Dosed first patient in Phase 2 LOTUS Trial of AVTX-009 for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), with topline data expected in 2026
Cash position of approximately $82 million as of September 30, 2024 with subsequent receipt of approximately $58 million of warrant exercise proceeds in 4Q 2024, provides expected runway into at least 2027
WAYNE, Pa. and ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation, today announced business updates and financial results for the third quarter of 2024.
“We made significant progress in the third quarter and have dosed the first HS patient in our Phase 2 LOTUS trial of AVTX-009, a promising monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, a key player in inflammation. This achievement moves us closer to offering a vital new treatment for HS patients, with topline data anticipated in 2026. Our goal with the LOTUS trial is to showcase AVTX-009’s potential as a leading treatment for HS due to its potency, specificity, and convenient dosing. We’re committed to executing the trial effectively and exploring AVTX-009’s broader applications for other immune-mediated diseases as we work toward the selection of our second indication,” said Dr. Garry Neil, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Avalo Therapeutics.
Recent Corporate Highlights and Upcoming Anticipated Milestones:
In October 2024, the first patient was dosed in the Phase 2 LOTUS trial for the treatment of HS.
The Phase 2 LOTUS trial is a global study in approximately 180 adults with HS to assess the efficacy and safety of convenient subcutaneous bi-weekly and monthly dosing regimens of AVTX-009, compared to placebo.
Topline data is expected in 2026.
Avalo continues to evaluate AVTX-009 in additional immune-mediated diseases as it works toward the selection of a second indication.
Subsequent to September 30, 2024 and through November 6, 2024, Avalo received $58.1 million from the exercise of warrants issued in the first quarter of 2024 private placement.
Third Quarter 2024 Financial Update:
Cash and cash equivalents were $81.9 million as of September 30, 2024. Net cash used in operating activities was $34.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which includes a $7.5 million milestone payment to AlmataBio, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the acquisition in the first quarter. Subsequent to September 30, 2024 and through November 6, 2024, Avalo received gross proceeds of $58.1 million pursuant to the exercise of 10,026,847 warrants which resulted in the issuance of 711,580 shares of common stock and 9,315.267 shares of preferred stock. Each share of preferred stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations. The Company’s current cash on hand is expected to fund operations into at least 2027.
Research and development expenses were $9.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $8.3 million compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2023. This increase was primarily due to AVTX-009 LOTUS trial initiation and development costs.
General and administrative expenses were $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $1.8 million compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2023. This increase was primarily driven by employee compensation costs, including stock-based compensation expense, as well as increased consulting, legal and other professional expenses following the acquisition and financing that took place in the first quarter of 2024.
Net income was $23.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to net loss of $5.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase to net income was driven by a $37.4 million increase to other income, net which largely related to the change in the fair value of the warrant liability for the period, partially offset by increased operating expenses discussed above. Basic net income per share, based on 5,546,257 weighted average common shares, was $0.98 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a basic net loss per share of $26.83, based on 194,851 weighted average common shares outstanding, for the same period in 2023. Diluted net loss per share, based on 10,784,037 weighted average diluted common shares and which excludes the change in fair value of the warrant liability from diluted net loss, was $2.83 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $26.83, based on 194,851 weighted average diluted common shares outstanding, for the same period in 2023.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share data)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
81,858
$
7,415
Other receivables
998
136
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,251
843
Restricted cash, current portion
41
1
Total current assets
86,148
8,395
Property and equipment, net
1,674
1,965
Goodwill
10,502
10,502
Restricted cash, net of current portion
131
131
Total assets
$
98,455
$
20,993
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
1,811
$
446
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
7,033
4,172
Warrant liability
46,830
—
Contingent consideration
5,000
—
Total current liabilities
60,674
4,618
Royalty obligation
2,000
2,000
Deferred tax liability, net
154
155
Derivative liability
11,810
5,550
Other long-term liabilities
1,083
1,366
Total liabilities
75,721
13,689
Mezzanine equity:
Series C Preferred Stock—$0.001 par value; 34,326 and 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 13,710 and 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
1,658
—
Series D Preferred Stock—$0.001 par value; 1 and 0 shares of Series D Preferred Stock authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 1 and 0 shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
—
—
Series E Preferred Stock—$0.001 par value; 1 and 0 shares of Series E Preferred Stock authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 1 and 0 shares of Series E Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
—
—
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock—$0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 9,682,374 and 801,746 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
10
1
Additional paid-in capital
355,990
342,437
Accumulated deficit
(334,924
)
(335,134
)
Total stockholders’ equity
21,076
7,304
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity
$
98,455
$
20,993
The consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 have been derived from the reviewed and audited financial statements, respectively, but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenues:
Product revenue, net
$
249
$
236
$
249
$
1,353
Total revenues, net
249
236
249
1,353
Operating expenses:
Cost of product sales
(714
)
247
(453
)
1,505
Research and development
9,538
1,249
16,254
11,917
Acquired in-process research and development
—
—
27,641
—
General and administrative
4,286
2,490
12,008
7,624
Total operating expenses
13,110
3,986
55,450
21,046
Loss from operations
(12,861
)
(3,750
)
(55,201
)
(19,693
)
Other income (expense):
Excess of initial warrant fair value over private placement proceeds
—
—
(79,276
)
—
Change in fair value of warrant liability
36,025
—
148,071
—
Private placement transaction costs
—
—
(9,220
)
—
Change in fair value of derivative liability
(1,100
)
100
(6,260
)
(120
)
Interest income (expense), net
964
(1,553
)
2,101
(3,498
)
Other expense, net
(5
)
(17
)
(5
)
(42
)
Total other income (expense), net
35,884
(1,470
)
55,411
(3,660
)
Income (loss) before taxes
23,023
(5,220
)
210
(23,353
)
Income tax (benefit) expense
(14
)
8
—
23
Net income (loss)
$
23,037
$
(5,228
)
$
210
$
(23,376
)
Net income (loss) per share of common stock1:
Basic
$
0.98
$
(26.83
)
$
0.01
$
(231.05
)
Diluted
$
(2.83
)
$
(26.83
)
$
(22.63
)
$
(231.05
)
1 Amounts for prior periods presented have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-240 reverse stock split effected on December 28, 2023.
The unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 have been derived from the reviewed financial statements, but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
About Avalo Therapeutics
Avalo Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation. Avalo’s lead asset is AVTX-009, an anti-IL-1β mAb, targeting inflammatory diseases. Avalo also has two additional drug candidates, which include quisovalimab (anti-LIGHT mAb) and AVTX-008 (BTLA agonist fusion protein). For more information about Avalo, please visit www.avalotx.com.
About AVTX-009
AVTX-009 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG4) that binds to interleukin-1β (IL-1β) with high affinity and neutralizes its activity. IL-1β is a central driver in the inflammatory process. Overproduction or dysregulation of IL-1β is implicated in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. IL-1β is a major, validated target for therapeutic intervention. There is evidence that inhibition of IL-1β could be effective in hidradenitis suppurativa and a variety of inflammatory diseases in dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology.
About the LOTUS Trial
The LOTUS Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group Phase 2 trial with two AVTX-009 dose regimens to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AVTX-009 in approximately 180 adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. Subjects will be randomized (1:1:1) to receive either one of two dosing regimens of AVTX-009 or placebo during a 16-week treatment phase. The primary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of subjects achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR75) at Week 16. Secondary objectives include but are not limited to: proportion of patients achieving HiSCR50 and HiSCR90 as well as change from baseline in: International HS Severity Score System (IHS4), draining fistula count, abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count and patients achieving at least a 30% reduction on a numerical rating scale in Patient's Global Assessment of Skin Pain (PGA Skin Pain). The number of patients with anti-drug antibodies, safety, and tolerability will be assessed. For additional information this trial (NCT06603077), please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnels that form in areas of the body such as the armpits, groin, and buttocks, severely impacting the quality of life of affected individuals.1 HS is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed and therefore estimates of HS vary between 0.2-1.7% of the population worldwide.2-5 The exact cause of HS is not fully understood but is believed to involve a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. While advances in treatment have been made, limited treatment options are available. IL-1β plays a crucial role in the inflammatory cascade underlying HS, contributing to tissue damage, inflammation, and disease progression. Given the involvement of IL-1β in the inflammatory process of HS, we believe therapies that target IL-1β offer a potential treatment option for HS.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Avalo’s control), which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to Avalo’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as “projects,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “continue,” “seeks,” “aims,” “predicts,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” or similar expressions (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of future matters such as: drug development costs, timing of trials and trial results and other risks, including reliance on investigators and enrollment of patients in clinical trials; reliance on key personnel; regulatory risks; integration of AVTX-009 into our operations; general economic and market risks and uncertainties, including those caused by the war in Ukraine and the Middle East; and those other risks detailed in Avalo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Avalo expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Avalo’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
References 1Patel ZS et al. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2017;21(12):49. 2Egeberg A, et al. JAMA Dermatol 2016;152:429–34 3Phan K, et al Biomed Dermatol 2020; 4: 2-6 4Jfri, A, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(8):924-31 5Nguyen TV, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35(1):50-61
For media and investor inquiries
Christopher Sullivan, CFO Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. ir@avalotx.com 410-803-6793
