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Leap Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results Cambridge, MA

Key Takeaway: Leap Therapeutics, Inc. reported third quarter financial results for 2023, showcasing advancements in clinical trials for DKN-01, particularly in the colorectal cancer study. The company has successfully moved to Part B of the DeFianCe study after achieving a favorable response rate in Part A. Financially, Leap recorded a net loss of $13.7 million for the quarter, slightly improved from the previous year, while maintaining a robust cash position of $80.7 million. The ongoing focus remains on executing pivotal studies, showcasing promising developments in the field of immuno-oncology.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Leap Therapeutics made progress in advancing clinical studies for DKN-01.
  • The company exceeded its overall response rate threshold in the DeFianCe study.
  • Leap has cash reserves of $80.7 million, indicating strong financial health.

CONCERNS & RISKS

  • Net loss was $13.7 million for Q3 2023, although lower than Q3 2022.
  • Increases in clinical trial costs and payroll expenses suggest rising operational costs.

Full Press Release Details

Leap Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2023
Cambridge, MA - November 13, 2023 - Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
(Nasdaq:LPTX), a biotechnology company focused on developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, today reported financial results
for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.
"Leap continued to make great strides
this quarter including advancing into the 130 patient, randomized controlled Part B of the DeFianCe study evaluating
DKN-01 plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy in second-line colorectal cancer, after exceeding our 20% overall response rate
threshold in Part A. We are excited by the progress made and plan on presenting new data from Part A at a medical
conference in January 2024," said Douglas E. Onsi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Leap. "In addition,
we're focused on executing the DisTinGuish study evaluating DKN-01 plus tislelizumab and chemotherapy in first-line gastric
cancer, and we expect to complete enrollment into the 160-patient, randomized controlled Part C of the trial this
DKN-01 Development Update
Selected Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Net Loss was $13.7 million for the third quarter
2023, compared to $15.1 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to decreased research and development expenses
and increased interest income.
Research and development expenses were $11.5 million
for the third quarter 2023, compared to $12.1 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease in research and development expenses was
primarily due to a decrease of $2.5 million in manufacturing costs related to clinical trial material and manufacturing campaigns. This
decrease was partially offset by an increase of $1.1 million in clinical trial costs and an increase of $0.8 million in payroll and other
related expenses due to an increase in headcount of our research and development full-time employees.
General and administrative expenses were $3.3
million for the third quarter 2023, compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in general and administrative expenses
was primarily due to an increase of $0.1 million in payroll and other related expenses due to an increase in headcount of our general
and administrative full-time employees.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $80.7 million
at September 30, 2023. Research and development incentive receivables totaled $0.8 million at September 30, 2023.
About Leap Therapeutics
Leap Therapeutics (Nasdaq: LPTX) is focused on
developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics. Leap's most advanced clinical candidate, DKN-01, is a humanized monoclonal antibody
targeting the Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) protein. DKN-01 is being developed in patients with esophagogastric, gynecologic, and colorectal cancers.
FL-301, is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting Claudin18.2, being developed in patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer. Leap
also has preclinical antibody programs targeting Claudin18.2/CD137 and GDF15. For more information about Leap Therapeutics, visit http://www.leaptx.com
or view our public filings with the SEC that are available via EDGAR at http://www.sec.gov or via https://investors.leaptx.com/.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations of the management
of Leap that are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates and expectations will
be achieved. Words such as "anticipate," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe,"
"may," "will," "should," "plan," "could," "continue," "target,"
"contemplate," "estimate," "forecast," "guidance," "predict," "possible,"
"potential," "pursue," "likely," and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with
any discussion of future plans, actions or events identify forward-looking statements.
All statements, other than historical facts, including
statements regarding the continuation over time of the clinical collaboration with BeiGene on the ongoing Part C of the DisTinGuish
trial, with BeiGene continuing to supply tislelizumab; the expected benefits of the merger with Flame Biosciences; the cash runway into
2025 and the sufficiency of Leap's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund operations; the anticipated timing
for completion of or success of enrollment in clinical trials and release of clinical data, and any outcomes of such trials; the potential,
safety, efficacy, and regulatory and clinical progress of Leap's product candidates; our future preclinical and clinical development
plans in connection with our programs; the ability to enter into a new strategic partnership for DKN-01 or any of Leap's other programs;
the ability of NovaRock Biotherapeutics to conduct the FL-301 clinical trial in China; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing,
are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Leap's plans, estimates
or expectations could include, but are not limited to: (i) Leap's ability to successfully execute its clinical trials and the
timing of enrollment in and cost of such clinical trials; (ii) the results of Leap's clinical trials and pre-clinical studies;
(iii) Leap's ability to successfully enter into new strategic partnerships for DKN-01 or any of its other programs; (iv) whether
any Leap clinical trials and products will receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory
agencies; (v) exposure to inflation, currency rate and interest rate fluctuations, as well as fluctuations in the market price of
Leap's traded securities; and (vi) that the initiation, conduct, and completion of clinical trials, laboratory operations,
manufacturing campaigns, and other studies may be delayed, adversely affected, or impacted by global conflict, or supply chain
related issues. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties.
No representations or warranties (expressed or Implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Leap may not
actually achieve the forecasts disclosed in such forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including but not limited to those
set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in Leap's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC,
as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Neither Leap, nor any of its affiliates, advisors or representatives, undertake
any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Leap's views as of any date
subsequent to the date hereof.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Operating expenses:
Research and development $ 11,503 $ 12,102 $ 61,549 $ 33,931
General and administrative 3,330 3,186 10,672 8,889
Total operating expenses 14,833 15,288 72,221 42,820
Loss from operations (14,833 ) (15,288 ) (72,221 ) (42,820 )
Interest income 1,084 360 3,089 404
Interest expense - (11 ) - (49 )
Australian research and development incentives 554 652 1,124 1,276
Foreign currency loss (501 ) (807 ) (953 ) (1,305 )
Change in fair value of Series X preferred stock warrant liability - - 12 -
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (13,696 ) $ (15,094 ) $ (68,949 ) $ (42,494 )
Net loss per share
Basic & diluted $ (0.51 ) $ (1.33 ) $ (3.78 ) $ (3.75 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic & diluted 26,987,182 11,323,909 18,240,455 11,323,909
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
thousands, except share and per share amounts)
September 30, December 31,
2023 2022
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 80,743 $ 65,500
Research and development incentive receivable 753 2,099
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 265 351
Total current assets 81,761 67,950
Property and equipment, net 9 20
Right of use assets, net 363 669
Deferred costs - 576
Other long term assets - 30
Deposits 913 1,108
Total assets $ 83,046 $ 70,353
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 5,899 $ 5,657
Accrued expenses 4,770 5,152
Lease liability - current portion 369 416
Total current liabilities 11,038 11,225
Non current liabilities:
Lease liability, net of current portion - 262
Total liabilities 11,038 11,487
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 240,000,000 shares authorized; 25,565,414 and 9,902,137 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively 26 10
Additional paid-in capital 458,339 376,896
Accumulated other comprehensive income 760 128
Accumulated deficit (387,117 ) (318,168 )
Total stockholders' equity 72,008 58,866
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 83,046 $ 70,353
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
2023 2022 2023 2022
Cash used in operating activities $ (10,488 ) $ (12,253 ) $ (33,373 ) $ (36,030 )
Cash provided by investing activities - - 48,969 -
Cash used in financing activities (1 ) - (30 ) (210 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (183 ) (322 ) (323 ) (368 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (10,672 ) (12,575 ) 15,243 (36,608 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 91,415 90,883 65,500 114,916
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 80,743 $ 78,308 $ 80,743 $ 78,308

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DKN-01 developed for?

DKN-01 targets the Dickkopf-1 protein, focusing on esophagogastric, gynecologic, and colorectal cancers.

How much was Leap Therapeutics' net loss in Q3 2023?

Leap Therapeutics reported a net loss of $13.7 million for the third quarter of 2023.

What is the focus of the DeFianCe study?

The DeFianCe study evaluates DKN-01 with bevacizumab and chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

What were Leap's cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023?

Leap Therapeutics had cash and cash equivalents totaling $80.7 million as of September 30, 2023.

What are Leap's next steps for clinical trials?

Leap plans to execute the DisTinGuish study and present new data from the DeFianCe study in January 2024.

Last updated: Nov 13, 2023