ADDING and REPLACING Ra Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

17:17 EST 7 Nov 2018 | Businesswire

Dosing completed in Phase 2 trial of zilucoplan in generalized myasthenia gravis

On track for topline data read-out around year-end 2018

Announces issuance of U.S. patent covering zilucoplan composition of matter and methods of use

Add after last paragraph of release: two financial tables.

The updated release reads:

RA PHARMACEUTICALS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE

Dosing completed in Phase 2 trial of zilucoplan in generalized myasthenia gravis

On track for topline data read-out around year-end 2018

Announces issuance of U.S. patent covering zilucoplan composition of matter and methods of use

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:RARX) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and highlighted recent progress in advancing its pipeline programs, including zilucoplan for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and complement-mediated renal disorders.

“We are pleased to report that dosing in our Phase 2 trial of zilucoplan for gMG is now complete and we look forward to reporting top-line data around year-end,” said Doug Treco, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Ra Pharma. “The rapid over-enrollment of this study underscores both patient and physician enthusiasm for an accessible and convenient self-administered, subcutaneous, complement inhibitor. Notably, to date, over 12,000 doses of zilucoplan have been self-administered and were well-tolerated by patients across our clinical programs.”

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights and Recent Developments

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

For the third quarter of 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $16.5 million, or a net loss of $0.51 per share (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss of $15.3 million, or a net loss of $0.68 per share for the same period in 2017.

Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $13.4 million, compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to clinical development costs associated with our lead program, zilucoplan.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $3.5 million, compared to $2.3 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in G&A expenses for the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to employee-related costs due to the increase in headcount to support the growth of the Company and cost associated with pre-commercialization planning.

There was no revenue earned in the three months ended September 30, 2018 or the three months ended September 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, Ra Pharma reported total cash and cash equivalents of $81.1 million. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure through the end of 2019.

About Zilucoplan (formerly RA101495 SC)

Ra Pharma is developing zilucoplan for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and other complement-mediated disorders. The product candidate is designed for convenient, once-daily subcutaneous self-administration. Zilucoplan is a synthetic, macrocyclic peptide discovered using Ra Pharma's powerful proprietary drug discovery technology. The peptide binds complement component 5 (C5) with sub-nanomolar affinity and allosterically inhibits its cleavage into C5a and C5b upon activation of the classical, alternative, or lectin pathways. By binding to a region of C5 corresponding to C5b, zilucoplan is additionally designed to disrupt the interaction between C5b and C6 and prevent assembly of the membrane attack complex. This activity may define an additional, novel mechanism for the inhibition of C5 function.

About Ra Pharmaceuticals

Ra Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of next-generation therapeutics for complement-mediated diseases. The Company discovers and develops peptides and small molecules to target key components of the complement cascade. For more information, please visit: www.rapharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the potential safety, efficacy and regulatory and clinical progress of our product candidates, including without limitation zilucoplan, beliefs regarding clinical trial data, statements regarding trial design, timeline and enrollment of our ongoing and planned clinical programs, including without limitation our Phase 3 trial of zilucoplan for the treatment of PNH, pending discussions with the EMA in the fourth quarter of 2018, and upcoming milestones, including without limitation the release of top-line data in gMG around year-end 2018. All such 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 the risks that Ra Pharma's product candidates, including zilucoplan, will not successfully be developed or commercialized, in the timeframe we expect or at all; the risk that topline results as of February 7, 2017 from the Company's global Phase 2 clinical program evaluating zilucoplan for the treatment of PNH may not be indicative of final study results; the risk that USAN does not approve the name zilucoplan; as well as the other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in Ra Pharma's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks detailed in Ra Pharma's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Ra Pharma will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Ra Pharma. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Ra Pharma undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

 
Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
         

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2018 2017 2018 2017
Operating expenses:
Research and development $ 13,375 $ 13,130 $ 39,092 $ 32,606
General and administrative   3,504     2,284     10,637     7,101  
Total operating expenses   16,879     15,414     49,729     39,707  
Loss from operations (16,879 ) (15,414 ) (49,729 ) (39,707 )
Other income (expense), net   375     139     981     409  
Net loss $ (16,504 ) $ (15,275 ) $ (48,748 ) $ (39,298 )
 
 
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted $ (0.51 ) $ (0.68 ) $ (1.60 ) $ (1.74 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted 32,349 22,614 30,652 22,579
 
 
Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
     

September 30,
2018

December 31,
2017

 
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 81,059 $ 70,381
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,502 2,496
Property and equipment, net 5,394 5,606
Other noncurrent assets   1,664   1,714
Total assets $ 90,619 $ 80,197
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 7,648 $ 8,285
Deferred rent 469 329
Noncurrent liabilities 2,043 2,399
Stockholders' equity   80,459   69,184
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 90,619 $ 80,197
 

Investors:
Argot Partners
Natalie Wildenradt
212-600-1902
natalie@argotpartners.com
or
Media:
Argot Partners
David Rosen
212-600-1902
david.rosen@argotpartners.com

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