Icosavax, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its innovative virus-like particle platform technology to develop vaccines against infectious diseases, with an initial focus on life-threatening respiratory diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 and provided a corporate update.
- Initiated a Phase 1/1b clinical trial for IVX-121, a virus like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate displaying the prefusion stabilized Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F antigen
- Completed dosing in ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial for IVX-411, a VLP vaccine candidate displaying the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain
SEATTLE, Nov. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Icosavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICVX), a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its innovative virus-like particle (VLP) platform technology to develop vaccines against infectious diseases, with an initial focus on life-threatening respiratory diseases, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 and provided a corporate update.
“I am pleased with the progress that Icosavax has made in the third quarter, highlighted by our successful IPO in July, the initiation of a Phase 1/1b clinical trial for IVX-121 in September, and the continued progression of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for IVX-411,” said Adam Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Icosavax. “As we near the end of the year and look ahead to 2022, we have several anticipated clinical milestones in the next few quarters including interim, top-line data readouts from both our IVX-411 Phase 1/2 and IVX-121 Phase 1/1b clinical trials. I look forward to providing updates on our clinical programs in the coming months.”
Third Quarter 2021 and Subsequent Highlights
- Initiated a Phase 1/1b clinical trial of IVX-121. In September, Icosavax initiated a Phase 1/1b clinical trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of IVX-121, the company’s VLP vaccine candidate displaying the prefusion stabilized RSV F antigen, in healthy adults (Phase 1), including older adults (Phase 1b). Assuming favorable results from the IVX-121 Phase 1/1b clinical trial and favorable preclinical data from its human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) VLP vaccine candidate, Icosavax plans to thereafter initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of its IVX-A12 combination bivalent RSV and hMPV vaccine candidate.
- Progressed a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IVX-411. Icosavax progressed its Phase 1/2 clinical trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of IVX-411, the company’s VLP vaccine candidate displaying the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain antigen. Part 1 of this trial is in adults who have neither had COVID-19 nor been vaccinated with a licensed COVID-19 vaccine, and Part 2 of this trial is in adults who have previously completed a vaccine regimen using a licensed COVID-19 vaccine. Both parts of this trial have completed dosing.
- Completed successful IPO; listed on Nasdaq. In July, Icosavax successfully closed its initial public offering raising gross proceeds of $209.3 million prior to deducting underwriting fees, commissions and offering expenses. Icosavax’s common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ICVX” on July 29, 2021.
- Made key appointments to Executive Team and Board. In July, Ann Veneman was appointed to Icosavax’s Board of Directors. In August, Mark McDade was appointed to chair the Board. In September, Icosavax appointed Elizabeth Bekiroglu as the company’s General Counsel.
Near-Term Milestone Expectations
- Phase 1/2 interim, top-line data for IVX-411 in 1H 2022
- Phase 1/1b interim, top-line data for IVX-121 in 1H 2022
- IND submission for IVX-A12, a combination bivalent RSV and hMPV VLP vaccine candidate, in 1H 2022
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results
- Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2021 were $293.9 million, compared to $15.5 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. Icosavax currently expects its cash balance to be sufficient to fund operations through at least 2024.
- Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $10.9 million, compared to $4.8 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily driven by increased clinical development and manufacturing costs, increased stock-based compensation expense, growth in the number of R&D employees, and increased non-clinical development and manufacturing activity. Research and development expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, versus an immaterial amount for the prior year period.
- General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $25.4 million, compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily due to increased stock-based compensation expense, increased professional services and other operating expenses to support the company’s growth, and growth in the number of G&A employees. General and administrative expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $22.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, versus an immaterial amount for the prior year period. This is inclusive of $21.0 million in one-time, non-cash stock-based compensation expense from the acceleration of options in connection with the death of the company’s former co-founder and Chairman (Tachi Yamada).
- Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $34.4 million, or a basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $1.30. This includes non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $23.7 million. Net loss for the same period in 2020 was $5.6 million, or basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $2.40.
About Icosavax’s Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Vaccines
VLPs enable multivalent display of antigens in a manner that closely resembles viruses but contain no genetic material. Approved vaccines that are derived from naturally occurring VLPs have shown efficacy when formulated as combination vaccines and have shown the ability to induce high and sustained levels (titers) of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in adults, which have generally been associated with protective immunity. However, VLPs engineered to display complex viral antigens have in general been difficult to develop or successfully manufacture at scale, limiting the pathogens that can be addressed by this approach. Icosavax’s VLP vaccine technology is designed to enable robust, durable and broad immune responses against a broader array of pathogens than has been possible with naturally occurring VLPs and to overcome the manufacturing challenges experienced with other VLP technologies.
About Icosavax
Icosavax is a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its innovative VLP platform technology to develop vaccines against infectious diseases, with an initial focus on life-threatening respiratory diseases. Icosavax’s VLP platform technology is designed to enable multivalent, particle-based display of complex viral antigens, which it believes will induce broad, robust, and durable protection against the specific viruses targeted. Icosavax’s pipeline includes vaccine candidates targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Icosavax was formed in 2017 to advance the breakthrough VLP technology from the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington with the goal to discover, develop, and commercialize vaccines against infectious diseases. Icosavax exclusively licensed the VLP technology for use in several fields, including RSV and hMPV, from the University of Washington. For SARS-CoV-2, Icosavax has a non-exclusive, worldwide (excluding South Korea) license from the University of Washington that will convert to an exclusive license in North America and Europe in 2025. Icosavax is located in Seattle.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on the company’s current beliefs and expectations and include, but are not limited to: the company’s expectation regarding the opportunities for, and the therapeutic and commercial potential of, its vaccine product candidates; the company’s ability to advance its development program and achieve the noted development milestones in 2022; and the sufficiency of the company’s current cash, cash equivalents, and investments to fund its operations through at least 2024. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the company’s business, including, without limitation: the early stage of the company’s development efforts; the company’s approach to the development of vaccine candidates, including its plan to pursue a combination bivalent RSV/hMPV VLP vaccine candidate, which is a novel and unproven approach; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment, and completion of clinical trials and preclinical studies; the company’s dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, research, and preclinical and clinical testing; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate efficacy of the company’s product candidates that may limit their development, regulatory approval, and/or commercialization; results from preclinical studies or early clinical trials not necessarily being predictive of future results; competing approaches limiting the commercial value of the company’s vaccine candidates; regulatory developments in the United States and other countries; the company’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates and maintain its rights under intellectual property licenses; the company’s ability to fund its operating plans with its current cash, cash equivalents, and investments; the company’s ability to maintain undisrupted business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to clinical trials, manufacturing, and supply chain; and other risks described in the company’s prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Media Contact:
Jessica Yingling, Ph.D.,
Little Dog Communications Inc.
jessica@litldog.com
858.344.8091
Investor Contact:
Laurence Watts
Gilmartin Group, LLC
laurence@gilmartinir.com
619.916.7620
ICOSAVAX, INC.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and par value data)
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 291,271 | $ | 13,114 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 2,652 | 2,384 | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,353 | 662 | ||||||||
| Total current assets | 300,276 | 16,160 | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 548 | 10 | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 300,824 | $ | 16,170 | ||||||
| Liabilities, convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,049 | $ | 1,918 | ||||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | 2,487 | 1,532 | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 2,652 | 2,384 | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 8,188 | 5,834 | ||||||||
| Long-term convertible promissory note | — | 4,947 | ||||||||
| Embedded derivative liability | — | 1,604 | ||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 197 | 426 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 8,385 | 12,811 | ||||||||
| Convertible preferred stock | — | 30,062 | ||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | 292,439 | (26,703 | ) | |||||||
| Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | 300,824 | $ | 16,170 | ||||||
ICOSAVAX, INC.
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Grant revenue | $ | 1,827 | $ | — | $ | 5,732 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 10,883 | 4,752 | 24,713 | 12,338 | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 25,357 | 704 | 28,669 | 1,857 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 36,240 | 5,456 | 53,382 | 14,195 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (34,413 | ) | (5,456 | ) | (47,650 | ) | (14,195 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability | - | - | (205 | ) | - | |||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of convertible promissory note | - | - | (754 | ) | - | |||||||||||||
| Interest and other income (expense) | 27 | (121 | ) | (180 | ) | (51 | ) | |||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | 27 | (121 | ) | (1,139 | ) | (51 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss and comprehensive loss | $ | (34,386 | ) | $ | (5,577 | ) | $ | (48,789 | ) | $ | (14,246 | ) | ||||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (1.30 | ) | $ | (2.40 | ) | $ | (4.50 | ) | $ | (6.66 | ) | ||||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 26,494,914 | 2,321,765 | 10,836,894 | 2,139,768 | ||||||||||||||
