Harpoon Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Provided positive update on its four TriTAC® clinical trials, including a confirmed partial response for HPN424 in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Nominated first ProTriTAC™ candidate, HPN601 and presented promising preclinical data
Clinical data updates for all four clinical programs expected in 2021
Management to host webcast/conference call today,
“This past year was transformative for Harpoon, culminating in the pipeline update we provided in December last year that detailed the strong progress we have made across all our clinical programs,” said
Fourth Quarter 2020 Business Highlights and Other Recent Developments
- In
January 2021 , Harpoon announced that the the first patient had been dosed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for HPN328, the company’s fourth TriTAC in clinical development. HPN328 targets delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other DLL3-expressing tumors. - In
January 2021 , Harpoon completed a successful follow-on public offering of its common stock resulting in net proceeds of approximately$108.1 million , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering costs. - In December, Harpoon provided a corporate pipeline update and reported a confirmed partial response based on RECIST v1.1 criteria for its most advanced program, HPN424 for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). As of
December 1, 2020 , the the highest fixed dose cohort at 160ng/kg, demonstrated that one patient has achieved a confirmed partial response in the ongoing study. In addition, 3 of the 7 patients enrolled in this cohort, had serum PSA reductions, including one with a reduction of 50% (PSA50). Presentation of Phase 1 data and initiation of an expansion cohort is planned for the first half of 2021 with interim data from this expansion cohort anticipated by the end of 2021. - In December, Harpoon also provided an update on dose escalation trials for HPN536 and HPN217. For the HPN536 Phase 1/2a clinical trial for the treatment of ovarian and pancreatic cancers and other mesothelin-expressing solid tumors, dosing has occurred across 9 fixed-dose cohorts of 6 to 280ng/kg and 1 step dose cohort up to 600ng/kg. Initiation of an expansion cohort is anticipated in the second half of 2021, with a presentation of Phase 1 clinical data expected by year-end 2021. Additionally, the Phase 1 dose escalation for HPN217 (a BCMA-targeting TriTAC) is progressing well, and as of
December 1, 2020 , 6 relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients had been treated in fixed dose cohorts ranging from 5 to 810µg, reflecting a more than 100-fold increase in dose in 8 months. A presentation of interim data is anticipated in 2021, and initiation of a dose expansion cohort is expected in the second half of 2021. - In
January 2021 , Harpoon was granted Orphan Drug Designation by theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HPN217 for the treatment of multiple myeloma. HPN217 targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). - Harpoon nominated its first ProTriTAC product candidate, HPN601, which is currently in preclinical development and targets epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and is applicable to a wide array of solid tumors. ProTriTACs have the potential for additional tumor specificity and enhanced safety profiles due to limited interaction with their molecular targets in healthy tissue, which enables targeting tumor-associated antigens that may be more broadly expressed. Harpoon presented encouraging preclinical data for HPN601 at the 35th
Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) annual meeting onNovember 12, 2020 .
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results
- Harpoon ended the fourth quarter of 2020 with
$150.0 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities compared to$155.1 million as ofDecember 31, 2019 . The cash balance at the end of the year does not include the follow-on financing that closed onJanuary 11, 2021 resulting in net proceeds of approximately$108.1 million . - Revenue for the quarter ended
December 31, 2020 was$7.5 million compared to$2.2 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2020 . Revenue for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 was$17.4 million , compared to$5.8 million for the prior year. During both the three month and full year periods, the increase in revenue was primarily due to revenue recognized from the development and option agreement with AbbVie, signed inNovember 2019 . - Research and development (R&D) expense for the quarter ended
December 31, 2020 was$15.1 million compared to$12.7 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2019 . R&D expense for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 was$52.6 million , compared to$41.6 million for the prior year. The increase for both periods primarily arose from higher clinical development and personnel-related expense, which included conducting preclinical studies and the continuation and preparation of the clinical trials for HPN424, HPN536, HPN217 and HPN328. These higher expenses were offset by a decrease in manufacturing costs due to a scale up of manufacturing activities in 2019 compared to 2020 to support our four TriTAC product candidates in various stages of development. - General and administrative (G&A) expense for the quarter ended
December 31, 2020 was$3.9 million compared to$4.3 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2019 . General and administrative expenses for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 were$16.2 million , compared to$22.4 million for the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower legal fees associated with the Maverick litigation incurred in 2020, partially offset by an increase in personnel expenses related to an increase in headcount and other professional services to support our operations as a public company. - Net loss for the quarter ended
December 31, 2020 was$11.4 million compared to$14.3 million for the quarter endedDecember 31, 2019 . Net loss for the year endedDecember 31, 2020 was$49.9 million , compared to$55.6 million for the prior year.
Anticipated 2021 Milestones
- HPN424 – in the first half of 2021, present interim data from the dose escalation phase of our Phase 1/2a trial and initiate the dose expansion cohort
- HPN536 – in the second half of 2021, initiate the dose expansion cohort of our Phase 1/2a trial and, by year end 2021, present interim Phase 1 data from the dose escalation phase of the trial
- HPN217 – in the second half of 2021, initiate the dose expansion cohort of our Phase 1/2 trial, and, in 2021, present interim data from the dose escalation phase of the trial
- HPN328 – in the second half of 2021, present interim data from the dose escalation phase of our Phase 1/2 trial
2021 Financial Guidance
For 2021, management estimates cash used in operating activities of approximately
COVID-19 Business Update
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Harpoon has established testing and other protocols for personnel access to its headquarter offices and laboratory although the majority of the company’s employees continue to telecommute. Harpoon is currently continuing its clinical trials, and has not yet experienced any material delays or impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Harpoon’s third-party contract manufacturers continue to operate at or near normal levels. Harpoon continues to assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business and operations, including its programs, expected timelines, expenses, manufacturing activities and preclinical and clinical trials. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on Harpoon’s business, assets, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted.
Conference Call and Webcast
Harpoon’s management will host a webcast and conference call at
About
Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Harpoon Therapeutics’ expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties that could cause Harpoon Therapeutics’ clinical development programs, future results or performance to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about Harpoon’s 2021 financial guidance, the progress, timing, scope and anticipated results of preclinical and clinical trials, the timing of the presentation of data, the association of data with potential treatment outcomes, the development and advancement of product candidates, the timing of development milestones for product candidates, and the anticipated potential impacts to Harpoon Therapeutics’ business from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, unanticipated or greater than anticipated impacts or delays due to COVID-19, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process, and results of current or unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may cause Harpoon Therapeutics’ actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Harpoon Therapeutics’ filings with the
Contacts:
Chief Financial Officer
media@harpoontx.com
Westwicke ICR
Managing Director
858-356-5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
Harpoon
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended |
||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | |||||||||||||||
Collaboration and license revenue | $ | 7,492 | $ | 2,234 | $ | 17,444 | $ | 5,777 | |||||||
Total revenue | 7,492 | 2,234 | 17,444 | 5,777 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | 15,065 | 12,706 | 52,565 | 41,592 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 3,924 | 4,333 | 16,210 | 22,391 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 18,989 | 17,039 | 68,775 | 63,983 | |||||||||||
Loss from operations | (11,497 | ) | (14,805 | ) | (51,331 | ) | (58,206 | ) | |||||||
Interest income | 151 | 532 | 1,449 | 2,676 | |||||||||||
Other expense | (11 | ) | 4 | (26 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss | (11,357 | ) | (14,269 | ) | (49,908 | ) | (55,572 | ) | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss: | |||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | (124 | ) | (42 | ) | (38 | ) | 41 | ||||||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (11,481 | ) | $ | (14,311 | ) | $ | (49,946 | ) | $ | (55,531 | ) | |||
Net loss per shares, basic and diluted | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.58 | ) | $ | (1.99 | ) | $ | (2.55 | ) | |||
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted | 25,250,766 | 24,606,894 | 25,034,947 | 21,746,461 |
Selected Balance Sheet Data
(Unaudited)
As of |
|||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities | $ | 149,976 | $ | 155,129 | |||
Total assets | $ | 171,592 | $ | 176,604 | |||
Total liabilities | $ | 117,753 | $ | 82,384 | |||
Total stockholders' equity | $ | 53,839 | $ | 94,220 |
Source: Harpoon Therapeutics