Sol-Gel Technologies Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update


  • FDA approval for EPSOLAY® (benzoyl peroxide, cream, 5%) represents Sol-Gel’s second approved product within less than a year; EPSOLAY is patent protected until 2040

  • Partner Galderma to launch two products in the U.S. this quarter: TWYNEO launched in the U.S. market in April for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients nine years of age and older and EPSOLAY to launch in the second quarter for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults

  • Sol-Gel’s cash runway expected to extend through the end of 2023

NESS ZIONA, Israel, May 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sol-Gel Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLGL), a dermatology company focused on identifying, developing, commercializing or partnering branded and generic topical drug products for the treatment of skin diseases, announced today financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update.

“We have made great strides following the close of the first quarter with the prominent and well-received U.S. commercial launch of our acne drug, TWYNEO by our partner, Galderma, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of our rosacea drug, EPSOLAY, to be launched this quarter, both of which generated significant media attention,” stated Alon Seri-Levy, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Sol-Gel. “We now have two FDA-approved drugs within the last twelve months that we developed with our proprietary formulation capabilities from bench to market. When used as indicated, both TWYNEO and EPSOLAY have the potential to change the treatment landscape for patients afflicted with either acne vulgaris or inflammatory lesions of rosacea, respectively.  

Dr. Seri-Levy continued, “We are confident that our partner, Galderma, who has an unparalleled track record of introducing innovative drugs in the United States, will maximize the availability of our dermatological therapies to patients. Our expectation is that both drugs will become the preferred treatments of choice in acne and rosacea. We will now deploy the capital generated from the Galderma and Padagis agreements to advance our proprietary assets into clinical trials.”

Q1 2022 and Recent Corporate Developments

  • On April 25, Sol-Gel announced FDA approval of EPSOLAY topical cream containing benzoyl peroxide, 5%, for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. Sol-Gel has granted to Galderma Holding SA (“Galderma”) the exclusive rights to commercialize EPSOLAY in the United States. Founded in 1981, Galderma is the world’s largest independent dermatology company.

  • Galderma introduced TWYNEO at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 25-29 in Boston, MA and on April 14, 2022 Sol-Gel announced TYWNEO was made commercially available to the U.S. market. The EPSOLAY launch is pending.

  • Sol-Gel plans to initiate Phase 2 studies for a roflumilast combination product as well as an undisclosed formulation of tapinarof during 2023. A Phase 1/2 study for erlotinib is also planned during 2023.

First Quarter Financial Results

Revenue was nominal for the quarter ending March 31, 2022, due to the sale of royalty-generating generic assets to Padagis, compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2021.

Research and development expenses were $4.0 million in 2022 compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2021. The increase of $1.5 million was mainly attributed to an increase of $1.4 million in professional expenses related to TWYNEO and EPSOLAY.

General and administrative expenses were $1.9 million in 2022 compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease of $0.6 million was mainly attributed to lower pre-commercialization-related expenses for EPSOLAY and TWYNEO.

Sol-Gel reported a loss of $5.6 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to a loss of $4.1 million for the same period in 2021.

As of March 31, 2022, Sol-Gel had $30.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and deposits, and $6.1 million in marketable securities for a total balance of $36.3 million. As a result of our agreements with Galderma regarding EPSOLAY and TWYNEO and the agreement with Padagis, the Company expects that its cash resources will enable funding of operational and capital expenditure requirements through the end of 2023.

About EPSOLAY

EPSOLAY is a topical cream containing benzoyl peroxide, 5%, for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. EPSOLAY utilizes a proprietary technology to encapsulate benzoyl peroxide within silica-based microcapsules to create a barrier between the medication and the skin. The silica-based shell is designed to slowly release benzoyl peroxide over time to provide a favorable efficacy and safety profile. EPSOLAY is covered by granted patents until 2040.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

EPSOLAY is contraindicated in patients with a history of a serious hypersensitivity reactions to benzoyl peroxide or any component of the formulation in EPSOLAY.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Hypersensitivity: Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have been reported with the use of benzoyl peroxide products. (5.1)
  • Skin irritation/contact dermatitis: Erythema, scaling, dryness, stinging/burning, irritation and allergic contact dermatitis may occur with use of EPSOLAY and may necessitate discontinuation.
  • Photosensitivity: Avoid or minimize exposure to natural or artificial sunlight and use sun protection measures while using EPSOLAY.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • The most common adverse reactions were application site reactions: pain (2%), erythema (2%), pruritis (1%) and edema (1%).

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Sol-Gel Technologies Inc. at [1-866-SGT-AERS (748-4377)] or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see the full Prescribing Information here: https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/097577b9-ee42-41fa-bc32-b9d3dce386c6

About Inflammatory Lesions of Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic and recurrent skin condition that can potentially worsen over time. More than 82% of people with rosacea feel that their condition is uncontrolled and rosacea can deeply affect self-esteem and mental health.

Inflammatory lesions of rosacea is a chronic and recurrent skin disorder that affects millions of Americans. The condition is especially common in fair-skinned people of Celtic and Northern European heritage. Onset is usually after age 30 and typically begins as flushing and subtle redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. If left untreated, rosacea can slowly worsen over time. As the condition progresses, the redness becomes more persistent, blood vessels become visible, and inflammatory lesions often appear. Other symptoms may include burning, stinging, dry skin, plaques and skin thickening.

About Sol-Gel Technologies

Sol-Gel is a dermatology company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing branded and generic topical drug products for the treatment of skin diseases. Sol-Gel leveraged its proprietary microencapsulation technology platform for TWYNEO®, which is approved for the treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients nine years of age and older; and EPSOLAY, which is approved for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. Both drugs are exclusively licensed to Galderma for U.S. commercialization.

The Company’s pipeline also includes early-stage topical drug candidates SGT-210, SGT-310 and SGT-510 under investigation for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and other dermatologic indications.

For additional information, please visit www.sol-gel.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, but not limited to, statements regarding the commercial launch of EPSOLAY and/or TWYNEO; the benefits we expect to receive under our agreement with Galderma; and our cash runway. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or our management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risk that we will not receive all of the anticipated benefits under our agreement with Galderma, the risk of a delay in the commercial availability of EPSOLAY and/or TWYNEO, the risk that EPSOLAY and/or TWYNEO will not provide treatment to the number of patients anticipated, risks relating to the effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus) as well as the following factors: (i) the adequacy of our financial and other resources, particularly in light of our history of recurring losses and the uncertainty regarding the adequacy of our liquidity to pursue our complete business objectives; (ii) our ability to complete the development of our product candidates; (iii) our ability to find suitable co-development partners; (iv) our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our product candidates in our target markets, the potential delay in receiving such regulatory approvals and the possibility of adverse regulatory or legal actions relating to our product candidates even if regulatory approval is obtained; (v) our ability to commercialize our pharmaceutical product candidates; (vi) our ability to obtain and maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property; (vii) our ability to manufacture our product candidates in commercial quantities, at an adequate quality or at an acceptable cost; (viii) our ability to establish adequate sales, marketing and distribution channels; (ix) acceptance of our product candidates by healthcare professionals and patients; (x) the possibility that we may face third-party claims of intellectual property infringement; (xi) the timing and results of clinical trials that we may conduct or that our competitors and others may conduct relating to our or their products; (xii) intense competition in our industry, with competitors having substantially greater financial, technological, research and development, regulatory and clinical, manufacturing, marketing and sales, distribution and personnel resources than we do; (xiii) potential product liability claims; (xiv) potential adverse federal, state and local government regulation in the United States, Europe or Israel; and (xv) loss or retirement of key executives and research scientists. These and other important factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 4, 2022, as amended, and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this press release.

For further information, please contact:

Investors:

Irina Koffler
Investor relations, LifeSci Advisors
ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com
+1 917 734 7387

Sol-Gel Technologies

Gilad Mamlok
Chief Financial Officer
gilad.mamlok@sol-gel.com


SOL-GEL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

2021

 

2022

A s s e t s

       

CURRENT ASSETS:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

$

20,085


 

$

21,254

 

Bank deposits

 

21,448


 


9,000

 

Marketable securities

 

1,709


 


6,060

 

Receivables from collaborative arrangements

 

13,065


 


9,660

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

800


 


747

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

57,107


 


46,721

 
        

NON-CURRENT ASSETS:

 


   


 

Long-term receivables from collaborative arrangements

 

7,402


 


4,966

 

Restricted long-term deposits and cash

 

1,298


 


1,301

 

Property and equipment, net

 

1,051


 


931

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

1,501


 


1,324

 

Funds in respect of employee rights upon retirement

 

830


 


814

 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

12,082


 


9,336

 
        

TOTAL ASSETS

$

       69,189


 

$

           56,057

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

       

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

       

Accounts payable

$

766

  

$

1,110

 

Other accounts payable        

 

10,145

   

2,336

 

Current maturities of operating leases

 

781

   

766

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

11,692

   

4,212

 
        

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

       

Operating leases liabilities

 

810

   

600

 

Liability for employee rights upon retirement

 

1,093

   

1,122

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

1,903

   

1,722

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

13,595

   

5,934

 
        

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

       

Ordinary Shares, NIS 0.1 par value – authorized: 50,000,000 as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022; issued and outstanding: 23,126,804 and 23,127,669
as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.

 

638

   

638

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

233,098

   

233,224

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(178,142

)


 

(183,739

)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

55,594

   

50,123

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

69,189

  

$

56,057

 



SOL-GEL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended

March 31

  

2021

   

2022

 

COLLABORATION REVENUES

$

          701

  

$

             3

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

 

2,466

   

4,042

 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

2,459

   

1,911

 

TOTAL OPERATING LOSS

$

4,224

  

$

5,950

 

FINANCIAL INCOME, net

 

(161

)

  

(353

)

LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

$

4,063

  

$

5,597

 

BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE

$

0.18

   

0.24

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING USED IN COMPUTATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

 

23,003,425

   

23,127,484