Acumen Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Business Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

Acumen Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ABOS) reported its Q1 2025 financial results and business updates. The company's Phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD study investigating sabirnetug (ACU193) for early Alzheimer's disease treatment is fully enrolled with 542 participants, with topline results expected in late 2026. Financial highlights include cash position of $197.9 million as of March 31, 2025, expected to fund operations into early 2027. Q1 2025 saw increased R&D expenses of $25.3 million (vs $12.4 million in Q1 2024) due to ALTITUDE-AD trial costs, while G&A expenses slightly decreased to $5.1 million. The company reported a net loss of $28.8 million for Q1 2025, compared to $14.9 million in Q1 2024. Recent developments include presentations at AD/PD conference highlighting plasma pTau217 assay results and other research findings.

Positive

• Strong cash position of $197.9 million, sufficient to fund operations into early 2027
• Successfully completed enrollment of 542 participants in Phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD study
• Demonstrated strong interest from clinical trial investigators, patients, and caregivers in sabirnetug's potential

Negative

• Net loss increased significantly to $28.8 million in Q1 2025 from $14.9 million in Q1 2024
• R&D expenses doubled to $25.3 million from $12.4 million year-over-year
• Cash position decreased from $231.5 million to $197.9 million in one quarter

Insights

Biotech Investment Analyst

Acumen reports increasing losses as ALTITUDE-AD trial progresses, with solid cash runway supporting operations through data readout.

Acumen's Q1 2025 financial results reveal a well-funded clinical program with $197.9 million in cash, supporting operations into early 2027—importantly, beyond the expected late 2026 topline readout for their Phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD study of sabirnetug in early Alzheimer's disease. This cash position represents a $33.6 million decrease from year-end 2024, indicating an accelerated burn rate as their clinical program advances.

The financial data shows R&D expenses more than doubled year-over-year to $25.3 million, up from $12.4 million in Q1 2024, primarily driven by ALTITUDE-AD trial costs. This substantial increase reflects the fully-enrolled 542-participant study's progression. Meanwhile, G&A expenses remained relatively stable at $5.1 million, down slightly from $5.3 million year-over-year.

The net loss widened to $28.8 million from $14.9 million in the comparable quarter, representing a 93% increase—an expected trajectory for a clinical-stage biotech with an advancing Phase 2 program. The successful completion of enrollment suggests strong investigator and patient interest in sabirnetug's differentiated mechanism targeting toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers rather than all forms of amyloid.

The company's presentations at scientific conferences highlight their use of plasma pTau217 as a screening biomarker for trial enrollment, positioning them at the forefront of using blood-based biomarkers in Alzheimer's clinical trials—a strategy that could improve trial efficiency and patient selection. With cash runway extending beyond their primary data readout, Acumen appears well-positioned to reach their next major value inflection point without immediate financing pressure.

• Expect to report topline results for ALTITUDE-AD, a Phase 2 study to investigate sabirnetug (ACU193) for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease, in late 2026
  

• Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $197.9 million as of March 31, 2025, expected to support current clinical and operational activities into early 2027 
  

• Company to host conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET 
  

NEWTON, Mass., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABOS) (“Acumen” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2025 and provided a business update.

“In the first quarter of 2025, Acumen’s strong execution continued to build on the momentum achieved in 2024. ALTITUDE-AD, our Phase 2 study investigating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of sabirnetug for the treatment of early AD, is fully enrolled and we expect topline results in late 2026,” said Daniel O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer of Acumen. “This sizable 542-participant study enrolled quickly, a testament to the interest in sabirnetug’s high selectivity for toxic amyloid beta oligomers from clinical trial investigators, patients and caregivers alike. The fundamentals of our clinical development plan and underlying business are strong, and we look forward to building on our positive momentum throughout the year.”

Recent Highlights  

• In April 2025, the Company presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases and related neurological disorders (AD/PD).
  • The oral presentation highlighted extended results from a validated research-use plasma pTau217 assay to screen potential participants in the ongoing Phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD clinical trial of sabirnetug, showing this strategy has performed as intended.
  • Additional presentations included posters on early effects of sabirnetug on synaptic biomarkers in AD, methods of interrogating the binding of AβOs to a model of human neurons, and methods to advance Aβ selectivity measurements.   
    
• In April 2025, the Company presented an encore presentation detailing the plasma pTau217 assay used in ALTITUDE-AD at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting.
  
• More information on these presentations can be found here.
  

Anticipated Milestones 

• The Company expects topline results from ALTITUDE-AD, a Phase 2 study to investigate sabirnetug for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease, in late 2026. 
  

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

• Cash Balance. As of March 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $197.9 million compared to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $231.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease in cash is related to funding ongoing operations. Cash is expected to support current clinical and operational activities into early 2027. 
  

• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses.  R&D expenses were $25.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, compared to $12.4 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to an increase in clinical trial costs related to ALTITUDE-AD, personnel, and other costs.  
  

• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses. G&A expenses were $5.1 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, compared to $5.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to immaterial decreases in personnel costs, insurance and recruiting costs.
  

• Loss from Operations. Loss from operations was $30.4 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, compared to $17.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. This increase was due to the increased R&D expenses over the prior year period. 
  

• Net Loss.  Net loss was $28.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, compared to $14.9 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024.
  

Conference Call Details 

Acumen will host a conference call and live audio webcast today, May 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. ET. 

To participate in the live conference call, please register using this link. After registration, you will be informed of the dial-in numbers including PIN. Please register at least one day in advance.  

The webcast audio will be available via this link.

An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least 30 days in the Investors section of the Company's website at www.acumenpharm.com. 

About Sabirnetug (ACU193) 
Sabirnetug (ACU193) is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovered and developed based on its selectivity for soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs), which are a highly toxic and pathogenic form of Aβ, relative to Aβ monomers and amyloid plaques. Soluble AβOs have been observed to be potent neurotoxins that bind to neurons, inhibit synaptic function and induce neurodegeneration. By selectively targeting toxic soluble AβOs, sabirnetug aims to address the hypothesis that soluble AβOs are an early and persistent underlying cause of the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sabirnetug has been granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of early AD by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in patients with early AD.   

About ALTITUDE-AD (Phase 2)  
Initiated in 2024, ALTITUDE-AD is a Phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sabirnetug (ACU193) infusions administered once every four weeks in slowing cognitive and functional decline as compared to placebo in participants with early Alzheimer's disease. The study has enrolled 542 individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease (mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to AD) at multiple investigative sites located in the United States, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom. More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT identifier NCT06335173. 

About Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 
Acumen Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Acumen’s scientific founders pioneered research on AβOs, which a growing body of evidence indicates are early and persistent triggers of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Acumen is currently focused on advancing its investigational product candidate, sabirnetug (ACU193), a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets toxic soluble AβOs, in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial ALTITUDE-AD (NCT06335173) in early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease patients, following positive results in its Phase 1 trial INTERCEPT-AD. The company is headquartered in Newton, Mass. For more information, visit www.acumenpharm.com.    
   
Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any statement describing Acumen’s goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “seeks,” “aims,” “plans,” “potential,” “will,” “milestone” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning Acumen’s business, and Acumen’s ability to achieve its strategic and financial goals, including its projected use of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and the expected sufficiency of its cash resources into early 2027, the therapeutic potential of Acumen’s product candidate, sabirnetug (ACU193), including against other antibodies, the timing of anticipated topline results of ALTITUDE-AD, and the potential for additional development to support a subcutaneous dosing option of sabirnetug. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Acumen management, and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing safe and effective human therapeutics. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of geopolitical events and macroeconomic conditions, such as rising inflation and interest rates, supply disruptions and uncertainty of credit and financial markets. These and other risks concerning Acumen’s programs are described in additional detail in Acumen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including in Acumen’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available from Acumen.  Additional information will be made available in other filings that Acumen makes from time to time with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Acumen expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law, whether, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

CONTACTS: 

Investors:  
Alex Braun 
abraun@acumenpharm.com 

Media: AcumenPR@westwicke.com 

Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	March 31,				December 31,
	2025				2024
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,159			$	35,627
Marketable securities, short-term		118,989				135,930
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		5,799				6,749
Total current assets		154,947				178,306
Marketable securities, long-term		48,795				59,968
Restricted cash		232				232
Other assets, long-term		504				486
Total assets	$	204,478			$	238,992
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	1,056			$	5,648
Accrued clinical trial expenses		11,548				15,344
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		6,711				6,615
Total current liabilities		19,315				27,607
Debt, long-term		29,528				29,419
Other liabilities, long-term		114				150
Total liabilities		48,957				57,176
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024		-				-
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024; 60,573,425 and 60,094,083 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively		6				6
Additional paid-in capital		509,423				506,985
Accumulated deficit		(353,923	)			(325,127	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		15				(48	)
Total stockholders' equity		155,521				181,816
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	204,478			$	238,992

Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025				2024
Operating expenses
Research and development	$	25,266			$	12,449
General and administrative		5,104				5,325
Total operating expenses		30,370				17,774
Loss from operations		(30,370	)			(17,774	)
Other income (expense)
Interest income		2,471				4,005
Interest expense		(1,023	)			(1,000	)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives		190				(50	)
Other expense, net		(64	)			(54	)
Total other income		1,574				2,901
Net loss		(28,796	)			(14,873	)
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities		63				(456	)
Comprehensive loss	$	(28,733	)		$	(15,329	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.48	)		$	(0.25	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted		60,525,628				59,812,000

Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025				2024
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(28,796	)		$	(14,873	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation		15				16
Stock-based compensation expense		2,474				2,484
Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on marketable securities, net		(588	)			(1,763	)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives		(190	)			50
Amortization of right-of-use asset		30				28
Realized gain on marketable securities		(3	)			(2	)
Non-cash interest expense		299				268
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		950				(226	)
Other long-term assets		16				35
Accounts payable		(4,592	)			1,700
Accrued clinical trial expenses		(3,796	)			(2,020	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		60				(3,533	)
Finance lease liability		-				(23	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(34,121	)			(17,859	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities		(35,048	)			(45,292	)
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities		63,816				36,100
Purchases of property and equipment		(79	)			(11	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		28,689				(9,203	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		-				7,938
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		37				-
Payment for financing lease		-				(739	)
Payments for deferred offering costs		-				(60	)
Repurchase of common shares to pay employee withholding taxes		(73	)			(32	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(36	)			7,107
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(5,468	)			(19,955	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period		35,859				67,119
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period	$	30,391			$	47,164

FAQ

When will Acumen Pharmaceuticals (ABOS) report topline results for the ALTITUDE-AD Phase 2 study?

Acumen expects to report topline results for the ALTITUDE-AD Phase 2 study investigating sabirnetug in late 2026.

How much cash does ABOS have and how long will it last?

As of March 31, 2025, Acumen has $197.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, expected to support current clinical and operational activities into early 2027.

What was Acumen's (ABOS) net loss in Q1 2025?

Acumen reported a net loss of $28.8 million for Q1 2025, compared to $14.9 million in Q1 2024.

How many participants are enrolled in ABOS's ALTITUDE-AD Phase 2 study?

The ALTITUDE-AD Phase 2 study has enrolled 542 participants to investigate sabirnetug for early Alzheimer's disease treatment.

What is sabirnetug (ACU193) being developed for by Acumen Pharmaceuticals?

Sabirnetug is being developed as a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) for the treatment of early Alzheimer's disease.