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Aug 8, 2024
Nektar Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

SAN FRANCISCOAug. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Cash and investments in marketable securities at June 30, 2024 were $290.6 million as compared to $329.4 million at December 31, 2023. Nektar's cash and marketable securities are expected to support strategic development activities and operations into the third quarter of 2026.

"We continue to make excellent progress advancing rezpegaldesleukin in Phase 2 studies in patients with atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata," said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. "We are particularly pleased that enrollment is on track for topline data in the first half of 2025 for atopic dermatitis and topline data in mid-2025 for alopecia areata. For our TNFR2 agonist antibody, NKTR-0165, we are conducting IND-enabling studies with the goal of preparing for an IND submission in the middle of 2025. Recent data at the 2024 EULAR Congress highlighted the potential of this unique AI-generated antibody in inflammatory disorders. Finally, we remain in a strong financial position with a cash runway extending into the third quarter of 2026."

Summary of Financial Results

Revenue in the second quarter of 2024 was $23.5 million as compared to $20.5 million in the second quarter of 2023. Revenue for the first half of 2024 was $45.1 million as compared to $42.1 million in the first half of 2023.

Total operating costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2024 were $73.3 million as compared to $71.1 million in the second quarter of 2023. Total operating costs and expenses in the first half of 2024 were $130.3 million as compared to $227.4 million in the first half of 2023. Operating costs and expenses for the first half of 2024 decreased due to a decrease in restructuring, impairment and costs of terminated program and a one-time $76.5 million non-cash goodwill impairment recognized in the first quarter of 2023.

R&D expense was $29.7 million in the second quarter of both 2024 and 2023. R&D expense in the first half of 2024 was $57.1 million as compared to $60.2 million for the first half of 2023. R&D expense decreased for the first half of 2024 primarily due to decreases in employee costs and related facilities costs as well as development expense for NKTR-255 offset by increases in development expenses for rezpegaldesleukin and NKTR-0165.

G&A expense was $20.5 million in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to $17.9 million in the second quarter of 2023. G&A expense was $40.7 million in the first half of 2024 as compared to $39.0 million in the first half of 2023. G&A expense increased for both the second quarter and first half of 2024 primarily due to a reduction of facilities costs allocated to research and development expenses partially offset by a decrease in employee costs.

Non-cash restructuring and impairment charges in the second quarter of 2024 were $13.3 million and $14.3 million in the first half of 2024. These non-cash charges are related to the declining San Francisco commercial real estate market and real estate lease obligations held by Nektar.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $52.4 million or $0.25 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $51.1 million or $0.27 basic and diluted loss per share in the second quarter of 2023. Net loss in the first half of 2024 was $89.2 million or $0.44 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $188.1 million or $0.99 basic and diluted loss per share in the first half of 2023. Excluding the $13.3 million and $14.3 million in non-cash restructuring and real estate impairment charges, net loss, on a non-GAAP basis, for the second quarter and first half of 2024 were $39.1 million and $74.9 million, respectively, or $0.19 and $0.37 basic and diluted loss per share, respectively.

Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Business Highlights

  • In July 2024, our collaborators at Stanford published data from a Phase 1 trial evaluating NKTR-255 in combination with CD19/22 CAR-T cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in Blood, an open-access journal of the American Society of Hematology. These data showed that, at 12 months, remission-free survival for NKTR-255 was double that of historical controls (67% vs 38%). The data also showed that eight out of nine patients (89%) achieved complete remission with or without hematologic recovery, all without detectable measurable residual disease (MRD).
  • In June 2024, Nektar presented the first preclinical data on NKTR-0165 at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2024 Congress. The data presented show that NKTR-0165 is a unique antibody that selectively binds to TNFR2 on Tregs to enhance its immunosuppressive activities, and could potentially become a first-in-class treatment for various autoimmune diseases, including ulcerative colitis and vitiligo. Nektar plans to initiate first-in-human studies in the first half of 2025.

     
  • Enrollment remains on track for the two Phase 2b studies of rezpegaldesleukin, one in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and one in patients with severe to very severe alopecia areata. Nektar expects topline data from these studies, respectively, in the first half and in the middle of 2025.

Nektar also announced upcoming presentations at the following scientific congress:

2024 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress

  • ePoster P0662: "Serum proteomic biomarker analysis of the interleukin-2 receptor pathway agonist rezpegaldesleukin in patients with atopic dermatitis", Yu, D. 

     
  • ePoster P0600 (Trial in Progress): "A Phase 2b, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled, International, Multicenter, Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Rezpegaldesleukin in Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis", Gkalpakiotis, S. 

     
  • ePoster P2080 (Trial in Progress): "A Phase 2b Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Single Agent Rezpegaldesleukin, an Interleukin-2 Receptor (IL-2R) Pathway Agonist, in the Treatment of Severe to Very Severe Alopecia Areata", Reich, A.

Conference Call to Discuss Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Nektar management will host a conference call to review the results beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, August 8, 2024.

This press release and live audio-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed through a link that is posted on the Home Page and Investors section of the Nektar website: http://ir.nektar.com/. The web broadcast of the conference call will be available for replay through September 8, 2024.

To access the conference call, please pre-register at Nektar Earnings Call Registration. All registrants will receive dial-in information and a PIN allowing them to access the live call.

About Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Nektar's lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (NKTR-358), is a novel, first-in-class regulatory T cell stimulator being evaluated in two Phase 2b clinical trials, one in atopic dermatitis and one in alopecia areata. Our pipeline also includes a preclinical candidate NKTR-0165, which is a bivalent tumor necrosis factor receptor type II agonist antibody. Nektar, together with various partners, is also evaluating NKTR-255, an investigational IL-15 receptor agonist designed to boost the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer, in several ongoing clinical trials. Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For further information, visit www.nektar.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which can be identified by words such as: "will," "expect," "develop," "potential," "advance," "anticipate," and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of, and future development plans for, rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, and NKTR-255. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) our statements regarding the therapeutic potential of rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, and NKTR-255 are based on preclinical and clinical findings and observations and are subject to change as research and development continue; (ii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, and NKTR-255 are investigational agents and continued research and development for these drug candidates is subject to substantial risks, including negative safety and efficacy findings in future clinical studies (notwithstanding positive findings in earlier preclinical and clinical studies); (iii) rezpegaldesleukin and NKTR-255 are in clinical development and the risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage prior to regulatory approval; (iv) the timing of the commencement or end of clinical trials and the availability of clinical data may be delayed or unsuccessful due to challenges caused by health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory delays, slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, evolving regulatory requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (v) we may not achieve the expected cost savings we expect from our 2022 corporate restructuring and reorganization plan or our 2023 cost restructuring plan and we may undertake additional restructuring and cost-saving activities in the future, (vi) patents may not issue from our patent applications for our drug candidates, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required; and (vii) certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contact:

For Investors:

Vivian Wu of Nektar Therapeutics
628-895-0661

For Media:

David Rosen of Argot Partners
(212) 600-1902
david.rosen@argotpartners.com

 

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In thousands)

 

(Unaudited)

 
            

ASSETS

 

June 30, 2024

 

December 31, 2023 (1)

Current assets:

         
 

Cash and cash equivalents

     

$                   27,940

 

$                  35,277

 
 

Short-term investments

     

243,295

 

268,339

 
 

Accounts receivable

     

1,196

 

1,205

 
 

Inventory, net

     

14,465

 

16,101

 
 

Other current assets

     

8,292

 

9,779

 
  

Total current assets

     

295,188

 

330,701

 
            

Long-term investments

     

19,405

 

25,825

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     

15,187

 

18,856

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     

9,240

 

18,007

 

Other assets

     

4,314

 

4,644

 
  

Total assets

     

$                 343,334

 

$                398,033

 
            

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     
            

Current liabilities:

         
 

Accounts payable

     

6,475

 

9,848

 
 

Accrued expenses

     

29,514

 

22,162

 
 

Operating lease liabilities, current portion

    

21,337

 

19,259

 
  

Total current liabilities

     

57,326

 

51,269

 
            

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion

   

90,763

 

98,517

 

Liabilities related to the sales of future royalties, net

   

107,506

 

112,625

 

Other long-term liabilities

     

8,051

 

4,635

 
  

Total liabilities

     

263,646

 

267,046

 
            

Commitments and contingencies

         
            

Stockholders' equity:

         
 

Preferred stock

     

-

 

-

 
 

Common stock

     

19

 

19

 
 

Capital in excess of par value

     

3,649,577

 

3,608,137

 
 

Treasury stock

     

(3,000)

 

-

 
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   

(494)

 

80

 
 

Accumulated deficit

     

(3,566,414)

 

(3,477,249)

 
  

Total stockholders' equity

     

79,688

 

130,987

 
 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

    

$                 343,334

 

$                398,033

 
            

(1) The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all 

 

 of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements.

 
            

 

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

    

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

    

(In thousands, except per share information)

    

(Unaudited)

    
               
        

Three months ended June 30,

 

Six months ended June 30,

        

2024

 

2023

 

2024

 

2023

               

Revenue:

            
 

Product sales

     

$                    6,640

 

$                   4,658

 

$                  12,674

 

$                     9,376

 

Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties

  

16,790

 

15,832

 

32,298

 

32,693

 

License, collaboration and other revenue

    

59

 

9

 

156

 

24

Total revenue

     

23,489

 

20,499

 

45,128

 

42,093

               

Operating costs and expenses:

            
 

Cost of goods sold

     

9,740

 

6,994

 

18,274

 

14,054

 

Research and development

     

29,724

 

29,681

 

57,132

 

60,150

 

General and administrative

     

20,510

 

17,869

 

40,659

 

38,950

 

Restructuring, impairment and costs of terminated program

  

13,289

 

16,554

 

14,264

 

37,747

 

Impairment of goodwill

     

-

 

-

 

-

 

76,501

Total operating costs and expenses

     

73,263

 

71,098

 

130,329

 

227,402

               
 

Loss from operations

     

(49,774)

 

(50,599)

 

(85,201)

 

(185,309)

               

Non-operating income (expense):

            
 

Non-cash interest expense on liabilities related to the sales of future royalties

 

(6,408)

 

(6,152)

 

(11,939)

 

(12,557)

 

Interest income

     

3,901

 

4,846

 

8,121

 

9,181

 

Other income (expense), net

     

(36)

 

736

 

(135)

 

435

Total non-operating income (expense), net

    

(2,543)

 

(570)

 

(3,953)

 

(2,941)

               

Loss before provision for income taxes

    

(52,317)

 

(51,169)

 

(89,154)

 

(188,250)

               

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     

46

 

(47)

 

11

 

(110)

Net loss

     

$                (52,363)

 

$                (51,122)

 

$                 (89,165)

 

$                (188,140)

               

Basic and diluted net loss per share

    

$                    (0.25)

 

$                    (0.27)

 

$                     (0.44)

 

$                      (0.99)

               

Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

 

208,828

 

189,656

 

201,787

 

189,268

               
               

 

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SOURCE Nektar Therapeutics