- Completed enrollment of the Phase 2 PEAK Trial of AVTX-002 in non-eosinophilic asthma (NEA); topline data expected in the second quarter of 2023
- Disclosed cash of approximately $13 million as of December 31, 2022, non-inclusive of the February 2023 public offering
- Increased cash position with closing of public offering of common stock and warrants for gross proceeds of $15 million on February 7, 2023
WAYNE, Pa. and ROCKVILLE, Md., March 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTX), today announced business updates and year-end financial results for 2022.
“We made significant strategic and operational progress over the past year, by executing our goals of streamlining the pipeline to the most promising assets/trials, implementing corresponding infrastructure cost reductions, executing operationally and extending the cash runway through business development transactions,” said Dr. Garry Neil, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “2023 will be a transformational year for Avalo as we look forward to our upcoming data readout of the Phase 2 PEAK trial of AVTX-002 in patients with NEA in the second quarter.”
Program Updates and Milestones:
- AVTX-002: Anti-LIGHT monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting immune-inflammatory diseases.
- NEA: Avalo completed enrollment of the Phase 2 PEAK trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AVTX-002 in 91 patients with NEA. Topline data expected in the second quarter of 2023.
- AVTX-008: B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) agonist fusion protein targeting immune dysregulation disorders.
- Avalo identified a lead molecule and is currently evaluating several immune dysregulation disorders, with a target IND submission planned in 2024.
- AVTX-803: Fucose replacement for leukocyte adhesion deficiency type II (LAD II, also known as SLC35C1-CDG), a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG).
- Timing of pivotal data from the pivotal LADDER trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AVTX-803 in approximately 2 patients with LAD II is under evaluation.
2022 Financial Update:
Avalo had $13.2 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2022, representing a $41.4 million decrease compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily driven by operating expenditures and a $15.0 million partial prepayment under its loan and security agreement, partially offset by $19.5 million of upfront payments received from out-license and business development activity. In February 2023, we closed an equity financing in which we raised approximately $13.7 million in net proceeds.
Total net revenues increased $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was driven by $14.5 million of upfront consideration received pursuant to the out-license of AVTX-007. Total operating expenses decreased $32.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, mainly driven by significantly reduced research and development expenses. Research and development expenses decreased $28.5 million as a result of our narrowed focus in 2022 on primarily progressing our lead development asset, AVTX-002, as opposed to the progression of multiple programs in 2021. We also recognized a $10.0 million upfront license fee in 2021 for the AVTX-002 expanded indication license agreement that did not repeat in 2022. As a result of the focused pipeline, Avalo executed a cost reduction plan, including reducing its headcount and supporting infrastructure. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.9 million as a result, however, these decreases were partially offset by $6.7 million of severance and stock-based compensation expense from employee separations.
The net loss and net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2022 was largely driven by operating expenses and partially offset by revenue from business development transactions.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,172 | $ | 54,585 | |||
| Accounts receivable, net | — | 1,060 | |||||
| Other receivables | 1,919 | 3,739 | |||||
| Inventory, net | 20 | 38 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,290 | 2,372 | |||||
| Restricted cash, current portion | 15 | 51 | |||||
| Total current assets | 16,416 | 61,845 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 2,411 | 2,695 | |||||
| Other long-term asset | — | 1,000 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | — | 38 | |||||
| Goodwill | 14,409 | 14,409 | |||||
| Restricted cash, net of current portion | 131 | 227 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 33,367 | $ | 80,214 | |||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,882 | $ | 3,369 | |||
| Deferred revenue | 88 | — | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 13,214 | 16,519 | |||||
| Notes payable, current | 5,930 | — | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 22,114 | 19,888 | |||||
| Notes payable, non-current | 13,486 | 32,833 | |||||
| Royalty obligation | 2,000 | 2,000 | |||||
| Deferred tax liability, net | 141 | 113 | |||||
| Derivative liability | 4,830 | — | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 1,711 | 2,298 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 44,282 | 57,132 | |||||
| Stockholders’ (deficit) equity: | |||||||
| Common stock—$0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2022 and 2021; 9,430,535 and 9,399,517 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively1 | 9 | 9 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital1 | 292,900 | 285,239 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (303,824 | ) | (262,166 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity | (10,915 | ) | 23,082 | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | 33,367 | $ | 80,214 | |||
1 Amounts for prior periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-12 reverse stock split effected on July 7, 2022. See Note 1 for details.
The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 have been derived from the audited financial statements, but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||
| Product revenue, net | $ | 3,364 | $ | 4,773 | |||
| License and other revenue | 14,687 | 625 | |||||
| Total revenues, net | 18,051 | 5,398 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||
| Cost of product sales | 3,434 | 1,491 | |||||
| Research and development | 31,308 | 59,835 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 20,711 | 24,658 | |||||
| Amortization expense | 38 | 1,548 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 55,491 | 87,532 | |||||
| (37,440 | ) | (82,134 | ) | ||||
| Other expense: | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | (4,170 | ) | (2,391 | ) | |||
| Other expense, net | (20 | ) | (20 | ) | |||
| Total other expense, net from continuing operations | (4,190 | ) | (2,411 | ) | |||
| Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | (41,630 | ) | (84,545 | ) | |||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 28 | (196 | ) | ||||
| Loss from continuing operations | $ | (41,658 | ) | $ | (84,349 | ) | |
| Loss from discontinued operations | — | (27 | ) | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (41,658 | ) | $ | (84,376 | ) | |
| Net (loss) income per share of common stock, basic and diluted1: | |||||||
| Continuing operations | $ | (4.43 | ) | $ | (9.95 | ) | |
| Discontinued operations | — | 0.00 | |||||
| Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted | $ | (4.43 | ) | $ | (9.95 | ) | |
| Net (loss) income per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted1: | |||||||
| Continuing operations | $ | (4.15 | ) | ||||
| Discontinued operations | — | ||||||
| Net loss per share of preferred stock, basic and diluted | $ | (4.15 | ) | ||||
1 Amounts for prior periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-12 reverse stock split effected on July 7, 2022. See Note 1 for details.
The consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 have been derived from the audited financial statements, but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
About AVTX-002
AVTX-002, Avalo’s lead development asset, is a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb), directed against human LIGHT (Lymphotoxin-like, exhibits Inducible expression, and competes with Herpes Virus Glycoprotein D for Herpesvirus Entry Mediator (HVEM), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes). There is increasing evidence that the dysregulation of the LIGHT-signaling network which includes LIGHT, its receptors HVEM and LTβR and the downstream checkpoint BTLA, is a disease-driving mechanism in autoimmune and inflammatory reactions in barrier organs. Therefore, we believe reducing LIGHT levels can moderate immune dysregulation in many acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, including NEA. AVTX-002 previously demonstrated proof of concept in COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome including reduction in mortality and respiratory failure.
About AVTX-002 PEAK Trial
The Phase 2 PEAK Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVTX-002 for the treatment of poorly controlled NEA (NCT05288504). Following 12 weeks of treatment, the efficacy and safety of AVTX-002 will be evaluated compared with placebo. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients who experience any of the following asthma-related events: (i) ≥6 additional reliever puffs of a short-acting beta-agonist (compared to baseline) in a 24-hour period on 2 consecutive days, or (ii) increase in inhaled corticosteroid dose ≥4 times than the dose at baseline, or (iii) a decrease in peak flow of 30% or more (compared to baseline) on 2 consecutive days of treatment, or (iv) an asthma exacerbation requiring the use of systemic corticosteroids (tablets, suspension, or injection) for at least 3 days, or (v) a hospitalization or emergency room visit because of an asthma exacerbation.
About Avalo Therapeutics
Avalo Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation by developing therapies that target the LIGHT network.
LIGHT (Lymphotoxin-like, exhibits Inducible expression, and competes with HSV Glycoprotein D for Herpesvirus Entry Mediator (HVEM), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes; also referred to as TNFSF14) is an immunoregulatory cytokine. LIGHT and its signaling receptors, HVEM (TNFRSF14), and lymphotoxin β receptor (TNFRSF3), form an immune regulatory network with two co-receptors of herpesvirus entry mediator, checkpoint inhibitor B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA), and CD160 (the LIGHT-signaling network). Accumulating evidence points to the dysregulation of the LIGHT network as a disease-driving mechanism in autoimmune and inflammatory reactions in barrier organs. Therefore, we believe reducing LIGHT levels can moderate immune dysregulation in many acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.
For more information about Avalo, please visit www.avalotx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Avalo’s control), which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to Avalo’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “continue,” “seeks,” “aims,” “predicts,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” or similar expressions (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters such as: the future financial and operational outlook; the development of product candidates or products; timing and success of trial results and regulatory review; potential attributes and benefits of product candidates; and other statements that are not historical. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Avalo’s management but are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including: Avalo's debt and cash position and the need for it to raise additional capital in the near future; drug development costs, timing and other risks, including reliance on investigators and enrollment of patients in clinical trials, which might be slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic; reliance on key personnel; regulatory risks; general economic and market risks and uncertainties, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine; and those other risks detailed in Avalo’s filings with the SEC. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Avalo expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Avalo’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
For media and investor inquiries
Christopher Sullivan, CFO
Avalo Therapeutics, Inc.
ir@avalotx.com
410-803-6793
or
Chris Brinzey
ICR Westwicke
Chris.brinzey@westwicke.com
339-970-2843
