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Veru(VERU) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-08 13:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Research and development costs increased to $3.9 million from $3.0 million in the prior quarter, attributed to expenses related to the Innovus Arm Phase 2b quality clinical study [23] - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $5.2 million from $5.9 million in the prior quarter, primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation [24] - The net loss for continuing operations was $7.9 million or $0.05 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million or $0.06 per diluted common share in the prior year's quarter [24] - Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balance was $20 million as of March 31, 2025, down from $24.9 million as of September 30, 2024 [29] - The company reported a net loss from discontinued operations of $49,000 or $0.00 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million or $0.01 per diluted common share in the prior quarter [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on its obesity program, specifically the drug candidates enobosarb and sebisibulin, with a significant emphasis on the Phase 2b quality clinical study for enobosarb [5][16] - The Phase 2b clinical trial demonstrated a 71% preservation of total lean body mass in patients receiving enobosarb plus semaglutide versus placebo plus semaglutide [10] - Enobosarb treatment resulted in a 46% greater relative loss of fat mass compared to placebo plus semaglutide, indicating a shift towards more selective fat loss [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The prevalence of obesity is reported at 41.5% among 47.4 million patients enrolled in Medicare Part D plans, with 34.4% of patients over the age of 60 having obesity in the United States [22] - Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by obesity and low muscle mass, poses a significant risk for older patients, highlighting the market potential for the company's drug candidates [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to focus exclusively on drug development following the sale of the FC2 female condom business, allowing for a more concentrated effort on its clinical programs [28] - Upcoming catalysts include the unblinded safety data for the Phase 2b quality study and regulatory clarity from the FDA regarding the Phase 3 program [16][30] - The company aims to propose a Phase 3 clinical program that is similar to the positive Phase 2b quality trial, targeting older patients with obesity or overweight [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in having sufficient cash to last into the fourth quarter of the calendar year, allowing time to navigate upcoming clinical data releases and regulatory meetings [34] - The company is in active discussions for potential partnerships to secure non-dilutive funding for the Phase 3 program, emphasizing the unique value proposition of its drug candidates [37] - Management highlighted the importance of demonstrating the ability to maintain muscle mass while promoting fat loss, which is a key differentiator in the obesity treatment landscape [38] Other Important Information - The company recognized a gain on the sale of NTAPI assets of $974,000, contributing positively to its financial results [24] - The cash generated from the sale of the FC2 business was approximately $16.3 million, which will support ongoing operations and drug development efforts [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Could you talk about your cash balance and runway options for funding the Phase 3? - Management indicated that there is enough cash to last into the fourth quarter and is exploring non-dilutive funding options, including partnerships with large pharmaceutical companies [34][37] Question: What outcomes would be considered a success for the Phase 2b extension maintenance study? - Success would be defined by the ability to blunt fat regain and potentially cause additional fat loss while maintaining muscle mass after stopping GLP-1 treatment [46][50] Question: What is the expected size of the Phase 3 study and concerns regarding tariffs? - The Phase 3 study is expected to involve approximately 400 patients, and management does not foresee significant tariff-related issues affecting the cost of goods for enobosarb [58][59]