Aura Biosciences Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Business Highlights

Core Insights - Aura Biosciences, Inc. has initiated a multi-dose Phase 1b/2 trial of bel-sar for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC), with initial data expected by the end of 2025 [1][14] - The company has strengthened its leadership team by appointing Tony Gibney as Chief Financial and Business Officer [1][18] - Aura is making significant progress in its ocular and urologic oncology programs, particularly with the Phase 3 CoMpass trial for early-stage choroidal melanoma [2][3] Recent Pipeline Developments - The CoMpass trial is the first registration-enabling study for early-stage choroidal melanoma, actively enrolling patients globally [3][4] - Over 220 patients have been pre-screened for the CoMpass trial since June 2024, indicating a strong demand for vision-preserving therapies [4] - Bel-sar is also being explored for metastases to the choroid and cancers of the ocular surface, with a collective incidence of over 60,000 patients annually in the U.S. and Europe [6][10] Clinical Trials and Data - A Phase 2 trial for bel-sar in metastases to the choroid has been initiated, with plans to broaden inclusion criteria to include various solid tumors [7] - Positive results from a completed Phase 1 trial for NMIBC showed multiple clinical complete responses and a favorable safety profile [12] - The ongoing Phase 1b/2 trial for NMIBC will evaluate two approaches, with endpoints including complete response rates and recurrence-free survival [13][14] Financial Overview - As of March 31, 2025, Aura reported cash and cash equivalents totaling $128.0 million, sufficient to fund operations into the second half of 2026 [18] - Research and development expenses increased to$23.3 million in Q1 2025 from $17.1 million in Q1 2024, driven by clinical trial costs [19] - The net loss for Q1 2025 was$27.5 million, compared to $19.7 million in Q1 2024, reflecting increased operational expenses [24]