Full Press Release Details
Phase 2 Clinical Studies to Begin in Acute Hip Fracture and Hypercholesterolemia/Fatty Liver Disease
Completes $22.3 Million IPO
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. ("Viking") (NASDAQ:VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2015 and provided an update on its clinical pipeline and other corporate developments.
Highlights From, and Subsequent to, the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
"We made significant progress over the past several months, achieving key milestones with multiple drug programs," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Viking. "We filed and activated the investigational new drug (IND) application for our novel small molecule selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) VK5211, for the treatment of hip fracture. We believe VK5211's potential stimulatory effect on lean body mass and bone mineral density may offer significant benefits to patients recovering from hip fracture surgery. We also recently announced plans to accelerate the development of our novel thyroid beta agonist VK2809 into a Phase 2 trial in patients with hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver disease. We believe VK2809 possesses unique properties that may reduce the potential for extra-hepatic thyroid receptor activation. We expect both of these Phase 2 trials to be completed in 2016."
Dr. Lian further commented, "In corporate news, Viking successfully completed its initial public offering (IPO) in the second quarter, which generated net proceeds of $22.3 million. This funding will enable the rapid advancement of our lead candidates, and we look forward to continued momentum through the second half of 2015."
Pipeline and Corporate Highlights
Financial Highlights
Second Quarter Ending June 30, 2015
Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 were $1.1 million compared to $21.2 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily related to the company recording a $21.2 million license fee liability as research and development expense during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which it did not record during the three months, ended June 30, 2015.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased to $1.5 million compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in non-cash compensation expense.
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, Viking reported a net loss of $7.9 million, or $1.07 per share, compared to a net loss of $22.8 million, or $5.40 per share, in the corresponding period in 2014. The decrease in net loss and net loss per share in the three months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to the company recording a $21.2 million estimated license fee liability during the three months ended June 30, 2014 which it did not record during the three months ended June 30, 2015, as well as additional shares outstanding following the company's recent initial public offering of common stock. The decrease in net loss was partially offset by the company's recording of approximately $3.5 million in incremental non-cash other expense in the three months ended June 30, 2015 related to increases in the fair value of the license fee liability.
Six Months Ending June 30, 2015
Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 were $1.2 million compared to $21.3 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily related to the company recording a $21.2 million license fee liability as research and development expense during the six months ended June 30, 2014, which it did not record during the six months, ended June 30, 2015.
General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased to $1.8 million compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in non-cash compensation expense.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, Viking reported a net loss of $13.6 million, or $2.38 per share, compared to a net loss of $23.0 million, or $6.20 per share, in the comparable period in 2014. The decrease in net loss and net loss per share in the six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to the company recording a $21.2 million estimated license fee liability during the three months ended June 30, 2014 which it did not record during the six months ended June 30, 2015, as well as additional shares outstanding following the company's recent initial public offering of common stock. The decrease in net loss was partially offset by the company's recording of approximately $8.4 million in incremental non-cash other expense in the three months ended June 30, 2015 related to increases in the fair value of the license fee liability.
Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2015
At June 30, 2015, Viking had cash, cash equivalents and investments totalling $21.7 million. As of August 10, 2015, Viking had 9,783,312 shares of common stock outstanding.
More detailed financial information and analysis may be found in Viking's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which will be filed on August 14, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders. The company's research and development activities leverage its expertise in metabolism to develop innovative therapeutics designed to improve patients' lives. Viking has exclusive worldwide rights to a portfolio of five therapeutic programs in clinical trials or preclinical studies, which are based on small molecules licensed from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. The company's clinical programs include VK5211, an orally available, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator, or SARM, entering Phase 2 development for the treatment and prevention of lean body mass loss in patients who have undergone hip fracture surgery, VK2809, a small molecule thyroid beta agonist entering Phase 2 development for hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver disease, and VK0612, a first-in-class, orally available drug candidate in Phase 2 development for type 2 diabetes. Viking is also developing novel and selective agonists of the thyroid beta receptor for adrenoleukodystrophy, as well as two earlier-stage programs targeting metabolic diseases and anemia.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Viking Therapeutics, including statements about Viking's expectations regarding the company's development activities, timelines and milestones, VK5211's planned clinical studies and proposed Phase 2 trial, expected timing for completing the studies, and VK5211's potential to produce therapeutic benefits, the proposed Phase 2 trial and investigational new drug (IND) application for VK2809, as well as VK2809's potential to produce therapeutic benefits. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the success, cost and timing of Viking's product candidate development activities and clinical trials; and risks regarding regulatory requirements, among others. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Viking disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
| Viking Therapeutics, Inc. | ||||
| Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||
| Three Months EndedJune 30, | Six Months EndedJune 30, | |||
| 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |
| Revenues | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ — |
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Research and development | 1,100,906 | 21,241,640 | 1,239,875 | 21,291,640 |
| General and administrative | 1,526,008 | 513,991 | 1,848,079 | 673,729 |
| Total operating expenses | 2,626,914 | 21,755,631 | 3,087,954 | 21,965,369 |
| Loss from operations | (2,626,914) | (21,755,631) | (3,087,954) | (21,965,369) |
| Other expenses: | ||||
| Change in fair value of accrued license fees | 4,421,338 | 959,363 | 9,381,848 | 959,363 |
| Change in fair value of debt conversion feature liability | 546,485 | (2,328) | 629,141 | 7,921 |
| Amortization of debt discount | 240,515 | 60,603 | 412,471 | 66,982 |
| Interest expense, net | 29,814 | 9,518 | 65,067 | 12,094 |
| Total other expenses | 5,238,152 | 1,027,156 | 10,488,527 | 1,046,360 |
| Net loss | (7,865,066) | (22,782,787) | (13,576,481) | (23,011,729) |
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ (1.07) | $ (5.40) | $ (2.38) | $ (6.20) |
| Weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share | 7,331,861 | 4,221,757 | 5,711,735 | 3,709,557 |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: | ||||
| Unrealized loss on securities | (12,461) | — | (12,461) | — |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (12,461) | — | (12,461) | — |
| Comprehensive loss | $ (7,877,527) | $ (22,782,787) | $ (13,588,942) | $ (23,011,729) |
| Viking Therapeutics, Inc. | ||
| Balance Sheets | ||
| June 30,2015 | December 31,2014 | |
| (Unaudited ) | ||
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 9,497,200 | $ 755,857 |
| Short-term investments – available for sale | 12,162,251 | -- |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 610,198 | 17,827 |
| Total current assets | 22,269,649 | 773,684 |
| Deferred IPO financing costs | -- | 2,268,675 |
| Other assets | -- | 775 |
| Total assets | $ 22,269,649 | $ 3,043,134 |
| Liabilities, convertible notes and stockholders' equity (deficit) | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 1,008,277 | $ 1,830,724 |
| Accrued license fees | -- | 19,865,863 |
| Other accrued liabilities | 119,647 | 380,257 |
| Accrued interest | 121,111 | 77,222 |
| Convertible notes payable, current portion (net of discount of $829,491 and $6,076 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) | 1,670,509 | 304,274 |
| Debt conversion feature liability | 1,956,566 | 58,742 |
| Total current liabilities | 4,876,110 | 22,517,082 |
| Convertible notes payable (net of discount of $0 and $1,235,886 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) | -- | 1,264,114 |
| Debt conversion feature liability | -- | 1,390,469 |
| Total long-term liabilities | -- | 2,654,583 |
| Total liabilities | 4,876,110 | 25,171,665 |
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||
| Stockholders' equity (deficit): | ||
| Common stock, $0.00001 par value: 300,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2015 and 25,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2014; 9,783,312 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and 6,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 98 | 60 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 53,123,840 | 12,866 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (12,461) | -- |
| Accumulated deficit | (35,717,938) | (22,141,457) |
| Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | 17,393,539 | (22,128,531) |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit | $ 22,269,649 | $ 3,043,134 |