Trevena Reports First Quarter 2014 Financial Results
-Announces Clinical Progress with TRV130 and TRV734 Programs-
-Company
to Host Conference Call at 11:00 AM Eastern Time-
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trevena, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRVN), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) biased ligands, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
“We have had a strong start to 2014, reflecting continued investment in our novel pipeline of biased ligands targeting validated GPCRs,” stated Maxine Gowen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Trevena. “Since the beginning of the year, we have advanced each of our clinical candidates into a new stage of development, initiating a Phase 2b trial for TRV027 in acute heart failure, initiating a Phase 2 trial for TRV130 for the treatment of moderate to severe postoperative pain, successfully completing the first part of a multiple ascending dose study of TRV130, and successfully completing dosing in our first clinical study of TRV734 for acute and chronic pain. Each of these candidates has the potential to offer a superior therapeutic profile compared to current treatment options, and we look forward to learning more about their clinical utility as these programs progress.”
The Company also announced today the successful completion of the first part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multiple ascending dose study of TRV130, which Trevena is developing as a first-line intravenous treatment for patients experiencing moderate to severe acute pain. This study evaluated the maximum tolerated dose and pharmacokinetics of TRV130 when multiple doses were given, and is an important step in furthering the development of TRV130. This study also measured pharmacodynamic effects of TRV130, including pupil constriction and cold pain test analgesia. The results of this trial were consistent with earlier studies, showing reproducible pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of TRV130. Safety and tolerability of TRV130 were also consistent with earlier trials, and no unexpected adverse effects were observed. The second part of the study, which tests the effects of subjects’ metabolic capacity on TRV130 potential duration of action, is in progress.
“The encouraging results from the TRV130 multiple ascending dose trial were consistent with our expectations, demonstrating reproducible pharmacokinetics and analgesia, and an encouraging tolerability profile, upon repeat dosing,” stated David Soergel, M.D., senior vice president of clinical development at Trevena. “These results are an important step in progressing TRV130 into Phase 2 studies, which we have now initiated.”
In addition, Trevena reported the completion of dosing in its first Phase 1 trial TRV734, a novel drug candidate in development as an orally administered treatment for moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. The objectives of this trial were to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single ascending doses of TRV734 in healthy subjects. Top-line data for this trial are expected mid-year.
Other Recent Corporate and Clinical Highlights
CNS programs
Initiated Phase 2a/b Trial for TRV130 in Acute Postoperative Pain. In May, Trevena initiated a Phase 2a/b trial of TRV130, which is in development as a first-line intravenous treatment for patients experiencing moderate to severe acute pain where intravenous administration is preferred. The study is a 400-patient, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, multiple dose, adaptive trial that is designed to evaluate TRV130’s efficacy and tolerability in the management of postoperative pain following bunionectomy surgery, using the gold-standard morphine as a benchmark. Top-line data from the trial are expected in the first quarter of 2015.
Presented Phase 1b Data for TRV130 at American Society of Pain Meeting. In May, Trevena presented results of its Phase 1b trial of TRV130 at the American Pain Society Annual Meeting. In the study, TRV130 was generally well tolerated and produced greater analgesia compared to morphine, with less reduction in respiratory drive, less vomiting, and less severe nausea in healthy subjects.
Acute heart failure program
Initiated Phase 2b BLAST Trial for TRV027 in Acute Heart Failure (AHF). In January, the Company reported dosing of the first patient in a randomized, double-blind, standard of care controlled, Phase 2b trial of TRV027 in AHF. The primary objective of this 500-patient trial is to evaluate the effects of three dose levels of TRV027, 1.0 mg/hr, 5.0 mg/hr and 25 mg/hr, on a composite of clinically important outcomes: mortality, worsening heart failure, hospital readmission rate, dyspnea, and length of hospital stay. Results from the study are expected in the second half of 2015. Trevena has granted Forest Laboratories an exclusive option to license TRV027 under the companies’ May 2013 Option and Licensing Agreements.
Corporate update
Appointed Robert Prachar as SVP, Commercial and Corporate Strategy. In April, Trevena appointed Robert Prachar to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Commercial and Corporate Strategy. Mr. Prachar, who had served as a full-time consultant for the Company since August 2013, brings over 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the life sciences industry to Trevena.
Financial Results
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $91.3 million as of March 31, 2014, compared to $38.0 million as of December 31, 2013. The increase reflects the net proceeds of $59.6 million received from the Company’s initial public offering in January 2014, offset by operating expenses. Trevena expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund operations through the end of 2015.
Research and development expenses were $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2014 versus $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily driven by clinical research expenses for TRV130, expenses associated with the Phase 2b study for TRV027, and expenses associated with the progression of TRV734 from preclinical to clinical studies.
General and administrative expenses were $2.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $0.8 million in the prior year. The increase is primarily the result of headcount and salary costs, increased compensation expense associated with stock options granted and increased insurance, professional fees and other operating costs as a result of becoming a public company. Net loss attributable to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was $9.4 million, or $0.59 per share, as compared with a net loss of $3.0 million, or $4.30 per share, for the first quarter of 2013. Included in the net loss to common shareholders were non-cash charges of $28,521 and $79,161 for the accretion of preferred stock in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Conference Call and Webcast
Trevena will host a conference call today, Friday, May 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss corporate updates and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014. The call can be accessed by dialing (855) 465-0180 (U.S. and Canada) or (484) 756-4313 (international), and entering passcode 36961657. To access a live audio webcast of the presentation, please visit the “Investors” section at trevenainc.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay on the company's website for two weeks.
About TRV027
TRV027 is an investigational peptide drug in Phase 2b trials for the treatment of heart failure (AHF). It targets the Angiotensin II type 1 receptor, a key driver of AHF, with an innovative “biased ligand” mechanism which simultaneously vasodilates while increasing cardiac performance. This profile has the potential to become an important new therapy for AHF patients.
About TRV130
TRV130 is in investigational small molecule drug in Phase 2 trials for the treatment of pain via intravenous administration. It binds and activates the mu opioid receptor with a biased ligand mechanism unlike other opioid drugs, and is intended to provide increased pain relief with fewer adverse effects than currently used opioid analgesics.
About TRV734
TRV734 is an oral follow-on to TRV130, in Phase 1 for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. It has a preclinical profile highly similar to TRV130, and is intended to provide the benefits of TRV130 in an oral form.
About Trevena
Trevena, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and intends to commercialize therapeutics that use a novel approach to target G protein coupled receptors, or GPCRs. Using its proprietary product platform, Trevena has identified and advanced three differentiated biased ligand product candidates into the clinic – TRV027 to treat acute heart failure, TRV130 to treat moderate to severe acute pain intravenously, and TRV734 to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain orally. Trevena also plans to advance additional product candidates in its portfolio, including a preclinical program focused on central nervous system indications.
Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including statements about the Company’s strategy, its future operations, clinical development of its therapeutic candidates, potential therapeutic utility for its product candidates, market opportunities for its product candidates, its plans for potential future product candidates and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials, the uncertainties inherent in the initiation of future clinical trials, whether interim results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of the trial or results of early clinical trials will be indicative of the results of future trials, expectations for regulatory approvals, availability of funding sufficient for the Company’s foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements, other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the Company’s therapeutic candidates and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2014 and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the Company’s views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
|
Trevena Inc. Statement of Operations |
||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2013 | 2014 | |||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||
| Grant revenue | $ | 41,201 | $ | — | ||||
| Collaboration revenue | — | — | ||||||
| Total revenue | 41,201 | — | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 761,437 | 2,020,865 | ||||||
| Research and development | 2,115,066 | 7,633,509 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,876,503 | 9,654,374 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (2,835,302) | (9,654,374) | ||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability | 10,255 | 98,922 | ||||||
| Miscellaneous income | – | 176,015 | ||||||
| Interest income | – | 6,023 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (58,241) | – | ||||||
| Total other income (expense) | (47,986) | 280,960 | ||||||
| Net loss and comprehensive loss | (2,883,288) | (9,373,414) | ||||||
| Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock | (79,161) | (28,521) | ||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (2,962,449) | $ | (9,401,935) | ||||
| Per share information: | ||||||||
| Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted | $ | (4.30) | $ | (0.59) | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 689,266 | 16,023,497 | ||||||
|
Trevena Inc. Balance Sheet Information |
||||||||||
|
December 31, |
March 31, |
|||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 37,965,198 | $ | 91,344,666 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,957,765 | 3,395,364 | ||||||||
| Offering costs | 1,999,279 | — | ||||||||
| Total current assets | 41,922,242 | 94,740,030 | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 343,059 | 257,864 | ||||||||
| Restricted cash | 112,000 | 112,000 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 15,625 | 45,300 | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 42,392,926 | $ | 95,155,194 | ||||||
| Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock | ||||||||||
|
and stockholders’ (deficit) equity |
||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 545,053 | $ | 3,084,016 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 2,158,792 | 1,775,505 | ||||||||
| Deferred rent | 33,114 | 34,707 | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,736,959 | 4,894,228 | ||||||||
| Deferred rent, net of current portion | 313,919 | 307,374 | ||||||||
| Warrant liability | 350,519 | 106,341 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | 3,401,397 | 5,307,943 | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||||
| Redeemable convertible preferred stock: | ||||||||||
|
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 25,074,999 |
25,024,373 | — | ||||||||
|
Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 35,500,000 |
30,778,700 | — | ||||||||
|
Series B 1 convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 6,000,000 |
4,823,079 | — | ||||||||
|
Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 37,000,000 |
59,935,986 |
— | ||||||||
| Total redeemable convertible preferred stock | 120,562,138 | — | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ (deficit) equity: | ||||||||||
|
Common stock—$0.001 par value; 132,000,000 shares |
958 | 26,233 | ||||||||
|
Additional paid-in capital |
697,283 | 181,463,282 | ||||||||
| Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (82,268,850) | (91,642,264) | ||||||||
| Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity | (81,570,609) | 89,847,251 | ||||||||
|
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and |
$ | 42,392,926 | $ | 95,155,194 | ||||||
Investors:
Trevena, Inc.
Jonathan Violin, 610-354-8840
x231
Director of investor relations
jviolin@trevenainc.com
or
Argot
Partners
Andrea Rabney, 212-600-1902
President and chief
executive officer
andrea@argotpartners.com
or
Media:
Argot
Partners
Eliza Schleifstein, 917-763-8106
eliza@argotpartners.com
Source: Trevena, Inc.
Released May 9, 2014