Alcobra Announces Second Quarter Financial Results And Provides Corporate Update

free biotech news Get the latest biotech news where you want it. Sign up for the free GenePool newsletter today!

  • Company Describes New Brain Imaging Data Supporting Use of MDX in ADHD
  • Company Reviews Patients Demographics in Phase III study
  • Conference Call & Webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time/5:30 a.m. Pacific Time

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alcobra Ltd. (Nasdaq:ADHD), an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on the development of new medications to help patients with cognitive disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Fragile X Syndrome, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014 and provided a business update.

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2014 Financial Results:

  • Total operating expenses were $7.8 million, compared with $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2013.
  • Net operating expenses, excluding non-cash stock based compensation, were $6.9 million, compared with $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2013.
  • Research and development (R&D) expenses were $5.9 million, compared with $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2013. R&D expenses consist primarily of costs associated with the preclinical and clinical development of product candidates.
  • Pre-commercialization expenses were $0.6 million, compared with $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2014. Pre-commercialization expenses consist primarily of costs associated with market research and analysis as well as business development.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits totaled $38.9 million at June 30, 2014 compared with $50.1 million at December 31, 2013.

Second Quarter and Recent Corporate Updates:

  • Announced in mid-July the completion of patient enrollment in the Phase III clinical trial of Metadoxine Extended Release (MDX) in adult ADHD patients. The trial enrolled 300 patients, 116 of which were Predominantly Inattentive ADHD (39%). Patients’ baseline demographics appear similar to previous trials conducted with MDX.
  • Commenced patient screening in the Phase IIb study of MDX in adolescents and adults with Fragile X Syndrome. The study remains on track to be completed in the fourth quarter and report top-line data before the end of the year.
  • Commenced patient screening in the Phase IIb trial of pediatric ADHD and expect to fully enroll the trial and provide top-line data readout before the end of the year.
  • Presented new neuroimaging data using a pharmacological MRI animal study.
    • MDX showed significant effects in brain areas related to executive function, learning and memory, motivation, information integration and processing, attention and cognition, which are dysregulated in various cognitive impairments and disorders, including ADHD.
    • MDX had no effect on any of the mesolimbic dopamine system brain regions (such as the nucleus accumbens), known to be involved in the reinforcing effects of scheduled drugs.
  • Presented positive results from Phase IIb study of MDX in adults with predominantly inattentive ADHD (PI-ADHD) at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual meeting.
    • MDX produced a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.01) on the primary endpoint compared to placebo.
    • MDX was superior to placebo after a single dose while demonstrating tolerability profile comparable to placebo.
  • Presented additional evidence of novel mechanism of action for MDX in cognitive disorders at the Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP) annual meeting.
  • Issued a new U.S. patent covering MDX’s use in the treatment of Cognitive Disorders (US Patent #8,710,067).
  • Following the Initial Public Offering of Bio Blast Pharma on the NASDAQ, Dr. Dalia Megiddo, Bio Blast’s Chief Executive Officer, announced her resignation from Alcobra’s Board of Directors.

“We had a very productive second quarter, as we advanced clinical development in all of our target indications supporting the use of MDX as a novel and effective compound that delivers rapid cognitive effects in combination with a favorable tolerability profile,” said Dr. Yaron Daniely, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcobra.

Conference Call & Webcast
Monday, August 11 @ 8:30am Eastern Time/5:30am Pacific Time
Domestic: 855-469-0611
International: 484-756-4341
Passcode: 78699281
Webcast: www.alcobra-pharma.com
Replays
Domestic: 855-859-2056
International: 404-537-3406
Passcode: 78699281

About Alcobra Ltd.

Alcobra Ltd. is an emerging pharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development and commercialization of a proprietary drug candidate, MDX (MG01CI), to treat cognitive disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Fragile X Syndrome. MDX has completed multiple Phase II studies in adults with ADHD and has completed enrollment in a Phase III study in adults with ADHD. The company has also begun separate Phase IIb trials in pediatric ADHD and in adolescents and adults with Fragile X Syndrome. Alcobra was founded in 2008 and is traded on the NASDAQ under “ADHD”. For more information please visit the Company’s website, www.alcobra-pharma.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Alcobra’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Alcobra could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected enrollment and completion of clinical studies, as well as timing of providing data readouts. In addition, historic results of scientific research do not guarantee that the conclusions of future research would not suggest different conclusions or that historic results referred to in this press release would be interpreted differently in light of additional research or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Alcobra Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Alcobra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Alcobra Pharma Ltd Consolidated
Statement of Operation
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2014 2013 2014 2013
(unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
Research and development expenses $ 5,918 $ 321 $ 11,440 $ 396
Pre commercialization expenses 565 -- 1,089 --
General and administrative 1,348 875 3,137 1,114
Operating loss 7,831 1,196 15,666 1,510
Financial expenses (income), net (57) 143 (135) 206
Loss before taxes on income 7,774 1,339 15,531 1,716
Taxes on income 6 -- 15 --
Net loss attributable to holders of Ordinary shares 7,780 1,339 15,546 1,716
Net basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.57) $ (0.15) $ (1.14) $ (0.20)
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 13,662,146 9,016,628 13,649,427 8,397,070
Alcobra Pharma Ltd Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
ASSETS
June 30, December 31,
2014 2013
(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,912 $ 22,095
Short-term bank deposits 32,025 28,008
Receivables and prepaid expenses 1,022 115
Total current assets 39,959 50,218
Long-term assets:
Other long-term assets 107 57
Property and equipment, net 105 49
Total long-term assets 212 106
Total assets $ 40,171 $ 50,324
LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Trade payables $ 1,457 $ 47
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 3,296 1,589
Total current liabilities 4,753 1,636
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares 39 39
Additional paid-in capital 69,659 67,383
Accumulated deficit (34,280) (18,734)
Total shareholders’ equity 35,418 48,688
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 40,171 $ 50,324

Alcobra Pharma Ltd Consolidated
Cash Flow Data
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2014 2013 2014 2013
(unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net loss $ (7,780) $ (1,339) $ (15,546) $ (1,716)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation 8 2 14 3
Interest on convertible notes -- 142 -- 203
Stock based compensation 941 739 2,276 744
Gain from sale of property, plant and equipment -- -- -- 1
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables and prepaid expenses (31) 41 (907) (4)
Other long-term assets (13) -- (50) --
Trade payables 48 46 1,410 44
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,359 20 1,707 193

Net cash used in operating activities
(5,468) (349)
(11,096)

(532)
Cash flow from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (20) (3) (70) (3)
Decrease (increase) in long-term deposit -- (6) -- (4)
Investment in (proceeds from) short-term bank deposit 2,008 (4,000) (4,017) (4,000)
Investment in (proceeds from) restricted bank deposit -- -- -- --

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
1,988 (4,009)
(4,087)

(4,007)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Issuance of share capital upon initial public offering -- 21,920 -- 21,920
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes -- -- -- 115

Net cash provided by financing activities

--

21,920

--

22,035
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (3,480) 17,562 (15,183) 17,496
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 10,392 31 22,095 97
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 6,912 17,593 6,912 17,593
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Issuance of ordinary shares upon conversion of convertible notes -- 979 -- 979

CONTACT: U.S. Investor Contacts LifeSci Advisors, LLC Michael Rice 646-597-6979 mrice@lifesciadvisors.com Media Inquiries Sam Brown, Inc. Mike Beyer 773-463-4211 mikebeyer@sambrown.com Israel Investor Contact: Alcobra Investor Relations Debbie Kaye +972-72 2204661 debbie@alcobra-pharma.com

Alcobra Ltd. logo

Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC