IRVINE, Calif., March 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RPHM), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases, today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 and provided a business update.
2022 and Recent Highlights
- Achieved the target enrollment of 200 patients in the pivotal STRIDE study of mavodelpar (REN001) in adult patients with primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM); topline results anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2023
- Enrolled 85% of eligible STRIDE study patients in the STRIDE AHEAD study, the mavodelpar long-term safety clinical trial in adult patients with PMM
- Received confirmation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) that positive data from the STRIDE and STRIDE AHEAD studies could potentially support registration of mavodelpar for adult patients with PMM due to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects
- Disclosed plans to study mavodelpar in adult patients with PMM due to nuclear DNA (nDNA) defects in the STRIDE AHEAD study
- Positive results from Phase 1b study in adult patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorder (LC-FAOD) and plans to move the program forward into Phase 2 development
- Appointed Michael P. Cruse to the role of Chief Operating Officer and Jennifer P. Lam to the role of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
- Appointed Paul W. Hoelscher and Roshawn Blunt to the Board of Directors
“We made significant progress with our mavodelpar development programs and expanded both our leadership team and Board of Directors in 2022,” said Gregory J. Flesher, President and CEO of Reneo Pharmaceuticals. “We recently achieved target enrollment of the STRIDE study and anticipate announcing topline results of this pivotal clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2023. In addition, we anticipate dosing our first adult patient with PMM due to nDNA defects in the coming months, and expect to finalize our plans for the LC-FAOD Phase 2 program later this year. Finally, as we move closer towards the potential commercialization of mavodelpar, we have strengthened our financial, commercial, and operational expertise by making key changes to the leadership team and Board of Directors,” concluded Mr. Flesher.
Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022
We reported a net loss of $13.6 million, or $0.56 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to a net loss of $10.6 million, or $0.43 per share, for the same period in 2021. For the full year 2022, we reported a net loss of $52.0 million, or $2.12 per share, compared to a net loss of $39.8 million, or $2.19 per share, for the full year 2021. We had $101.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of December 31, 2022.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $10.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2021. For the full year 2022, R&D expenses were $37.7 million, compared to $28.2 million for the full year 2021. The increase in R&D expense for 2022 was primarily due to an increase of $6.4 million related to clinical and manufacturing costs primarily related to our STRIDE and STRIDE AHEAD studies and an increase of $2.8 million in personnel related costs due to the additional headcount required to support our clinical and manufacturing operations.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $4.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2021. For the full year 2022, G&A expenses were $16.1 million, compared to $11.6 million for the full year 2021. This increase in G&A expenses for 2022 was primarily due to an increase of $2.9 million in outside professional services and an increase of $1.2 million in facility and personnel related costs due to additional headcount.
About Reneo Pharmaceuticals
Reneo is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases, which are often associated with the inability of mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Our lead product candidate, mavodelpar, is a potent and selective agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ). Mavodelpar has been shown to increase transcription of genes involved in mitochondrial function and increase fatty acid oxidation (FAO), and may increase production of new mitochondria. For additional information, please see reneopharma.com.
About Mavodelpar
Mavodelpar (REN001) is a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonist currently in clinical development for two rare genetic mitochondrial diseases that typically present with myopathy and have high unmet medical needs: PMM and LC-FAOD. For additional information, please see clinicaltrials.gov.
About PMM
PMM are a group of rare, genetic metabolic disorders caused by mutations or deletions in the mtDNA or nDNA. These genetic alterations hamper the ability of mitochondria to generate energy from nutrient sources, resulting in energy deficits that are most pronounced in tissues with high energy demand such as muscle, brain, and heart. The symptoms of PMM include muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, movement disorder, deafness, blindness, and droopy eyelids among others. The prognosis for these disorders ranges in severity from progressive weakness to death.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained 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. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the potential development, registration and commercialization of mavodelpar, results, conduct, progress, plans and timing of Reneo’s clinical trials, announcement of topline data from the STRIDE study and dosing of our first adult patient with PMM due to nDNA defects. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “plans,” “will,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Reneo’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Reneo’s business in general, and the other risks described in Reneo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Reneo undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.
RENEO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and par value data)
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 19,927 | $ | 124,660 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 81,246 | 23,010 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 5,180 | 6,064 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 106,353 | 153,734 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 453 | 212 | ||||||
| Right-of-use assets | 1,292 | — | ||||||
| Other non-current assets | 84 | 78 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 108,182 | $ | 154,024 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,893 | $ | 2,022 | ||||
| Accrued expenses | 4,827 | 4,180 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current portion | 404 | — | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 7,124 | 6,202 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, less current portion | 1,059 | — | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | — | 167 | ||||||
| Performance award | 29 | 444 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 8,212 | 6,813 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021; 24,699,553 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022; and 24,457,838 and 24,455,390 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021, respectively | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 236,693 | 231,902 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (136,683 | ) | (84,728 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | (43 | ) | 34 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 99,970 | 147,211 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 108,182 | $ | 154,024 | ||||
RENEO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 10,357 | $ | 7,100 | $ | 37,705 | $ | 28,169 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 4,205 | 3,524 | 16,143 | 11,649 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 14,562 | 10,624 | 53,848 | 39,818 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (14,562 | ) | (10,624 | ) | (53,848 | ) | (39,818 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income | 962 | 17 | 1,893 | 48 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | (13,600 | ) | (10,607 | ) | (51,955 | ) | (39,770 | ) | ||||||||
| Unrealized (loss) gain on short-term investments | (17 | ) | 17 | (77 | ) | 34 | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (13,617 | ) | $ | (10,590 | ) | $ | (52,032 | ) | $ | (39,736 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ | (0.56 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | (2.12 | ) | $ | (2.19 | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted | 24,484,302 | 24,427,455 | 24,496,425 | 18,143,487 | ||||||||||||
RENEO PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (51,955 | ) | $ | (39,770 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 4,320 | 3,891 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 88 | 50 | ||||||
| Amortization/accretion on short-term investments | (817 | ) | 202 | |||||
| Changes in the fair value of performance award | (415 | ) | 444 | |||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 441 | — | ||||||
| Loss on disposal of fixed asset | 17 | — | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 878 | (4,711 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 518 | 1,780 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (437 | ) | — | |||||
| Other current and long-term liabilities | — | 131 | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (47,362 | ) | (37,983 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (346 | ) | (198 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of available-for-sale short-term investments | (101,596 | ) | (31,406 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale short-term investments | 44,100 | 8,228 | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (57,842 | ) | (23,376 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs | — | 47,238 | ||||||
| Proceeds from initial public offering, net of offering costs | — | 84,612 | ||||||
| Proceeds from at-the-market facility, net of offering costs | 193 | — | ||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with equity plans | 278 | 556 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 471 | 132,406 | ||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (104,733 | ) | 71,047 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 124,660 | 53,613 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 19,927 | $ | 124,660 | ||||
| Noncash operating activities: | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations | $ | 1,733 | $ | — | ||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Vesting of unvested exercised options | $ | — | $ | 4 | ||||
Contacts:
Danielle Spangler
Investor Relations
Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
dspangler@reneopharma.com
David Melamed, Ph.D.
Media Inquiries
Russo Partners, LLC
david.melamed@russopartnersllc.com
Source: Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.