SAN MATEO, Calif. and SINGAPORE, April 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ASLN), a clinical-stage, immunology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, and provided an update on recent corporate activities.
“2023 marked a significant year for ASLAN, most notably because of the announcement of positive topline results from the TREK-AD Phase 2b study of eblasakimab in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), and also a number of other advancements across our clinical pipeline. We initiated the FAST-AA clinical study of farudodstat in alopecia areata, and generated compelling translational data on eblasakimab that demonstrated the differentiated effects of targeting IL-13R versus IL-4R in the treatment of AD and supports the potential of eblasakimab as a biologic therapy for COPD,” said Dr Carl Firth, CEO, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals. “The blinded data we recently disclosed from the ongoing TREK-DX study of eblasakimab in dupilumab-experienced AD patients supports the potential of eblasakimab to treat AD patients that do not achieve an optimal response to dupilumab, a significant and underserved population with limited safe and long-term alternative treatment options. We look forward to the topline readout of the full, unblinded dataset from TREK-DX and the topline interim data from the FAST-AA study later this year.”
Fourth quarter 2023 and recent business highlights
Q4 and recent clinical developments
Corporate updates
Anticipated upcoming milestones
Fourth quarter 2023 financial highlights
Full-year 2023 financial highlights
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In US Dollars, other than shares or share data) |
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December 31, 2022 (audited) |
December 31, 2023 (audited) |
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ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 56,902,077 | $ | 21,252,058 | ||||
Other assets | 3,976,350 | 2,877,934 | ||||||
Total current assets | $ | 60,878,427 | $ | 24,129,992 | ||||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Investments in equity instrument at financial asset at fair value through other comprehensive income | — | 235,567 | ||||||
Investment in associate company | 8,587 | — | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 43,140 | 29,268 | ||||||
Right-of-use assets | 249,601 | 229,982 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 5,836 | 1,716 | ||||||
Total non-current assets | 307,164 | 496,533 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 61,185,591 | $ | 24,626,525 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Trade payables | $ | 12,784,485 | $ | 7,918,607 | ||||
Other payables | 2,325,038 | 3,081,329 | ||||||
Lease liabilities – current | 215,671 | 226,187 | ||||||
Current borrowings | 7,748,831 | 1,800,387 | ||||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss | 90,213 | 88,394 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 23,164,238 | 13,114,904 | ||||||
NON-CURRENT LIABILITY | ||||||||
Long-term borrowings | 29,656,133 | 24,798,552 | ||||||
Total non-current liability | 29,656,133 | 24,798,552 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 52,820,371 | 37,913,456 | ||||||
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY | ||||||||
Ordinary shares | 63,019,962 | 63,931,993 | ||||||
Capital surplus | 223,910,955 | 243,791,693 | ||||||
Accumulated deficits | (278,386,749 | ) | (321,067,236 | ) | ||||
Other reserves | (178,948 | ) | 56,619 | |||||
Total equity attributable to stockholders of the Company | 8,365,220 | (13,286,931 | ) | |||||
Total equity/(capital deficiency) | 8,365,220 | (13,286,931 | ) | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/(CAPITAL DEFICIENCY) | $ | 61,185,591 | $ | 24,626,525 | ||||
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (In US Dollars, other than shares or share data) |
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For the Three Months Ended December 31 (unaudited) |
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31 (audited) |
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2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
NET REVENUE | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,000,000 | ||||||||
COST OF REVENUE | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
GROSS PROFIT | — | — | — | 12,000,000 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ | (2,708,055 | ) | $ | (3,245,717 | ) | $ | (9,881,993 | ) | $ | (13,240,218 | ) | ||||
Research and development expenses | (10,685,486 | ) | (9,600,766 | ) | (38,000,494 | ) | (42,495,379 | ) | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | (13,393,541 | ) | (12,846,483 | ) | (47,882,487 | ) | (55,735,597 | ) | ||||||||
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (13,393,541 | ) | (12,846,483 | ) | (47,882,487 | ) | (43,735,597 | ) | ||||||||
NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income | 224,018 | 10,110 | 354,457 | 404,981 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 162,711 | 386,908 | 386,138 | 462,321 | ||||||||||||
Other gains and losses | (571,079 | ) | (25,275 | ) | (29,583 | ) | 3,121,606 | |||||||||
Finance costs | (778,257 | ) | (997,735 | ) | (3,675,689 | ) | (4,331,661 | ) | ||||||||
Total non-operating income and expenses | (962,607 | ) | (625,992 | ) | (2,964,677 | ) | (342,753 | ) | ||||||||
Share in losses of associated company, accounted for using equity method | (45,516 | ) | — | (436,032 | ) | (8,587 | ) | |||||||||
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX | (14,401,664 | ) | (13,472,475 | ) | (51,283,196 | ) | (44,086,937 | ) | ||||||||
INCOME TAX EXPENSE | (79,379 | ) | (39,916 | ) | (99,221 | ) | (132,667 | ) | ||||||||
NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | (14,481,043 | ) | (13,512,391 | ) | (51,382,417 | ) | (44,219,604 | ) | ||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on investments in equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income | — | 235,567 | — | 235,567 | ||||||||||||
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | $ | (14,481,043 | ) | $ | (13,276,824 | ) | $ | (51,382,417 | ) | $ | (43,984,037 | ) | ||||
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO: | ||||||||||||||||
Stockholders of the Company | $ | (14,481,043 | ) | $ | (13,512,391 | ) | $ | (51,382,417 | ) | $ | (44,219,604 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
$ | (14,481,043 | ) | $ | (13,512,391 | ) | $ | (51,382,417 | ) | $ | (44,219,604 | ) | |||||
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO: | ||||||||||||||||
Stockholders of the Company | $ | (14,481,043 | ) | $ | (13,276,824 | ) | $ | (51,382,417 | ) | $ | (43,984,037 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
$ | (14,481,043 | ) | $ | (13,276,824 | ) | $ | (51,382,417 | ) | $ | (43,984,037 | ) | |||||
LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE | ||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | ||||
LOSS PER EQUIVALENT ADS – AFTER THE ADS RATIO CHANGE | ||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | (1.04 | ) | $ | (0.78 | ) | $ | (3.68 | ) | $ | (2.69 | ) | ||||
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares in the computation of basic loss per ordinary share | 348,723,365 | 432,076,252 | 348,723,365 | 411,242,644 | ||||||||||||
Weighted-average number of equivalent ADS in the computation of basic loss per ADS – after the ADS Ratio Change | 13,948,935 | 17,283,050 | 13,948,935 | 16,449,706 | ||||||||||||
About ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ASLN) is a clinical-stage, immunology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients. ASLAN is developing eblasakimab, a potential first-in-class antibody targeting the IL-13 receptor in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) with the potential to improve upon current biologics used to treat allergic disease, and has reported positive topline data from a Phase 2b dose-ranging study in moderate-to-severe AD patients. ASLAN is also developing farudodstat, a potent oral inhibitor of the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) as a potential first-in-class treatment for alopecia areata (AA) in a Phase 2a, proof-of-concept trial with an interim readout expected in Q3 2024. ASLAN has teams in San Mateo, California, and in Singapore. For additional information please visit the ASLAN website or follow ASLAN on LinkedIn.
Forward looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the management of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited and/or its affiliates (the “Company”). These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to statements regarding the Company’s business strategy and clinical development plans; statements related to the safety and efficacy of eblasakimab, including preliminary blinded data; the Company’s plans and expected timing with respect to clinical trials, clinical trial enrollment and clinical trial results for eblasakimab and farudodstat; the potential of eblasakimab as a first-in-class treatment for atopic dermatitis and of farudodstat as a first-in-class treatment for alopecia areata; the Company’s cash runway; expectations regarding the terms of patents and ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for product candidates; and the anticipated selection of a development partner to advance eblasakimab into Phase 3 testing in AD and other indications. The Company’s estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on management’s current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company’s business, strategy, operations, or financial performance, and inherently involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of many risks and uncertainties, which include, unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies; risks that future clinical trial results may not be consistent with interim, initial or preliminary results or results from prior preclinical studies or clinical trials; risks that trends or characteristics based on preliminary blinded data may not be consistent with unblinded data; clinical site activation rates or clinical trial enrollment rates that are lower than expected; the impact of health epidemics or pandemics, or geopolitical conflicts on the Company’s operations, research and development and clinical trials and potential disruption in the operations and business of third-party manufacturers, contract research organizations, other service providers and collaborators with whom the Company conducts business; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape; and the Company’s ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund its strategic and clinical development plans. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements are described in the Company’s US Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports (Commission File No. 001- 38475), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2024. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify estimates, projections, and other forward-looking statements. Estimates, projections, and other forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any estimate, projection, or forward-looking statement.
ASLAN Media and IR contacts
Emma Thompson Spurwing Communications Tel: +65 6206 7350 Email: ASLAN@spurwingcomms.com |
Ashley R. Robinson LifeSci Advisors, LLC Tel: +1 (617) 430-7577 Email: arr@lifesciadvisors.com |
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