Aligos Therapeutics Reports Recent Business Progress and Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Aligos Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ALGS) reported Q2 2024 financial results and business progress. Key highlights include:

1. Completed enrollment for Phase 2a HERALD study of ALG-055009 (THR-β agonist for MASH), with topline data expected in early Q4 2024.

2. Presented promising data for ALG-000184 (CAM-E for CHB) at EASL Congress 2024, showing sustained HBV DNA suppression.

3. Received positive FDA feedback for ALG-000184, supporting future studies with sustained HBV DNA suppression as the primary endpoint.

4. Q2 2024 net income of $5.1 million ($0.03 per share), primarily due to a decrease in warrant liability.

5. Cash balance of $94.5 million as of June 30, 2024, expected to fund operations through end of 2025.

Positive

• Completed enrollment for Phase 2a HERALD study of ALG-055009 ahead of schedule
• ALG-000184 showed sustained HBV DNA suppression in 90% of HBeAg-positive CHB subjects
• Received positive FDA feedback for ALG-000184, supporting potential registration
• Net income of $5.1 million in Q2 2024, compared to a net loss in Q2 2023
• Cash balance of $94.5 million expected to fund operations through end of 2025

Negative

• R&D expenses increased to $21.1 million in Q2 2024 from $16.8 million in Q2 2023
• Cash, cash equivalents and investments decreased to $94.5 million from $135.7 million at the end of 2023

Insights

Financial Analyst

Aligos Therapeutics' Q2 2024 results present a mixed financial picture. The company reported a net income of $5.1 million ($0.03 per share), a significant improvement from the $18.8 million loss in Q2 2023. However, this profit is largely due to a $30.5 million non-cash income from warrant liability valuation changes, masking underlying operational losses.

R&D expenses increased by 25.6% to $21.1 million, reflecting intensified clinical trial activities. G&A expenses decreased by 30.4% to $6.4 million, indicating improved cost management. The cash position of $94.5 million provides runway through 2025, but represents a 30.4% decrease from year-end 2023, highlighting the need for careful cash management or potential future fundraising.

Medical Research Analyst

Aligos is making substantial progress across its pipeline. The THR-β agonist ALG-055009 for MASH completed Phase 2a enrollment ahead of schedule, with topline data expected in Q4 2024. This could position Aligos competitively in the lucrative MASH market.

The CHB candidate ALG-000184 showed promising results, with 90% of HBeAg-positive and 100% of HBeAg-negative patients achieving sustained HBV DNA suppression. The FDA's positive feedback on using sustained HBV DNA suppression as a primary endpoint for future studies is a significant regulatory milestone, potentially accelerating the path to market.

The pan-coronavirus protease inhibitor ALG-097558 demonstrated a favorable PK profile, supporting twice-daily dosing without ritonavir boosting or food effects, which could offer advantages over existing treatments.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGS, “Aligos”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in liver and viral diseases, today reported recent business progress and financial results for the second quarter 2024.

“This quarter we continued to execute on our key clinical programs,” stated Lawrence Blatt, Ph.D., MBA, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Aligos Therapeutics. “We completed enrollment ahead of schedule for the Phase 2a HERALD study of our THR-β agonist drug candidate, ALG-055009, and we expect topline data in early Q4 2024. In addition, we presented data from ALG-000184 at the EASL Congress 2024, including new data from the HBeAg-negative cohort, that demonstrated no viral breakthrough and unprecedented reductions in viral markers of CHB. We also received positive regulatory feedback from the FDA supporting subsequent studies of chronic suppressive therapy with sustained HBV DNA suppression as the primary approvable endpoint. We look forward to continuing to develop our drug candidates for patients in need of better outcomes.”

Recent Business Progress

Aligos Portfolio of Drug Candidates

ALG-055009: Potential best-in-class small molecule THR-β agonist for MASH

• The Phase 2a HERALD study completed enrollment in May 2024
• Topline HERALD data are anticipated in early Q4 2024

      ALG-000184: Potential first-/best-in-class small molecule CAM-E for CHB

• Interim data from Parts 3 and 4 of Study ALG-000184-201 were presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2024 and showed consistent, potent antiviral activity across multiple cohorts of untreated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients
  • Data from ≤ 72 weeks following an oral daily dose of 300 mg ALG-000184 monotherapy demonstrated sustained HBV DNA suppression (<LLOQ <10 IU/mL) in 9/10 (90%) HBeAg-positive CHB subjects with no viral breakthrough. New data also showed that as HBeAg declined to near negativity, anti-HBe antibody (HBeAb) levels exhibited a positive trend
  • Reported for the first time were the antiviral and safety data in HBeAg-negative CHB subjects who received a daily oral dose of 300 mg ALG-000184 monotherapy for ≤60 weeks. In all 11 (100%) subjects, complete suppression of HBV DNA (<LLOQ 10 IU/mL) and RNA (<LLOQ 10 copies/mL) were noted with no viral breakthrough
• Dosing continues in this ongoing Phase 1a/1b study, with subjects planning to dose for up to 96 weeks. Additional interim data readouts are planned to be presented this year at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) conference
• Received positive feedback from the FDA regarding future studies with sustained HBV DNA suppression as the primary efficacy endpoint, leading to the potential registration of ALG-000184 for the treatment of hepatitis B infection
• Phase 2 enabling activities, including drug supply manufacturing, are underway

      ALG-097558: Potential best-in-class small molecule pan-coronavirus protease inhibitor

• Topline data presented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Annual Meeting demonstrated single (up to 2000 mg) and multiple (up to 800 mg Q12 for 7 days) doses of ALG-097558 were well tolerated in healthy volunteers with a pharmacokinetic (PK) profile supporting twice daily, ritonavir-free dosing without a food effect
• Phase 2 enabling activities, including nonclinical and clinical studies, are underway with financial support from the NIH

Financial Results for the Second Quarter 2024

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $94.5 million as of June 30, 2024, compared with $135.7 million as of December 31, 2023. We continue to believe our cash balance provides sufficient cash to fund planned operations through the end of 2025.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $5.1 million or basic and diluted net income per common share of $0.03, compared to net losses of $18.8 million or basic and diluted net loss per common share of $(0.43) for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability, which resulted in non-cash income of $30.5 million, or $0.19 per share, associated with the warrants issued in October 2023 as part of the private investment in public equity (PIPE) offering.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $21.1 million, compared with $16.8 million for the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in third party expenses for clinical trials. Total R&D stock-based compensation expense incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $1.2 million, compared with $1.6 million for the same period in 2023.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $6.4 million, compared with $9.2 million for the same period of 2023. The decrease in G&A expenses for this comparative period is primarily due to a decrease in third party expenses including legal expenses. Total G&A stock-based compensation expense incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $0.9 million, compared with $1.6 million for the same period of 2023.

Interest and other income, net, for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was income of $31.7 million compared with income of $1.1 million for the same period of 2023. The change in interest and other income, net, is primarily due to a decrease of $30.5 million in the fair value of the company’s warrant liability, which resulted in non-cash income.

About Aligos

Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that was founded in 2018 with the mission to become a world leader in the treatment of liver and viral diseases. Aligos’ strategy is to harness the deep expertise and decades of drug development experience its team has in liver and viral diseases to discover and develop potentially best-in-class therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and viruses with high unmet medical need such as hepatitis B and coronaviruses.

For more information, please visit www.aligos.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be considered “forward-looking statements,” including without limitation, statements with respect to Aligos being positioned for success; the potential of the company’s three clinical programs; the FDA supporting subsequent studies of chronic suppressive therapy with sustained HBV DNA suppression as the primary approvable endpoint; the expectation of topline Phase 2a HERALD data for ALG-055009 in early Q4 2024; the continuation of dosing in the ongoing Phase 1a/1b study for ALG-000184 with subjects planning to dose for up to 96 weeks and the planned presentation of additional interim data readouts at this year’s AASLD; and the company’s continued belief its cash balance provides sufficient cash to fund planned operations through the end of 2025. Forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” and other similar terminology indicating future results. Such forward looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our development programs, future results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including Aligos’ clinical-stage of development, the process of designing and conducting clinical trials, the regulatory approval processes, the timing of regulatory filings, the challenges associated with manufacturing drug products, Aligos’ ability to successfully establish, protect and defend its intellectual property, other matters that could affect the sufficiency of Aligos’ capital resources to fund operations, reliance on third parties for manufacturing and development efforts, changes in the competitive landscape and the impact of global events and other macroeconomic conditions on the Aligos’ business. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Aligos in general, see Aligos’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2024 and its future periodic reports to be filed or submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Aligos undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Aligos Therapeutics, Inc
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenue from Collaborations	-			2,592			292			5,175
Revenue from Customers	1,061			4,294			1,755			4,434
Operating Expenses:
Research and development	21,099			16,781			37,464			34,916
General and administrative	6,376			9,246			13,043			17,752
Total operating expenses	27,475			26,027			50,507			52,668
Loss from operations	(26,414	)		(19,141	)		(48,460	)		(43,059	)
Interest and other income, net	31,664			1,107			18,871			2,109
Income (loss) before income tax expense	5,250			(18,034	)		(29,589	)		(40,950	)
Income tax expense	(189	)		(757	)		(213	)		(796	)
Net income (loss)	5,061			(18,791	)		(29,802	)		(41,746	)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share	0.03			(0.43	)		(0.19	)		(0.97	)
Weighted-average shares common stock, basic	156,444,408			43,215,478			156,299,282			43,063,615
Weighted-average shares common stock, diluted	156,647,917			43,215,478			156,299,282			43,063,615

Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)
		June 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
		(Unaudited)			(audited) (1)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	45,078		$	135,704
Short-term investments		49,458			-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		5,034			5,380
Total current assets		99,570			141,084
Other assets		9,241			10,443
Total assets	$	108,811		$	151,527
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities	$	23,564		$	23,906
Other liabilities, noncurrent		18,018			35,541
Total liabilities		41,582			59,447
Total stockholders’ equity		67,229			92,080
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	108,811		$	151,527

_________________________

(1)		The balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Contact
Jordyn Tarazi
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
+1 (650) 910-0427
jtarazi@aligos.com

FAQ

What were Aligos Therapeutics' (ALGS) Q2 2024 financial results?

Aligos Therapeutics reported a net income of $5.1 million or $0.03 per share for Q2 2024, compared to a net loss of $18.8 million or $(0.43) per share in Q2 2023. The company had $94.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of June 30, 2024.

What progress did Aligos Therapeutics (ALGS) make with ALG-055009 in Q2 2024?

Aligos completed enrollment ahead of schedule for the Phase 2a HERALD study of ALG-055009, a THR-β agonist for MASH. The company expects to report topline data from this study in early Q4 2024.

What were the key developments for Aligos Therapeutics' (ALGS) ALG-000184 in Q2 2024?

Aligos presented promising data for ALG-000184 at the EASL Congress 2024, showing sustained HBV DNA suppression in 90% of HBeAg-positive CHB subjects. The company also received positive FDA feedback supporting future studies with sustained HBV DNA suppression as the primary endpoint for potential registration.

How long does Aligos Therapeutics (ALGS) expect its current cash balance to last?

Aligos Therapeutics believes its current cash balance of $94.5 million as of June 30, 2024, is sufficient to fund planned operations through the end of 2025.