Mereo BioPharma Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Highlights

Core Viewpoint - Mereo BioPharma is advancing its clinical programs for setrusumab and alvelestat, with significant financial results and operational updates provided for the second quarter of 2025, indicating a focus on rare diseases and a strong cash position to support operations into 2027 [1][2][9]. Group 1: Clinical Development - Data from the Phase 3 Orbit and Cosmic studies for setrusumab in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is expected by the end of 2025, with ongoing patient dosing and a focus on reducing fractures and improving functional parameters [2][5]. - The Phase 3 studies are being conducted in partnership with Ultragenyx, which has confirmed an acceptable safety profile for setrusumab during an interim analysis [5]. - Pre-commercial efforts for setrusumab are ongoing in Europe, including the SATURN program to understand the natural history of OI and generate data for health economic models [5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - For the second quarter of 2025, total research and development expenses increased to $5.4 million, up from $4.9 million in the same period of 2024, primarily due to increased costs associated with setrusumab [4]. - General and administrative expenses decreased to $5.5 million from $7.9 million in the second quarter of 2024, attributed to reimbursements and lower professional fees [7]. - The net loss for the second quarter of 2025 was $14.6 million, compared to $12.3 million in the same period of 2024, influenced by a foreign currency transaction loss of $5.4 million [8]. Group 3: Cash Position and Guidance - As of June 30, 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $56.1 million, down from $69.8 million at the end of 2024, but sufficient to fund operations into 2027 [9]. - The company maintains its guidance that existing cash will support committed clinical trials and operational expenses, excluding potential partnership payments for alvelestat [9]. Group 4: Shareholder Information - Total ordinary shares issued as of June 30, 2025, were 795,001,444, with total ADS equivalents of 159,000,288 [10].