Pyxis Oncology Reports Financial Results for Second-Quarter 2023 and Provides Corporate Update
Pyxis Oncology, a clinical-stage company focused on developing next-generation therapeutics for difficult-to-treat cancers, reported financial results for Q2 2023. The company ended the quarter with $144.1 million in cash and short-term investments, supporting operations until 1H 2025. The acquisition of Apexigen, Inc. is expected to close in August. The Phase 1 trials for PYX-201 and PYX-106 are on track, with preliminary data expected in late 2023 and early 2024 respectively.
Positive
Pyxis Oncology ended Q2 2023 with $144.1 million in cash and short-term investments, providing a runway until 1H 2025.
The planned acquisition of Apexigen, Inc. will bolster Pyxis Oncology's position in ADC innovation and expand their clinical pipeline.
The Phase 1 trials for PYX-201 and PYX-106 are progressing well, with preliminary data expected in late 2023 and early 2024 respectively.
08/11/2023 - 07:00 AM
Third dose cohort initiated in Phase 1 trial of PYX-201, Pyxis Oncology's first ADC product candidate
Preliminary data from two Phase 1 trials on track for late 2023 to early 2024
Apexigen transaction anticipated to close later in August
Strong balance sheet with $144 million in cash (including restricted cash) and short-term investments supports operations into 1H 2025
BOSTON, Aug. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pyxis Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: PYXS), a clinical-stage company focused on developing next-generation therapeutics to target difficult-to-treat cancers, today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and provided a corporate update.
Pyxis Oncology ended the second quarter of 2023 with approximately $144.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments, which is expected to provide a runway into the first half of 2025, enabling the Company to evaluate early signs of potential clinical activity for PYX-201 and PYX-106 and potentially allowing the Company to initiate tumor-specific expansion cohorts following dose selection.
Recent Corporate Updates
Third dose level reached in Phase 1 trial of PYX-201: Dosing is ongoing at the third dose level in the PYX-201-101 trial , and three clinical sites have begun recruiting in Europe, along with sites in the U.S.Abstracts accepted for poster presentation at SITC: Abstracts for trial-in-progress (TIP) posters describing the PYX-106-101 and PYX-201-101 Phase 1 clinical trials were accepted for presentation at the Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 38th Annual Meeting, to be held November 1-5, 2023, in San Diego.Upcoming Milestones
Apexigen, Inc. transaction expected close, later in August 2023 Anticipated Yale presentation of investigator sponsored trial (IST) results describing an anti-siglec-15 compound’s activity and safety at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer, September 2023 Announce clinical development plan for sotigalimab, Q4 2023 (assuming closing of the Apexigen transaction) Report pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data for sotigalimab, Q4 2023 (assuming closing of the Apexigen transaction) Report preliminary data, including biomarker results and early signs of potential clinical activity from PYX-106-101, late 2023 Report preliminary data, including biomarker results and early signs of potential clinical activity from PYX-201-101, early 2024 Q2 2023 Financial Results
As of June 30, 2023, Pyxis Oncology had cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) and short-term investments of $144.1 million (preliminary, unaudited), which is expected to fund operations into the first half of 2025 and reflects continued financial discipline. Research and development expenses were $11.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $17.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The period-over-period decline was primarily due to lower contract manufacturing and preclinical research costs, which were partially offset by increased clinical trial-related expenses for PYX-201 and PYX-106. General and administrative expenses were $6.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $8.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The period-over-period decrease was primarily due to a reduction in stock-based compensation expense and lower professional and consultant fees. Net loss was $15.9 million , or $0.41 per common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $25.6 million , or $0.79 per common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Net losses for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 included $3.7 million and $4.0 million , respectively, related to non-cash stock-based compensation expense. As of June 30, 2023, the outstanding number of shares of common stock of Pyxis Oncology was 39,376,941. About Pyxis Oncology, Inc. www.pyxisoncology.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn .
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These statements are often identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “to be,” “will,” “would,” or the negative or plural of these words, or similar expressions or variations, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified herein, and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” set forth in Part II, Item 1A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with SEC on March 22, 2023, and in our other filings with the SEC. These risks are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 in connection with the transaction and Apexigen has filed with the SEC and mailed to its stockholders a proxy statement/prospectus in connection with the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company and Apexigen through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus from the Company by contacting ir@pyxisoncology.com or from Apexigen by contacting ir@apexigen.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and Apexigen, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is contained in the Company’s proxy statement, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2023. Information regarding Apexigen’s directors and executive officers is contained in Apexigen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2023. Additional information regarding the persons who may be deemed participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests in the proposed business combination are available in the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus.
Pyxis Oncology Contact jdavisruff@pyxisoncology.com
PYXIS ONCOLOGY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Operating expenses: Research and development $ 11,391 $ 17,170 $ 23,292 $ 37,241 General and administrative 6,730 8,556 15,783 19,874 Total operating expenses 18,121 25,726 39,075 57,115 Loss from operations (18,121 ) (25,726 ) (39,075 ) (57,115 ) Other income, net: Interest and investment income 1,656 164 3,329 173 Sublease income 564 — 602 — Total other income, net 2,220 164 3,931 173 Net loss $ (15,901 ) $ (25,562 ) $ (35,144 ) $ (56,942 ) Net loss per common share - basic and diluted $ (0.41 ) $ (0.79 ) $ (0.95 ) $ (1.76 ) Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted 38,389,123 32,451,610 36,878,787 32,384,522
PYXIS ONCOLOGY, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited)
June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,898 $ 179,293 Marketable debt securities, short-term 116,765 — Restricted cash 1,472 1,472 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,169 5,847 Total current assets 149,304 186,612 Property and equipment, net 12,643 11,165 Operating lease right-of-use assets 13,283 13,602 Total assets $ 175,230 $ 211,379 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 1,305 $ 7,097 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 7,393 24,537 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 527 — Total current liabilities 9,225 31,634 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 20,730 18,921 Total liabilities 29,955 50,555 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock — — Common stock 39 34 Additional paid-in capital 392,900 373,225 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (85 ) — Accumulated deficit (247,579 ) (212,435 ) Total stockholders’ equity 145,275 160,824 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 175,230 $ 211,379
Pyxis Oncology ended Q2 2023 with approximately $144.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments.
The acquisition of Apexigen, Inc. is anticipated to close later in August 2023.
Pyxis Oncology is conducting Phase 1 trials for PYX-201 and PYX-106. Preliminary data for PYX-106 is expected in late 2023, and for PYX-201 in early 2024.
