Werewolf Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
07 Noviembre 2024 - 8:00AM
Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Werewolf”) (Nasdaq:
HOWL), an innovative biopharmaceutical company pioneering the
development of conditionally activated therapeutics engineered to
stimulate the body’s immune system for the treatment of cancer and
other immune-mediated conditions, today provided a business update
and reported financial results for the third quarter ended
September 30, 2024.
“Werewolf continues to progress our pipeline of
INDUKINE therapeutics, led by WTX-124 and WTX-330, which have
together provided preliminary clinical validation of our innovative
design. To date, initial datasets from both programs have
highlighted well-tolerated monotherapy activity in the outpatient
setting, establishing WTX-124’s potential best-in-class profile
among next-generation approaches to IL-2 and WTX-330’s potential
first-in-class design which enables a wider exposure and
therapeutic window of IL-12 than previously achieved,” said Daniel
J. Hicklin, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of
Werewolf. “We continue to progress WTX-124, with both monotherapy
and combination expansion arms enrolling in multiple indications.
We anticipate sharing monotherapy expansion data in the first half
of 2025, which we expect will guide the next steps for the
development program. In addition, we look forward to presenting
interim data from our Phase 1 WTX-330 clinical trial at SITC this
weekend, including the emerging tolerability and clinical activity
profile for WTX-330.”
Recent Highlights and Upcoming
Milestones
WTX-124: a systemically
delivered, conditionally activated Interleukin-2 (IL-2) INDUKINE
molecule being developed as monotherapy and in combination with
pembrolizumab in multiple solid tumor types.
- Werewolf continues to progress the
ongoing Phase 1/1b clinical trial evaluating WTX-124 as a
monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab.
- Following the selection of 18 mg WTX-124 administered
intravenously every two weeks (IV Q2W) as the monotherapy
recommended dose for expansion (RDE), the Company has opened
monotherapy expansion arms and is actively enrolling patients with
metastatic melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and cutaneous
squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who have failed immune checkpoint
inhibitor therapy.
- The Company has also selected 18 mg WTX-124 administered IV Q2W
as its RDE for the combination with pembrolizumab and has opened
combination expansion arms in metastatic melanoma, RCC, and
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Previously, the Company disclosed that two patients with
metastatic melanoma treated in the 12 mg combination dose
escalation cohort had partial and near-partial responses observed
in preliminary data. Both patients now have confirmed partial
responses, and both patients have remained progression free on
study for more than 7 months.
- The Company also previously disclosed that one patient with
advanced CSCC treated in the 12 mg monotherapy dose escalation
cohort had a documented complete response and then discontinued
study drug at 21 weeks. This patient has remained in complete
remission for over twelve months.
- Cumulative biomarker data from tumor biopsies continue to
provide evidence that baseline CD8+ effector T cells are relevant
to clinical responses and that there is no evidence of Treg
activation with treatment.
- In the first half of 2025, Werewolf
expects to provide an update on the WTX-124 clinical development
program, including data from the monotherapy expansion arms that
are evaluating WTX-124 in more homogenous, less heavily pre-treated
patient populations to inform future development priorities.
- Pending additional insight into the
clinical profile, Werewolf intends to engage with regulators to
discuss potential registrational pathways for WTX-124, including
strategies for monotherapy accelerated approval.
WTX-330: a systemically
delivered, conditionally activated Interleukin-12 (IL-12) INDUKINE
molecule being developed in advanced or metastatic solid
tumors.
- Werewolf plans to present updated
interim safety and efficacy data from its ongoing Phase 1 clinical
trial of WTX-330 in patients with advanced or metastatic solid
tumors or non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the Society for Immunotherapy of
Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting, being held November 6-10, 2024, in
Houston, Texas. Presentation details are as follows:
- Title: The tumor-activated IL-12 prodrug
WTX-330 expanded/activated tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and
caused tumor regression in patients with refractory solid tumors:
Interim data from an ongoing Ph1 study
- Abstract Number: 672
- Session Date and Time: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024;
9:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. CT.
- Location: George R. Brown Convention Center -
Exhibit Halls A B
- In June 2024, the Company shared a
preliminary program update, reflecting the same June 12, 2024, data
cut-off as captured in the SITC abstract, showing an improved
therapeutic index with systemic administration of WTX-330,
producing clinical activity at generally well-tolerated doses, with
a 22-fold higher systemic prodrug exposure compared to recombinant
IL-12 at its maximum tolerated dose.
- The data to be presented at SITC
will expand on this initial update, further characterizing safety,
pharmacokinetics (PK), biomarkers and clinical activity and
capturing additional patients treated since this data cut-off.
Preclinical Portfolio: includes
development candidates WTX-712 and WTX-518, INDUKINE molecules
targeting IL-21 and IL-18, respectively, for treatment of cancer
and WTX-921, an INDUKINE molecule delivering IL-10 for treatment of
inflammatory diseases.
- In October 2024, Werewolf announced
the addition of WTX-921, a novel IL-10 INDUKINE development
candidate for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and
potentially other inflammatory diseases, to its pipeline, thereby
increasing the breadth of the PREDATOR™ platform approach in
therapeutic areas outside of oncology.
- At SITC, the Company plans to present a poster highlighting the
distinct mechanisms by which IL-2, IL-12, binding protein resistant
IL-18, and IL-21 accomplish antitumor immunity in mice.
Presentation details are as follows:
- Title: INDUKINE™
Molecules Delivering Various Cytokines Utilize Unique Mechanisms of
Action to Drive Anti-Tumor Efficacy in Murine Syngeneic Tumor
Models
- Abstract Number:
955
- Session Date and
Time: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024; 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. CT.
- Location: George
R. Brown Convention Center - Exhibit Halls A B
Financial Results for the
Third Quarter of
2024:
- Cash position: As
of September 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were
$122.8 million, compared to $135.3 million as of June 30,
2024. The Company believes its existing cash and cash equivalents
as of September 30, 2024, will be sufficient to fund
operational expenses and capital expenditure requirements through
at least the second quarter of 2026.
- Collaboration
revenue: No collaboration revenue was recognized during
the third quarter of 2024 due to the fact that Werewolf
substantially completed its performance obligations under the
collaboration agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Jazz) during the
second quarter of 2024. Comparatively, collaboration revenue was
$5.9 million for the third quarter of 2023, which includes
fixed payments received from Jazz, plus costs incurred for research
services to be reimbursed by Jazz.
- Research and development
expenses: Research and development expenses were
$12.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to
$10.8 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in
research and development expenses was primarily due to the
Company’s development efforts for WTX-124 and WTX-330, which
continue to progress through their respective clinical trials,
resulting in higher clinical trial costs and higher manufacturing
costs to support those trials.
- General and administrative
expenses: General and administrative expenses were
$4.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to
$4.3 million for the same period in 2023.
- Net loss: Net loss
was $16.7 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to
$8.3 million for the same period in 2023.
About Werewolf
Therapeutics:Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., is an innovative
biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of
therapeutics engineered to stimulate the body’s immune system for
the treatment of cancer and other immune-mediated conditions. The
Company is leveraging its proprietary PREDATOR® platform to design
conditionally activated molecules that stimulate both adaptive and
innate immunity with the goal of addressing the limitations of
conventional proinflammatory immune therapies. Werewolf’s INDUKINE
molecules are intended to remain inactive in peripheral tissue yet
activate selectively in the tumor microenvironment. The Company’s
most advanced clinical stage product candidates, WTX-124 and
WTX-330, are systemically delivered, conditionally activated
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-12 (IL-12) INDUKINE molecules,
respectively, for the treatment of solid tumors. Werewolf is
advancing WTX-124 in multiple tumor types as a single agent and in
combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor and WTX-330 in
multiple tumor types or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma as a single agent. To
learn more visit www.werewolftx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains
forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and
uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical
facts, contained in this press release, including statements
regarding Werewolf’s strategy, future operations, prospects, plans,
and objectives of management; the projection of the cash runway;
the expected timeline for the preclinical and clinical development
of product candidates and the availability of data from such
preclinical and clinical development; the potential activity and
efficacy of product candidates in preclinical studies and clinical
trials; the anticipated safety profile of product candidates; and
the upcoming presentations at SITC; constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The words “aim,” “anticipate,” “approach,”
“believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “designed
to,” “engineered,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,”
“might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “promise,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or
the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology are
intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The
Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or
expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from
the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these
forward-looking statements as a result of various important
factors, including: uncertainties inherent in the development of
product candidates, including the conduct of research activities
and the initiation and completion of preclinical studies and
clinical trials; uncertainties as to the availability and timing of
results from preclinical studies and clinical trials; the timing of
and the Company’s ability to submit and obtain regulatory approval
for investigational new drug applications; whether results from
preclinical studies will be predictive of the results of later
preclinical studies and clinical trials; whether preliminary or
interim data from a clinical trial will be predictive of the
results of the trial and future clinical trials; the Company’s
ability to manage cash resources and obtain additional cash
resources to fund the Company’s foreseeable and unforeseeable
operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; as well as
the risks and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors”
section of the Company’s most recent Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and in subsequent
filings the Company may make with the SEC. In addition, the
forward-looking statements included in this press release represent
the Company’s views as of the date of this press release. The
Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will
cause its views to change. However, while the Company may elect to
update these forward-looking statements at some point in the
future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as
representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the
date of this press release.
WEREWOLF®, the WEREWOLF logo, PREDATOR®,
INDUKINE™ and other Werewolf trademarks, service marks, graphics
and logos are trade names, trademarks or registered trademarks of
Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc., in the United States or other
countries. All rights reserved.
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Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share
data) |
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Three Months Ended September
30, |
Nine Months Ended September
30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Revenue: |
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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Collaboration revenue |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
5,897 |
|
|
$ |
1,885 |
|
|
$ |
18,442 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
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Research and development |
|
12,528 |
|
|
|
10,838 |
|
|
|
40,707 |
|
|
$ |
32,127 |
|
General and administrative |
|
4,596 |
|
|
|
4,310 |
|
|
|
14,424 |
|
|
|
13,856 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
17,124 |
|
|
|
15,148 |
|
|
|
55,131 |
|
|
|
45,983 |
|
Operating loss |
|
(17,124 |
) |
|
|
(9,251 |
) |
|
|
(53,246 |
) |
|
|
(27,541 |
) |
Other income |
|
451 |
|
|
|
966 |
|
|
|
3,131 |
|
|
|
2,176 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(16,673 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,285 |
) |
|
$ |
(50,115 |
) |
|
$ |
(25,365 |
) |
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Net loss per common share, basic |
$ |
(0.38 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.17 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.72 |
) |
Net loss per common share, diluted |
$ |
(0.38 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.19 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.72 |
) |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic |
|
43,704,836 |
|
|
|
35,653,924 |
|
|
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42,947,282 |
|
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35,335,286 |
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted |
|
43,704,836 |
|
|
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35,653,924 |
|
|
|
43,386,287 |
|
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35,335,286 |
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Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. Selected Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet Data (unaudited) (amounts in thousands) |
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September 30, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
122,827 |
|
|
$ |
134,343 |
|
Working capital |
$ |
113,371 |
|
|
$ |
118,992 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
140,036 |
|
|
$ |
174,833 |
|
Total deferred revenue |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,340 |
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Total notes payable, net of discount and issuance costs |
$ |
25,617 |
|
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$ |
39,323 |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
$ |
89,379 |
|
|
$ |
111,374 |
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Investor Contact: John Norton
Precision AQ 212.362.1200 John.Norton@precisionaq.com
Media Contact: Amanda Sellers
Deerfield Group 301.332.5574 amanda.sellers@deerfieldgroup.com
Company Contact: Ellen Lubman
Chief Business Officer Werewolf Therapeutics
elubman@werewolftx.com
Werewolf Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HOWL)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Dic 2024 a Ene 2025
Werewolf Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HOWL)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Ene 2024 a Ene 2025