Wave Life Sciences .(WVE) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2025 was $8.7 million, a decrease from $19.7 million in the prior year quarter, attributed to the timing of revenue recognized under the collaboration agreement with GSK [28] - Research and development expenses increased to $43.5 million from $40.4 million in the same period in 2024, driven by spending in the inhibin E program and RNA editing programs [28] - General and administrative expenses rose to $18 million from $14.3 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to share-based compensation and other external expenses [28] - The net loss for Q2 2025 was $50.5 million, compared to a net loss of $32.9 million in the prior year quarter [28] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q2 2025 were $208.5 million, down from $302.1 million as of December 31, 2024, with expectations to fund operations into 2027 [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The AATD clinical program is advancing with promising data from the RESTORATION trials, showing significant increases in circulating AAT levels [7][9] - The Enlight clinical program for obesity has expanded its second cohort from 8 to 32 participants due to favorable safety and tolerability results [10][11] - FORWARD 53 clinical results for DMD demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in time to rise, marking it as a best-in-class therapeutic option [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is actively engaging with the DMD community, highlighting the importance of their FORWARD 53 clinical results [12][13] - The obesity market is being targeted with the Enlight program, which is positioned to offer a differentiated approach compared to current standard care [22][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to unlock the potential of RNA medicines through proprietary oligonucleotide chemistry, focusing on both rare and common diseases [4][5] - Plans to initiate clinical development of new programs in 2026, with a focus on expanding their wholly owned discovery pipeline [12][25] - The strategy includes preparing for regulatory filings and engaging with the FDA for accelerated approval pathways [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ongoing clinical programs and the potential for upcoming data readouts to inform the therapeutic pipeline [31] - The company is encouraged by the engagement from the community and clinicians regarding their AATD program, indicating a strong need for effective therapies [6][9] - Future data from the RESTORATION and Enlight trials are expected to serve as key inflection points for the company [12][25] Other Important Information - The company welcomed Dr. Chris Wright as Chief Medical Officer, bringing extensive experience in drug development [5] - The company is focused on addressing both hepatic and extrahepatic targets with their RNA editing and siRNA programs [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on your reasons for expanding cohort two over advancing to cohort three sooner? - The decision to expand cohort two was based on safety data indicating the ability to dose escalate, and cohort two was modeled to align with weight loss similar to semaglutide [34][36] Question: Should we expect a linear dose response, or does the preservation of lean mass offset the weight loss aspect? - The expectation is that weight loss will be driven by fat without impacting muscle, but human data will clarify the translation of these effects [38] Question: What is your guidance on the different expectations from the two data readouts for the AATD program? - The focus will be on the multidose data, which is expected to show larger liver exposure and higher protein levels compared to single doses [44][46] Question: What is the desirable knockdown level for inhibin E? - The goal is to replicate preclinical data, aiming for a knockdown that aligns with therapeutic weight loss, and the company is open to continuing dose escalation beyond cohort three [51][52] Question: Can you provide specifics on the dosing completion for the two hundred milligram multidose? - All patients in the cohort have received their seven doses, and the study remains on track for data readout in the third quarter [58][59] Question: Is there anything qualitatively about the consistency of effect for the AATD program? - The company is encouraged by the consistency observed in preclinical models and early clinical data, indicating substantial protein production [65][66]