Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALDX), a biotechnology company focused on the development of products to treat diseases related to aldehydes, today reported third quarter 2016 financial results.
“We are extremely pleased with the progress we have made this year with our novel aldehyde trap, ADX-102,” said Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Aldeyra. “We have reported favorable Phase II clinical data in three diseases, which include ocular inflammation and inborn errors of metabolism. In addition, we expect to initiate a new clinical program in dry eye syndrome, a common disease where existing treatments have shown limited efficacy.” Dr. Brady continued, “In aggregate, the clinical trial results announced this year validate ADX-102 and the aldehyde trap platform as a potentially important therapeutic approach in inflammation and inborn errors of aldehyde metabolism. We look forward to continuing the development of ADX-102 and other aldehyde traps in these and other clinical indications with unmet medical need.”
Recent Highlights
| • | 2016 Research & Development Day. On September 11, 2016, Aldeyra hosted a Research & Development Day featuring presentations by key ocular inflammation and metabolic disease opinion leaders on the therapeutic potential of Aldeyra’s aldehyde trap platform. A webcast of the event can be found under the Events section of Aldeyra’s investor website. |
| • | Clinical Pipeline Advancement. Following positive data from Phase II clinical trials in Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome, noninfectious anterior uveitis, and allergic conjunctivitis, Aldeyra announced plans to initiate three late-stage clinical trials in addition to a clinical program in dry eye syndrome: |
| • | Phase III vehicle-controlled trial in noninfectious anterior uveitis, expected to be initiated in the first half of 2017 |
| • | Phase III clinical trial in Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome ichthyosis, expected to be initiated in the second half of 2017 following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulatory feedback |
| • | Phase IIb clinical trial in allergic conjunctivitis, expected to be initiated in the first half of 2017 |
| • | Phase IIa clinical trial in dry eye syndrome, expected to be initiated in the first half of 2017 | |||
| Organizational Update. In September 2016, Aldeyra announced the appointment of Richard H. Douglas to its Board of Directors. Dr. Douglas is the former Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at Genzyme Corporation where he led Genzyme’s Corporate Development team, until the acquisition of Genzyme by Sanofi (now Sanofi Genzyme), in numerous acquisitions, licenses, financings, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. | ||||
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Review
For the quarter ended September 30, 2016, Aldeyra reported a net loss of approximately $4.8 million compared to a net loss of approximately $3.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $0.38 for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to basic and diluted net loss of $0.35 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Losses have resulted from the costs of Aldeyra’s clinical trials and research and development programs, as well as from general and administrative expenses.
Research and development expenses were approximately $3.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to approximately $2.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The increase of approximately $1.3 million is primarily related to the increase in Aldeyra’s external research and development expenditures, including preclinical, manufacturing, and clinical development activities, and an increase in personnel costs, including stock-based compensation due to an increase in headcount.
General and administrative expenses were approximately $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to approximately $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The increase of approximately $100,000 was primarily related to an increase in legal and personnel costs, including stock-based compensation due to an increase in headcount.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $28.9 million at September 30, 2016.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company will hold a conference call on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. EST to discuss the results and operational updates. The dial-in numbers are 1-888-740-6116 for domestic callers and 1-913-312-0958 for international callers. The conference ID number for both is 2931479. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of the Aldeyra Therapeutics corporate website at www.aldeyra.com.
After the live webcast, the event will remain archived on the Aldeyra Therapeutics website for one year. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until November 13, 2017. The replay dial-in numbers are 1-888-203-1112 for domestic callers and 1-719-457-0820 for international callers. Please use event passcode 2931479.
About Aldeyra Therapeutics
Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company devoted to improving lives by inventing, developing and commercializing products that treat diseases thought to be related to endogenous aldehydes, a naturally occurring class of pro-inflammatory and toxic molecules. Aldeyra’s lead product candidate, ADX-102, is an aldehyde trap in development for ocular inflammation, as well as for Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome and Succinic Semi-Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency, two inborn errors of aldehyde metabolism. ADX-102 has not been approved for sale in the U.S. or elsewhere.
About Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome
Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome is a rare inborn error of aldehyde metabolism caused by mutations in fatty acid aldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to elevated toxic fatty aldehyde levels that are thought to contribute to severe ichthyosis (scaly, thickened, dry skin), neurological disorders, and retinal disease. There is no therapy for SLS that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
About Noninfectious Anterior Uveitis
Noninfectious anterior uveitis is a rare, potentially blinding disease that may be mediated in part by pro-inflammatory aldehydes, and is characterized by inflammation in the front of the eye, pain, impaired vision, and photophobia.
About Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common allergic disease that is thought to be mediated in part by pro-inflammatory aldehydes, and is characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva (a membrane covering part of the front of the eye), resulting in ocular itching, excessive tear production, lid swelling and redness.
About Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is a common inflammatory disease characterized by insufficient moisture and lubrication in the anterior surface of the eye. Symptoms may include ocular irritation, burning or stinging, and severe cases may lead to decreased vision. In patients with dry eye syndrome, aldehydes may contribute to ocular inflammation as well as the impairment of lipids (fats) that lubricate the surface of the eye.
