Vera Therapeutics Provides Business Update and Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
05/16/2022 - 07:30 AM
Phase 2b ORIGIN clinical trial of atacicept on track, topline data expected Q4 2022 Initiation of Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial of atacicept in lupus nephritis planned for 2H-2022, following positive clinical strategy meeting with FDA earlier this year Results from a 12-week interim analysis of Phase 2 study of MAU868 in kidney transplant recipients planned in June 2022; Phase 2b or Phase 3 clinical trial of MAU868 expected to initiate in 2023 Strong balance sheet with approximately $151 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2022 and access to a $45.0 million credit facility expected to fund operations to Q2 2024 BRISBANE, Calif., May 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERA), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing transformative treatments for patients with serious immunological diseases, today reported its business highlights and financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
“We continue to successfully execute our development strategy in early 2022 and are on track to achieve several key milestones and announce clinical data across our development pipeline throughout the year. We are positioned to fund our current programs and operations with current cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities plus available credit, to the second quarter of 2024,” said Marshall Fordyce, MD, founder and CEO of Vera Therapeutics. “Enrollment in the ORIGIN study, which is evaluating the potential for atacicept to treat patients who suffer from the devastating effects of kidney disease, remains on track to be completed in mid-2022. Topline results from the study are expected to be presented in the fourth quarter 2022, which we expect will be used to support the initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of atacicept in 2023. In addition, we are preparing to initiate a Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial for atacicept to treat lupus nephritis in the second half of this year. This is an exciting next step for this program, as we believe that atacicept has the potential to be a best-in-disease treatment for lupus nephritis patients. This is a high unmet medical need, with a high rate of morbidity and mortality, and many patients progressing to end-stage renal disease.”
“During the past quarter, we hosted a KOL event to help educate the market about BK Virus infections and the opportunity for our late-stage clinical asset, MAU868, which included a presentation from world-renowned transplant nephrologist and pioneering kidney transplant researcher, Stanley C. Jordan, M.D., FASN, FAST. We believe this event has helped set the stage for the upcoming presentation of the 12-week interim data from the Phase 2 study of MAU868 at the American Transplant Conference on June 4, 2022. In addition, we continue to make progress with our planning to initiate a Phase 2b or Phase 3 clinical trial of MAU868 in kidney transplant patients with BK Virus viremia in 2023,” concluded Dr. Fordyce.
First Quarter and Recent Business Highlights
Enrollment in the Phase 2b ORIGIN clinical trial of atacicept remains on track, topline data expected in the fourth quarter 2022. Hosted a KOL webinar featuring a discussion on BK Virus (BKV) by world-renowned transplant nephrologist and pioneering kidney transplant researcher, Stanley C. Jordan, M.D., FASN, FAST, as well as an overview of MAU868, Vera’s lead asset in the treatment of BKV and a potential first-in-class monoclonal antibody to treat BKV infections. Effective as of the date of Vera’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, appointed Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., as chairman of Vera’s board of directors. Dr. Morrissey has served as president and CEO of Exelixis, Inc. since July 2020. Strengthened the balance sheet with a completed upsized follow-on public offering in February 2022; reporting total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $151 million as of March 31, 2022 and access to a $45.0 million credit facility, which are expected to fund operations to the second quarter of 2024. Upcoming Milestones
Two presentations featuring new clinical data from the Phase 2a JANUS clinical trial of atacicept in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and renal data from a post-hoc analysis of the Phase 2 APRIL-SLE study evaluating atacicept in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are scheduled at the 59th European Renal Association European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Congress being held May 19-22, 2022. The 12-week results from the interim analysis of a Phase 2 study in BKV viremia among kidney transplant recipients are scheduled to be presented at the American Transplant Conference on June 4, 2022. MAU868 has been to be well tolerated and showed a greater proportion of subjects with decrease in BKV plasma viral load versus placebo. Plan to initiate in the second half of 2022 a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial of atacicept in lupus nephritis. The trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of atacicept in subjects with lupus nephritis by assessing 150 mg of once-weekly subcutaneous injections of atacicept versus placebo. The trial consists of a 52-week primary endpoint within a 104-week open-label treatment period and a 52-week safety follow-up period. Plan to announce topline data for the Phase 2b ORIGIN clinical trial – a dose-ranging study evaluating the safety and efficacy of atacicept in patients with IgAN who continue to have persistent proteinuria and remain at high risk of disease progression – in the fourth quarter of 2022. Expect to initiate in 2023 a Phase 2b or Phase 3 clinical trial of MAU868 in BKV viremia among kidney transplant recipients. Financial Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2022 $17.1 million , or a net loss per diluted share of $0.71 , compared to a net loss of $4.7 million , or a net loss per diluted share of $12.23 , for the same period last year. Outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock were excluded from the computation of net loss per diluted share for periods prior to the conversion of those shares to common stock in May 2021.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $9.0 million , compared to $4.1 million for the same period last year.
Vera reported approximately $151 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2022. In addition, the company has secured a credit facility through Oxford with a remaining borrowing capacity of up to $45.0 million .
About Vera www.veratx.com
Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters, events or results that may occur in the future are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the continued tolerability of Vera’s product candidates, research and clinical development plans and timing, the scope, progress, and results of developing Vera’s product candidates, strategy, and regulatory matters, including the timing and likelihood of success of obtaining drug approvals. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “plans,” “will,” “expects,” “scheduled,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Vera’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the regulatory approval process, results of earlier clinical trials may not be obtained in later clinical trials, risks and uncertainties associated with Vera’s business in general, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the other risks described in Vera’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Vera undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Contact: jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com
Media Contact: kathy@greigcommunications.com
VERA THERAPEUTICS, INC. Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 (unaudited) Operating expenses: Research and development $ 12,549 $ 2,932 General and administrative 4,472 1,784 Total operating expenses 17,021 4,716 Loss from operations (17,021 ) (4,716 ) Total other (expense) income, net (64 ) 2 Net loss $ (17,085 ) $ (4,714 ) Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities (12 ) - Total loss and comprehensive loss $ (17,097 ) $ (4,714 ) Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.71 ) $ (12.23 ) Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted 24,227,282 385,401
VERA THERAPEUTICS, INC. Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands)
March 31 December 31, 2022 2021 Assets (unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 111,506 $ 79,674 Marketable securities 39,432 - Prepaid expenses and noncurrent assets 6,805 2,863 Total current assets 157,743 82,537 Restricted cash, noncurrent 293 293 Property and equipment, net 16 - Operating lease right-of-use assets 6,275 - Prepaid expense and other non-current assets 67 51 Non-marketable equity securities 580 867 Total assets $ 164,974 $ 83,748 Liabilities and stockholder's equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 7,328 $ 1,385 Operating lease liabilities 2,490 - Restructuring liability - 377 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 10,151 5,928 Total current liabilities 19,969 7,690 Long-term debt 4,937 4,923 Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent 5,357 - Restructuring liability, noncurrent - 1,257 Accrued and other noncurrent liabilities 286 286 Total liabilities 30,549 14,156 Stockholders' equity Common stock 27 21 Additional paid-in capital 275,551 193,627 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (12 ) - Accumulated deficit (141,141 ) (124,056 ) Total stockholders' equity 134,425 69,592 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 164,974 $ 83,748
