SAN DIEGO, May 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TRACON Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TCON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer, wet age‐related macular degeneration and fibrotic diseases, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.
First Quarter 2017 and Recent Corporate Highlights
“We made several important advancements in our pipeline and corporate operations since the beginning of 2017. Following the receipt of guidance from European regulators and an SPA agreement from the FDA, we initiated dosing in the TAPPAS trial, the first pivotal study of TRC105 in patients with angiosarcoma. In addition, we recently initiated the first-in-human clinical trial of TRC253, one of the two compounds TRACON in-licensed from Janssen last year, in patients with prostate cancer,” said Charles Theuer, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of TRACON. “Our agreement with Aspire Capital provides TRACON with additional flexibility to execute on our business plan and deliver important data points throughout the remainder of 2017.”
Expected Upcoming Milestones for 2017
First Quarter 2017 Financial Results
Investor Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. PST to provide an update on corporate activities and to discuss the financial results of its first quarter 2017. The dial-in numbers are (855) 779-9066 for domestic callers and (631) 485-4859 for international callers. Please use passcode 15138572. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the Investor/Events and Presentation page of the Company’s website at www.traconpharma.com.
After the live webcast, a replay will remain available on TRACON’s website for 60 days.
About Carotuximab (TRC105) and other Endoglin Antibodies
TRC105 is a novel, clinical stage antibody to endoglin, a protein overexpressed on proliferating endothelial cells that is essential for angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation. TRC105 is currently being studied in one Phase 3 and multiple Phase 2 clinical trials sponsored by TRACON or the National Cancer Institute for the treatment of solid tumors in combination with VEGF inhibitors. TRC105 has received orphan designation for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in both the U.S. and EU. The ophthalmic formulation of TRC105, DE-122, is currently in a Phase 1/2 trial for patients with wet AMD. TRC205, a second generation antibody to endoglin, is undergoing preclinical testing in models of fibrosis. For more information about the clinical trials, please visit TRACON’s website at www.traconpharma.com/clinical_trials.php.
About TRACON
TRACON develops targeted therapies for cancer, ophthalmic and fibrotic diseases. The Company’s clinical-stage pipeline includes: TRC105, an endoglin antibody that is being developed for the treatment of multiple cancers; DE-122, the ophthalmic formulation of TRC105 that is being developed in wet AMD through a collaboration with Santen Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.; TRC102, a small molecule that is being developed for the treatment of lung cancer and glioblastoma; and TRC253, a small molecule that is being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer. To learn more about TRACON and its product candidates, visit TRACON's website at www.traconpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward‐looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding TRACON's plans to further develop its product candidates, expectations regarding the initiation and timing of future clinical trials by TRACON or third parties, expected development milestones, availability of additional clinical data and potential utility of TRACON’s product candidates, and potential benefits of TRACON’s common stock purchase agreement with Aspire Capital. Risks that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward‐looking statements include: risks associated with clinical development; whether TRACON, Santen, the NCI or others will be able to complete or initiate clinical trials on TRACON’s expected timelines, if at all; the fact that future preclinical studies and clinical trials may not be successful or otherwise consistent with results from prior studies; the fact that TRACON has limited control over whether or when Santen or the NCI completes on-going trials or initiates additional trials of TRACON’s product candidates; potential changes in regulatory requirements in the United States and foreign countries; TRACON’s reliance on third parties for the development of its product candidates, including the conduct of its clinical trials and manufacture of its product candidates; whether TRACON will be able to obtain additional financing, including pursuant to the common stock purchase agreement with Aspire Capital; and other risks described in TRACON’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading “Risk Factors”. All forward‐looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. TRACON undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Collaboration revenue | $ | 626 | $ | 1,210 | ||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Research and development | 5,582 | 5,495 | ||||||
General and administrative | 1,964 | 2,009 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 7,546 | 7,504 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (6,920 | ) | (6,294 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expense) | (227 | ) | (232 | ) | ||||
Net loss | $ | (7,147 | ) | $ | (6,526 | ) | ||
Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.44 | ) | $ | (0.54 | ) | ||
Weighted‑average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 16,206,424 | 12,179,442 | ||||||
TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) | ||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Assets | (Unaudited) | |||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 32,221 | $ | 35,710 | ||||
Short-term investments | 4,498 | 8,703 | ||||||
Prepaid and other assets | 1,126 | 1,235 | ||||||
Total current assets | 37,845 | 45,648 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 75 | 82 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 37,920 | $ | 45,730 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 5,702 | $ | 6,213 | ||||
Accrued compensation and related expenses | 932 | 1,588 | ||||||
Current portion of deferred revenue | 871 | 1,259 | ||||||
Long‑term debt, current portion | 343 | 333 | ||||||
Final payment due bank | - | 850 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 7,848 | 10,243 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 337 | 21 | ||||||
Long‑term debt, less current portion | 6,747 | 7,130 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common stock | 17 | 16 | ||||||
Additional paid‑in capital | 115,716 | 113,918 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (92,745 | ) | (85,598 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 22,988 | 28,336 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 37,920 | $ | 45,730 |