Evelo Biosciences Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results and Business Highlights
-- First Patient Dosed in
-- Preclinical Studies Have Shown Non-replicating Monoclonal Microbials Maintain Activity: EDP1867 in Development --
-- Initial Clinical Data for EDP1066 in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Expected in 2Q 2019 --
-- Initial Clinical Data for EDP1815 in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Expected in 2H 2019 --
-- Management to Host Conference Call at
"Our platform opens up the potential for effective, orally delivered, safe and cost-effective medicines for improved treatments of inflammatory diseases and cancers. In 2018, we made significant progress and advanced our first three product candidates into clinical trials across multiple inflammatory diseases and cancers," said
2018 and Recent Business Highlights:
Inflammation
April 2018 - Evelo initiated a placebo-controlled Phase 1b clinical trial of EDP1066 in healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Following completion of each of the three dose-ascending healthy volunteer cohorts, data was reviewed by the trial’s safety review committee and the trial proceeded as planned into cohorts of patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasisNovember 2018 - Evelo initiated a placebo-controlled Phase 1b clinical trial of EDP1815 in healthy volunteers and patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis
Oncology
November 2018 - Entered into clinical collaboration with Merck to evaluate EDP1503 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in multiple cancer indicationsDecember 2018 - Evelo initiated an open-label Phase 1/2 clinical trial of EDP1503 in combination with KEYTRUDA in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and patients with other tumor types that have relapsed on prior PD-1/L1 inhibitor treatmentJanuary 2019 - TheUniversity of Chicago initiated an open-label Phase 2a clinical trial of EDP1503 in combination with KEYTRUDA in naïve melanoma patients and melanoma patients that have relapsed on prior PD-1/L1 inhibitor treatment
Non-Replicating Monoclonal Microbials
- Preclinical studies have shown that non-replicating monoclonal microbials, which have been treated to prevent growth and division, maintain activity, opening up the potential to develop non-replicating monoclonal microbial clinical candidates
- Monoclonal microbial activity is likely driven by recognition of structural motifs by immune cells in the small intestine and is not dependent on engraftment or colonization
- Nominated EDP1867 as a preclinical monoclonal microbial candidate for inflammatory diseases. EDP1867 is the first monoclonal microbial specifically developed as a non-replicating product candidate in Evelo’s pipeline
Anticipated 2019 Clinical Milestones
- Initial clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial of EDP1066 in healthy volunteers and patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis in the second quarter of 2019
- Initiation of an immuno-pharmacology clinical study in healthy volunteers with EDP1066 in 1H 2019, designed to explore additional doses and formulations ahead of potential later stage trials
- Initial clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial of EDP1815 in healthy volunteers and patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis in the second half of 2019
- Initiation of clinical trials with EDP1066 and EDP1815 in additional inflammatory disease indications in the second half of 2019
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results
- Cash Position: As of
December 31, 2018 , cash, cash equivalents and investments were$147.9 million , as compared to cash and cash equivalents of$38.2 million as ofDecember 31, 2017 . This increase was due to net proceeds of$81.3 million from the issuance of Series C convertible preferred stock, net proceeds of$75.8 million from Evelo’s initial public offering and$5.0 million of additional drawings from Evelo’s existing debt facility, partially offset by cash used to fund operating activities for the full year 2018. Evelo expects that its cash, cash equivalents and investments will enable it to fund its planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second half of 2020. - Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses were
$11.3 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2018 and$39.9 million for the full year endedDecember 31, 2018 , compared to$6.1 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2017 and$20.0 million for the full year endedDecember 31, 2017 . The increase of$19.9 million for 2018 was due primarily to increases in costs related to Evelo’s inflammation and oncology clinical development programs, and gut-body network platform expenses, as well as increased personnel costs. - General and Administrative Expenses: G&A expenses were
$4.7 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2018 and$18.2 million for the full year endedDecember 31, 2018 , compared to$2.0 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2017 and$7.6 million for the full year endedDecember 31, 2017 . The increase of$10.6 million for 2018 was due primarily to increased general and administrative personnel costs, professional and consulting fees, and facility expenses supporting Evelo’s growing organization and public company infrastructure. - Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was
$15.4 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2018 and$60.9 million for the full year endedDecember 31, 2018 , or$(0.49) and$(2.78) per basic and diluted share, respectively, as compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of$9.9 million for the three months endedDecember 31, 2017 and$34.1 million for the full year endedDecember 31 , 2017,or$(2.57) and$(9.10) per basic and diluted share, respectively.
Conference Call
Evelo will host a conference call and webcast today at
About
Evelo currently has three product candidates, EDP1066 and EDP1815 for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and EDP1503 for the treatment of cancer, for which ten clinical readouts are expected during 2019 and 2020. Evelo is also advancing additional candidates through preclinical development in other disease areas.
For more information, please visit www.evelobio.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our objectives and anticipated clinical milestones for 2019, the promise and potential impact of any of our monoclonal microbials or preclinical or clinical trial data, the timing of and plans to initiate clinical studies, the timing and results of any clinical studies of EDP1503, EDP1066 and EDP1815 and the potential to develop non-replicating monoclonal microbial clinical candidates.
These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: we have incurred significant losses, are not currently profitable and may never become profitable; our need for additional funding; our limited operating history; our unproven approach to therapeutic intervention; the lengthy, expensive, and uncertain process of clinical drug development, including potential delays in regulatory approval; our reliance on third parties and collaborators to expand our microbial library, conduct our clinical trials, manufacture our product candidates, and develop and commercialize our product candidates, if approved; our lack of experience in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing our product candidates; failure to compete successfully against other drug companies; protection of our proprietary technology and the confidentiality of our trade secrets; potential lawsuits for, or claims of, infringement of third-party intellectual property or challenges to the ownership of our intellectual property; our patents being found invalid or unenforceable; risks associated with international operations; our ability to retain key personnel and to manage our growth; the potential volatility of our common stock; our management and principal stockholders have the ability to control or significantly influence our business; costs and resources of operating as a public company; unfavorable or no analyst research or reports; and securities class action litigation against us.
These and other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
Contact
617-577-0300
stefan@evelobio.com
EVELO BIOSCIENCES, INC. | ||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||
Operating Expenses(1): | ||||||||||||||||
Research and development | $ | 11,343 | $ | 6,076 | $ | 39,885 | $ | 19,957 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 4,650 | 1,991 | 18,218 | 7,574 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 15,993 | 8,067 | 58,103 | 27,531 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (15,993 | ) | (8,067 | ) | (58,103 | ) | (27,531 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 550 | (76 | ) | 1,157 | (516 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (15,443 | ) | $ | (8,143 | ) | $ | (56,946 | ) | $ | (28,047 | ) | ||||
Preferred stock dividends | — | (1,730 | ) | (3,937 | ) | (6,085 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (15,443 | ) | $ | (9,873 | ) | $ | (60,883 | ) | $ | (34,132 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (2.57 | ) | $ | (2.78 | ) | $ | (9.10 | ) | ||||
Weighted-average common shares used in computing net loss per share - basic and diluted | 31,778,021 | 3,840,439 | 21,871,029 | 3,750,790 | ||||||||||||
(1) Expenses include the following amount of non-cash stock-based compensation expense: | ||||||||||||||||
Research and development | $ | 741 | $ | 410 | $ | 2,508 | $ | 849 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 824 | 226 | 3,551 | 693 |
EVELO BIOSCIENCES, INC. | ||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
December 31, 2018 |
December 31, 2017 |
|||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and investments | $ | 147,919 | $ | 38,246 | ||||
Property and equipment, net | 6,925 | 3,496 | ||||||
Other assets | 5,023 | 2,046 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 159,867 | $ | 43,788 | ||||
Liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit): | ||||||||
Accounts payable and current liabilities | $ | 9,235 | $ | 3,839 | ||||
Long-term debt | 12,305 | 9,966 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 1,378 | 1,004 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 22,918 | 14,809 | ||||||
Convertible preferred stock | — | 83,702 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | 136,949 | (54,723 | ) | |||||
Total liabilities, preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | 159,867 | $ | 43,788 |
Source: Evelo Biosciences, Inc.