MoonLake Immunotherapeutics Reports Full
Year 2023 Financial Results, Recent Business Highlights and
Announces an R&D Day on March 10
- A successful
year including the announcements of positive data from two Phase 2
trials of sonelokimab in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), at 12 and
24 weeks, and active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), at 12 weeks,
supporting a potential best-in-class profile across two key
indications
- Phase 3
preparation for sonelokimab in HS nearing completion, following
positive feedback from both FDA and EMA
- Year-end cash,
cash equivalents and short-term marketable debt securities of
$511.0 million, expected to support a roadmap rich in potential
catalysts whilst providing a cash runway to the end of 2026
- R&D Day to be held on Sunday
March 10 – alongside the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
annual meeting – expected to include 24 week data from the ARGO PsA
study and PsA program next steps, final plans for the HS Phase 3
VELA program, analysis of the size of the HS market, as well as
catalyst updates including new pipeline indications
ZUG, Switzerland,
February 29, 2024 – MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (NASDAQ: MLTX)
(“MoonLake”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on
creating next-level therapies for inflammatory diseases, today
announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year
ended December 31, 2023, and provided recent business
highlights.
Dr. Jorge Santos da Silva, Chief
Executive Officer of MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, said:
“2023 was another momentous year for MoonLake in the inflammation
and immunology field. We reported positive results from two global
Phase 2 trials of our Nanobody® sonelokimab in hidradenitis
suppurativa (HS) and active psoriatic arthritis. We were highly
selective in our choice of endpoints for these trials in a
deliberate plan to raise the bar for patients suffering from these
diseases characterized by profound patient burden and significant
unmet medical need. Following highly encouraging interactions with
both the FDA and EMA regarding our data and forthcoming Phase 3
trial designs for HS, we are completing plans to initiate our Phase
3 trials for both indications. On top of this, support from
world-renowned experts, clinicians, and patient organizations for
our data, science and methodologies continues to mount. We look
forward to sharing more information with everyone at our upcoming
R&D Day on 10 March.”
Q4 highlights (including post-quarter end)
- Announced landmark top-line 12-week
data from the global Phase 2 ARGO clinical trial of sonelokimab in
patients with PsA in November, supporting a potential best-in-class
profile
- Announced positive full 24-week
data from the global Phase 2 MIRA clinical trial in October,
achieving the primary endpoint, HiSCR75, with sonelokimab in
patients with HS, in support of a highly promising and
differentiated therapeutic solution
- Announced positive feedback from
both FDA and EMA on the regulatory path for the Phase 3 VELA
program of sonelokimab in HS, with the Phase 3 trial having a
similar design to the validated Phase 2 trial and being in line
with MoonLake’s prior communications and expectations
Fourth quarter and year-end financial
results
As of December 31, 2023, MoonLake held
cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable debt securities of
$511.0 million, compared to $496.0 million as of September 30,
2023. The increase of $15.0 million was primarily attributable to
the gross proceeds of at-the-market offerings, partially offset by
cash used in the Company’s operations.
Matthias Bodenstedt, Chief Financial
Officer at MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, said: “MoonLake
has added considerable shareholder value over the past year, and we
are driven to continue building on this. In December of last year,
and in early 2024, we pursued at-the-market offerings, bringing in
gross proceeds of $85 million at minimal dilution. The new funds
allow us to double down on the clinical development of sonelokimab
across multiple indications, whilst securing an additional expected
cash runway to the end of 2026. We are looking forward to sharing
updates on our roadmap rich in potential catalysts, together with
the highly anticipated 24 week data from our ARGO study in active
psoriatic arthritis, at our upcoming R&D Day.”
Research and development expenses for the fourth
quarter ended December 31, 2023 were $8.1 million, compared to
$7.6 million in the previous quarter. Research and development
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $31.8
million, compared to $42.0 million in the previous year. The
decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in milestone expense
incurred under the in-licensing agreement of sonelokimab.
General and administrative expenses for the
fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023 were $6.9 million,
compared to $5.4 million in the previous quarter. General and
administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023
were $22.3 million which was similar to the $23.0 million incurred
in the prior year.
Other non-operating income increased from $0.6
million in the prior year to $10.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to
interest income achieved from investments in short-term marketable
debt securities.
Net loss for the year ended December 31,
2023 was $44.1 million, compared to $64.5 million for the prior
year ending December 31, 2022.
R&D Day, on Sunday, March 10
MoonLake will be hosting an R&D Day for
investors and analysts in San Diego, USA on Sunday, March 10
alongside the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting.
The event will take place from 09:00 – 11:30 PST/ 12:00 – 14:30
EST/18:00 – 20:30 CET at the Hotel Westin Bayview, San Diego and
will be webcast for virtual attendees.
The R&D Day will provide important business
updates from MoonLake’s executive team including:
- Outcome of the
end-of-Phase 2 (EoP2) interactions with the FDA and EMA, and plans
for the Phase 3 VELA program for the Nanobody® sonelokimab in HS,
expected to randomize the first patient in Q2 2024
- Analysis of the
HS and PsA market opportunities and leadership potential for
sonelokimab
- 24-week data from the ARGO trial in
active PsA, plans related to EoP2 FDA meeting in Q2 2024 and
expectation to randomize the first patient in Q4 2024
- Pipeline updates
and details on the additional catalysts for 2024 and 2025,
including new indications to be pursued
- Financials
The event will feature presentations from
leading clinicians in dermatology and rheumatology. Professor
Joesph F. Merola, Founding President of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic
Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network Consortium
(PPACMAN) and Vice President of GRAPPA (Group for Research and
Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis), and Professor
Kenneth B. Gordon, Chair of Dermatology at the Medical College of
Wisconsin, will share their perspectives on the potential of
MoonLake’s investigational Nanobody® sonelokimab in IL-17A and
IL-17F driven inflammatory diseases.
A live Q&A session involving all presenters
will follow the event. Register to attend either the in-person
event or webcast here. A recording and additional details will be
available on the Events & Presentations section of the
Company’s website at www.ir.moonlaketx.com.
Upcoming banking conferences
- Leerink Partners
Global Biopharma Conference: March 11-13 (Miami)
- Jefferies
Biotech on the Bay Summit: March 11-13 (Miami)
- Barclays 26th
Annual Global Healthcare Conference: March 12-14 (Miami)
- H.C. Wainwright
2nd Annual Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease Virtual
Conference, March 28 (virtual)
- 23rd Annual
Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference: April 8-11 (virtual)
- Van Lanschot
Kempen Life Sciences Conference Amsterdam: April 16-17
(Amsterdam)
- Ends -
About MoonLake
Immunotherapeutics
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company unlocking the potential of sonelokimab, a
novel investigational Nanobody® for the treatment of inflammatory
disease, to revolutionize outcomes for patients. Sonelokimab
inhibits IL-17A and IL-17F by inhibiting the IL-17A/A, IL-17A/F,
and IL-17F/F dimers that drive inflammation. The company’s focus is
on inflammatory diseases with a major unmet need, including
hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriatic arthritis – conditions
affecting millions of people worldwide with a large need for
improved treatment options. MoonLake was founded in 2021 and is
headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Further information is available
at www.moonlaketx.com.
About
Nanobodies®
Nanobodies® represent a new generation of
antibody-derived targeted therapies. They consist of one or more
domains based on the small antigen-binding variable regions of
heavy-chain-only antibodies (VHH). Nanobodies® have a number of
potential advantages over traditional antibodies, including their
small size, enhanced tissue penetration, resistance to temperature
changes, ease of manufacturing, and their ability to be designed
into multivalent therapeutic molecules with bespoke target
combinations.The terms Nanobody® and Nanobodies® are trademarks of
Ablynx, a Sanofi company.
About Sonelokimab
Sonelokimab (M1095) is an investigational ~40
kDa humanized Nanobody® consisting of three VHH domains covalently
linked by flexible glycine-serine spacers. With two domains,
sonelokimab selectively binds with high affinity to IL-17A and
IL-17F, thereby inhibiting the IL-17A/A, IL-17A/F, and IL-17F/F
dimers. A third central domain binds human albumin, facilitating
further enrichment of sonelokimab at sites of inflammatory
edema.
Sonelokimab is being assessed in two trials, the
Phase 2 ARGO trial in PsA and the Phase 2 MIRA trial in HS. In June
2023, topline results of the MIRA trial (NCT05322473) at 12 weeks
showed that the trial met its primary endpoint, the Hidradenitis
Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR)75, which is a higher measure
of clinical response versus the HiSCR50 measure used in other
clinical trials, setting a landmark milestone. In October 2023, the
full dataset from the MIRA trial at 24 weeks showed that
maintenance treatment with sonelokimab led to further improvements
in HiSCR75 response rates and other clinically relevant outcomes.
In November 2023, MoonLake announced positive top-line results from
its global Phase 2 ARGO trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of
the Nanobody® sonelokimab in patients with active psoriatic
arthritis (PsA). The trial met its primary endpoint with a
statistically significant greater proportion of patients treated
with either sonelokimab 60mg or 120mg (with induction) achieving an
American College of Rheumatology (ACR)50 response compared to those
on placebo at week 12. All key secondary endpoints in the trial
were met for the 60mg and 120mg doses with induction.
Sonelokimab has also been assessed in a
randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial (NCT03384745) in 313
patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis. High
threshold clinical responses (Investigator’s Global Assessment
Score 0 or 1, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90/100) were
observed in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.
Sonelokimab was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile
similar to the active control, secukinumab (Papp KA, et al. Lancet.
2021; 397:1564-1575).
In an earlier Phase 1 trial in patients with
moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis, sonelokimab has been
shown to decrease (to normal skin levels) the cutaneous gene
expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Svecova D.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81:196-203). Sonelokimab is not yet
approved for use in any indication.
Sonelokimab is not yet approved for use in any
indication.
About the MIRA trialThe MIRA
trial (M1095-HS-201) is a global, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the
Nanobody® sonelokimab, administered subcutaneously, in the
treatment of adult patients with active moderate-to-severe
hidradenitis suppurativa. The trial recruited 234 patients, with
the aim to evaluate two different doses of sonelokimab (120mg and
240mg) with placebo control and adalimumab as an active reference
arm. The primary endpoint of the trial is the percentage of
participants achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response
75 (HiSCR75), defined as a ≥75% reduction in total abscess and
inflammatory nodule (AN) count with no increase in abscess or
draining tunnel count relative to baseline. The trial also
evaluated a number of secondary endpoints, including the proportion
of patients achieving HiSCR50, the change from baseline in
International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System
(IHS4), the proportion of patients achieving a Dermatology Life
Quality Index (DLQI) total score of ≤5, and the proportion of
patients achieving at least 30% reduction from baseline in
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS30) in the Patient’s Global Assessment
of Skin Pain (PGA Skin Pain). Further details are available at:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05322473
About the ARGO trialThe ARGO
trial (M1095-PSA-201) is a global, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the
Nanobody® sonelokimab, administered subcutaneously, in the
treatment of adult patients with active PsA. The trial is designed
to evaluate different doses of sonelokimab, with placebo control
and adalimumab as an active reference arm. The primary endpoint of
the trial is the percentage of participants achieving ≥50%
improvement in signs and symptoms of disease from baseline,
compared to placebo, as measured by the American College of
Rheumatology (ACR) 50 response. The trial also evaluates a number
of secondary endpoints, including improvement compared to placebo
in ACR20, complete skin clearance as measured by at least a 100%
improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI),
physical function as measured by the Health Assessment
Questionnaire-Disability Index, enthesitis as measured by the Leeds
Enthesitis Index and pain as measured by the Patients Assessment of
Arthritis Pain. Further details are available at:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05640245
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward
Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding
MoonLake’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies
regarding the future including, without limitation, statements
regarding: plans for and timing of clinical trials, including
expectations regarding the timing of the Phase 3 programs in HS and
PsA, the efficacy and safety of sonelokimab for the treatment of HS
and PsA, including in comparison to existing standards or care or
other competing therapies, clinical trials and research and
development programs and the anticipated timing of the results from
those studies and trials, the initiation of work in and the timing
of future announcements regarding additional indications for
sonelokimab, the timing for meeting with regulatory authorities,
expectations regarding future catalysts, and our anticipated cash
usage and the period of time we anticipate such cash to be
available. In addition, any statements that refer to projections,
forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or
circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are
forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,”
“continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,”
“might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,”
“should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify
forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not
mean that statement is not forward looking.
Forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by
MoonLake and its management, as the case may be, are inherently
uncertain. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to
time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and
uncertainties. 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 MoonLake’s business in
general and limited operating history; expectations regarding the
timing of the Phase 3 programs in HS and PsA; positive results from
a clinical trial may not necessarily be predictive of the results
of future or ongoing clinical studies; MoonLake’s substantial
dependence on the success of its Nanobody® sonelokimab; state and
federal healthcare reform measures that could result in reduced
demand for MoonLake’s product candidates and reliance on third
parties to conduct and support its and clinical trials.
Nothing in this press release should be regarded
as a representation by any person that the forward-looking
statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the
contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be
achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements in this press release, which speak only as of the date
they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to
the cautionary statements herein. MoonLake does not undertake or
accept any duty to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its
expectations or in the events, conditions or circumstances on which
any such statement is based.
CONTACT:
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics Investors
Matthias Bodenstedt, CFO
ir@moonlaketx.com
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics Media
Patricia Sousa, Director Corporate Affairs
media@moonlaketx.com
ICR ConsiliumMary-Jane Elliott,
Ashley Tapp, Namrata Taak
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709
5700MoonLake@consilium-comms.com
MOONLAKE IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in USD, except share data)
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
September 30, 2023 (Unaudited) |
Current
assets |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ 451,169,337 |
|
$ 318,165,809 |
Short-term marketable debt securities |
|
59,838,900 |
|
177,812,899 |
Other receivables |
|
1,056,862 |
|
720,755 |
Prepaid expenses - current |
|
2,102,203 |
|
3,310,281 |
Total
current assets |
|
514,167,302 |
|
500,009,744 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
3,628,480 |
|
169,422 |
Property and equipment, net |
|
320,865 |
|
39,520 |
Prepaid expenses - non-current |
|
8,423,468 |
|
— |
Total
non-current assets |
|
12,372,813 |
|
208,942 |
Total
assets |
|
$ 526,540,115 |
|
$ 500,218,686 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
|
$ 1,837,684 |
|
$ 3,404,728 |
Short-term portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
1,197,876 |
|
156,338 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
6,930,120 |
|
6,746,951 |
Total
current liabilities |
|
9,965,680 |
|
10,308,017 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
2,499,990 |
|
13,084 |
Pension liability |
|
583,426 |
|
255,399 |
Total
non-current liabilities |
|
3,083,416 |
|
268,483 |
Total
liabilities |
|
13,049,096 |
|
10,576,500 |
Commitments and
contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
(deficit) |
|
|
|
|
Class A Ordinary Shares: $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares
authorized; 60,466,453 shares issued and outstanding as of
December 31, 2023; 53,561,488 shares issued and outstanding as
of September 30, 2023 |
|
6,047 |
|
5,356 |
Class C Ordinary Shares: $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 2,505,476 shares issued and outstanding as of
December 31, 2023; 8,884,517 shares issued and outstanding as
of September 30, 2023 |
|
251 |
|
889 |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
609,969,236 |
|
531,271,953 |
Accumulated deficit |
|
(116,657,472) |
|
(109,220,396) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
2,357,621 |
|
2,875,198 |
Total
shareholders’ equity (deficit) |
|
495,675,683 |
|
424,933,000 |
Noncontrolling interests |
|
17,815,336 |
|
64,709,186 |
Total
equity |
|
513,491,019 |
|
489,642,186 |
Total
liabilities and equity |
|
$ 526,540,115 |
|
$ 500,218,686 |
MOONLAKE IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Amounts in USD, except share and per share
data)
|
|
For the Three Months Period Ended |
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
December 31, |
|
September 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Operating
expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
$ (8,097,794) |
|
$ (7,585,136) |
|
$ (31,801,880) |
|
$ (42,048,954) |
General and administrative |
|
(6,931,096) |
|
(5,391,607) |
|
(22,321,216) |
|
(23,012,463) |
Total
operating expenses |
|
(15,028,890) |
|
(12,976,743) |
|
(54,123,096) |
|
(65,061,417) |
Operating
loss |
|
(15,028,890) |
|
(12,976,743) |
|
(54,123,096) |
|
(65,061,417) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net |
|
7,185,810 |
|
1,386,313 |
|
10,138,367 |
|
591,732 |
Loss
before income tax |
|
(7,843,080) |
|
(11,590,430) |
|
(43,984,729) |
|
(64,469,685) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
(44,309) |
|
(28,923) |
|
(94,388) |
|
(36,366) |
Net
loss |
|
$ (7,887,389) |
|
$ (11,619,353) |
|
$ (44,079,117) |
|
$ (64,506,051) |
Of which: net loss attributable to controlling interests
shareholders |
|
(7,437,074) |
|
(9,426,049) |
|
(36,007,260) |
|
(49,973,249) |
Of which: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
shareholders |
|
(450,315) |
|
(2,193,304) |
|
(8,071,857) |
|
(14,532,802) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities and short-term
investments |
|
(716,437) |
|
3,437,291 |
|
2,330,101 |
|
390,753 |
Actuarial income (loss) on employee benefit plans |
|
(317,256) |
|
39,157 |
|
(336,579) |
|
269,893 |
Other
comprehensive income |
|
(1,033,693) |
|
3,476,448 |
|
1,993,522 |
|
660,646 |
Comprehensive loss |
|
$ (8,921,082) |
|
$ (8,142,905) |
|
$ (42,085,595) |
|
$ (63,845,405) |
Comprehensive loss attributable to controlling interests
shareholders |
|
(8,415,796) |
|
(6,590,259) |
|
(34,511,723) |
|
(49,437,461) |
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
(505,286) |
|
(1,552,646) |
|
(7,573,872) |
|
(14,407,944) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average
number of Class A Ordinary Shares, basic and diluted |
|
59,914,592 |
|
53,517,655 |
|
49,122,534 |
|
29,361,353 |
Basic and
diluted net loss per share attributable to controlling interests
shareholders |
|
$ (0.12) |
|
$ (0.18) |
|
$ (0.73) |
|
$ (1.70) |
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