Galera Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

MALVERN, Pa., Dec. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galera Therapeutics, LLC (Nasdaq: GRTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019, and highlighted recent corporate accomplishments.

“2019 has been a momentous year for Galera, culminating in the closing of our IPO last month,” said Mel Sorensen, M.D., President and CEO of Galera. “We look forward to continuing to advance our clinical development of GC4419 and GC4711, which we believe could change the management of radiation therapy by both protecting normal tissue and improving the effectiveness of radiation.”

Third Quarter 2019 and Recent Corporate Highlights

• In November 2019, completed an initial public offering of common stock and raised net proceeds of approximately $58.1 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, through the sale of 5,445,690 common shares, including shares sold pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares in December 2019, at a public offering price of $12.00 per share.
  
• Continued enrollment in the Phase 3 ROMAN clinical trial of GC4419 for the treatment of severe oral mucositis (SOM) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy with enrollment expected to be completed by the second half of 2020. Galera anticipates reporting topline data in the first half of 2021.
  
• Continued enrollment in the pilot Phase 1b/2a safety and anti-cancer efficacy clinical trial of GC4419 in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer with topline data expected in the second half of 2020.
  
• In December 2019, full results from the 223-patient, randomized, double-blind Phase 2b clinical trial of GC4419 for the treatment of SOM in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The paper, titled, “Phase IIb, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of GC4419 Versus Placebo to Reduce Severe Oral Mucositis Due to Concurrent Radiotherapy and Cisplatin For Head and Neck Cancer,” reinforces the potential of GC4419 to address a serious unmet need for a therapy to reduce the incidence and severity of radiation-induced SOM, for which there is currently no FDA-approved drug.
  
• In October 2019, announced final data from the two-year tumor outcomes follow up of patients enrolled in the Phase 2b clinical trial of GC4419 for the treatment of SOM in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy. At both the one-year interim assessment and final two-year mark, tumor outcomes were maintained across all four measures – overall survival, progression-free survival, locoregional control and metastasis-free survival – in both GC4419 dose groups (30 mg and 90 mg) compared to placebo.
  
• In October 2019, strengthened Galera’s leadership team with the appointment of Christopher Degnan as Chief Financial Officer.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

• Research and development expenses were $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to GC4419 and GC4711 development costs. Galera initiated the Phase 3 ROMAN trial in October 2018, began chronic toxicology studies of GC4419 to support registration, and initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial and additional toxicology studies of GC4711.
  
• General and administrative expenses were $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily the result of employee-related costs from increased headcount.
  
• Galera reported a net loss of $(13.4) million, or $(51.43) per share, for the third quarter of 2019, compared to a net loss of $(5.2) million, or $(22.35) per share, for the same period in 2018.
  
• As of September 30, 2019, Galera had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $67.9 million. Galera expects that its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, together with the net proceeds from the IPO and assumed payments from Clarus in the amount of $40 million upon the achievement of the two remaining specified clinical milestones in the ROMAN trial, will enable Galera to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2022.

About Galera Therapeutics

Galera Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a pipeline of novel, proprietary therapeutics that have the potential to transform radiotherapy in cancer. Galera’s lead product candidate is GC4419 (avasopasem manganese), a potent and highly selective small molecule dismutase mimetic being developed for the reduction of severe oral mucositis (SOM). GC4419 is being studied in the Phase 3 ROMAN trial for its ability to reduce the incidence, severity and duration of SOM in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer, its lead indication. The FDA granted Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations to GC4419 for the reduction of the duration, incidence and severity of SOM induced by radiotherapy. Galera is headquartered in Malvern, PA. For more information, please visit www.galeratx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding expectations surrounding the potential, efficacy, and regulatory and clinical development of Galera’s product candidates, plans and timing for the release of data from Galera’s clinical trials, and the sufficiency of Galera’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause Galera’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: Galera’s limited operating history; anticipating continued losses for the foreseeable future; needing substantial funding and the ability to raise capital; Galera’s dependence on GC4419; uncertainties inherent in the conduct of clinical trials; difficulties or delays enrolling patients in clinical trials; the FDA’s acceptance of data from clinical trials outside the United States; undesirable side effects from Galera’s product candidates; risks relating to the regulatory approval process; failure to capitalize on more profitable product candidates or indications; ability to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation or Fast Track Designation for product candidates; failure to obtain regulatory approval of product candidates in the United States or other jurisdictions; ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review; risks related to commercialization; risks related to competition; ability to retain key employees and manage growth; risks related to intellectual property; inability to maintain collaborations or the failure of these collaborations; Galera’s reliance on third parties; the possibility of system failures or security breaches; liability related to the privacy of health information obtained from clinical trials and product liability lawsuits; unfavorable pricing regulations, third-party reimbursement practices or healthcare reform initiatives; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; risks related to ownership of Galera’s common stock; and significant costs as a result of operating as a public company. These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Galera’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Galera’s other filings with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to Galera as of the date of this release, and Galera assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:
Christopher Degnan
Galera Therapeutics, Inc.
610-725-1500
cdegnan@galeratx.com

Media Contact:
Heather Anderson
6 Degrees
980-938-0260
handerson@6degreespr.com