― On track to report topline data for Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) in the fourth quarter of 2024 ―
― Restart of the Phase 1b PIONEER trial of pociredir in sickle cell disease (SCD) underway ―
― Conference call and webcast scheduled for
“In 2023, we took important steps to advance our two key clinical programs which included completing enrollment for the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod in FSHD and resolving the clinical hold for our Phase 1b PIONEER trial of pociredir in SCD,” said
Recent Business Highlights
- REACH, the Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating losmapimod in patients with FSHD continues to progress, and Fulcrum expects to report topline data in the fourth quarter of 2024. The trial enrolled 260 patients across sites in
the United States ,Canada , andEurope . There are currently no approved treatments for FSHD. - Clinical trial sites have been activated for the Phase 1b trial evaluating pociredir in patients with SCD. Cohort 3 of the Phase 1b trial will evaluate pociredir at the 12 mg once daily dose, followed by Cohort 4 at the 20 mg once daily dose. Each cohort is expected to enroll approximately 10 patients.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
- Cash Position: As of
December 31, 2023 , cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were$236.2 million , as compared to$202.9 million as ofDecember 31, 2022 . The increase in our cash position is primarily due to net proceeds from our equity offering completed inJanuary 2023 of$117.3 million , partially offset by our net cash used in operating activities in 2023. - Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue was
$0.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to$0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase of$0.2 million was attributable to an increase in revenues under our collaboration agreement withMyoKardia as we completed our research services during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Collaboration revenue was$2.8 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2023 , as compared to$6.3 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2022 . The decrease of$3.5 million was attributable to the completion of activities under our collaboration agreement with Acceleron, which terminated inOctober 2022 , and due to a decrease in revenues under our collaboration agreement withMyoKardia as we completed our research services during the fourth quarter of 2023.
- R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were
$19.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to$18.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase of$0.4 million was primarily due to increased personnel costs.
Research and development expenses were$71.8 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2023 as compared to$76.8 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2022 . The decrease of$5.0 million was primarily due to a$5.0 million obligation to GSK incurred in the second quarter of 2022 upon initiation of the REACH clinical trial.
- G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were
$9.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to$10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease of$0.2 million was primarily due to decreased professional services costs.
General and administrative expenses were$41.7 million for each of the years endedDecember 31, 2023 and 2022.
- Net Loss: Net loss was
$24.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to$26.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Net loss was$97.3 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2023 as compared to$109.9 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2022 .
Cash Runway Guidance
Fulcrum continues to expect that its existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its operating requirements into 2026.
Conference Call and Webcast
About
About Losmapimod
Losmapimod is a selective p38α/β mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor. Fulcrum exclusively in-licensed losmapimod from GSK following Fulcrum’s discovery of the role of p38α/β inhibitors in the reduction of DUX4 expression and an extensive review of known compounds. Results reported from the Phase 2b ReDUX4 trial demonstrated slower disease progression and improved function, including positive impacts on upper extremity strength and functional measures supporting losmapimod’s potential to be a transformative therapy for the treatment of FSHD. Although losmapimod had never previously been explored in muscular dystrophies, it had been evaluated in more than 3,600 subjects in clinical trials across multiple other indications with no safety signals attributed to losmapimod. Losmapimod has been granted
About FSHD
FSHD is a serious, rare, progressive, and debilitating disease for which there are no approved treatments. It is characterized by fat infiltration of skeletal muscle leading to muscular atrophy involving primarily the face, scapula and shoulders, upper arms, and abdomen. Impact on patients includes relentless and accumulating muscle and functional loss impacting their ability to perform activities of daily living, loss of upper limb function, loss of mobility and independence, and chronic pain. FSHD is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy and has an estimated patient population of 16,000 to 38,000 in
About Pociredir
Pociredir is an investigational oral small-molecule inhibitor of
About Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder of the red blood cells caused by a mutation in the HBB gene. This gene encodes a protein that is a key component of hemoglobin, a protein complex whose function is to transport oxygen in the body. The result of the mutation is less efficient oxygen transport and the formation of red blood cells that have a sickle shape. These sickle shaped cells are much less flexible than healthy cells and can block blood vessels or rupture cells. People with SCD typically suffer from serious clinical consequences, which may include anemia, pain, infections, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, kidney failure, liver disease, and reduced life expectancy.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including express or implied statements regarding Fulcrum’s clinical trials, including timing of topline data for the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod; reinitiation of the Phase 1b trial of pociredir and enrollees in each cohort; Fulcrum’s ability to deliver an FDA-approved therapy for FSHD patients; the potential for pociredir to shift the standard of care; and Fulcrum’s cash runway; among others. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with Fulcrum’s ability to continue to advance its product candidates in clinical trials; initiating and enrolling clinical trials on the timeline expected or at all; obtaining and maintaining necessary approvals from the FDA and other regulatory authorities; replicating in clinical trials positive results found in preclinical studies and/or earlier-stage clinical trials of losmapimod, pociredir and any other product candidates; obtaining, maintaining or protecting intellectual property rights related to its product candidates; managing expenses; managing executive and employee turnover, including integrating a new CEO and CFO; and raising the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its business objectives, among others. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Fulcrum’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the “Risk Factors” section, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors, in Fulcrum’s most recent filings with the
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (In thousands) (Unaudited) | |||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities | $ | 236,221 | $ | 202,921 | |||
Working capital(1) | 228,524 | 190,794 | |||||
Total assets | 257,694 | 226,685 | |||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 235,193 | 198,942 |
(1) Fulcrum defines working capital as current assets minus current liabilities.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Collaboration revenue | $ | 871 | $ | 685 | $ | 2,805 | $ | 6,342 | |||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | 18,999 | 18,566 | 71,801 | 76,782 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 9,864 | 10,130 | 41,668 | 41,694 | |||||||||||
Restructuring expenses | — | (38 | ) | — | 427 | ||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 28,863 | 28,658 | 113,469 | 118,903 | |||||||||||
Loss from operations | (27,992 | ) | (27,973 | ) | (110,664 | ) | (112,561 | ) | |||||||
Other income, net | 3,236 | 1,838 | 13,329 | 2,690 | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (24,756 | ) | $ | (26,135 | ) | $ | (97,335 | ) | $ | (109,871 | ) | |||
Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.40 | ) | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (1.59 | ) | $ | (2.44 | ) | |||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 61,871 | 52,077 | 61,310 | 44,991 | |||||||||||
Contact:
ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Source:
2024 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source