SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spruce Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPRB), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for rare endocrine disorders with significant unmet medical need, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 and provided corporate updates.

“Our goal with the POWER study is to assess the ability of tildacerfont to reduce dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in women with PCOS, and the interim results support target engagement and suggest that DHEAS may be reduced with tildacerfont treatment,” said Javier Szwarcberg, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Executive Officer of Spruce Biosciences. “With a significant unmet medical need for new PCOS treatments and no FDA-approved therapies today, we are eager to analyze and present the full data set at an upcoming medical conference.”

Dr. Szwarcberg continued, “As we approach key topline data readouts, we continue to make meaningful progress across our adult and pediatric CAH programs. In our CAHmelia program in adult classic CAH, we’ve surpassed 75% enrollment in the CAHmelia-203 study and are approaching 75% enrollment in the CAHmelia-204 study. Cohort 2 in our CAHptain study for pediatric classic CAH is nearly fully enrolled, with screening in cohort 3 currently underway. Finally, as we continue building our seasoned leadership team for the pivotal year ahead, I am delighted to welcome Heidi Petersen, M.P.H., as our Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Quality. With more than 25 years of life sciences industry experience managing complex drug development programs, Ms. Petersen will be vital as we advance tildacerfont towards a potential registrational submission for classic CAH.”

Recent Corporate Updates

• Spruce Biosciences Reports Interim Data from Phase 2 POWER Proof-of-Concept Study in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): The company conducted an analysis of interim data from 20 patients (13 on tildacerfont and 7 on placebo) through the 12-week treatment period for the Phase 2 dose-escalation, proof-of-concept study. As previously announced, the study enrolled 27 patients in total. The interim data from the study support target engagement and suggest that DHEAS may be reduced with tildacerfont treatment in women suffering from PCOS. Tildacerfont was well-tolerated, with a safety profile that is consistent with past studies. Most adverse events were classified as mild-moderate, balanced between treatment arms, unrelated to study drug and single event occurrences. No serious adverse reactions or dose toxicities were observed, and there was no evidence of adrenal insufficiency. Final data from the proof-of-concept study will be presented at a future medical conference.

• Progress in Enrollment of CAHmelia Program in Adult Classic CAH: Enrollment in the company’s CAHmelia-203 clinical trial surpassed 75% enrollment. CAHmelia-203 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study evaluating the safety and efficacy of tildacerfont in reducing androstenedione (A4) levels in adult patients with classic CAH while on their current glucocorticoid regimen. Additionally, enrollment in the company’s CAHmelia-204 clinical trial is approaching 75% enrollment. CAHmelia-204 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of tildacerfont in reducing supraphysiologic glucocorticoid use in adult patients with classic CAH.

• Screening for Cohort 3 in CAHptain Study for Pediatric Classic CAH Underway: Enrollment for Cohort 2 of the CAHptain study is nearly complete and screening for Cohort 3 is underway. Patients in Cohort 1 have completed 12 weeks of treatment and have entered the extension portion of the study. CAHptain is a Phase 2 open-label clinical trial that utilizes a sequential 3 cohort design (cohorts 1 and 2 comprised of adolescent patients 11 to 17 years of age, and cohort 3 comprised of children 2 to 10 years of age) to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and exploratory pharmacodynamics (PD) of tildacerfont in children with classic CAH.

• Appointment of Heidi Petersen, M.P.H., as Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Quality: As Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Quality, Heidi Petersen will be responsible for leading the company’s global regulatory affairs and quality strategy. Ms. Petersen is a seasoned industry executive with nearly three decades of experience overseeing global development of biologics and small molecule investigational products in immuno-oncology, infectious disease, and rare disease indications. Prior to joining Spruce, Ms. Petersen was Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Mereo BioPharma. Ms. Petersen earned a Master of Public Health from Columbia University.

Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

• Topline data from adolescents (cohorts 1 and 2) of the Phase 2 CAHptain clinical trial in pediatric classic CAH in the second half of 2023

• Topline results from the CAHmelia-203 clinical trial in adult classic CAH patients with highly elevated levels of A4 in the second half of 2023

• Topline results from the CAHmelia-204 clinical trial in adult classic CAH patients on supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids with normal or near normal levels of A4 in the second half of 2024

Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

• Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments: Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of June 30, 2023 were $120.5 million. Cash, cash equivalents and investments are expected to allow the company to fund operating and capital expenditures into the first half of 2025.

• Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 were $2.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, compared to nil for the same periods in 2022. The increase in collaboration revenue reflects the partial recognition of the $15.0 million upfront payment the company received in connection with the collaboration and license agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical.

• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 were $13.1 million and $24.8 million, respectively, compared to $9.1 million and $17.6 million for the same periods in 2022. The overall increase in R&D expenses was primarily related to progressing clinical development of tildacerfont in adult classic CAH, pediatric classic CAH and PCOS.

• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 were $3.0 million and $6.5 million, respectively, compared to $2.8 million and $6.0 million for the same periods in 2022.

• Total Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 were $16.1 million and $31.3 million, respectively, compared to $11.9 million and $23.6 million for the same periods in 2022.

• Net Loss: Net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $12.8 million and $25.6 million, respectively, compared to $11.9 million and $23.6 million for the same periods in 2022.

About Spruce Biosciences

Spruce Biosciences is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for rare endocrine disorders with significant unmet medical need. Spruce is initially developing its wholly-owned product candidate, tildacerfont, as the potential first non-steroidal therapy for patients suffering from classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Spruce is also developing tildacerfont for women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To learn more, visit www.sprucebiosciences.com and follow us on Twitter @Spruce_Bio, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the enrollment, results, conduct, progress and timing of Spruce’s clinical trials; the receipt and presentation of topline data from the same; research and development plans; Spruce’s planned operations, including its expectations regarding operating and capital expenditures being funded into the first half of 2025; the implications of the interim data from the POWER study; tildacerfont’s potential to become a first-in-class therapy for PCOS; Spruce’s expectations to further engage regulatory authorities regarding tildacerfont; and the ability of tildacerfont to provide a therapeutic option to treat the underlying cause of disease through reductions of ACTH. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Spruce’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, the risk that interim data from the POWER study will differ from final data once available, along with risks and uncertainties associated with Spruce’s business in general, the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic events, and the other risks described in Spruce’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Spruce undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

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