Vera Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
08/16/2021 - 07:30 AM
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for immunological diseases that improve patients’ lives, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and provided a corporate update.
“The first half of 2021 was tremendously productive for Vera, during which we achieved key clinical and financial milestones and added great talent to our leadership team, positioning us well to make progress on our business objectives,” said Marshall Fordyce, MD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vera Therapeutics. “In the second quarter, we initiated on schedule our Phase 2b clinical trial of atacicept in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Known as ‘ORIGIN,’ this trial will potentially demonstrate atacicept as the first disease-modifying therapy for patients with IgAN. ORIGIN is a randomized controlled trial powered to determine whether atacicept’s proven ability to substantially reduce Gd-IgA1 translates into improvements in renal function, as measured by proteinuria. We look forward to providing additional clinical updates planned for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.”
Second Quarter and Recent Business Highlights
Initiated patient enrollment for the dose-ranging Phase 2b ORIGIN trial, which is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the company’s lead product candidate, atacicept, in patients with IgAN who continue to have persistent proteinuria and remain at high risk of disease progression Expanded the management team with several key new hires, including the appointment of Sean Grant, MBA, as Chief Financial Officer to oversee the company’s financial operations Reported $91.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021, which includes net proceeds from the company’s initial public offering, which was completed in the second quarter of 2021 Financial Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2021 $3.4 million , or a net loss per diluted share of $0.33, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million , or a net loss per diluted share of $11.10, 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 six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $11.8 million , compared to $5.0 million for the same period last year.
Vera reported approximately $91.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021. This includes approximately $48.4 million in net proceeds from the company’s initial public offering of 5,002,500 shares of its Class A common stock, including the underwriters’ exercise of their option in full, which was completed in May 2021.
About Atacicept
About Vera www.veratx.com
Forward-looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts 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 results of Vera’s Phase 2b ORIGIN trial. 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”, “anticipates,” “goal,” “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 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.
Contacts
Investor Contact: IR@veratx.com
Media Contact: kathy@greigcommunications.com
VERA THERAPEUTICS, INC. Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating expenses: Research and development $ 3,235 $ 1,954 $ 6,167 $ 3,393 General and administrative 2,614 1,219 4,398 2,251 Loss from operations (5,849 ) (3,173 ) (10,565 ) (5,644 ) Total other income (expense) 2,412 (431 ) 2,414 (434 ) Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (3,437 ) $ (3,604 ) $ (8,151 ) $ (6,078 ) Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.33 ) $ (11.10 ) $ (1.49 ) $ (18.92 ) Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable 10,499,937 324,720 5,470,609 321,207
VERA THERAPEUTICS, INC. Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) June 30, December 31, 2021 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 91,625 $ 53,654 Restricted cash, current 50 50 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,201 557 Total current assets 95,876 54,261 Restricted cash, noncurrent 293 293 Non-marketable equity securities 1,478 - Total assets $ 97,647 $ 54,554 Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 1,723 $ 909 Restructuring liability, current 360 962 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,688 535 Total current liabilities 3,771 2,406 Restructuring liability, noncurrent 1,435 1,634 Accrued and other noncurrent liabilities 286 286 Total liabilities 5,492 4,326 Redeemable convertible preferred stock - 139,576 Stockholders' equity (deficit) Common stock 21 - Additional paid-in-capital 191,732 2,099 Accumulated deficit (99,598 ) (91,447 ) Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 92,155 (89,348 ) Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit) $ 97,647 $ 54,554
