TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP. 8-K
Exhibit 99.01
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Operational Highlights
Phase 3 RECOVERY Trial of Tonmya® for the Treatment of PTSD is Enrolling; Topline Data Expected First Half of 2020
NEW YORK, May 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing pharmaceutical products to treat psychiatric and pain conditions, and biological products to improve biodefense, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, and an overview of recent operational highlights. Tonix’s lead program is TNX-102 SL, or Tonmya* (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets), for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation, and which is currently being studied in a Phase 3 efficacy trial.
“We initiated the Phase 3 RECOVERY study of Tonmya for the treatment of PTSD in March, and we are pleased with the progress of enrollment thus far. We anticipate topline results in the first half of next year as previously guided,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. “RECOVERY is different from our previous trials in PTSD in two important ways. First, RECOVERY is restricted to patients with PTSD resulting from trauma within 9 years of screening. Our prior studies in military-related PTSD have shown that PTSD is a potentially treatable condition, particularly if treatment is initiated within 9 years of trauma. Second, RECOVERY is recruiting civilians with PTSD in addition to those with military-related PTSD. Affecting approximately 12 million adults in the U.S., PTSD remains an area of high unmet medical need in both the civilian and military populations.”
Recent Highlights
| · | Commenced enrollment in the Phase 3 RECOVERY study of Tonmya for the treatment of PTSD in March 2019. Topline data is expected in the first half of 2020. |
| · | Received guidance and support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance TNX-102 SL into Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of fibromyalgia, using the 5.6 mg dose taken daily at bedtime. A lower dose of TNX-102 SL (2.8 mg) was studied previously in fibromyalgia in a Phase 2b study and a Phase 3 study. Both studies showed clinical benefits especially in the quality of sleep improvement, however, primary analyses on pain reduction were not statistically significant. The FDA also advised that the long-term safety exposure data from the Company’s PTSD program may be used to support a New Drug Application (NDA) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. It is estimated that between 5-10 million adults in the U.S. are affected by fibromyalgia, of which approximately 3 million are diagnosed. Among those diagnosed, more than one-third have used opiates as a means of treatment. TNX-102 SL is a non-opioid, centrally-acting analgesic that would provide a new therapeutic option for fibromyalgia patients. |
*Tonmya has been conditionally accepted by the FDA as the proposed trade name for TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets) for the treatment of PTSD. TNX-102 SL is an investigational new drug and has not been approved for any indication.
First Quarter 2019 Financial Results
Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2019 totaled $3.9 million, compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2018. This decrease is primarily due to a pharmacokinetic bridging study of TNX-102 SL that was conducted in the first quarter of 2018.
General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2019 totaled $2.4 million, compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2018. This increase is primarily due to investor and public relations activities and an increase in insurance expenses due to higher premiums in 2019.
Net loss was $6.2 million, or $1.29 per share, for the first quarter of 2019, compared to net loss of $6.9 million, or $8.80 per share, for the first quarter of 2018. The weighted average common shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2019 was 4,848,199 shares. The weighted average common shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2018 was 787,900 shares.
At March 31, 2019, Tonix had $16.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $25.0 million as of December 31, 2018. Cash used in operations was $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in cash used in operations during the first quarter of 2019 is due primarily to non-recurring items, including close-out costs for the Phase 3 HONOR study and start-up costs related to the current Phase 3 RECOVERY study. Costs related to the RECOVERY study are expected to decrease on a quarterly basis going forward. Additionally, the Company’s annual insurance premiums increased over the prior year, the payments of which occur in the first quarter.
About Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.
Tonix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing pharmaceutical products to treat psychiatric and pain conditions, and biological products to improve biodefense through potential medical counter-measures. Tonix’s lead program is the development of Tonmya (TNX-102 SL), which is in Phase 3 development as a bedtime treatment for PTSD. Tonmya for PTSD has been designated a Breakthrough Therapy by the FDA. Tonix is also developing TNX-102 SL as a bedtime treatment for fibromyalgia and agitation in Alzheimer’s disease under separate Investigational New Drug applications (IND) to support potential pivotal efficacy studies. The fibromyalgia program is in Phase 3 development and the agitation in Alzheimer’s program is Phase 2 ready. In fibromyalgia, TNX-102 SL acts as a non-opioid, centrally-acting analgesic that would provide a new therapeutic option for fibromyalgia patients. The agitation in Alzheimer’s disease IND has been designated a Fast Track development program by the FDA. TNX-601 (tianeptine oxalate) is in the pre-IND application stage, also for the treatment of PTSD but by a different mechanism from TNX-102 SL and designed for daytime dosing. TNX-601 is also in development for a potential indication - neurocognitive dysfunction associated with corticosteroid use. A Phase 1 clinical formulation selection pharmacokinetic study of TNX-601 will be conducted outside of the U.S. in 2019. Tonix’s lead biologic candidate, TNX-801, is a potential smallpox-preventing vaccine based on a live synthetic version of horsepox virus, currently in the pre-IND application stage.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 18, 2019, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| Costs and expenses | ||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 3,896 | $ | 5,170 | ||||
| General and administrative | 2,401 | 1,818 | ||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 6,297 | 6,988 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (6,297 | ) | (6,988 | ) | ||||
| Interest income, net | 64 | 53 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (6,233 | ) | $ | (6,935 | ) | ||
| Net loss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (1.29 | ) | $ | (8.80 | ) | ||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 4,848,199 | 787,900 | ||||||
TONIX PHARMACEUTICALS HOLDING CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
| March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018(1) | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16,448 | $ | 25,034 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,734 | 1,022 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 19,182 | 26,056 | ||||||
| Other non-current assets | 840 | 263 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 20,022 | $ | 26,319 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 2,211 | $ | 2,655 | ||||
| Stockholders' equity | 17,811 | 23,664 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 20,022 | $ | 26,319 | ||||
(1) The condensed consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2018 has been derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements
Contacts
Jessica Morris (corporate)
Tonix Pharmaceuticals
investor.relations@tonixpharma.com
(212) 980-9159
Scott Stachowiak (media)
Russo Partners
scott.stachowiak@russopartnersllc.com
(646) 942-5630
Peter Vozzo (investors)
Westwicke Partners
peter.vozzo@westwicke.com
(443) 213-0505