Design Therapeutics(DSGN) - 2024 Q3 - Quarterly Report

Financial Position - As of September 30, 2024, the company had an accumulated deficit of $213.6 million and cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities of$254.1 million[79]. - As of September 30, 2024, the company had $254.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities, a decrease of$27.7 million from $281.8 million at December 31, 2023[99]. - The company anticipates continuing to incur net losses and negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future[98]. - The company expects its existing cash and investments to be sufficient to fund planned operating expenses for more than the next 12 months[103]. - The company may need to finance its cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, or strategic collaborations[106]. Operating Expenses - Research and development expenses for Q3 2024 were$11.9 million, a decrease of $1.4 million (approximately 10.4$13.3 million in Q3 2023, primarily due to the completion of clinical activities for the FA program[93]. - General and administrative expenses for Q3 2024 were $4.4 million, down$1.2 million (approximately 21.5%) from $5.6 million in Q3 2023[93]. - Total operating expenses for Q3 2024 were$16.2 million, a decrease of $2.6 million (approximately 13.7$18.8 million in Q3 2023[93]. - For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total operating expenses were $45.689 million, down$17.380 million (27.6%) from $63.069 million in the same period in 2023[95]. - The company reported a significant decrease in research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaling$32.193 million, down $13.858 million (30.1$46.051 million in the same period in 2023[96]. Clinical Development - The company plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of the new product candidate DT-216P2 in healthy volunteers in the first half of 2025, with patient dosing expected later in 2025[72]. - The second GeneTAC™ small molecule, DT-168, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, with initial data expected in the first half of 2025[74]. - In preclinical studies for Huntington's disease, the company observed over a 50% reduction in mutant HTT RNA and protein in an animal model after eight weeks of treatment[75]. - The company is continuing to evaluate DM1 GeneTAC™ molecules, which have shown robust reductions in nuclear foci and splicing defects in patient muscle cells[76]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates that expenses and operating losses will increase substantially as it continues clinical trials and expands its capabilities[80]. - The company has not generated any revenue from product sales and expects to incur significant commercialization expenses if any product candidates receive marketing approval[79]. - Future capital requirements will depend on various factors, including the scope and costs of drug discovery and clinical trials, as well as regulatory approval processes[105]. Company Classification - The company remains classified as an emerging growth company until at least December 31, 2026, allowing it to rely on certain exemptions from public company reporting requirements[122]. - The company has irrevocably elected not to avail itself of the exemption from new or revised accounting standards, thus will adhere to the same standards as other public companies[123]. - The company will cease to be an emerging growth company upon reaching at least $1.235 billion in annual revenue or if certain market value thresholds are met[124]. Share Issuance - The company has not sold any shares under the$100 million ATM Program as of September 30, 2024, which is part of the $300 million shelf registration statement filed in April 2022[102].