Lineage Cell Therapeutics(LCTX) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of March 31, 2025, the company's cash position was $47.9 million, expected to support operations into Q1 2027 [24] - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were $1.5 million, a net increase of $0.1 million compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2024, primarily driven by collaboration revenue from Roche [25] - Operating expenses for Q1 2025 were $8 million, a decrease of $0.1 million compared to $8.1 million in Q1 2024 [26] - The net loss for Q1 2025 was $4.1 million or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $6.5 million or $0.04 per share for the same period in 2024 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - OpRegen is currently in a Phase 2a study called the GALET study, which is exploring surgical delivery parameters to optimize the risk-benefit profile [8] - The OPC1 program has been tested in 30 individuals with severe spinal cord injuries, with promising long-term safety and efficacy data [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is encouraged by recent independent validation from competing RPE companies, indicating that RPE transplants can drive clinical outcomes beyond currently approved therapies [13] - Genentech plans to report three-year data from the Phase 1/2a trial of OpRegen, which is expected to provide additional support for the treatment's efficacy [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to capitalize on its investments in cell manufacturing and expand its capabilities through partnerships beyond OpRegen and OPC1 [29] - The manufacturing platform is seen as a competitive advantage, allowing for low-cost production of allogeneic therapies [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains confident in OpRegen's potential to drive positive clinical outcomes in dry AMD and is encouraged by partners' commitment to the program [28] - The company is optimistic about the future of cell and gene therapies, especially in light of supportive regulatory comments from the new CBER director [84] Other Important Information - The company has completed GMP production runs of a product candidate from a single pluripotent cell line, marking a significant achievement in manufacturing capabilities [16] - The company is collaborating with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for the third annual SCI Investor Symposium, which will be held virtually [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you compare your manufacturing capabilities to peers? - The CEO noted that direct comparisons are challenging as many peers do not disclose sufficient details about their capabilities, but emphasized that the company's manufacturing system is highly differentiated [33][36] Question: What potential tariff impacts might you expect with your manufacturing site in Israel? - The CFO indicated that they do not expect tariff impacts and have measures in place to mitigate production issues by purchasing materials in advance [38] Question: Can you elaborate on potential partnership opportunities related to your new manufacturing capabilities? - The CEO mentioned that each opportunity will be specific, and the company is not aiming to become a contract manufacturer but is open to collaborations that could involve success payments and ownership in assets [45][46] Question: When might we expect data from the OPC1 program? - The CEO stated that initial safety data from the dose study would be available within 30 days, while functional assessments would take longer, typically 6 to 12 months [54][55] Question: What does a successful delivery outcome look like for the OPC1 dose study? - The CEO explained that success will largely depend on the usability of the new delivery device and the absence of unexpected complications, with a focus on enabling a better surgical delivery method [62] Question: Can you comment on the design of the spinal cord injury trial? - The CEO provided details on the staggered enrollment process, indicating that the first three patients will be thoracic injury patients, followed by cervical patients, before moving to open enrollment [86]