Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENT NOTICE
This
Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements. For this purpose, any statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as
“may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate”
or “continue” or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by
their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of
factors, many of which are not within our control. These factors include but are not limited to economic conditions generally and in
the industries in which we may participate; competition within our chosen industry, including competition from much larger
competitors; technological advances and failure to successfully develop business relationships.
Description
of Business
Actinium Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. is a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company applying its proprietary platform technology and deep understanding of radiobiology
to the development of novel targeted therapies known as Antibody Radiation-Conjugates (“ARCs”). ARCs combine the cell-killing
ability of radiation via a radioisotope payload with a targeting agent, such as a monoclonal antibody, to deliver radiation in a precise
manner inside the body to specific, targeted cells, to potentially achieve greater efficacy with lower toxicity than with external beam
radiation. ARCs enable a broader usage of radiation than external beam radiation as they can be used in the treatment of both solid tumors
and blood cancers. Blood or hematologic cancers are known to be highly sensitive to radiation. Our clinical pipeline is focused on ARCs
targeting the antigens CD45 and CD33, both of which are expressed in multiple hematologic cancers. Our clinical programs are focused on
two primary areas: (1) targeted conditioning prior to a bone marrow transplant (“BMT”), adoptive cell therapy (“ACT”)
such as CAR-T or gene therapy and (2) ARC therapeutic combinations with other agents. Our product development strategy is actively informed
by clinical data with our ARCs in over 500 patients, including our ongoing Pivotal Phase 3 SIERRA trial. Our clinical pipeline has emanated
from our Antibody Warhead Enabling (“AWE”) technology platform, which is protected by over 160 issued and pending patents,
trade secrets and know-how and is being utilized in a collaborative research partnership with Astellas Pharma, Inc. (“Astellas”).
We are also utilizing our AWE technology platform to advance our research objectives focused on developing next-generation targeted radiotherapies.
To accelerate development efforts we are undertaking an expansion of our R&D organization and research laboratories to enable us to
more effectively leverage our drug development experience to advance candidates to clinical trials.
Targeted
Conditioning
To
the best of our knowledge, we are advancing the only multi-target, multi-indication, clinical-stage pipeline for targeted conditioning
and the only ARC-based targeted conditioning regimens in development. Our ARCs for targeted conditioning are intended to potentially
enable improved access and outcomes to cell-based therapies with curative potential, including BMT, ACT, and gene therapy Conditioning
in the context of BMT, ACT or gene therapy is the act of depleting certain blood and immune-forming cells, including bone marrow stem
cells and, in some cases, cancer cells prior to transplanting new cells into a patient. Currently, conditioning is accomplished using
a combination of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents and external radiation. These non-targeted conditioning regimens are highly toxic
and may prevent a patient from receiving a potentially curative therapy and hinder outcomes. ARCs have the potential to increase patient
access and outcomes by way of their ability to selectively deplete targeted cells while sparing normal healthy cells, resulting in potentially
lower systemic and off-target toxicities. We use our ARCs both at high isotope dose levels to achieve myeloablation, which fully depletes
bone marrow stem cells and at lower isotope dose levels to achieve lymphodepletion, which spares bone marrow stem cells from depletion.
In addition, dosing may be titrated downward from myeloablative doses to achieve partial myeloablation, which may be appropriate for
certain gene therapy programs.
15
CD45
Targeted Conditioning Program
Our
CD45 ARC is comprised of the anti-CD45 monoclonal antibody known as apamistamab (formerly BC8) and the radioisotope Iodine-131 (“I-131”).
CD45 is an antigen expressed on leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma cancer cells, as well as nucleated immune cells including bone marrow
stem cells, but is not expressed outside of the hematopoietic, or blood forming, system. This unique expression on blood cancer and immune
cells enables simultaneous depletion of both cell types, making CD45 an optimal antigen for targeted conditioning applications. CD45
is a cell surface antigen with an average expression of 200,000 copies per cell, however, it only internalizes at a rate of 10-15%. We
believe our ARC approach is the most effective method to target CD45 positive cells, as the radioisotope payload linear energy transfer
can readily ablate a targeted cell without requiring payload internalization like an antibody drug conjugate or without relying on biological
effector function processes like a naked antibody. Furthermore, since CD45 expression level varies from low to high antigen density as
the immune cells become more terminally differentiated, we can selectively condition depending on the therapeutic application, from full
myeloablation to transient lymphodepletion, by adjusting the dose or intensity of the I-131 isotope payload. Full myeloablation can be
achieved with high doses of I-131, as its energy pathlength and crossfire effect can penetrate into bone marrow niches to target and
deplete blood and immune system forming bone marrow stem cells. Myeloablation is applicable to autologous or allogeneic BMT and to autologous
gene-edited or modified therapies that can reconstitute a patient’s blood and immune systems. Alternatively, low doses of I-131
can be transiently lymphodepleting and spare a patient’s bone marrow stem cells, which we believe is ideal for ACT applications
such as CAR-T. We intend to develop our CD45 targeted conditioning program for BMT, ACT and gene therapy applications for malignant and
non-malignant diseases and believe that multiple radioisotopes beyond I-131 may be utilized including alpha and beta emitters.
Our
lead CD45 targeted conditioning product candidate is Iomab-B, which uses high doses of I-131 to achieve myeloablative conditioning prior
to a BMT. Iomab-B is currently being studied in the pivotal Phase 3 Study of Iomab-B in Elderly Relapsed or Refractory AML (“SIERRA”),
clinical trial for targeted conditioning prior to an allogeneic BMT for patients with active, relapsed or refractory (“r/r”)
Acute Myeloid Leukemia, (“AML”), who are age 55 or older. Patients with active, r/r AML are not normally considered eligible
for BMT and the SIERRA trial is the only randomized Phase 3 trial to offer BMT as a treatment option for this patient population. The
SIERRA trial compares outcomes of patients randomized to receive Iomab-B and a BMT (the “study arm”) to those patients randomized
to receive physician’s choice of salvage therapy (the “control arm”). The control arm is also defined as conventional
care, as no standard of care exists for this patient population and includes over 20 agents that may be used as single agents or in combination
including venetoclax, a targeted Bcl-2 inhibitor, Midostaurin and Sorafenib, targeted FLT3 inhibitors, hypomethylating agents and cytotoxic
chemotherapies. Patients who fail to achieve a Complete Remission (“CR”) on the control arm are ineligible to proceed to
a BMT, but the trial design permits these patients to “cross over” to receive the study arm treatment if they meet the eligibility
criteria. The primary endpoint of the SIERRA trial is durable Complete Remission (“dCR”) of 180 days and the secondary endpoint
is Overall Survival (“OS”). When the crossover patients receive Iomab-B and BMT, they have not achieved remission with their
salvage therapy and are considered to be failures for the primary endpoint of the study. The SIERRA trial is currently active at 24 sites
in the United States and Canada, which includes many of the leading BMT sites based on volume. We expect to complete enrollment of the
SIERRA trial and have topline data that we believe will support the submission of a Biologics License Application (“BLA”)
with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). If approved, we expect our initial commercial launch would target the
leading 50-100 BMT and medical centers that perform the vast majority of BMT’s in the United States. In the European Union (“EU”),
we received favorable feedback from the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) via their scientific advice program that the trial
design, primary endpoint and planned statistical analysis from the SIERRA trial are acceptable as the basis for a Marketing Authorization
Application, or MAA. Additionally, the EMA commented that it does not anticipate the need for further standalone preclinical toxicology
or safety studies. Overall, transplant procedures in the EU are approximately fifty percent higher than in the United States with a similar
market dynamic, with a majority of BMT volume being conducted in a concentrated number of leading medical centers. Currently we intend
to secure a partner for Iomab-B in the EU.
16
The
SIERRA trial is powered to show a two-times difference in the primary endpoint of dCR of at least 180 days at complete enrollment of
the planned 150 patients. The SIERRA trial design allowed for up to two interim analyses of the primary endpoint, exercisable at our
discretion and triggered by an enrollment range of 70 to 110 patients. In April 2020, we exercised a single ad hoc analysis on a number
of patients representing less than two thirds of full trial enrollment of 150 patients, which required a higher success threshold compared
to the two-time difference in dCR rate at full trial enrollment. In December 2020, we announced that the independent Data Monitoring
Committee (“DMC”) completed the single ad hoc interim analysis. Based on the DMC’s review of unblinded data, including
the study’s primary endpoint of dCR of at least 180 days, it was recommended that the study continue as planned to full enrollment
of 150 patients. We did not receive the unblinded primary and secondary endpoint efficacy data from SIERRA. By exercising only a single
interim analysis, there was a minimal alpha spend resulting in a p-value threshold of 0.046 for the primary endpoint evaluation at full
enrollment of 150 patients. The SIERRA trial reached 75% enrollment, representing 113 patients, in the third quarter of 2020.
Data
from the first 113 patients enrolled in the SIERRA trial, which represents 75% of the total of 150 patients to be enrolled in the trial,
was presented in oral presentations at the American Society of Hematology (“ASH”) Annual Meeting in December 2020 and at
the Transplantation & Cellular Therapy (“TCT”) Meetings of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular
Therapy (“ASTCT”) and Center for International Bone & Marrow Transplant Research (“CIBMTR”) in February
2021. It was reported that 100% of patients (49/49) on the study arm that received a therapeutic dose of Iomab-B received a BMT, with
a median time to BMT of 30 days, and all patients achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment in a median time of 18 days despite a
high median blast count of 29%. On the control arm, only 18% of patients (10/57) achieved remission after salvage therapy, and then received
a BMT with a median time to BMT of 67 days and median blast count of 20%. Of the 82% of patients failing to achieve a CR with conventional
care (47/57), 30 patients were eligible to cross over to receive Iomab-B followed by transplant. These patients are considered as having
failed the primary endpoint of the study. All crossover patients who received the therapeutic dose of Iomab-B (30/30) received a BMT,
with a median time to BMT of 24 days and they achieved engraftment in a median time of 19 days despite high median blast count of 22%
at time of crossover. It was also reported that 100-day non-relapse transplant-related mortality (100-day TRM) of the study or Iomab-B
arm was only 4% (2/45) of patients that received a BMT compared to 20% of patients (2/10) who received a BMT after salvage therapy on
the control arm. The universal engraftment rate and low 100-day TRM rate of the Iomab-B arm resulted in 43 patients potentially evaluable
for the primary endpoint compared to 8 patients in the control arm, a greater than five times difference.
Our
Iomab-ACT program is intended for targeted conditioning prior to ACT or gene therapy and uses the same I-131-apamistamab ARC
construct as Iomab-B at varying doses. At lower doses of one-eighth to one-sixth of the myeloablative dose, it is applicable for
lymphodepletion prior to CAR-T or certain gene therapy applications where stem cell myeloablation is not necessary. At higher doses
it is applicable for gene therapy applications where stem cell myeloablation is necessary.
We
believe our Iomab-ACT program is highly differentiated when compared to Fludarabine and Cyclophosphamide (“Flu/Cy”) or other
chemotherapy-based regimens that are used as the standard of practice today for lymphodepletion prior to CAR-T. CD45 is an antigen expressed
on certain immune cell types that are relevant to the mechanism of CAR-T therapies including lymphocytes, regulatory T-cells and macrophages
that have been associated with clinical responses that may limit the safety, efficacy and durability of response of these CAR-T therapies
including cytokine release syndrome (“CRS”) and neurotoxicity. Some of these limitations may be attributable to the chemotherapy-based
conditioning agents that are being used prior to CAR-T therapies. Preclinical data supporting the rational for our Iomab-ACT program
was presented at multiple medical conferences in 2019. Unlike chemotherapy, Iomab-ACT is targeted in nature and, due to this CD45-directed
targeting, we expect we can improve CAR-T cell expansion, potentially resulting in responses that are more durable, but also resulting
in reduced CAR-T related toxicities. Importantly, we expect the Iomab-ACT program construct to enable lymphodepletion through a single-dose,
outpatient administration versus Flu/Cy or other chemotherapy-based lymphodepletion regimens that can require multiple infusion cycles
over several days. Because of this potentially superior profile, the Iomab-ACT construct could result in improved access to CAR-T therapy
and better outcomes.
17
We
are studying Iomab-ACT in a clinical collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (“MSKCC”) for targeted conditioning
prior to administration of MSKCC’s 19-28z CD19 targeting CAR-T in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic
leukemia (“ALL”) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (“DLBCL”). We received grant funding from the National Institute
of Health (“NIH”) to fund this trial with MSKCC being a co-recipient on this grant. This is a first of its kind study to
use an ARC-based conditioning regimen with CAR-T therapy. The hypothesized rationale for this study is that Iomab-ACT will exert an anti-tumor
effect on the chemotherapy-refractory B-ALL cells that are sensitive to radiation resulting in reduced disease burden and simultaneously
deplete CD45 expressing immune cells implicated in CAR-T related toxicities, resulting in an optimal homeostatic environment for the
CAR-T cells. Results with MSKCC’s 19-28z CD-19 CAR-T in 53 patients with r/r B-ALL published in the New England Journal of Medicine
reported complete remissions in 83% (44/53) of patients, which compares favorably to standard chemotherapy regimens that have complete
remission rates of 18% - 45% in this patient population. Median event-free survival (EFS) was 6.1 months and median overall survival
(OS) was 12.9 months at a median follow up period of 29 months (range 1 – 65 months). There was a 26% (14/53) rate of Grade 3 or
greater CRS and a 42% rate of Grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity reported. The study will evaluate the feasibility of using an ARC-based conditioning
regimen with CAR-T therapy and will evaluate safety measures including incidence of CRS and neurotoxicity and efficacy measures including
responses and survival outcomes. In March 2021, we announced that patient enrollment was initiated, and the first patient was administered
Iomab-ACT followed by their 19-28z CAR-T therapy. We expect proof of concept data from this study in the second half of 2021.
In
addition, we are working in collaboration with University of California Davis to utilize Iomab-ACT conditioning in an ongoing Phase 1/2
trial with a novel anti-HIV autologous stem cell gene therapy for patients with HIV-related lymphoma. We believe this would be the first
gene therapy trial to use an ARC-based conditioning regimen. I-131-Apamistamab has clinical proof of concept as a targeted conditioning
regimen for patients with high-risk, relapsed or refractory lymphoma prior to an autologous stem cell transplant from a previous study,
where a favorable safety profile with no dose-limiting toxicities and minimal non-hematologic toxicities were observed and promising
efficacy with median overall survival not reached (range: 29 months to not reached) and 31% of patients in prolonged remission at a median
of 36 months follow up (range: 25 – 41 months). In this study, Iomab-ACT is intended to replace the chemotherapy-based condition
regimen known as BEAM (BCNU/carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) to simultaneously kill the patient’s lymphoma cells
and deplete the patient’s stem cells to make room for the transplant. Upon engraftment, the transplanted gene-modified autologous
stem cells containing three anti-HIV genes are intended to equip the patient with a new immune system that is resistant to the HIV virus.
We continue to identify additional gene therapies for which Iomab-ACT can be used for targeted conditioning with the goal of collaborating
with multiple academic or industry developers to establish Iomab-ACT as a non-chemotherapy universal targeted conditioning solution.
We
are also exploring an Ac-225-based CD45 ARC, as a potential next-generation targeted conditioning agent. Dosimetry results with this
Ac-225-based alpha emitting ARC showed selective accumulation in immune cell target organs such as bone marrow, spleen, and liver with
the potential for lower exposure to non-target tissues from longer path length beta emitter radioisotopes like Iodine-131 and Lutetium-177.
Preclinical data demonstrated that conditioning with this Ac-225-based CD45-targeting agent result in depletion of peripheral immune
cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells, thereby enabling engraftment of donor cells. A dose dependent response was observed with low
doses depleting white blood cells without affecting hematopoietic progenitor cells, representing a lymphodepletive dose that is relevant
for adoptive cell therapies such as CAR-T, while higher doses eliminated peripheral immune cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells,
which is applicable to ex vivo gene therapies and BMT.
CD33
Program: Targeted Conditioning, Combinations and Therapeutics
Our
CD33 program is evaluating the clinical utility of Actimab-A, an ARC comprised of the anti-CD33 mAb lintuzumab linked to the potent alpha-emitting
radioisotope Actinium-225 (“Ac-225”). CD33 is expressed in the majority of patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndrome
(“MDS”) as well as approximately one-third of patients with multiple myeloma. Ac-225 emits four alpha particles and can kill
a cell with one alpha-particle hit, making it one of the most powerful cell-killing agents with no know resistance mechanism to the double
strand DNA breaks it can cause. We source Ac-225 from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory through an annual
supply agreement, which we expect to renew annually.
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Our
CD33 development program is driven by data obtained from nearly one hundred fifty treated patients, including results from a Phase 1/2
trial that was conducted in 58 patients with newly diagnosed AML, which was completed in 2018. This clinical data, as well as our experience
with Iomab-B, is shaping a two-pronged approach with our CD33 program, where at high doses we are exploring its use for targeted conditioning
and at low doses we are exploring its use for therapeutic combinations with other treatment modalities.
We
believe that radiation via an ARC can be synergistic when used in combination with chemotherapy, targeted agents and immunotherapy based
on mechanistic rationales supported by our own clinical data, preclinical research and scientific and clinical evidence in the literature.
We have prioritized our efforts and resources in favor of combination trials for our CD33 program development strategy rather than single
agent trials at this time. Our CD33 ARC development program encompasses the following ongoing trials:
Combination
Trials :
●
Phase 1
investigator initiated Actimab-A + CLAG-M combination trial with the salvage chemotherapy regimen CLAG-M (cladribine, cytarabine,
filgrastim and mitoxantrone) for fit patients age 18 and above with relapsed or refractory AML at the Medical College of Wisconsin
(“MCW”). The combination of Actimab-A + CLAG-M is supported by mechanistic rationale for combining inhibitors of DNA
replication and/or repair processes such as mitoxantrone, a topoisomerase-II inhibitor, and radiation, as imparted by tumor-targeting
of Ac-225 with Actimab-A. Thus far, we have reported preliminary data from dose cohorts one, two and the third and planned final
dose cohort of 0.75 µCi/kg of Actimab-A. At the 2020 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, it was reported that 100%
of patients (3/3) receiving 0.75 µCi/kg of Actimab-A, and CLAG-M achieved a complete remission, which is nearly 85% greater
than the 55% remission rate observed in a study of CLAG-M alone conducted at MCW in the same r/r AML patient population. Complete
Remission or Complete Remission with Incomplete blood count recovery (“CRi”) were observed in all dose cohorts (0.25,
0.50 and 0.75 µCi/kg) with 67% of patients (10/15) achieving CR or CRi. The 0.25 and 0.50 µCi/kg doses of Actimab-A have
been shown to be subtherapeutic as a single agent. Of the 10 patients achieving CR or Cri, 70% achieved negative minimal residual
disease (“MRD”) status with no detectable disease via flow cytometry, indicating that these are deep remissions. No dose-limiting
toxicities (“DLTs”) were reported in the third dose cohort of 0.75 µCi/kg and therefore maximum tolerable dose
(“MTD”) was not reached. As a result, MCW amended the study protocol to allow for continued dose escalation and the trial is now enrolling
patients at a dose of 1.0 µCi/kg. Upon completion of this Phase 1 trial, we will work to develop a regulatory and development
pathway that can potentially support a registration for the Actimab-A + CLAG-M combination. In addition, the Actimab-A + CLAG-M combination
study has provided proof of principle that the addition of subtherapeutic doses of Actimab-A to other AML therapies can lead to well-tolerated
regimens with improved responses.
●
Phase
1/2 Actimab-A + Ven combination trial with the BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (“ven”) for fit and unfit patients age 18 and
above with relapsed or refractory AML. This multi-center trial is being led by UCLA Medical Center. This combination is supported
by mechanistic evidence in preclinical studies using ven-resistant AML tumor cell lines. In these models, we have demonstrated that
Actimab-A can deplete Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL, two proteins implicated in mediating resistance to venetoclax, in addition to causing potentially
lethal double-stranded DNA breaks in these CD33 expressing cells. Furthermore, in vivo studies in animal models of ven-resistant
AML demonstrated robust tumor regression and improved survival in cohorts receiving the Actimab-A ven combination compared to ven
alone. The rationale for this clinical study is that the addition of Actimab-A will; 1) have a direct anti-tumor effect via double-stranded
DNA breaks and 2) deplete Mcl-1 and BCL-XL making the AML cells more susceptible to ven. At the 2020 ASH annual meeting, data from
the first dose cohort of 0.50 µCi/kg Actimab-A in combination with ven were presented. There was a 67% overall response rate
(2/3 patients), including one CR and one partial response (“PR”) with blast count reduction of 50%. All 3 patients were
poor risk with adverse cytogenetics and each patient had an additional high-risk marker (FLT3-ITD+, antecedent JAK2+ myelofibrosis,
or TP53 mutation). The patient achieving a CR was in second relapse and a TP53 mutation as well as multiple other high-risk markers.
The trial is now active and recruiting at 4 trial sites in dose escalation cohorts. We expect to have Phase 1 safety and preliminary
proof of concept clinical data from this combination study in 2021.
In
addition to these active trials, we are working to identify additional modalities and agents that can be the basis for Actimab-A therapeutic
combinations.
19
Antibody
Warhead Enabling Technology Platform
Our proprietary AWE technology
platform is supported by intellectual property, know-how and trade secrets that cover the generation, development, methods of use and
manufacture of ARCs and certain of their components. Our AWE technology patent portfolio presently includes 35 patent families comprised
of 160 issued patents and pending patent applications, of which 9 are issued and 25 are pending in the United States, and 126 are issued
or pending internationally. The effective life of the patents in our portfolio range from expirations between 2021 and 2040. Our technology
enables the direct labeling, or conjugation and labeling, of a biomolecular targeting agent to a radionuclide warhead and its development
and use as a therapeutic regimen for the treatment of diseases such as cancer. Our AWE intellectual property covers various methods of
use for ARCs in multiple diseases, including indication, dose and scheduling, radionuclide warhead, and therapeutic combinations. We have
particular expertise in the area of ARCs utilizing the alpha emitting isotope Ac-225 including clinical experience in treating approximately
150 patients with our alpha-emitter ARCs, “gold standard” linker technology and 5 issued patents in the United States and
49 patents internationally related to the manufacturing or Ac-225 in a cyclotron, which we believe has the potential to produce higher
quantities of Ac-225 than currently utilized methods.
We
have enhanced our research and development capabilities around AWE by securing and staffing research facilities. Our research laboratories
are focused on applying our AWE technology platform to the development of radiation conjugates and to execute on research collaborations.
Our R&D efforts employ a multidisciplinary approach leveraging our team’s knowledge and experience in cancer cell biology,
radiochemistry, radiation sciences, immunology and oncology drug development. We intend to focus on generating ARCs using our existing
intellectual property, evaluating assets for in-licensing to complement our existing clinical pipeline and securing collaborations and
partnerships with biopharmaceutical companies. By adding research and development capabilities to our clinical development and clinical
supply chain capabilities, we seek to enable the rapid translation of radiotherapies. We have formed a wholly owned research subsidiary
for the purposes of advancing certain of our R&D objectives.
Our
AWE technology platform is being utilized in our ongoing research collaboration with Astellas to arm select targeting agents owned by
Astellas with alpha-emitting AC-225 for the development of theranostics for solid tumor indications, which combine the ability of radioisotopes
to be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Recent
Developments
Impact
of COVID–19 Pandemic
The global health crisis caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and its resurgences has and may continue
to negatively impact global economic activity, which, despite progress in vaccination efforts, remains uncertain and cannot be predicted
with confidence. In addition, a new Delta variant of COVID-19, which appears to be the most transmissible variant to date, has begun to
spread globally. The impact of the Delta variant cannot be predicted at this time, and could depend on numerous factors, including vaccination
rates among the population, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the Delta variant and the response by governmental bodies and
regulators. Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
on our business.
Many countries around the
world have continued to impose quarantines and restrictions on travel and mass gatherings to slow the spread of the virus. Accordingly,
our ability to continue to operate our business may also be limited. Such events may result in a period of business, supply and drug product
manufacturing disruption, and in reduced operations, any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations. In response to COVID-19, we implemented remote working and thus far have not experienced a significant disruption or delay
in our operations as it relates to the clinical development of our drug candidates. Such government-imposed precautionary measures may
have been relaxed in certain countries or states, but there is no assurance that more strict measures will be put in place again due to
a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, including those involving new variants of the coronavirus, which may be more contagious and deadly than
prior strains. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to affect our operation, may further divert the attention and efforts of
the medical community to coping with COVID-19 and disrupt the marketplace in which we operate and may have a material adverse effect on
our operations.
20
A continuation or worsening
of the levels of market disruption and volatility seen in the recent past could have an adverse effect on our ability to access capital,
which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting from the spread of
COVID-19 could materially affect our business and the value of our common stock.
Currently,
the Phase 3 SIERRA trial for our lead program, Iomab-B, remains active at a majority of our clinical trial sites, with investigators
providing feedback that recruitment and enrollment will remain active because of the acute nature of the disease, the high unmet needs
of patients with relapsed or refractory AML, the potentially curative nature of BMT and the differentiated profile of Iomab-B. Certain
sites that had not been actively enrolling due to COVID-19 at the initial outbreak of the pandemic resumed recruitment and enrollment
in mid-2020, and we currently do not have any sites that are not recruiting and enrolling patients due to COVID-19. We also believe our
earlier stage CD33 clinical trials will continue to recruit and enroll patients given the acute nature of relapsed or refractory AML.
The continuation of the pandemic could adversely affect our planned clinical trial operations, including our ability to conduct the trials
on the expected timelines and recruit and retain patients and principal investigators and site staff who, as healthcare providers, may
have heightened exposure to COVID-19 if their geography is impacted by the pandemic. Further, the continuation and/or resurgence of the
COVID-19 pandemic could result in delays in our clinical trials due to prioritization of hospital resources toward the pandemic, restrictions
in travel, potential unwillingness of patients to enroll in trials at this time, or the inability of patients to comply with clinical
trial protocols if quarantines or travel restrictions impede patient movement or interrupt healthcare services. In addition, we rely
on independent clinical investigators, contract research organizations and other third-party service providers to assist us in managing,
monitoring and otherwise carrying out our preclinical studies and clinical trials, and the pandemic may affect their ability to devote
sufficient time and resources to our programs or to travel to sites to perform work for us.
Additionally,
COVID-19 may result in delays in receiving approvals from local and foreign regulatory authorities, delays in necessary interactions
with IRB’s or Institutional Review Boards, local and foreign regulators, ethics committees and other important agencies and contractors
due to limitations in employee resources or forced furlough of government employees.
To date, COVID-19 has not
had a financial impact on our company. We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and on our business operations.
Although we expect that vaccinations for COVID-19 will continue to improve conditions, the ultimate impact from COVID-19 on our business
operations and financial results during 2021 will depend on, among other things, the ultimate severity and scope of the pandemic, including
the new variants of the virus, the pace at which governmental and private travel restrictions and public concerns about public gatherings
will ease, the rate at which historically large increases in unemployment rates will decrease, if at all, and whether, and the speed with
which the economy recovers. We are not able to fully quantify the impact that these factors will have on our financial results during
2021 and beyond, but developments related to COVID-19 may materially affect us in 2021.
21
Results
of Operations – Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, data derived from our statements of operations:
For the
Three
Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands)
2021
2020
Revenue:
Revenue
$ -
$ -
Other revenue
266
-
Total revenue
266
-
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net of reimbursements
3,631
3,508
General and administrative
1,710
1,154
Total operating expenses
5,341
4,662
Other income:
Interest income – net
54
37
Total other income
54
37
Net loss
$ (5,021 )
$ (4,625 )
Revenue
We
recorded no commercial revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020.
Other
revenue
We
determined that certain collaborations with a third-party are within the scope of ASC 606. The collaboration agreement is made up of
multiple modules related to various research activities. While the third party has the option to terminate the agreement at the conclusion
of any module, we identified a single performance obligation to provide research services within each module for which we receive monetary
consideration. The consideration is recognized to revenue over each module and revenue recognized during the three months ended June
30, 2021 was $0.3 million.
Research
and development expense
Research
and development expenses increased $0.1 million to $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $3.5 million for
the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher compensation expense resulting from the hiring of additional
employees and expenses related to our new laboratory space, mostly offset by lower expenses on our CD45 program.
General
and administrative expense
General
and administrative expenses of $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $0.5 million compared to $1.2 million
for the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily attributable to higher professional fees.
Other
income
Other
income is comprised of net interest income in both reporting periods. The amount for the three months ended June 30, 2021 of $54 thousand
increased from $37 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as a higher average balance of cash and cash equivalents offset
a lower average interest rate.
22
Net
loss
Net
loss of $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased by $0.4 million from $4.6 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2020, primarily due to higher research and development expenses and higher general and administrative expenses, partially offset
by other revenue.
Results
of Operations – Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, data derived from our statements of operations:
For the
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands)
2021
2020
Revenue:
Revenue
$ -
$ -
Other revenue
888
-
Total revenue
888
-
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net of reimbursements
7,907
7,659
General and administrative
3,428
2,686
Total operating expenses
11,335
10,345
Other income:
Interest income – net
106
50
Total other income
106
50
Net loss
$ (10,341 )
$ (10,295 )
Revenue
We
recorded no commercial revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020.
Other
revenue
We determined that certain
collaborations with a third-party are within the scope of ASC 606. The collaboration agreement is made up of multiple modules related
to various research activities. While the third party has the option to terminate the agreement at the conclusion of any module, we identified
a single performance obligation to provide research services within each module for which we receive monetary consideration. We recognized
revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2021 of $0.9 million from certain collaborations with a third-party.
Research
and development expense
Research
and development expenses increased $0.2 million to $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $7.7 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher compensation expense resulting from the hiring of additional
employees and expenses related to our new laboratory space, mostly offset by lower expenses on our CD45 program.
General
and administrative expense
General
and administrative expenses of $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $0.7 million compared to $2.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily attributable to higher professional fees.
Other
income
Other
income is comprised of net interest income in both reporting periods. The amount for the six months ended June 30, 2021 of $106 thousand
increased from $50 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as a higher average balance of cash and cash equivalents offset a
lower average interest rate.
23
Net
loss
Net
loss of $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was unchanged from the prior-year comparison period, primarily due to higher
research and development expenses and higher general and administrative expenses being offset by other revenue.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We
have financed our operations primarily through sales of shares of our common stock and warrants. The following tables sets forth selected
cash flow information for the periods indicated:
For the
Six Months Ended
June 30,
(in thousands)
2021
2020
Cash used in operating activities
$ (10,226 )
$ (10,365 )
Cash used in investing activities
(65 )
-
Cash provided by financing activities
28,644
54,577
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 18,353
$ 44,212
Net
cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 of $10.2 million decreased by $0.2 million from $10.4 million
in the prior-year period, primarily due to the increase in other revenue.
Net
cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 of $65 thousand was primarily due to the purchase of equipment
for our new laboratory space.
Net cash provided by financing
activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $28.6 million, primarily from the sale of shares of our common stock. In August
2020 we entered into the Capital on Demand™ Sales Agreement with JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC, or JonesTrading, pursuant
to which we may sell, from time to time, through or to JonesTrading, up to an aggregate of $200 million of our common stock. Shares of
common stock are offered pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC, on August 7, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, we had sold 2.1 million shares of common stock, resulting in gross proceeds
of $22.6 million and net proceeds of $21.7 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we sold 3.5 million shares of common stock,
resulting in gross proceeds of $29.6 million and net proceeds of $28.7 million.
During
the six months ended June 30, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities was $54.6 million, including sale of shares of our common
stock and pre-funded warrants. On April 24, 2020, we issued and sold 4.3 million shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase
2.8 million shares of common stock. The price to the public for each share of common stock sold in the offering was $4.50, and the price
to the public for each pre-funded warrant sold in the offering was $4.497. The pre-funded warrants were exercisable at an exercise price
of $0.003 per share. Gross proceeds from this offering were $31.6 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
other offering expenses payable by us. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $29.1 million. In June 2020, holders of 1.2
million pre-funded April 2020 warrants exercised their warrants and received 1.2 million shares of common stock.
On
June 19, 2020, we issued and sold 1.9 million shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase 0.7 million shares of common
stock. The price to the public in this offering for each share of common stock was $9.75 and for each pre-funded warrant was $9.747.
Each pre-funded warrant had an exercise price of $0.003 per share. Gross proceeds from this offering to us were $25.0 million, before
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable us. Net proceeds from this offering were approximately
$23.0 million.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial
condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources
that is material to investors.
24
Critical
Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Our
management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our consolidated
financial statements during the reporting periods. These items are monitored and analyzed by us for changes in facts and
circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. We base our estimates on historical experience,
known trends and events, and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which
form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results for the period in which they become known. Actual results may differ
materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Our
significant accounting policies are described in detail in the notes to our consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual
Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Fair
value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between
market participants. A fair value hierarchy has been established for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
Revenue
Recognition
We
recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 606. Under ASC 606, we recognize revenue when our customer obtains control of promised goods
or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine
revenue recognition for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606, we perform the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with
a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration,
if any; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue as we satisfy a
performance obligation. We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect the consideration to
which we are entitled in exchange for the goods or services we transfer to the customer.
At
contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, we assess whether the promised goods or services
promised within each contract are distinct and, therefore, represent a separate performance obligation. Goods and services that
are determined not to be distinct are combined with other promised goods and services until a distinct bundle is identified. In determining
whether goods or services are distinct, we evaluate certain criteria, including whether (i) the customer can benefit from the good
or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (capable of being distinct)
and (ii) the good or service is separately identifiable from other goods or services in the contract (distinct in the context of
the contract).
ASC
606 requires us to allocate the arrangement consideration on a relative standalone selling price basis for each performance obligation
after determining the transaction price of the contract and identifying the performance obligations to which that amount should be allocated.
The relative standalone selling price is defined in the new revenue standard as the price at which an entity would sell a promised good
or service separately to a customer. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective
performance obligation as each performance obligation is satisfied, either at a point in time or over time, and if over time, recognition
is based on the use of an output or input method.
Collaborative
Arrangements
We
follow the accounting guidance for collaboration agreements, which requires that certain transactions between us and collaborators be
recorded in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss on either a gross basis or net basis, depending on the characteristics
of the collaborative relationship, and requires enhanced disclosure of collaborative relationships. We evaluate our collaboration agreements
for proper classification in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based on the nature of the underlying activity.
When we conclude that we have a customer relationship with one of our collaborators, we follow the guidance of ASC 606 .
25
Research
and Development Costs
Research
and development costs are expensed as incurred. These costs include the costs of manufacturing drug product, the costs of clinical trials,
costs of employees and associated overhead, and depreciation and amortization costs related to facilities and equipment. Research and
development reimbursements are recorded by us as a reduction of research and development costs.
Share-Based
Payments
We
estimate the fair value of each stock option award at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value
determined represents the cost for the award and is recognized over the vesting period during which an employee is required to provide
service in exchange for the award. We account for forfeitures of stock options as they occur.
Accounting
Standards Recently Adopted
In
August 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts
in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity ,
which, among other things, provides guidance on how to account for contracts on an entity’s own equity. This ASU simplifies the
accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. Specifically, the ASU eliminated the need
for us to assess whether a contract on our own equity (1) permits settlement in unregistered shares, (2) whether counterparty rights
rank higher than shareholder’s rights, and (3) whether collateral is required. In addition, the ASU requires incremental disclosure
related to contracts on our own equity and clarifies the treatment of certain financial instruments accounted for under this ASU on earnings
per share. This ASU may be applied on a full retrospective of modified retrospective basis. This ASU is effective January 1, 2022 and
interim periods presented, although early adoption of this ASU was permitted effective January 1, 2021. We early adopted this standard
effective January 1, 2021 and the standard did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
Accounting
Standards Recently Issued
In
May 2021, FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (topic 260), Debt — Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50),
Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40) – Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options ,
which provides guidance of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity
classified after modification or exchange as (1) an adjustment to equity and, if so, the related earnings per share (EPS) effects, if
any, or (2) an expense and, if so, the manner and pattern of recognition. The amendments in this ASU are effective January 1, 2022, including
interim periods. Early adoption is permitted. We will apply the amendments prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring on or
after January 1, 2022. We will evaluate the impact of ASU 2017-09 on any future changes to the terms and conditions of its warrants.
Subsequent
Event
Since
June 30, 2021, we have sold 0.2 million shares of common stock under its Capital on Demand™ Sales Agreement with JonesTrading,
resulting in net proceeds of $1.8 million.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.