Spero Therapeutics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Operating Results and Provides a Business Update
Rhea-AI Summary
Spero Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SPRO) reported Q4 and full-year 2025 results and a business update highlighting a resubmitted tebipenem HBr NDA and an FDA PDUFA date of June 18, 2026. Q4 2025 net income was $31.5M and full-year net income was $8.6M. Revenue totaled $41.3M in Q4 and $66.8M for 2025. R&D expense declined to $38.5M for 2025. Cash and cash equivalents were $40.3M as of December 31, 2025, with the company estimating runway into 2028.
The PIVOT-PO Phase 3 trial stopped early for efficacy and supported the NDA; safety was consistent with the carbapenem class.
Positive
- Resubmitted tebipenem HBr NDA with FDA PDUFA date June 18, 2026
- Q4 2025 net income $31.5M versus Q4 2024 loss of $(20.9)M
- Full-year 2025 net income $8.6M versus 2024 loss of $(68.6)M
- Revenue increase to $66.8M for 2025 (versus $48.0M in 2024)
- $25M milestone payment received from GSK in Q1 2026
Negative
- Cash and cash equivalents of $40.3M at year-end may constrain flexibility despite estimated runway into 2028
- Research and development spending fell to $38.5M in 2025 from $96.8M in 2024, reflecting reduced clinical activity
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Pre-news, SPRO was up 1.69% while peers were mixed: MGNX up 14.03%, ZNTL and ARMP modestly positive, ATOS and HLVX negative. This pattern points to stock-specific drivers rather than a coordinated biotech move.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13 | Q3 2025 earnings | Neutral | -1.2% | Q3 2025 results and PIVOT-PO non-inferiority data with GSK submission plans. |
| Aug 12 | Q2 2025 earnings | Neutral | -18.0% | Q2 2025 results and early PIVOT-PO stop for efficacy with milestone support. |
| May 13 | Q1 2025 earnings | Neutral | -5.8% | Q1 2025 results, tebipenem HBr progress, and CEO transition to Rajavelu. |
| Mar 27 | FY 2024 earnings | Neutral | -10.9% | Q4/FY 2024 loss, pipeline reprioritization, and cash runway into 2026. |
| Nov 14 | Q3 2024 earnings | Neutral | -5.6% | Q3 2024 loss, lower revenue, and continued PIVOT-PO trial investment. |
Earnings-related headlines have historically been followed by predominantly negative price moves, indicating a pattern of weak or cautious market reactions to financial updates.
Over the last five earnings-related updates from Nov 2024 through Nov 2025, Spero’s stock consistently traded lower after results, with an average move of -8.3%. These releases highlighted ongoing development of tebipenem HBr, early termination of the PIVOT-PO Phase 3 trial for efficacy, and narrowing net losses alongside revenue fluctuations. The company also exited SPR206 and SPR720, sharpened its focus on tebipenem HBr, and extended cash runway into 2026–2028, setting the stage for today’s full-year 2025 results and NDA/PDUFA update.
Historical Comparison
Past earnings-related releases saw an average move of -8.3%. Today’s modest 1.69% gain ahead of this report contrasts with that trend, suggesting a comparatively more constructive setup.
Across earnings cycles, Spero progressed tebipenem HBr from ongoing Phase 3 enrollment to early trial termination for efficacy, NDA resubmission with GSK, and now a defined FDA PDUFA date of June 18, 2026, while consolidating focus after discontinuing SPR206 and SPR720.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement combines a return to profitability with a clear regulatory path for tebipenem HBr. Spero reported Q4 2025 net income of $31.5M and full-year net income of $8.6M, driven largely by collaboration revenue from GSK and Pfizer and lower R&D spending after the PIVOT-PO Phase 3 trial. The FDA set a PDUFA date of June 18, 2026, and cash of $40.3M is expected to fund operations into 2028. Key metrics to monitor include ongoing collaboration revenue, operating expenses, and FDA progress on the NDA.
Key Terms
new drug application regulatory
nda regulatory
pdufa regulatory
phase 3 medical
carbapenem medical
biomedical advanced research and development authority regulatory
clinicaltrials.gov technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Spero announced the resubmission of tebipenem HBr New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis in December 2025
- In February, Spero’s licensing partner, GSK announced the FDA had set the PDUFA date as June 18, 2026
- Spero estimates cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025 are sufficient to fund current operations into 2028
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spero Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying and developing novel treatments for rare diseases and diseases with high unmet need, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, and provided a business update.
“2025 was marked by important progress across the tebipenem HBr program in cUTI, including completion of the global Phase 3 trial and resubmission of the NDA,” said Esther Rajavelu, President and CEO of Spero. “With our licensing partner GSK’s global leadership in anti-infectives, tebipenem HBr, if approved, has the potential to address an important need and meaningfully improve treatment options for patients with cUTI. We look forward to the FDA’s decision in late June as we continue to execute our business strategy to deliver innovative therapies.”
Spero remains focused on completing its obligations under its License Agreement with GSK while advancing other corporate activities, including exploring opportunities to expand its portfolio of clinical-stage product candidates.
Program Update
Tebipenem HBr
Tebipenem HBr is an investigational oral carbapenem antibiotic being developed for the treatment of cUTI, including pyelonephritis, to provide an effective oral therapeutic alternative to IV carbapenems. Spero granted GSK an exclusive license to commercialize tebipenem HBr in all territories, except certain Asian territories where Meiji holds development and commercialization rights.
- In December 2025, GSK resubmitted the tebipenem HBr NDA to the FDA. In February 2026, GSK announced that the FDA set the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (“PDUFA”) date as June 18, 2026. The NDA is supported by results from the successful Phase 3 PIVOT-PO trial that evaluated tebipenem HBr. The trial, which was stopped early for efficacy in May 2025, demonstrated non-inferiority of tebipenem HBr compared to intravenous imipenem-cilastatin in hospitalized patients with cUTI, including pyelonephritis, based on the overall response (composite of clinical cure plus microbiological eradication of the bacteria causing the infection) at the test of cure visit. Detailed results were presented in a late-breaking oral abstract session at IDWeek 2025.
- The safety and tolerability profile of tebipenem HBr in PIVOT-PO was consistent with results reported in other studies with tebipenem and in line with that of the carbapenem antibiotic class. The most frequently reported adverse events were diarrhea and headache; these events were all mild or moderate and non-serious.
- For more information on the PIVOT-PO trial, please refer to ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06059846.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
- Spero reported net income of
$31.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to a net loss of$(20.9) million for the fourth quarter of 2024, or a diluted net gain and net income per share of common stock of$0.53 and a diluted net loss and net loss per share of common stock of$(0.38) , respectively. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025, was$8.6 million compared to a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, of$(68.6) million , or a diluted net gain per share of common stock of$0.15 and a diluted net loss per share of common stock of$(1.27) , respectively. - Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025 was
$41.3 million , compared to total revenue of$15.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The revenue increase for the fourth quarter of 2025 was primarily due to an increase in collaboration revenue from our agreements with GSK and Pfizer. Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, was$66.8 million , compared to$48.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The revenue increase for the year was primarily due to the aforementioned collaboration revenue related to our agreements with GSK and Pfizer. - Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
$5.6 million , compared to$28.8 million of research and development expenses for the same period in 2024. Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025, were$38.5 million , compared to$96.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in research and development expenses year-over-year was primarily due to decreased clinical trial activity related to the PIVOT-PO trial. - General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2025 were
$4.3 million , compared to$7.1 million of general and administrative expenses for the same period in 2024. This decrease was primarily due to decreased legal and personnel related costs. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025, were$21.2 million , compared to$23.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with lower expenses in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to decreases in legal, consulting and personnel related costs. - As of December 31, 2025, Spero had cash and cash equivalents of
$40.3 million . Spero estimates that its cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025 will be sufficient to fund current operations into 2028. - In Q1 2026, Spero received a
$25 m ilestone payment from GSK, triggered by the tebipenem HBr NDA resubmission.
For further details on Spero’s financials, refer to Spero’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today.
Government Agency Research Support
The views expressed in this press release are those of the authors and may not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
Tebipenem HBr Research Support
Select tebipenem HBr studies have been funded in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract number HHSO100201800015C.
About Spero Therapeutics
Spero Therapeutics, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying and developing novel treatments for rare diseases and diseases with high unmet need. For more information, visit www.sperotherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated PDUFA date set by the FDA as June 18, 2026;; Spero’s exploration of opportunities to expand its portfolio of clinical stage product candidates; the potential of tebipenem HBr to be the first oral carbapenem antibiotic for US patients with cUTI, including pyelonephritis, and to set a new standard of care; the potential receipt of milestone payments under Spero’s license and collaboration agreements; Spero’s estimation that its cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025 will be sufficient to fund operations into 2028; and the potential benefits of any of Spero’s current or future product candidates in treating patients. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "aim," "anticipate," "could," "intent," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of important risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements, including whether the FDA will ultimately approve tebipenem HBr and, if so, the timing of any such approval, taking into account the effects of possible regulatory delays; whether the FDA will require any additional clinical data or place labeling restrictions on the use of tebipenem HBr that would delay approval and/or reduce the commercial prospects of tebipenem HBr; whether a successful commercial launch can be achieved and market acceptance of tebipenem HBr can be established; Spero's reliance on third parties to manufacture, develop, and commercialize its product candidates, if approved; Spero’s reliance on GSK pursuant to the exclusive GSK License Agreement advance development of tebipenem HBr and GSK’s right thereunder to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to further develop and commercialize tebipenem HBr; Spero's need for additional funding; Spero's ability to retain key personnel; whether Spero's cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations for the periods anticipated; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" set forth in filings that Spero periodically makes with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Spero's views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Except as required by law, Spero explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Investor Relations Contact:
Shai Biran, PhD
Spero Therapeutics
IR@Sperotherapeutics.com
Media Inquiries:
media@sperotherapeutics.com
| Spero Therapeutics, Inc. | |||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data | |||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | |||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 40,265 | $ | 52,889 | $ | (12,624 | ) | ||
| Other assets | 28,654 | 57,654 | (29,000 | ) | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 68,919 | $ | 110,543 | $ | (41,624 | ) | ||
| Total liabilities | $ | 9,898 | $ | 64,420 | $ | (54,522 | ) | ||
| Total stockholder's equity | 59,021 | 46,123 | 12,898 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 68,919 | $ | 110,543 | $ | (41,624 | ) | ||
| Spero Therapeutics, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | $ Change | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Grant revenue | $ | 1,639 | $ | 5,688 | $ | 7,183 | $ | 20,581 | $ | (13,398 | ) | |||||||||
| Collaboration revenue - related party | 27,084 | 9,304 | 47,033 | 27,025 | 20,008 | |||||||||||||||
| Collaboration revenue | 12,574 | 52 | 12,586 | 371 | 12,215 | |||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 41,297 | 15,044 | 66,802 | 47,977 | 18,825 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 5,592 | 28,836 | 38,467 | 96,757 | (58,290 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 4,300 | 7,056 | 21,176 | 23,704 | (2,528 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment of long-term asset | — | — | 587 | — | 587 | |||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | — | 877 | 258 | 877 | (619 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 9,892 | 36,769 | 60,488 | 121,338 | (60,850 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | 31,405 | (21,725 | ) | 6,314 | (73,361 | ) | 79,675 | |||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 376 | 1,127 | 2,519 | 4,795 | (2,276 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) before income taxes | 31,781 | (20,598 | ) | 8,833 | (68,566 | ) | 77,399 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (261 | ) | (290 | ) | (261 | ) | — | (261 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of Spero Therapeutics, Inc. | $ | 31,520 | $ | (20,888 | ) | $ | 8,572 | $ | (68,566 | ) | $ | 77,138 | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders per share, basic | $ | 0.56 | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | 0.15 | $ | (1.27 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders per share, diluted | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | 0.15 | $ | (1.27 | ) | ||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding, basic: | 56,020,363 | 54,538,547 | 56,020,363 | 54,037,917 | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted: | 59,368,159 | 54,538,547 | 59,039,225 | 54,037,917 | ||||||||||||||||
FAQ
What does the SPRO tebipenem HBr NDA resubmission mean and when is the FDA PDUFA decision?
How did Spero (SPRO) perform financially in Q4 and full-year 2025?
What is Spero's cash runway and cash position as of December 31, 2025 (SPRO)?
What were the key clinical results from the tebipenem HBr Phase 3 PIVOT-PO trial mentioned by Spero (SPRO)?
How did Spero's R&D and operating expenses change in 2025 and what does that imply for SPRO investors?
