Full Press Release Details
Eterna Therapeutics Reports Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 and Recent Business Highlights
- Executed income generating license agreement with Lineage Cell Therapeutics to
develop gene-edited induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived therapies for multiple neurology indications
- Entered into a sublease agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb to occupy 45,000 sq. ft. of lab and office space
at Cambridge Crossing development in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Appointed Matt Angel, Ph.D. as Chief Executive Officer and President
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eterna Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ERNA) ("Eterna" or the "Company"), a life science company committed to realizing the potential of mRNA cell engineering to provide patients with transformational new medicines, today announced financial results for the quarter
and year ended December 31, 2022 and provided a business update.
"2022 was a transformational year for Eterna, and we believe that we made significant progress executing on our core strategy of unlocking the potential of mRNA cell
engineering through strategic collaboration," said Matt Angel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Eterna. "We remained focused on expanding our capabilities to support the development of next-generation mRNA-based therapeutic products, and deploying
our extensive portfolio of in-licensed mRNA cell engineering patents through strategic partnerships. We believe that our accomplishments have positioned us to drive value for shareholders, partners, and patients, and for continued growth across our
Significant milestones in 2022 and year-to-date 2023 include:
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results
Research and development expenses were $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, which included $0.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. For the full
year of 2022, research and development expenses were $10.4 million, which included $1.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. General and administrative expenses were $2.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, which included $0.2
million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. For the full year of 2022, general and administrative expenses were $16.8 million, which included $1.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The impairment of in-process research
and development was approximately $6.0 million for the full year of 2022 and related to the Company's decision to not further develop the IRX-2 product candidate associated with its legacy immunotherapy business. There was no such charge in the
fourth quarter of 2022. The change in the fair value of warrant liabilities was a credit of $0.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and a credit of $10.8 million for the full year of 2022.
Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $4.5 million, or $1.24 per share. For the full year of 2022, net loss was $24.6 million, or $8.06 per share. As of December 31,
2022, Eterna had cash of approximately $15.5 million, of which approximately $4.1 million was restricted cash, collateralizing a letter of credit with respect to our BMS sublease.
Earlier today, Eterna filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Eterna Therapeutics Inc.
Eterna Therapeutics is a life science company committed to realizing the potential of mRNA cell engineering to provide patients with transformational new medicines. Eterna
has in-licensed a portfolio of over 100 patents covering key mRNA cell engineering technologies, including technologies for mRNA cell reprogramming, mRNA gene editing, the NoveSlice and UltraSlice gene-editing proteins, and the ToRNAdo mRNA
delivery system from Factor Bioscience. NoveSlice , UltraSlice , and ToRNAdo are trademarks of Factor Bioscience. For more information, please visit www.eternatx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are any statements that are not statements of historical fact and may
be identified by terminology such as "believe," "could," "estimate," "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "possible," "potential," "project," "will" or other similar words and the negatives of such words. Forward-looking statements are based on current
beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors,
including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to: (i) the evolution of Eterna's business model into a platform company focused on mRNA, iPS cell and gene editing technologies; (ii) Eterna's ability to successfully, cost-effectively and
efficiently develop its technology and products; (iii) Eterna's ability to successfully commence clinical trials of any products on a timely basis or at all; (iv) Eterna's ability to successfully fund and manage the growth of its development
activities; and (v) Eterna 's ability to obtain regulatory approvals of its products for commercialization. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this communication
speak only as of the date on which they were made, and Eterna does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof, except as
required by applicable law. Factors that may cause Eterna's actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this press release are more fully disclosed in Eterna's periodic public filings with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors" in Eterna's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as under similar headings in Eterna's subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Investor Relations Contact:
Selected Financial Data
(in thousands, except per share data)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| Three months ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 1,962 | $ | 4,249 | $ | 10,392 | $ | 12,705 | ||||||||
| Impairment of in-process research and development | - | - | 5,990 | - | ||||||||||||
| In-process research and development | - | - | - | 80,538 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 2,775 | 4,273 | 16,835 | 14,724 | ||||||||||||
| Transaction costs | - | - | - | 5,765 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 4,737 | 8,522 | 33,217 | 113,732 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (4,737 | ) | (8,522 | ) | (33,217 | ) | (113,732 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on sale of NTN assets | - | - | - | (9,648 | ) | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | 302 | - | 10,795 | - | ||||||||||||
| Loss on non-controlling investment | (9 | ) | - | (941 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (5 | ) | 634 | (1,171 | ) | 899 | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expenses), net | 288 | 634 | 8,683 | (8,749 | ) | |||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (4,449 | ) | (7,888 | ) | (24,534 | ) | (122,481 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | (40 | ) | (64 | ) | (45 | ) | (64 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | (4,489 | ) | (7,952 | ) | (24,579 | ) | (122,545 | ) | ||||||||
| Series A preferred stock dividend | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | (16 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (4,497 | ) | $ | (7,960 | ) | $ | (24,595 | ) | $ | (122,561 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per common share - basic and diluted | $ | (1.24 | ) | $ | (3.06 | ) | $ | (8.06 | ) | $ | (56.61 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 3,631 | 2,602 | 3,051 | 2,165 |
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
| As of December 31, 2022 | As of December 31, 2021 | |||||||
| Cash | $ | 11,446 | $ | 16,985 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 4,095 | - | ||||||
| Total assets | 22,279 | 31,525 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 10,172 | 6,022 | ||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 12,107 | 25,503 |