset of $848 (December 31, 2023 - liability of $200). The change was mainly due to the
revaluation of our warrants issued as part of our 2023 public offering. As the unamortized discount balance was greater than the fair value of the warrant derivative liability at June 30, 2024, the net balance was presented as an asset on our condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position. An initial discount was recognized as the difference between the fair value of the warrants and their allocated proceeds, which is amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the warrants (see note 6 of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements). We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value.
Financial risk management
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of a financial loss if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. As at June 30, 2024, we were exposed to credit risk on our cash and cash equivalents and other receivables from PanCAN in connection with the Therapeutic Accelerator Award (see note 4 of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements) in the event of non-performance by counterparties, but we do not anticipate such non-performance. Our maximum exposure to credit risk at the end of the period is the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents and other receivables from PanCAN.
We mitigate our exposure to credit risk connected to our cash and cash equivalents by maintaining our primary operating and investment bank accounts with Schedule I banks in Canada. For our foreign-domiciled bank accounts, we use referrals or recommendations from our Canadian banks to open foreign bank accounts. Our foreign-domiciled bank accounts are used solely for the purpose of settling accounts payable and accrued liabilities or payroll.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that a financial instrument's fair value or future cash flows will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. We hold our cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts or high-interest investment accounts with variable interest rates. We mitigate interest rate risk through our investment policy that only allows the investment of excess cash resources in investment-grade vehicles while matching maturities with our operational requirements.
Fluctuations in market interest rates do not significantly impact our results of operations due to the short-term maturity of the investments held.
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk arises from changes in foreign exchange rates that may affect the fair value or future cash flows of our financial assets or liabilities. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we were primarily exposed to the risk of changes in the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, as a portion of our financial assets and liabilities were denominated in such currency. The impact of a $0.01 increase in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar would have decreased our total comprehensive loss in 2024 by approximately $179 (June 30, 2023 - $158).
We mitigate our foreign exchange risk by maintaining sufficient foreign currencies by purchasing foreign currencies or receiving foreign currencies from financing activities to settle our foreign accounts payable.
Significant balances denominated in U.S. dollars were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| June 30, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16,906 | | | $ | 24,294 | |
Other receivables | 1,125 | | | — | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (1,033) | | | (1,476) | |
Other liabilities | (922) | | | (251) | |
| $ | 16,076 | | | $ | 22,567 | |
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will encounter difficulty meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. We manage liquidity risk by managing our capital structure as outlined in note 11 of our condensed interim consolidated financial statements. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are all due within the current operating period.
Use of Proceeds
2023 public offering and use of proceeds
The following table provides an update on the anticipated use of proceeds raised as part of the 2023 public offering of common shares and warrants along with amounts actually expended. As at June 30, 2024, the following expenditures have been incurred (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Item | Amount to Spend | | Spent to Date | | Adjustments | | Remaining to Spend |
Pancreatic Cancer Program | $ | 10,500 | | | $ | (1,187) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,313 | |
Breast Cancer Program | 500 | | | (500) | | | — | | | — | |
General and Administrative Expenses | 2,650 | | | (227) | | | — | | | 2,423 | |
Total | $ | 13,650 | | | $ | (1,914) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 11,736 | |
ATM facility
On June 17, 2022, we entered into an ATM equity distribution agreement with Canaccord Genuity Inc. The ATM allowed us to issue common shares, at prevailing market prices, with an aggregate offering value of up to US$65.0 million over a 25-month period through the facilities of the Nasdaq Capital Market in the United States. Approximately $66.6 million (US$48.6 million) remained unused under the ATM equity distribution agreement. This agreement expired on July 17, 2024.
Other MD&A Requirements
We have 76,986,033 common shares outstanding at August 1, 2024. If all of our options and restricted share awards (7,609,835) and common share purchase warrants (8,267,778) were exercised, we would have 92,863,646 common shares outstanding.
Our 2023 annual report on Form 20-F is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures (“DC&P”) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the securities legislation and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed or submitted under securities legislation is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its certifying officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There were no changes in our DC&P during the three months ended June 30, 2024, that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our DC&P.
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
The Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") are responsible for designing internal controls over financial reporting (“ICFR”) or causing them to be designed under their supervision in order to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. The CEO and CFO have designed, or caused to be designed under their supervision, ICFR to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) material information relating to the Company is made known to the Company's CEO and CFO by others; and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in securities legislation. The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) 2013 framework provides the basis for management’s design of internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in our ICFR during the three months ended June 30, 2024, that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our ICFR.
Management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our internal controls and procedures over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of
simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving our stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Risks and Uncertainties
We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Prospects for biotechnology companies in the research and development stage should generally be regarded as speculative. It is not possible to predict, based on studies in animals, or early studies in humans, whether a new therapeutic will ultimately prove to be safe and effective in humans or whether necessary and sufficient data can be developed through the clinical trial process to support a successful product application and approval. If a product is approved for sale, product manufacturing at a commercial scale and significant sales to end users at a commercially reasonable price may not be successful. There can be no assurance that we will generate adequate funds to continue development or will ever achieve significant revenues or profitable operations. Many factors (e.g., competition, patent protection, appropriate regulatory approvals) can influence the revenue and product profitability potential. In developing a pharmaceutical product, we rely on our employees, contractors, consultants and collaborators, and other third-party relationships, including the ability to obtain appropriate product liability insurance. There can be no assurance that this reliance and these relationships will continue as required. In addition to developmental and operational considerations, market prices for securities of biotechnology companies generally are volatile, and may or may not move in a manner consistent with the progress we have made or are making.
Investment in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. An investor should carefully consider, among other matters, the risk factors in addition to the other information in our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as well as our other public filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the SEC, when evaluating our business because these risk factors may have a significant impact on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow. If any of the described material risks in our annual report or in subsequent reports we file with the regulatory authorities actually occur, they may materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow. Additional risks and uncertainties that we have not yet identified or that we presently consider to be immaterial may also materially harm our business, financial condition, operating results, or cash flow. For information on risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent annual report on Form 20-F and our other public filings available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar.
FORM 52‑109F2
CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS
FULL CERTIFICATE
I, Wayne Pisano, Interim CEO of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., certify the following:
1.Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended June 30, 2024.
2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.
3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.
4. Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52‑109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings:
(a) designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that:
(i) material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and
(ii) information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b) designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.
5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control -- Integrated Framework (2013) published by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
5.2 ICFR ‑ material weakness relating to design: N/A.
5.3 Limitation on scope of design: N/A.
6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on April 1, 2024 and ended on June 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.
Date: August 1, 2024
| | | | | | | | |
/s/ Wayne Pisano | | |
Wayne Pisano | | |
Interim CEO | | |
FORM 52‑109F2
CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS
FULL CERTIFICATE
I, Kirk Look, CFO of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., certify the following:
1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended June 30, 2024.
2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.
3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.
4. Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52‑109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings:
(a) designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that:
(i) material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and
(ii) information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b) designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP.
5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control -- Integrated Framework (2013) published by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
5.2 ICFR ‑ material weakness relating to design: N/A.
5.3 Limitation on scope of design: N/A.
6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on April 1, 2024 and ended on June 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR.
Date: August 1, 2024
| | | | | | | | |
/s/ Kirk Look | | |
Kirk Look, CA | | |
CFO | | |
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