Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AQXP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology, today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2016.
“In September we commenced enrollment in the LEADERSHIP 301 Phase 3 clinical trial with AQX-1125 in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and we are continuing to add sites and jurisdictions to the trial as planned,” said David Main, President & CEO of Aquinox. “Our objective remains to release top-line data from this first Phase 3 trial in the fourth quarter of 2017 and we will provide an enrollment update when we release year-end 2016 financial results in early 2017. Our recent financing, together with cash on-hand, positions us well to advance AQX-1125 and broaden our clinical and research activities.”
The LEADERSHIP 301 Phase 3 trial is anticipated to enroll a minimum of 300 female patients, up to a maximum of 600 patients including males, at clinical research centers in Canada, the United States and Europe. LEADERSHIP 301 will be conducted as a three arm, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical trial investigating the ability of 200 mg and 100 mg oral, once daily AQX-1125 to reduce bladder pain in patients with IC/BPS. The primary endpoint of the LEADERSHIP 301 trial is to measure the difference in the change from baseline in the maximum daily bladder pain score based on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) at twelve weeks recorded by electronic diary. The trial will also include an open-label extension of up to 40 weeks affording all participating patients the opportunity for treatment with AQX-1125. Secondary endpoints will include urinary symptoms, including frequency and nighttime awakenings, as well as measures of quality of life. For more information on the LEADERSHIP 301 trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Business Highlights
Appointment of New Chief Medical Officer. On October 3, 2016, Aquinox announced the appointment of Dr. Barbara Troupin, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Clinical Development. From Aquinox’s offices in San Bruno, California, Dr. Troupin will lead overall clinical and medical affairs strategies for Aquinox’s ongoing programs as well as future development and potential commercialization plans. Dr. Troupin brings extensive clinical leadership experience from previous roles with Apricus Bioscience, Inc. VIVUS, Inc. Dr. Troupin received her Doctorate in Medicine in 1995 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where she also completed her Master’s in Business Administration, with an emphasis in health care management, from the Wharton School of Business.
Closing of $75.4 Million Public Offering. On September 23, 2016, Aquinox completed an underwritten public offering of 6,152,500 shares of its common stock, including 802,500 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters’ full exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $12.25 per share. The gross proceeds from the offering (inclusive of the option exercise), before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs, were $75.4 million. Aquinox intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund additional clinical development of AQX-1125 and to fund pre-commercial and market assessment activities, research and development costs to advance its pipeline of preclinical product candidates and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Leerink Partners, Canaccord Genuity and Guggenheim Securities acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Needham & Company acted as lead manager.
Summary of Financial Results
Cash Position. Cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments totaled $162.6 million as of September 30, 2016, compared to $112.9 million as of December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily the result of the public offering of common stock in September 2016 partly offset by the ongoing expenditures related to our LEADERSHIP 301 clinical trial in IC/BPS. Aquinox expects its cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments to be sufficient to complete the LEADERSHIP 301 trial as well as additional clinical development, manufacturing, preclinical, and pre-commercial and market assessment activities.
R&D Expenses. Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2016 increased to $6.1 million from $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2015. This increase was primarily driven by increased clinical activities related to the initiation of our LEADERSHIP 301 clinical trial.
G&A Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2016 increased to $2.1 million from $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. This increase was primarily driven by higher personnel related costs and the establishment of an office in San Bruno, CA.
Net Loss. Net loss for the third quarter of 2016 was $8.1 million compared to a net loss of $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2015. This increase was primarily driven by increased operating expenditures related to the initiation of our LEADERSHIP 301 clinical trial.
About Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS)
IC/BPS is a chronic inflammatory bladder disease characterized by pelvic pain and increased urinary urgency and/or frequency. For many sufferers, these symptoms are severe and adversely affect all major aspects of their lives, including overall physical and emotional health, employment, social and intimate relationships, and leisure activities. While the cause of the disease remains largely unknown, erosion of the bladder lining is thought to be a significant contributor. IC/BPS is estimated to affect millions of people in the United States and around the world. Most IC/BPS patients continue to suffer this debilitating condition, despite treatment with existing therapies. Most current therapies and t
About AQX-1125
AQX-1125, Aquinox’s lead drug candidate, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1, which is a regulating component of the PI3K cellular signaling pathway. By increasing SHIP1 activity, AQX-1125 accelerates a natural mechanism that has evolved to maintain homeostasis of the immune system and reduce immune cell activation and migration to sites of inflammation. AQX-1125 has demonstrated preliminary safety and favorable drug properties for once daily oral administration in multiple preclinical studies and seven completed clinical trials.
About Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology. Aquinox’s lead drug candidate, AQX-1125, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1 suitable for oral, once daily dosing. With a successful Phase 2 clinical trial completed in 2015, Aquinox initiated a Phase 3 trial (LEADERSHIP 301) with AQX-1125 for treatment of IC/BPS in September of 2016. Aquinox has a broad intellectual property portfolio and pipeline of preclinical drug candidates that activate SHIP1. For more information, please visit www.aqxpharma.com.