DUBLIN, Ireland--(
BUSINESS WIRE
)--Prothena Corporation plc (NASDAQ:PRTA), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company with a robust pipeline of investigational therapeutics built on protein dysregulation expertise, today reported financial results for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 and provided business highlights.
“
We continue to meaningfully advance our programs and move towards becoming a fully integrated commercial company, which will enable Prothena to deliver transformative medicines for people living with devastating diseases caused by protein dysregulation. We recently announced that our collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb generated a clinical development program with their exclusive global license of PRX019 for $80 million. In addition, this quarter we continued to enroll our ongoing global clinical trials for our wholly-owned PRX012 and birtamimab programs as planned,” said Gene Kinney, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Prothena. “
Within the next 12 months we expect to announce topline results from four ongoing clinical programs: the Phase 1 ASCENT program for Alzheimer’s disease with PRX012, the confirmatory Phase 3 AFFIRM-AL clinical trial for AL amyloidosis with birtamimab, the Phase 2b PADOVA clinical trial for Parkinson’s disease with prasinzumab in collaboration with Roche and the Phase 2 clinical trial for ATTR-cardiomyopathy with coramitug in collaboration with Novo Nordisk.”
Second Quarter, Recent Business Highlights and Upcoming Milestones
Neurodegenerative Diseases Portfolio
Alzheimer’s Disease
PRX012
, a wholly-owned potential best-in-class, next-generation antibody delivered subcutaneously for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease that targets a key epitope at the N-terminus of amyloid beta (Aβ) with high binding potency. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for PRX012 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Poster presentation at AAIC 2024 highlighted the clinical trial design of the ongoing Phase 1 ASCENT program for PRX012
Initial Phase 1 single ascending dose and multiple dose data supports once-monthly subcutaneous administration and ongoing evaluation in multiple dose cohorts
Phase 1 clinical trial continues as planned and expect to update in 2024
BMS-986446
(formerly PRX005), a potential best-in-class antibody for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease that specifically targets a key epitope within the microtubule binding region (MTBR) of tau, a protein implicated in the causal pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease.
Poster presentation by partner Bristol Myers Squibb at AAIC 2024 highlighted the design of the ongoing Phase 2 TargetTau-1 clinical trial for BMS-986446
Bristol Myers Squibb continues to enroll the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in approximately 475 patients with early Alzheimer’s disease for BMS-986446 (
NCT06268886
)
Bristol Myers Squibb is responsible for all development, manufacturing, and commercialization of BMS-986446
PRX123
, a wholly-owned potential first-in-class dual Aβ/tau vaccine designed for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, is a dual-target vaccine targeting key epitopes within the N-terminus of Aβ and MTBR-tau designed to promote amyloid clearance and block the transmission of pathogenic tau. The FDA cleared the investigational new drug (IND) application and granted Fast Track designation for PRX123 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Phase 1 timeline update expected in 2024
Parkinson’s Disease
Prasinezumab
, a potential first-in-class antibody for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease that is designed to target key epitopes within the C-terminus of alpha-synuclein, and is the focus of a worldwide collaboration with Roche.
Topline results from Phase 2b PADOVA clinical trial in patients with early Parkinson’s disease, which has completed enrollment of 586 patients, expected in 2H 2024 (
NCT04777331
)
Neurodegenerative Diseases
PRX019
, a potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with an undisclosed target.
Bristol Myers Squibb obtained the exclusive global license for PRX019 for $80 million
As part of the PRX019 global license with Bristol Myers Squibb, Prothena will be eligible to receive additional development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments of up to $617.5 million and tiered royalties on net sales
Prothena will initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial for PRX019 by year-end 2024
Rare Peripheral Amyloid Diseases Portfolio
AL Amyloidosis
Birtamimab
, a wholly-owned potential best-in-class anti-amyloid antibody for the treatment of AL amyloidosis designed to directly neutralize soluble toxic light chain aggregates and promote clearance of amyloid that causes organ dysfunction and failure. Among patients with AL amyloidosis, a rare, progressive, and fatal disease, newly diagnosed individuals with advanced disease (e.g., Mayo Stage IV) are at the highest risk for early death. Birtamimab has been granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of patients with Mayo Stage IV AL amyloidosis to reduce the risk of mortality and has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by both the FDA and European Medicines Agency. A significant survival benefit was observed in the post hoc analysis of birtamimab-treated patients categorized as Mayo Stage IV at baseline in the previous Phase 3 VITAL clinical trial (
Blood
2023
)
.
Longitudinal Health-Related Quality of Life data (SF-36v2) across domains from the VITAL Phase 3 clinical trial for birtamimab was presented at the International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA) 2024 meeting
The ongoing confirmatory Phase 3 AFFIRM-AL clinical trial in patients with Mayo Stage IV AL amyloidosis is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the FDA with a primary endpoint of all-cause mortality (time-to-event) at a significance level of 0.10
Topline results from confirmatory AFFIRM-AL Phase 3 clinical trial expected between 4Q 2024 and 2Q 2025 (
NCT04973137
)
ATTR Amyloidosis
Coramitug
(formerly PRX004), a potential first-in-class amyloid depleter antibody for the treatment of ATTR cardiomyopathy designed to deplete the pathogenic, non-native forms of the transthyretin (TTR) protein and is being developed by Novo Nordisk as part of their up to $1.2 billion acquisition of Prothena’s ATTR amyloidosis business and pipeline.
Ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with ATTR cardiomyopathy is being conducted by Novo Nordisk
Phase 2 clinical trial has completed enrollment of approximately 99 patients with topline data expected in 1H 2025 (
NCT05442047
)
Second Quarter and First Six Months of 2024 Financial Results
For the second quarter and first six months of 2024, Prothena reported net
income of $66.9 million and net loss of $5.4 million, respectively, as compared to a net loss of $54.6 million and $101.5 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively. Net income per share on a diluted basis was $1.22 for the second quarter of 2024 and net loss per share for the first six months of 2024 was $0.10, as compared to net loss per share of $1.03 and $1.92 for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively.
Prothena reported total revenue of $132.0 million and $132.1 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as compared to total revenue of $4.0 million and $6.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively. Total revenue for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 was primarily from collaboration revenue from Bristol Myers Squibb as compared to total revenue for the second quarter and first six months of 2023 that also was primarily from collaboration revenue from Bristol Myers Squibb.
Research and development (R&D) expenses totaled $57.5 million and $121.6 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as compared to $56.0 million and $100.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively. The increase in R&D expenses for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year was primarily due to higher clinical trial expenses and higher personnel related expenses; offset in part by lower manufacturing expenses. R&D expenses included non-cash share-based compensation expense of $5.6 million and $11.1 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as compared to $4.9 million and $9.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses totaled $16.1 million and $33.6 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as compared to $14.5 million and $28.3 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively. The increase in G&A expenses for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to the same periods in the prior year was primarily related to higher personnel related and consulting expenses. G&A expenses included non-cash share-based compensation expense of $6.4 million and $13.3 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as compared to $5.2 million and $9.7 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively.
Total non-cash share-based compensation expense was $12.0 million and $24.4 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as compared to $10.1 million and $18.9 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2023, respectively.
As of June 30, 2024, Prothena had $565.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, and no debt.
As of August 1, 2024, Prothena had approximately 53.8 million ordinary shares outstanding.
2024 Financial Guidance
The Company is updating it projected full year 2024 net cash used in operating and investing actives, and expects it to be $148 to $160 million (versus prior guidance $208 to $225 million) and expects to end the year with approximately $468 million (midpoint) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, representing an increase of $63 million from prior guidance of $405 million (midpoint). This increase in cash position is primarily driven by Bristol Myers Squibb obtaining the $80 million exclusive worldwide rights for PRX019, offset by increased spend on our clinical stage programs including PRX019. The updated estimated full year 2024 net cash used from operating and investing activities is primarily driven by an updated estimated net loss of $120 to $135 million (versus prior guidance of $229 to $255 million), which includes an estimated $48 million of non-cash share-based compensation expense.
About Prothena
Prothena Corporation plc is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company with expertise in protein dysregulation and a pipeline of investigational therapeutics with the potential to change the course of devastating neurodegenerative and rare peripheral amyloid diseases. Fueled by its deep scientific expertise built over decades of research, Prothena is advancing a pipeline of therapeutic candidates for a number of indications and novel targets for which its ability to integrate scientific insights around neurological dysfunction and the biology of misfolded proteins can be leveraged. Prothena’s pipeline includes both wholly-owned and partnered programs being developed for the potential treatment of diseases including AL amyloidosis, ATTR amyloidosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and a number of other neurodegenerative diseases. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at
www.prothena.com
and follow the Company on Twitter @ProthenaCorp.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to, among other things, the sufficiency of our cash position to fund advancement of a broad pipeline and completion of our ongoing clinical trials; the continued advancement of our discovery, preclinical, and clinical pipeline, and expected milestones in 2024, 2025, and beyond; the treatment potential, designs, proposed mechanisms of action, and potential administration of PRX012, BMS-986446/PRX005, PRX123, prasinezumab, PRX019, birtamimab, and coramitug/PRX004; plans for ongoing and future clinical studies of PRX012, BMS-986446/PRX005, PRX123, prasinezumab, PRX019, birtamimab, and coramitug/PRX004; the expected timing of reporting data from clinical studies, including any updates regarding our ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating PRX012 in 2024 and topline study results for our Phase 3 AFFIRM-AL clinical trial between 4Q 2024 and 2Q 2025; amounts we might receive under our collaboration with BMS; our anticipated net cash burn from operating and investing activities for 2024 and expected cash balance at the end of 2024; and our estimated net loss and non-cash share-based compensation expense for 2024. These statements are based on estimates, projections and assumptions that may prove not to be accurate, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 8, 2024, and discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in our subsequent filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events, or changes in our expectations.
PROTHENA CORPORATION PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited - amounts in thousands except per share data)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Collaboration revenue
$
132,014
$
4,019
$
132,014
$
6,138
Revenue from license and intellectual property
—
—
50
50
Total revenue
132,014
4,019
132,064
6,188
Operating expenses:
Research and development
57,510
56,011
121,624
100,767
General and administrative
16,127
14,512
33,591
28,250
Total operating expenses
73,637
70,523
155,215
129,017
Income (loss) from operations
58,377
(66,504
)
(23,151
)
(122,829
)
Total other income, net
6,470
7,603
13,558
14,152
Income (loss) before income taxes
64,847
(58,901
)
(9,593
)
(108,677
)
Benefit from income taxes
(2,039
)
(4,306
)
(4,240
)
(7,218
)
Net income (loss)
$
66,886
$
(54,595
)
$
(5,353
)
$
(101,459
)
Basic net income (loss) per ordinary share
$
1.24
$
(1.03
)
$
(0.10
)
$
(1.92
)
Diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share
$
1.22
$
(1.03
)
$
(0.10
)
$
(1.92
)
Shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share
53,767
53,121
53,740
52,812
Shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share
55,043
53,121
53,740
52,812
PROTHENA CORPORATION PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited - amounts in thousands)
June 30,
December 31,
2024
2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
564,124
$
618,830
Restricted cash, current
—
1,352
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21,854
19,100
Total current assets
585,978
639,282
Property and equipment, net
3,486
3,836
Operating lease right-of-use assets
12,066
12,162
Restricted cash, non-current
860
860
Other non-current assets
43,175
40,242
Total non-current assets
59,587
57,100
Total assets
$
645,565
$
696,382
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accrued research and development
15,927
14,724
Deferred revenue, current
8,025
—
Lease liability, current
2,579
1,114
Other current liabilities
20,213
41,053
Total current liabilities
46,744
56,891
Deferred revenue, non-current
7,366
67,405
Lease liability, non-current
9,538
10,721
Total non-current liabilities
16,904
78,126
Total liabilities
63,648
135,017
Total shareholders’ equity
581,917
561,365
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
645,565
$
696,382
