Allakos Provides Business Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
- Progress in clinical trials for AK006 and publication of preclinical research showcase Allakos' commitment to developing treatments for allergic and inflammatory diseases.
- Restructuring activities to focus on AK006 development demonstrate cost-saving measures and strategic planning for the company's future.
- Cash runway extension till mid-2026 provides financial stability and confidence in the company's ability to fund ongoing operations and clinical trials.
- Ending Q4 2023 with $170.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments indicates a strong financial position for Allakos.
- Net loss of $62.6 million in Q4 2023, along with increased R&D expenses, highlights the challenges faced by the company in terms of financial performance.
- Increased research and development expenses in Q4 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 indicate rising operational costs that may impact profitability.
- Net loss of $62.6 million in Q4 2023 raises concerns about the company's ability to achieve sustainable profitability in the near future.
- Ending Q4 2023 with a net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $23.1 million suggests potential cash flow challenges or significant expenditures during the quarter.
The financial update from Allakos Inc. indicates a significant increase in research and development expenses, primarily due to manufacturing costs and clinical study expenses. This could be seen as a strategic investment in their pipeline, especially with the focus shifting towards AK006's clinical development after halting lirentelimab-related activities. However, investors should note the increased burn rate, with the company's net loss widening from the previous year. The projected cash runway extension into mid-2026, following restructuring, may offer some reassurance, but the estimated net cash used in operating activities for 2024 suggests a substantial outflow. It's essential to monitor the upcoming milestones for AK006, as positive results could be a catalyst for the company's valuation. Conversely, any setbacks could exacerbate financial strain.
From a medical research perspective, the cessation of lirentelimab development and the shift in focus to AK006 is a critical strategic decision. AK006's targeting of multiple activating receptors and key signaling pathways in mast cells could make it a novel treatment for allergic and inflammatory diseases. The upcoming milestones, including safety and efficacy data from Phase 1 trials, will be pivotal in assessing the potential of AK006. For industry stakeholders, the ability of AK006 to successfully occupy the Siglec-6 receptor in skin biopsy samples could signify a breakthrough in treating conditions like chronic spontaneous urticaria. However, it's important to remain cautious until the data from the trials are fully disclosed and peer-reviewed.
Within the biotechnology sector, Allakos's strategic pivot is noteworthy. The focus on a single candidate, AK006, may streamline resources but also increases risk concentration. The biotech market is highly responsive to clinical trial outcomes, which means upcoming results could significantly influence investor sentiment. The company's ability to extend its cash runway into mid-2026 is positive, showing prudent financial management amidst restructuring. However, the market will keep a close eye on the cash burn rate and any potential need for future capital raises, which could dilute current shareholders' equity. Long-term, the success of AK006 is crucial for Allakos's market positioning and growth prospects.
SAN CARLOS, Calif., March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allakos Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ALLK), a biotechnology company developing antibodies for the treatment of allergic, inflammatory and proliferative diseases, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.
Recent Allakos Events
- Completed dosing in the single ascending dose (SAD) cohorts and continued dosing in the multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohorts of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial of Intravenous (IV) AK006 in healthy volunteers.
- Initiated the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled subcutaneous (SC) AK006 cohort in healthy volunteers.
- Published preclinical research in Allergy showing that AK006 controls mast cell function through interaction with multiple activating receptors and key signaling pathways.
- Presented preclinical data at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting 2024 highlighting AK006’s mechanism of action and ability to reduce MRGPRX2-induced skin inflammation.
- Reported topline data from the Phase 2 study of SC lirentelimab in patients with atopic dermatitis and Phase 2b study of SC lirentelimab in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.
- Halted lirentelimab-related development activities and announced a restructuring plan to reduce costs and focus on AK006 clinical development. As a result of the restructuring, Allakos expects its cash runway to extend into mid-2026.
Upcoming Allakos Anticipated Milestones
- Report safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) results from the Phase 1 trial of IV AK006 in healthy volunteers, including data to confirm Siglec-6 receptor occupancy in skin biopsy samples in Q2 2024.
- Initiate the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial of IV AK006 in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria in Q2 2024.
- Report safety, PK, and PD results from the Phase 1 trial of SC AK006 in healthy volunteers, including data to confirm Siglec-6 receptor occupancy in skin biopsy samples in Q3 2024.
- Report topline data from the Phase 1 trial of IV AK006 in patients with CSU at year end 2024
Cash Guidance
The Company expects that the restructuring activities will extend the cash runway into mid-2026.
The Company ended the fourth quarter of 2023 with approximately
| Cash, cash equivalents and investments at year end 2023 | |
| Estimated 2024 net cash used in operating activities (GAAP) | ( |
| Estimated cash, cash equivalents and investments at year end 2024 |
Components of estimated 2024 net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 are as follows:
| Estimated net cash used in operating activities (GAAP) | |
| Less: estimated lirentelimab closeout, severance and other costs 1 | ( |
| Estimated adjusted net cash used in operating activities (non-GAAP) 2 |
1 The Company anticipates that the significant majority of the restructuring expenditures, including approximately
2 For additional information on the Company’s use of non-GAAP financial information, please see the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” below.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Research and development expenses were
General and administrative expenses were
Allakos reported a net loss of
Allakos ended the fourth quarter of 2023 with
About Allakos
Allakos is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics that target immunomodulatory receptors present on immune effector cells involved in allergy, inflammatory and proliferative diseases. Activating these immunomodulatory receptors allows for the direct targeting of cells involved in disease pathogenesis and, in the setting of allergy and inflammation, has the potential to result in broad inhibition of inflammatory cells. The Company’s most advanced product candidate is AK006. AK006 targets Siglec-6, an inhibitory receptor expressed on mast cells. Mast cells are widely distributed in the body and play a central role in the inflammatory response. Inappropriately activated mast cells have been identified as key drivers in a number of severe diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, eyes, skin, lungs and other organs. In preclinical studies, AK006 appears to provide deep mast cell inhibition and, in addition to its inhibitory activity, reduce mast cell numbers. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.allakos.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
In this press release, Allakos’ estimated net cash used in operating activities is provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and also on a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP estimated adjusted net cash used in operating activities excludes estimated lirentelimab closeout, severance and other costs. Non-GAAP estimated adjusted net cash used in operating activities is provided as a complement to estimated net cash used in operating activities provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes the non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors in assessing the Company’s operating performance. Management also uses the non-GAAP financial measure to establish operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, to manage the Company’s business and to evaluate its performance.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Allakos’ progress, business plans and areas of focus; the expected timing of reporting data from its clinical trial of AK006; the clinical potential of AK006; and Allakos’ anticipated clinical milestones. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from current expectations and beliefs, including but not limited to: Allakos’ stages of clinical drug development; Allakos’ ability to timely initiate and complete clinical trials for AK006; Allakos’ ability to obtain required regulatory approvals for its clinical trials; uncertainties related to the enrollment of patients in its clinical trials; Allakos’ ability to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy of its product candidates in its clinical trials; uncertainties related to the success of clinical trials, regardless of the outcomes of preclinical testing or early-stage trials; Allakos’ ability to obtain regulatory approvals to market its product candidates; market acceptance of Allakos’ product candidates; uncertainties related to the projections of the size of patient populations suffering from the diseases Allakos is targeting; Allakos’ ability to advance additional product candidates beyond AK006; uncertainties related to Allakos’ ability to realize the contemplated benefits of its restructuring and related reduction in force; Allakos’ ability to accurately forecast financial results; Allakos’ ability to obtain additional capital to finance its operations, research and drug development; general economic and market conditions, both domestic and international; domestic and international regulatory obligations; and other risks. Information regarding the foregoing and additional risks may be found in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in documents that Allakos files from time to time to with the SEC. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for Allakos to differ materially from those contained in Allakos’ forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Allakos specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Allakos’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Source: Allakos Inc.
Investor Contact:
Adam Tomasi, President
Alex Schwartz, VP Strategic Finance and Investor Relations
ir@allakos.com
Media Contact:
Denise Powell
denise@redhousecomms.com
| ALLAKOS INC. UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 53,801 | $ | 35,388 | $ | 150,908 | $ | 265,081 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 11,182 | 10,828 | 45,148 | 57,348 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 64,983 | 46,216 | 196,056 | 322,429 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (64,983 | ) | (46,216 | ) | (196,056 | ) | (322,429 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income | 2,382 | 2,775 | 10,347 | 3,673 | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 50 | 452 | 8 | (1,196 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss | (62,551 | ) | (42,989 | ) | (185,701 | ) | (319,952 | ) | ||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 122 | (220 | ) | 334 | (131 | ) | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (62,429 | ) | $ | (43,209 | ) | $ | (185,367 | ) | $ | (320,083 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | (0.71 | ) | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (5.06 | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | 87,567 | 85,262 | 86,798 | 63,284 | ||||||||||||
| ALLAKOS INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 66,440 | $ | 87,217 | ||||
| Investments | 104,354 | 192,569 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 9,095 | 29,057 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 179,889 | 308,843 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 33,369 | 39,144 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 24,136 | 30,225 | ||||||
| Other long-term assets | 6,216 | 8,208 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 243,610 | $ | 386,420 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,764 | $ | 4,832 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 34,814 | 25,206 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 36,578 | 30,038 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | 38,215 | 45,949 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 74,793 | 75,987 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock | 88 | 85 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,287,156 | 1,243,408 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 50 | (284 | ) | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,118,477 | ) | (932,776 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 168,817 | 310,433 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 243,610 | $ | 386,420 | ||||
FAQ
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