Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:FENC; TSX: FRX), a specialty
pharmaceutical company, today reported its financial results for
the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a business
update.
“I am pleased with the progress that we have
made since recently joining Fennec in August as CEO. We are making
significant headway that will position us for near-term and
sustainable growth, including market expansion to the Adolescent
and Young Adult (AYA) community with payor reimbursement, and
adoption within prominent academic centers,” said Jeff Hackman,
chief executive officer of Fennec Pharmaceuticals. “Our strategic
and focused investments in educational initiatives reflect the
strength of the foundation we are building upon with PEDMARK.
Together with the recent executive leadership team appointments
combined with Fennec’s talented employee base, I believe that we
are well positioned to execute, accelerate growth and unlock value
across all key market segments.”
Recent Developments and
Highlights:
- Appointed Pierre S.
Sayad, PhD, M.S., as chief medical officer, Terry Evans as chief
commercial officer and Christiana Cioffi, MBA, as chief strategy
officer. Seasoned biopharmaceutical industry executives
with proven clinical, commercial, sales, operational, and oncology
market expertise will significantly accelerate our ability to build
upon and seamlessly execute our integrated commercial strategy for
PEDMARK and create shareholder value.
- Surpassed greater than 90%
reimbursement for PEDMARK in the AYA population in Q3.
Insights from a market and situational analysis to better
understand patient incidence and addressable patient populations
identified significant near-and long-term opportunities across the
Pediatric and AYA market segments. The opportunity for the AYA
segment is significant with at least 10,000 patients treated
annually with cisplatin, including primary tumors such as germ cell
tumors and thyroid tumors. The incidence of ototoxicity induced by
cisplatin has been estimated to be 36% of adult patients with
cancer and 40%-60% of pediatric cancer patients.i
- PEDMARQSI commercial launch
in Europe: Following the exclusive licensing agreement
announcement executed in March with Norgine, PEDMARQSI is expected
to be available in select markets in Europe in the coming months,
which will generate additional revenue for Fennec in 2025 and
beyond.
- Investigator-initiated
clinical trial (STS-J01) in Japan evaluating PEDMARK fully enrolled
in October 2024: The clinical trial of STS-J01 evaluates
the efficacy and safety of PEDMARK in reducing ototoxcity induced
by cisplatin in children and AYAs with localized solid tumors. The
primary endpoint of the trial is to assess the frequency of hearing
impairment at the end of treatment. Results of the trial are
expected in 2025 with the potential evaluation for registration of
PEDMARK in Japan thereafter.
- Participation in Key
Scientific Meetings: During the third quarter, Fennec
actively participated in key regional and national scientific
meetings, including the National Community Oncology Dispensing
Association (NCODA) International Fall Summit, the Testicular
Cancer Awareness Foundation’s annual Conference and the Association
of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) annual
meeting.
Financial Results for the Third Quarter
2024
- Net Product Sales
– The Company recorded net product sales of $7.0 million
for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, compared to
$6.5 million in net product sales for the same period in 2023.
- Cash Position –
Cash and cash equivalents were $40.3 million on September 30, 2024.
Cash decreased by $2.7 million over the previous quarter. The
decrease in cash is the result of cash inflows from net sales
offset by cash outlays for operating expenses related to the
promotion of our product, selling and marketing expenses and
general and administrative expenses. We anticipate that our cash,
cash equivalents and investment securities as of September 30, 2024
will be sufficient to fund our planned operations into at least
2026.
- Selling and Marketing
Expenses –The Company recorded $4.6 million in selling and
marketing expenses for the period ended September 30, 2024,
compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2023. The increase
is largely related to additional selling and marketing expenses as
the Company expanded its focus in the AYA and community oncology
population during 2024.
- General and Administrative
(G&A) Expenses – G&A expenses were $6.1 million
compared to $3.8 million in the same period in 2023 and $6.9
million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase includes
additional expenses related to non-cash equity compensation,
one-time severance related to our previous CEO and ongoing IP
litigation expenses.
- Net Earnings – Net
loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $5.7 million
(basic and diluted loss of $0.21 per share) compared to a net loss
of $1.9 million (basic and diluted loss of $0.07 per share) for the
same period in 2023.
Q3 2024 Conference Call
InformationDate: Thursday, November
7, 2024Time: 8:30 a.m.
ETLink: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/e6my278s
To access the conference call, dial 888-596-4144
or 646-968-2525 internationally and referencing the conference
access ID: 6896851. To access the live webcast link, log
onto www.fennecpharma.com and proceed to the News &
Events/Event Calendar page under the Investors & Media heading.
Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior
to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software
download that may be required to listen to the webcast. A webcast
replay of the conference call will also be archived
on www.fennecpharma.com for thirty days.
Financial Update
The selected financial data presented below is
derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. The complete unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements for the period ended September
30, 2024 and management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations will be available via
www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. All values are presented in
thousands unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
September 30, |
|
September 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
PEDMARK product sales, net |
$ |
6,974 |
|
|
$ |
6,515 |
|
Total
revenue |
|
6,974 |
|
|
|
6,515 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of products sold |
|
1,357 |
|
|
|
331 |
|
Research and development |
|
97 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Selling and marketing |
|
4,601 |
|
|
|
3,384 |
|
General and administrative |
|
6,121 |
|
|
|
3,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating
expenses |
|
12,176 |
|
|
|
7,532 |
|
Loss from
operations |
|
(5,202) |
|
|
|
(1,017) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
(expense)/income |
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized foreign exchange loss |
|
— |
|
|
|
(11) |
|
Amortization expense |
|
(21) |
|
|
|
(72) |
|
Unrealized loss on securities |
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(13) |
|
Interest income |
|
516 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
Interest expense |
|
(1,025) |
|
|
|
(856) |
|
Total other (expense)/income |
|
(533) |
|
|
|
(850) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
$ |
(5,735) |
|
|
$ |
(1,867) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net loss per common
share |
$ |
(0.21) |
|
|
$ |
(0.07) |
|
Diluted net loss per
common share |
$ |
(0.21) |
|
|
$ |
(0.07) |
|
Weighted-average number
of common shares outstanding basic |
|
27,371 |
|
|
|
26,596 |
|
Weighted-average number
of common shares outstanding diluted |
|
27,371 |
|
|
|
26,596 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited |
|
Audited |
|
|
September 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
40,320 |
|
|
$ |
13,269 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
12,908 |
|
|
|
8,814 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
3,066 |
|
|
|
2,575 |
|
Inventory |
|
|
1,125 |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
Total current
assets |
|
|
57,965 |
|
|
|
26,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred issuance cost, net amortization |
|
|
956 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Total non-current
assets |
|
|
956 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Total
assets |
|
$ |
58,921 |
|
|
$ |
26,864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and
shareholders’ (deficit) equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
3,867 |
|
|
$ |
3,778 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
3,313 |
|
|
|
3,754 |
|
Deferred revenue - current |
|
|
248 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Operating lease liability - current |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
Total current
liabilities |
|
|
7,435 |
|
|
|
7,553 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
PIK interest |
|
|
2,323 |
|
|
|
1,219 |
|
Debt discount |
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
(288 |
) |
Contract liability |
|
|
24,561 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Total non-current
liabilities |
|
|
56,657 |
|
|
|
30,933 |
|
Total
liabilities |
|
|
64,092 |
|
|
|
38,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’(deficit)
equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; 27,422
shares issued and outstanding (2023 ‑27,027) |
|
|
145,438 |
|
|
|
144,307 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
65,844 |
|
|
|
62,073 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(217,696 |
) |
|
|
(219,245 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
|
1,243 |
|
Total shareholders’
(deficit) equity |
|
|
(5,171 |
) |
|
|
(11,622 |
) |
Total liabilities and
shareholders’ (deficit) equity |
|
$ |
58,921 |
|
|
$ |
26,864 |
|
Working Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working
capital |
|
Fiscal Period Ended |
Selected Asset and Liability Data: |
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
December 31, 2023 |
(U.S. Dollars in
thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and equivalents |
|
$ |
40,320 |
|
|
$ |
13,269 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
17,645 |
|
|
|
13,589 |
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
7,435 |
|
|
|
7,553 |
|
Working capital |
|
$ |
50,530 |
|
|
$ |
19,305 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected
Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and additional
paid in capital |
|
|
211,282 |
|
|
|
206,380 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(217,696 |
) |
|
|
(219,245 |
) |
Shareholders’ (deficit)
equity |
|
|
(5,171 |
) |
|
|
(11,622 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity
Cisplatin and other platinum compounds are
essential chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of many
pediatric malignancies. Unfortunately, platinum-based therapies can
cause ototoxicity, or hearing loss, which is permanent,
irreversible, and particularly harmful to the survivors of
pediatric cancer.ii
The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the
dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children
require lifelong hearing aids or cochlear implants, which can be
helpful for some, but do not reverse the hearing loss and can be
costly over time.iii Infants and young children that are affected
by ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech and
language development and literacy, and older children and
adolescents often lack social-emotional development and educational
achievement.iv
PEDMARK® (sodium
thiosulfate injection)PEDMARK® is the first and only U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapy indicated to
reduce the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin treatment
in pediatric patients with localized, non-metastatic, solid tumors.
It is a unique formulation of sodium thiosulfate in single-dose,
ready-to-use vials for intravenous use in pediatric patients.
PEDMARK is also the first and only therapeutic agent with proven
efficacy and safety data with an established dosing regimen, across
two open-label, randomized Phase 3 clinical studies, the Children’s
Oncology Group (COG) Protocol ACCL0431 and SIOPEL 6.
In the U.S. and Europe, it is estimated that,
annually, more than 10,000 children may receive platinum-based
chemotherapy. The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the dose
and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require
lifelong hearing aids. There is currently no established preventive
agent for this hearing loss and only expensive, technically
difficult, and sub-optimal cochlear (inner ear) implants have been
shown to provide some benefit. Infants and young children that
suffer ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech
language development and literacy, and older children and
adolescents lack social-emotional development and educational
achievement.
PEDMARK has been studied by co-operative groups
in two Phase 3 clinical studies of survival and reduction of
ototoxicity, COG ACCL0431 and SIOPEL 6. Both studies have been
completed. The COG ACCL0431 protocol enrolled childhood cancers
typically treated with intensive cisplatin therapy for localized
and disseminated disease, including newly diagnosed hepatoblastoma,
germ cell tumor, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and
other solid tumors. SIOPEL 6 enrolled only hepatoblastoma patients
with localized tumors.
Indications and UsagePEDMARK®
(sodium thiosulfate injection) is indicated to reduce the risk of
ototoxicity associated with cisplatin in pediatric patients 1 month
of age and older with localized, non-metastatic solid tumors.
Limitations of UseThe safety
and efficacy of PEDMARK have not been established when administered
following cisplatin infusions longer than 6 hours. PEDMARK may not
reduce the risk of ototoxicity when administered following longer
cisplatin infusions, because irreversible ototoxicity may have
already occurred.
Important Safety Information
PEDMARK is contraindicated in patients with history of a severe
hypersensitivity to sodium thiosulfate or any of its
components.
Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 8% to 13%
of patients in clinical trials. Monitor patients for
hypersensitivity reactions. Immediately discontinue PEDMARK and
institute appropriate care if a hypersensitivity reaction occurs.
Administer antihistamines or glucocorticoids (if appropriate)
before each subsequent administration of PEDMARK. PEDMARK may
contain sodium sulfite; patients with sulfite sensitivity may have
hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic symptoms and
life-threatening or severe asthma episodes. Sulfite sensitivity is
seen more frequently in people with asthma.
PEDMARK is not indicated for use in pediatric
patients less than 1 month of age due to the increased risk of
hypernatremia or in pediatric patients with metastatic cancers.
Hypernatremia occurred in 12% to 26% of patients
in clinical trials, including a single Grade 3 case. Hypokalemia
occurred in 15% to 27% of patients in clinical trials, with Grade 3
or 4 occurring in 9% to 27% of patients. Monitor serum sodium and
potassium levels at baseline and as clinically indicated. Withhold
PEDMARK in patients with baseline serum sodium greater than 145
mmol/L.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypernatremia
and hypokalemia more closely if the glomerular filtration rate
(GFR) falls below 60 mL/min/1.73m2.
Administer antiemetics prior to each PEDMARK
administration. Provide additional antiemetics and supportive care
as appropriate.
The most common adverse reactions (≥25% with
difference between arms of >5% compared to cisplatin alone) in
SIOPEL 6 were vomiting, nausea, decreased hemoglobin, and
hypernatremia. The most common adverse reaction (≥25% with
difference between arms of >5% compared to cisplatin alone) in
COG ACCL0431 was hypokalemia.
Please see full Prescribing Information for
PEDMARK® at: www.PEDMARK.com.
About Fennec
PharmaceuticalsFennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on the development and
commercialization of PEDMARK® to reduce the risk of
platinum-induced ototoxicity in pediatric patients. Further,
PEDMARK received FDA approval in September 2022 and European
Commission approval in June 2023 and U.K. approval in October 2023
under the brand name PEDMARQSI. PEDMARK has received Orphan Drug
Exclusivity in the U.S. and PEDMARQSI has received Pediatric Use
Marketing Authorization in Europe which includes eight years plus
two years of data and market protection. For more information,
please visit www.fennecpharma.com.
Forward Looking
StatementsExcept for historical information described in
this press release, all other statements are forward-looking. Words
such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,”
“intend,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms, and
similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements include statements
about our business strategy, timeline and other goals, plans and
prospects, including our commercialization plans respecting
PEDMARK®, the market opportunity for and market impact of PEDMARK®,
its potential impact on patients and anticipated benefits
associated with its use, and potential access to further funding
after the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the
Company’s business that could cause actual results to vary,
including the risks and uncertainties that regulatory and guideline
developments may change, scientific data and/or manufacturing
capabilities may not be sufficient to meet regulatory standards or
receipt of required regulatory clearances or approvals, clinical
results may not be replicated in actual patient settings,
unforeseen global instability, including political instability, or
instability from an outbreak of pandemic or contagious disease,
such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), or surrounding the
duration and severity of an outbreak, protection offered by the
Company’s patents and patent applications may be challenged,
invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, the available
market for the Company’s products will not be as large as expected,
the Company’s products will not be able to penetrate one or more
targeted markets, revenues will not be sufficient to fund further
development and clinical studies, our ability to obtain necessary
capital when needed on acceptable terms or at all, the Company may
not meet its future capital requirements in different countries and
municipalities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the
Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2023. Fennec disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements except as required by law.
For a more detailed discussion of related risk
factors, please refer to our public filings available
at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com.
PEDMARK® and Fennec® are registered trademarks
of Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
©2024 Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights
reserved. FEN-1604-v1
For further information, please
contact:
Investors:Robert AndradeChief Financial
OfficerFennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.+1 919-246-5299
Corporate and Media:Lindsay Rocco Elixir Health
Public Relations+1 862-596-1304lrocco@elixirhealthpr.com
i Asmi Chattaraj et al., Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity: A
Concise Review of the Burden, Prevention, and Interception
Strategies. JCO Oncol Pract 19, 278-283(2023).
DOI:10.1200/OP.22.00710
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.22.00710#:~:text=The%20incidence%20of%20ototoxicity%20induced,%25%2D60%25%20of%20pediatric%20patients.&text=Ototoxicity%20can%20be%20vestibular%20or,pain%2C%20and%20frank%20hearing%20loss.ii
Rybak L. Mechanisms of Cisplatin Ototoxicity and Progress in
Otoprotection. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and
Neck Surgery. 2007, Vol. 15: 364-369.iii Landier W. Ototoxicity and
Cancer Therapy. Cancer. June 2016 Vol. 122, No.11: 1647-1658.iv
Bass JK, Knight KR, Yock TI, et al. Evaluation and Management of
Hearing Loss in Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers: A
Report from the Children's Oncology Group. Pediatric Blood &
Cancer. 2016 Jul;63(7):1152-1162.
Fennec Pharmaceuticals (TSX:FRX)
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