UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 11, 2023
Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-35670 | 26-4738379 | ||
(State of incorporation) |
(Commission File No.) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
4224 Campus Point Court, Suite 210 San Diego, CA |
92121 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 202-6300
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
||
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | RGLS | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 | Results of Operations and Financial Condition. |
On May 11, 2023, we issued a press release announcing our financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The information in this Item 2.02 and the attached Exhibit 99.1 are being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Item 2.02 and the attached exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit |
Description |
|
99.1 | Press release issued by Regulus Therapeutics Inc. on May 11, 2023 relating to financial results | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. | ||||||
Date: May 11, 2023 | By: | /s/ Joseph Hagan |
||||
Joseph Hagan | ||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 99.1
Regulus Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Recent Updates
Enrollment completed in first cohort of patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) in Phase 1b Multiple-Ascending Dose (MAD) study of RGLS8429
Closed $15.0 million private placement of equity; expected to extend cash runway into mid-2024
SAN DIEGO, May 11, 2023 – Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGLS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs (the “Company” or “Regulus”), today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 and provided a corporate update.
“Our work in ADPKD continues to progress, with enrollment now complete in cohort 1 of our Phase 1b MAD study of RGLS8429,” stated Jay Hagan, CEO of Regulus. “We look forward to sharing topline data around the end of the third quarter of this year. We also appreciate the continued support of our top shareholders who participated in our recently announced private placement of $15 million in April, which we anticipate will extend our cash runway into mid-2024 and through several additional program milestones.”
Program Updates
RGLS8429 for ADPKD: In April 2023, the company announced the completion of enrollment for the first cohort of patients in the Phase 1b MAD study of RGSL8429 for the treatment of ADPKD. The Phase 1b MAD study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of RGLS8429 in adult patients with ADPKD. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of RGLS8429 treatment across three different dose levels, including measuring changes in polycystins, height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV), cyst architecture, and overall kidney function. The first cohort is being dosed at 1 mg/kg of RGLS8429 or placebo every other week for three months, with top-line data anticipated around the end of the third quarter of 2023. The Company expects to begin dosing the second cohort following a review of all available cohort 1 safety data.
Corporate Highlights
Closed $15.0 Million Private Placement: On April 13, 2023, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement in connection with a private placement to certain institutional and other accredited investors. The financing was led by the Federated Hermes Kaufmann Funds and New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with participation from additional existing shareholders.
Financial Results
Cash Position: As of March 31, 2023, Regulus had $30.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. Combined with the $15.0 million private placement in April, the Company expects its cash runway to extend into mid-2024.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: Research and development expenses were $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2022. These amounts reflect internal and external costs associated with advancing our clinical and preclinical pipeline.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $2.9 million for the same period in 2022. These amounts reflect personnel-related and ongoing general business operating costs.
Net Loss: Net loss was $7.1 million, or $0.42 per share (basic and diluted), for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $6.7 million, or $0.46 per share (basic and diluted), for the same period in 2022.
About ADPKD
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes, is among the most common human monogenic disorders and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The disease is characterized by the development of multiple fluid filled cysts primarily in the kidneys, and to a lesser extent in the liver and other organs. Excessive kidney cyst cell proliferation, a central pathological feature, ultimately leads to end-stage renal disease in approximately 50% of ADPKD patients by age 60. Approximately 160,000 individuals are diagnosed with the disease in the United States alone, with an estimated global prevalence of 4 to 7 million.
About RGLS8429
RGLS8429 is a novel, next generation oligonucleotide for the treatment of ADPKD designed to inhibit miR-17 and to preferentially target the kidney. Administration of RGLS8429 has shown robust data in preclinical models, where clear improvements in kidney function, size, and other measures of disease severity have been demonstrated along with a superior pharmacologic profile in preclinical studies compared to Regulus’ first-generation compound, RGLS4326. Regulus announced completion of the Phase 1 SAD study in September 2022 and completed enrollment of the first cohort of patients in the Phase 1b MAD study in April of this year. The Phase 1 SAD study demonstrated that RGLS8429 has a favorable safety and PK profile. RGLS8429 was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported and plasma exposure was approximately linear across the four doses tested and similar to the PK data from the first-generation compound.
About Regulus
Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGLS) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs. Regulus has leveraged its oligonucleotide drug discovery and development expertise to develop a pipeline complemented by a rich intellectual property estate in the microRNA field. Regulus maintains its corporate headquarters in San Diego, CA.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this presentation regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the Company’s RGLS8429 program, the expected timing for initiating clinical studies, the expected timing for reporting topline data, the timing and future occurrence of other preclinical and clinical activities and the expected length of our cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Regulus’ current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs, and the risk additional toxicology data may be negative. In addition, while Regulus expects the COVID-19 pandemic to adversely affect its business operations and financial results, the extent of the impact on Regulus’ ability to achieve its preclinical and clinical development objectives and the value of and market for its common stock, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, such as the ultimate duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions, quarantines, social distancing and business closure requirements in the U.S. and in other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally to contain and treat the disease. These and other risks are described in additional detail in Regulus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the “Risk Factors” heading of Regulus’ most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Regulus undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Investor Relations Contact:
Cris Calsada
Chief Financial Officer
858-202-6376
ccalsada@regulusrx.com
Media Contact:
Sarah Sutton
Argot Partners
212-600-1902
regulus@argotpartners.com
Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
Selected Financial Information
Condensed Statement of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Three months ended March 31, |
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2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
4,925 | 3,679 | ||||||
General and administrative |
2,444 | 2,890 | ||||||
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Total operating expenses |
7,369 | 6,569 | ||||||
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Loss from operations |
(7,369 | ) | (6,569 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense), net |
230 | (149 | ) | |||||
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Loss before income taxes |
(7,139 | ) | (6,718 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense |
— | (1 | ) | |||||
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Net loss |
$ | (7,139 | ) | $ | (6,719 | ) | ||
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
$ | (0.42 | ) | $ | (0.46 | ) | ||
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Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share: |
16,844,243 | 14,596,789 | ||||||
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March 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
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Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 30,308 | $ | 39,160 | ||||
Total assets |
37,015 | 46,716 | ||||||
Term loan, less debt issuance costs |
3,716 | 4,511 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity |
26,595 | 33,291 |