Full Press Release Details
Atea Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business
Phase 3 SUNRISE-3 trial evaluating bemnifosbuvir for treatment of COVID-19 in high-risk patients continues enrollment; interim analysis expected in 2H23
trial evaluating combination of bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir for treatment of HCV to start enrollment in 2Q23; initial results expected by 4Q23
AT-752 dengue program results and update
Conference call at 4:30 pm ET today
BOSTON, Mass., February 28, 2023 Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVIR) ( Atea ), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022 and provided a business update.
This year, we are poised to continue the meaningful progress made with our clinical development programs following strong execution in 2022, said
Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Atea Pharmaceuticals. We anticipate several significant clinical milestones for our lead compound, bemnifosbuvir, including an interim analysis from the Phase 3 SUNRISE-3 trial for COVID-19 followed by completion of targeted enrollment by year end. In addition, we plan to initiate patient enrollment in the Phase 2 combination study of
bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir for HCV next quarter, with topline results expected by the end of the year.
We also have made the business
decision to deprioritize the dengue program to focus on COVID-19 and HCV, added Dr. Sommadossi. We believe AT-752 holds promise for the treatment of
dengue as an oral direct acting antiviral. However, it has become clear that improved diagnostics are needed to better identify patients earlier in the course of the disease. In addition, given the high variability in both treatment and prophylaxis
settings, substantially larger patient sample sizes would be required for future Phase 2 studies. With the anticipated long clinical timelines and significant associated cost, we will focus our resources on the
COVID-19 and HCV programs at this time.
COVID-19 PROGRAM UPDATE
Bemnifosbuvir (AT-527) for COVID-19
SUNRISE-3 Global Phase 3 Registrational Trial of Bemnifosbuvir in High-Risk
Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: Patient enrollment continues in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase 3 SUNRISE-3 trial evaluating bemnifosbuvir or placebo administered concurrently with locally available standard of care (SOC). The study is designed to enroll at least 1,500 high-risk,
non-hospitalized patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 at clinical trial sites planned in the United States, Europe, Japan and rest of the
world. Patients are being randomized 1:1 to receive either bemnifosbuvir 550 mg twice-daily (BID) plus locally available SOC or placebo BID plus locally available SOC for five days. An interim
analysis is expected in the second half of 2023, with anticipated enrollment completion of the targeted 1,500 patients toward the end of 2023.
is comprised of two patient population cohorts derived from the type of SOC received. These are 1) Supportive Care Population which will assess bemnifosbuvir as monotherapy (primary analysis) when the patient does not qualify for an
authorized oral antiviral treatment or is in a region where oral antivirals are not locally available and 2) Combination Antiviral Population which will assess combination therapy being bemnifosbuvir plus SOC if the SOC includes
treatment with other COVID-19 antivirals (secondary analysis).
The primary endpoint of the study is all-cause hospitalization or death through Day 29 in the Supportive Care Population in at least 1,300 patients. Secondary endpoints in both the Supportive Care Population and the Combination Antiviral Population
include: COVID-19 complications, medically attended visits, symptom rebound / relapse and viral load rebound.
patients being enrolled in SUNRISE-3 trial are those at the highest risk for COVID-19 disease progression, consisting of patients 80 years old, patients
65 years old with one major risk factor, and immunocompromised patients 18 years old, all regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
Favorable Drug Interaction Profile of Bemnifosbuvir Presented at Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI): In February, Atea
presented favorable data from three Phase 1 studies of bemnifosbuvir at CROI. Results from a Phase 1 drug-drug interaction (DDI) study in healthy participants administering bemnifosbuvir with midazolam (MDZ), a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate as an index
drug, were highlighted in a poster presentation. In addition, results from Phase 1 studies in healthy participants assessing pharmacokinetics with administration of bemnifosbuvir with digoxin (DIG) and rosuvastatin (ROSU) as P-gp and BCRP/OATP1B1
index drugs, respectively, were also presented in a poster at the conference. The results from these studies demonstrated that bemnifosbuvir may be co-administered with a variety of medications that are
commonly prescribed among high-risk COVID-19 patients without need for dose modification or discontinuation of the concomitant medication.
COVID-19 Program for Second Generation Protease Inhibitors: As part of a multipronged approach
against COVID-19, Atea is advancing an internal program focused on the discovery of second-generation protease inhibitors that have clinical profiles well suited for combination with bemnifosbuvir for the
treatment of COVID-19. Atea has conducted in vitro studies examining the combination of bemnifosbuvir with the protease inhibitor nirmatrelvir in an HCoV-229E surrogate model. The results of these
studies indicated an additive antiviral effect. These data support the potential activity of the combination of bemnifosbuvir and a protease inhibitor for the treatment of
SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Atea s target profile for a protease inhibitor
is a compound that is highly potent, has a favorable safety profile with limited drug-drug interactions and does not require a pharmacokinetic booster (e.g., ritonavir). Compound selection activities are underway in anticipation of filing an
investigational new drug application for a clinical candidate around year end 2023.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Program Update
Phase 2 HCV Combination Program: For the treatment of HCV, Atea is advancing the combination of bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir (RZR), an oral NS5A
inhibitor, in Phase 2 development. This combination has a best-in-class profile with the potential to improve the current standard of care by offering a shorter
duration, protease inhibitor-free treatment for patients with HCV.
Highly potent antiviral activity of both bemnifosbuvir and RZR administered separately
in clinical trials in combination with other drugs for HCV has already been demonstrated. Additionally, Atea has shown in an in vitro model that the combination of bemnifosbuvir and RZR had synergistic antiviral effect inhibiting HCV
Regulatory submissions for the initiation of an open label Phase 2 combination study of bemnifosbuvir and RZR are ongoing and dosing of
patients in this clinical trial is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2023. Initial data from a lead-in cohort of approximately 60 patients is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2023.
This open label Phase 2 study is expected to enroll approximately 280 HCV-infected, direct-acting antiviral naive
patients across all genotypes, including the 60 patient lead-in cohort. Patients will be administered 550 mg bemnifosbuvir in combination with 180 mg RZR once-daily for eight weeks. The primary endpoints
of the study are safety and sustained virologic response (SVR) at Week 12 post-treatment. Other virologic endpoints include virologic failure, SVR at Week 24 post-treatment and resistance.
Dengue Program Update
Atea has been a pioneer in
the development of an oral antiviral therapeutic for dengue. The proof-of-concept, DEFEND-2, demonstrated that AT-752 treatment led to a faster resolution of fever, the major clinical sign of dengue. However, DEFEND-2 also highlights the need for better diagnostics to identify patients
earlier in the course of their disease and a large sample size to account for high patient variability for treatment and prophylaxis. To address these factors, robust Phase 2 studies would require long clinical timelines with major associated costs,
which has led to the business decision to deprioritize the dengue program.
DEFEND-2 Results: DEFEND-2 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating AT-752 750 mg three times a day (TID) or placebo TID for 5 days in dengue endemic countries. The
study enrolled adult patients with a positive dengue test (NS1 Ag or PCR) for any one of four known serotypes and fever for no more than 48 hours before study entry. Study objectives included antiviral activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics with a
primary endpoint of change in dengue virus viral load from baseline and exploratory endpoints of viremia, NS1 levels, and fever reduction.
enrolled 21 dengue-infected patients (AT-752 n=14, placebo n=7). Based on their viremia levels at baseline, patients appear to have presented too late in the course of the disease. The primary endpoint of
change in dengue viral load was unevaluable since the majority of patients in the placebo arm had viremia levels which were low or below the lower limit of quantification at baseline. Variability in viral kinetics associated with multiple serotypes (1-4) also contributed to the difficulty in evaluating the virologic results. Importantly, platelets were also low at baseline for most patients further highlighting the late clinical presentation. In patients who
presented with body temperature above 37 C, the median time to fever resolution was 4 days in the AT-752 arm and greater than 5 days in the placebo arm
(prespecified exploratory endpoint). In addition, there was a difference in body temperature change from baseline of 0.9 C at Day 3 in favor of the
AT-752 arm as compared to the placebo arm (post-hoc analysis). Also at Day 3, 100% of patients who presented with baseline body temperature above 37 C had a
reduction in body temperature below their baseline levels in the AT-752 arm, versus only 33% of patients in the placebo arm.
In this study, AT-752 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile with no drug related serious adverse
events (SAEs). Two non-drug related SAEs (hospitalizations due to thrombocytopenia and progression to severe dengue) occurred, 1/7 in the placebo arm and 1/14 in the
AT-752 arm. Non-serious adverse events were mostly mild or moderate, self-limiting and occurred in comparable frequency in active and placebo arms.
AT-752 Human Challenge Infection Model Study Results: The challenge study was a randomized, placebo-controlled
study evaluating healthy subjects who were challenged with a Dengue Virus-1 Live Attenuated Virus strain after receiving AT-752 dosed 750 mg TID or placebo. The results
of the study in 5 healthy volunteers were uninterpretable due to the high variability observed in terms of viremia, antigenemia and the onset/severity of symptoms as well as low drug exposures due to lack of dosing compliance. It is anticipated that
a larger sample size (n= 50) would be needed in this model to evaluate AT-752 adequately.
Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities: $646.7 million at
December 31, 2022 compared to $764.4 million at December 31, 2021.
Research and Development Expenses: Research
and development expenses were $27.5 million and $81.9 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, respectively, compared to $57.8 million and $167.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2021. The
decrease in research and development expenses was primarily due to the elimination of the cost share arrangement with Roche, our former COVID-19 program collaborator. In addition, Atea recorded a $25.0 million expense during the fourth
quarter 2021 due to an upfront payment related to the in-license of ruzasvir from Merck. Partially offsetting the decrease in research and development expenses was an increase related to salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense for
Atea s research and product development employees and consulting fees and other research and development expenses.
General and Administrative
Expenses: General and administrative expenses remained relatively consistent at $12.4 million and $48.7 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, respectively, compared to $13.2 million and
$45.8 million for the corresponding periods in 2021.
Interest Income and Other, Net: Interest income and other, net was
$5.6 million and $11.2 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, respectively, compared to less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2021. The increase was primarily the result of investing
in higher yield marketable securities and higher interest rates.
Income Taxes: Income tax expense was $0.1 million and income tax benefit was
$3.6 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $4,100 and $17,400 for the corresponding periods in 2021. The tax benefit for the full year 2022 was primarily the result of changes in
estimates between the original provision for 2021 income taxes and the actual amounts reflected in the income tax returns as filed. During 2021, Atea had a tax liability and recorded income tax expense on income resulting from revenue recorded from
our former collaboration with Roche.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands except share and per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 (unaudited) | 2021 (unaudited) | 2022 (unaudited) | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Collaboration revenue | $ | $ | 192,180 | $ | $ | 351,367 | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 27,540 | 57,811 | 81,936 | 167,205 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 12,359 | 13,188 | 48,714 | 45,785 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 39,899 | 70,999 | 130,650 | 212,990 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | (39,899 | ) | 121,181 | (130,650 | ) | 138,377 | ||||||||||
| Interest income and other, net | 5,591 | 51 | 11,151 | 213 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (34,308 | ) | 121,232 | (119,499 | ) | 138,590 | ||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | (123 | ) | (4,100 | ) | 3,590 | (17,400 | ) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (34,431 | ) | $ | 117,132 | $ | (115,909 | ) | $ | 121,190 | ||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale investments | 171 | (684 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (34,260 | ) | $ | 117,132 | $ | (116,593 | ) | $ | 121,190 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | 1.41 | $ | (1.39 | ) | $ | 1.46 | ||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | 1.34 | $ | (1.39 | ) | $ | 1.37 | ||||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 83,287,639 | 83,095,320 | 83,245,385 | 82,820,037 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | 83,287,639 | 87,092,688 | 83,245,385 | 88,249,243 |
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 646,709 | $ | 764,375 | ||||
| Working capital (1) | 642,444 | 715,520 | ||||||
| Total assets | 666,708 | 772,892 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 26,136 | 62,815 | ||||||
| Total stockholders equity | 640,572 | 710,077 |
Conference Call and Webcast
Atea will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results and provide a business update today at
4:30 p.m. ET. To access the live conference call, please register here. A live audio webcast of the call and accompanying slide presentation will also be available in the Investors Events & Presentations section of the