WARREN, N.J., March 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLPH) (“Bellerophon” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing treatments for cardiopulmonary diseases, today provided a clinical program update and reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022.
“We have achieved significant recent progress throughout our business, including advancing the INOpulse® clinical program, enhancing our regulatory and commercial prospects in China, and strengthening the balance sheet,” said Peter Fernandes, Bellerophon’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the INOpulse® REBUILD Phase 3 study fully enrolled, we anticipate treating the last patient in the second quarter of 2023, followed by pivotal top-line data readout in mid-2023. Moreover, the recent license agreement established with Baylor BioSciences and the IND clearance from China NMPA to conduct a Phase 3 clinical trial in fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) position us well to access one of the largest commercial markets globally. Importantly, following the license agreement with Baylor and successfully completed $5 million financing, we are now well-capitalized through top-line data from the pivotal Phase 3 REBUILD trial.”
Clinical Program Highlights:
Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease (fILD)
Pulmonary Hypertension-Sarcoidosis (PH-Sarc)
Phase 2 Clinical Study: In December 2021, Bellerophon reported positive top-line data from the completed Phase 2 dose escalation study of INOpulse® evaluating the acute hemodynamic benefit of INOpulse® via right heart catheterization for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with sarcoidosis (PH-Sarc). Based on the benefits demonstrated in hemodynamic parameters and favorable safety profile, Bellerophon designed and submitted to the FDA a proposed exploratory Phase 2 double-blinded placebo-controlled study to investigate the safety and efficacy of iNO45 dosed chronically for six months in patients with PH-Sarc. Subsequently, the Company received FDA clearance to conduct the study and Bellerophon is currently assessing the next steps for the study.
Corporate Update:
2022 Year-End Financial Results:
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company reported a net loss of $19.8 million, or $(2.08) per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $17.8 million, or $(1.87) per basic and diluted share, in the year ended December 31, 2021.
Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022, were $16.4 million, compared to $13.0 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to the ongoing Phase 3 REBUILD trial.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022, were $6 million, as compared to $7.1 million in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to reduced labor, stock-based compensation, and general consulting costs.
Balance Sheet:
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $6.9 million, compared to unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $24.7 million on December 31, 2021. The Company’s capital position as of December 31, 2022 is not reflective of the subsequent transactions which closed in the first quarter of 2023. These transactions include the $1.7 million net proceeds from the sale of Company’s net operating losses and research and development credits under the State of New Jersey’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program in January 2023, the $6 million license payment, subject to tax closing costs, due from Baylor BioSciences, and the net proceeds of approximately $5 million from the registered direct offering closed in March 2023.
About Bellerophon
Bellerophon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing innovative therapies that address significant unmet medical needs in the treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. The Company is currently developing multiple product candidates under its INOpulse® program, a proprietary pulsatile nitric oxide delivery system. For more information, please visit www.bellerophon.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Bellerophon’s future expectations, plans, and prospects, including statements about the clinical development of its product candidates, regulatory actions with respect to the Company’s clinical trials and expectations regarding the sufficiency of the Company’s cash balance to fund clinical trials, operating expenses and capital expenditures, and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks and uncertainties relating to INOpulse®, the uncertainties inherent in the initiation of future clinical trials, availability and timing of data from ongoing and future clinical trials and the results of such trials, whether preliminary or interim results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of that trial or whether results of early clinical trials will be indicative of the results of later clinical trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, the FDA’s substantial discretion in the approval process, availability of funding sufficient for our foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Bellerophon’s views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this press release.
Contacts
LifeSci Advisors:
Brian Ritchie
(212) 915-2578
britchie@lifesciadvisors.com
BELLEROPHON THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
As of | As of | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,924 | $ | 24,736 | ||||
Restricted cash | 405 | 103 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 234 | 620 | ||||||
Total current assets | 7,563 | 25,459 | ||||||
Restricted cash, non-current | — | 300 | ||||||
Right of use assets, net | 184 | 863 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 2 | 67 | ||||||
Other non-current assets | 186 | 186 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 7,935 | $ | 26,875 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,230 | $ | 1,192 | ||||
Accrued research and development | 2,655 | 1,397 | ||||||
Accrued expenses | 1,313 | 1,711 | ||||||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 203 | 752 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 5,401 | 5,052 | ||||||
Long term operating lease liabilities | — | 203 | ||||||
Common stock warrant liability | — | 1 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 5,401 | 5,256 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized and 9,645,711 and 9,545,451 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | 96 | 95 | ||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 | — | — | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 254,516 | 253,771 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (252,078 | ) | (232,247 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 2,534 | 21,619 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 7,935 | $ | 26,875 |
BELLEROPHON THERAPEUTICS, INC. | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations And Comprehensive Loss | |||||||
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||
Research and development | $ | 16,362 | $ | 13,015 | |||
General and administrative | 6,022 | 7,146 | |||||
Total operating expenses | 22,384 | 20,161 | |||||
Loss from operations | (22,384 | ) | (20,161 | ) | |||
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability | 1 | 600 | |||||
Interest income and financing expenses, net | 135 | 5 | |||||
Pre-tax loss | (22,248 | ) | (19,556 | ) | |||
Income tax benefit | 2,417 | 1,800 | |||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss | $ | (19,831 | ) | $ | (17,756 | ) | |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
Basic | 9,550,872 | 9,502,793 | |||||
Diluted | 9,550,872 | 9,502,793 | |||||
Net loss per share: | |||||||
Basic | $ | (2.08 | ) | $ | (1.87 | ) | |
Diluted | $ | (2.08 | ) | $ | (1.87 | ) |
PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aulisa® Medical USA, Inc., a leader in…
NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape -…
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 22, 2024) - DEFENCE THERAPEUTICS INC. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB:…
3,250 InsuJet Starter Packs Being Delivered to Pharmacies Across CanadaToronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 22,…
The new app allows users to browse services, book IV therapy, manage appointments, purchase packages,…
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is implementing the Epic Payer Platform…