atos20220803_8k.htm
false 0001488039 0001488039 2023-11-13 2023-11-13
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): November 13, 2023
 
Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
         
Delaware
 
001-35610
 
26-4753208
         
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
     
     
107 Spring Street
Seattle, Washington
 
98104
     
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 588-0256
 
Not Applicable
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Emerging growth company 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
 
 
 
Securities registered pursuance to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Trading symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.18 par value
ATOS
The Nasdaq Capital Market 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On November 13, 2023, Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the quarter ended September 30, 2023 financial results and a Company update. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
The information in Items 2.02, and 9.01 of this report, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
 
 
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
 
(d) Exhibits
 
     
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
     
104
 
Cover page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
* * *
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
         
Date: November 13, 2023
Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.
 
 
 
By:  
/s/ Heather Rees
 
    Heather Rees  
   
Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ex_591834.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Atossa Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

 

 

Achieved significant enrollment milestones in ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials

 

Four ongoing Phase 2 studies evaluating (Z)-endoxifen, including recently announced study in DCIS

 

Ended third quarter 2023 with $94.0 million of cash and cash equivalents

 

SEATTLE, November 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATOS), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative proprietary medicines to address significant unmet needs in oncology with a focus on breast cancer, today announces financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and provides an update on recent company developments.

 

Key developments from Q3 2023 and year to date include:

 

 

80% Enrollment in Ongoing Phase 2 Karisma-Endoxifen Clinical Trial – the study is investigating (Z)-endoxifen in premenopausal women with measurable breast density. Participants receive daily doses of (Z)-endoxifen for six months, over the course of which mammograms are conducted to measure reduction in breast density. Data is expected in the second half of 2024.

 

80% Enrollment in Phase 2 I-SPY 2 Clinical Trial – (Z)-endoxifen is being evaluated as a neoadjuvant treatment in a study arm of the ongoing I-SPY 2 clinical trial. The study arm targets patients with newly diagnosed estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer whose tumors are predicted to be sensitive to endocrine therapy but for whom chemotherapy is expected to provide little or no benefit. Data is expected in the second half of 2024.

 

Initiation of Phase 2 Re-Evaluating Conditions for Active Surveillance Suitability as Treatment: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (RECAST DCIS) Study – (Z)-endoxifen is being evaluated as a treatment option in patients diagnosed with DCIS. The RECAST DCIS study, which is organized by Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, is aimed at preventing the progression of DCIS to breast cancer, which could significantly change the way DCIS is treated. Dosing is expected to start in Q4 2023.

 

Approval from Health Canada to Conduct Phase 2 EVANGELINE Clinical Trial in Canada – Atossa was authorized to open sites and enroll patients in the Phase 2 EVANGELINE study throughout Canada.

 

Research agreement with Weill Cornell Medicine – partnership to study the potential of inducing estrogen receptor (ER) expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The goal of this research is to determine if treating TNBC with extracellular vesicles carrying the ER will convert the tumor to ER+ and render it sensitive to treatment with Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, including Atossa’s proprietary (Z)-endoxifen.

 

Appointment of Jonathan Finn to Atossa's Board of Directors – Mr. Finn has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry with a focus on early to mid-stage biotech and technology companies. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Vantage Consulting Group, an investment advisory firm. 

 

“Q3 was another period of significant advancement for our Company and our (Z)-endoxifen development program,” said Dr. Steven Quay, Atossa’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “With two Phase 2 trials approaching full enrollment, we are preparing for critical data readouts in the second half of 2024. We also made important progress with our EVANGELINE study by initiating the 80mg PK run-in cohort and announced a fourth Phase 2 study in DCIS, which like our trial in mammographic breast density, is investigating (Z)-endoxifen in a population of women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer. We expect data from these four ongoing Phase 2 trials to further strengthen the growing body of evidence that (Z)-endoxifen may play an important role in both the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.”

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

The following table provides a breakdown of major categories within Research and Development (R&D) and General and Administrative (G&A) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, together with the dollar and percentage change in those categories:

 

   

September 30, 2023

   

September 30, 2022

   

Change

   

% Change

 

Research and Development

                               

Clinical and non-clinical trials

 

$

3,365

   

$

3,663

   

$

(298

)

   

(8%)

 

Compensation

   

763

     

1,050

     

(287

)

   

(27%)

 

Professional fees and other

   

339

     

447

     

(108

)

   

(24%)

 

Research and Development Total

 

$

4,467

   

$

5,160

   

$

(693

)

   

(13%)

 
                                 

General and Administrative

                               

Compensation

 

$

1,534

   

$

1,743

   

$

(209

)

   

(12%)

 

Legal and professional fees

   

946

     

699

     

247

     

35%

 

Insurance and other

   

521

     

603

     

(82

)

   

(14%)

 

General and Administrative Total

 

$

3,001

   

$

3,045

   

$

(44

)

   

(1%)

 

 

 

Total operating expenses were $7,468 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, which was a decrease of $737, or 9%, from the three months ended September 30, 2022. Factors contributing to the decreased operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 are explained below.

 

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $4,467, a decrease of $693 from R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $5,160. Key changes were as follows:

 

 

The decrease in R&D expense was attributed primarily to decreased spending on clinical and non-clinical trials of $298 compared to the prior year period due to decreased spending on (Z)-endoxifen trial costs.

 

 

The decrease in R&D compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period was primarily attributable to the decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $300 due to the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2023 being lower quarter over quarter. 

 

 

The decrease in R&D professional fees for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period was primarily attributable to the higher consulting fees in 2022 related to our immunotherapy research. 

 

G&A Expenses: G&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023, were $3,001, a decrease of $44 from total G&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $3,045. Key changes were as follows:

 

 

The decrease in G&A compensation expense of $209 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period, was primarily attributable to the decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $440 due to the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2023 being lower quarter over quarter. This decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was partially offset by an increase of $231 in cash compensation due to increase headcount compared to the prior year period.

 

 

G&A legal and professional fees increased by $247 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period due to an increase in legal fees for patent-related activity of $76 and an increase in professional fees of $171 due to higher investor relations costs.  

 

 

Interest Income: Interest income was $1,274 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1,080 from interest income of $194 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was due to the higher average balance invested in money market funds of $41,905 and higher average interest rates for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period. 

 

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

The following table provides a breakdown of major categories within R&D and G&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, together with the dollar and percentage change in those categories:

 

   

September 30, 2023

   

September 30, 2022

   

Change

   

% Change

 

Research and Development

                               

Clinical trials

 

$

8,239

   

$

6,772

   

$

1,467

     

22%

 

Compensation

   

2,696

     

3,249

     

(553

)

   

(17%)

 

Professional fees and other

   

745

     

776

     

(31

)

   

(4%)

 

Exclusivity agreements

   

-

     

(700

)

   

700

     

(100%)

 

Research and Development Total

 

$

11,680

   

$

10,097

   

$

1,583

     

16%

 
                                 

General and Administrative

                               

Compensation

 

$

6,153

   

$

5,573

   

$

580

     

10%

 

Legal and professional fees

   

2,835

     

2,044

     

791

     

39%

 

Insurance and other

   

1,690

     

1,839

     

(149

)

   

(8%)

 

General and Administrative Total

 

$

10,678

   

$

9,456

   

$

1,222

     

13%

 

 

 

Total operating expenses were $22,358 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which was an increase of $2,805, or 14%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Factors contributing to the increased operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are explained below.

 

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, were $11,680, an increase of $1,583 from total R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $10,097. Key changes were as follows:

 

 

The increase in R&D expense was primarily due to increased spending on clinical and non-clinical trials of $1,467 compared to the prior year period due to increased spending on (Z)-endoxifen trial costs. 

 

 

The decrease in R&D compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation of $588. Non-cash stock-based compensation decreased compared to the prior year period due to the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2023 being lower period over period.

 

 

An exclusivity agreement refund in the prior year period of $1,000 from a research institution with which the Company had an exclusive right to negotiate for the acquisition of worldwide rights of two oncology. No exclusivity payments were made or refunded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 

G&A Expenses: G&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, were $10,678, an increase of $1,222 from total G&A expenses for quarter ended September 30, 2022 of $9,456. Key changes were as follows:

 

 

The increase in G&A compensation expense of $580 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period partially due to an increase in cash compensation expense of $1,133, offset by a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation of $553. The increase in compensation expense compared to the prior year period was primarily driven by salary and bonus severance costs for our former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of $554, an increase of $579 due to compensation for new employees as well as an increase in salaries, bonus and benefits overall. Non-cash stock-based compensation decreased by $553 in part due to a decrease in other employee non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $873 due to the decrease in the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2023 was lower period over period. This decrease was partially offset by the acceleration of expense recognized for options granted to the CFO of $320. 

 

 

G&A legal and professional fees increased by $791 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period due to an increase in legal fees for higher patent-related activity of $421 and an increase in professional fees of $370 primarily due to higher investor relations costs. 

 

Interest Income: Interest income was $3,107 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $2,900 from interest income of $207 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was due to the higher average balance invested in a money market funds of $44,513 and higher average interest rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period. 

 

Impairment Charge on Investment in Equity Securities: For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we wrote down our investment in DCT by $2,990 due to an impairment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 there was no investment in equity securities or related impairment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About (Z)-Endoxifen

(Z)-endoxifen is the most active metabolite of the FDA approved Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), tamoxifen. Studies by others have demonstrated that the therapeutic effects of tamoxifen are driven in a concentration-dependent manner by (Z)-endoxifen. In addition to its potent anti-estrogen effects, (Z)-endoxifen at higher concentrations has been shown to target PKCβ1, a known oncogenic protein.

 

Atossa is developing a proprietary oral formulation of (Z)-endoxifen that does not require liver metabolism to achieve therapeutic concentrations and is encapsulated to bypass the stomach as acidic conditions in the stomach convert a greater proportion of (Z)-endoxifen to the inactive (E)-endoxifen. Atossa’s (Z)-endoxifen has been shown to be well tolerated in Phase 1 studies and in a small Phase 2 study of women with breast cancer. (Z)-endoxifen is currently being studied in four Phase 2 trials: one in healthy women with measurable breast density, one in women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, and two other studies including the EVANGELINE study in women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. Atossa’s (Z)-endoxifen is protected by three issued U.S. patents and numerous pending patent applications.

 

About Atossa Therapeutics

Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology with a focus on breast cancer. For more information, please visit www.atossatherapeutics.com

 

 

Contact

Eric Van Zanten

VP, Investor and Public Relations

610-529-6219

eric.vanzanten@atossainc.com

 

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “expect,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “future,” or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcomes, or the timing of actual results or outcomes, to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including risks and uncertainties associated with: macroeconomic conditions and increasing geopolitical instability; the expected timing of releasing data; any variation between interim and final clinical results; actions and inactions by the FDA and foreign regulatory bodies; the outcome or timing of regulatory approvals needed by Atossa, including those needed to continue our planned (Z)-endoxifen trials; our ability to satisfy regulatory requirements; our ability to successfully develop and commercialize new therapeutics; the success, costs and timing of our development activities, including our ability to successfully initiate or complete our clinical trials, including our (Z)-endoxifen trials; our anticipated rate of patient enrollment; our ability to contract with third-parties and their ability to perform adequately; our estimates on the size and characteristics of our potential markets; our ability to successfully defend litigation and other similar complaints and to establish and maintain intellectual property rights covering our products; whether we can successfully complete our clinical trial of oral (Z)-endoxifen in women with mammographic breast density and our trials of (Z)-endoxifen in women with breast cancer, and whether the studies will meet their objectives; our expectations as to future financial performance, expense levels and capital sources, including our ability to raise capital; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our anticipated working capital needs and expectations around the sufficiency of our cash reserves; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Atossa’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on 10-Q. Forward-looking statements are presented as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands, except for par value)

(Unaudited)

 

   

As of September 30,

   

As of December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Assets

               

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

94,031

   

$

110,890

 

Restricted cash

   

110

     

110

 

Prepaid expenses

   

3,472

     

4,031

 

Research and development rebate receivable

   

28

     

743

 

Other current assets

   

7

     

2,423

 

Total current assets

   

97,648

     

118,197

 
                 

Investment in equity securities

   

1,710

     

4,700

 

Other assets

   

2,337

     

635

 

Total Assets

 

$

101,695

   

$

123,532

 
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable

 

$

718

   

$

2,965

 

Accrued expenses

   

1,261

     

1,059

 

Payroll liabilities

   

1,444

     

1,525

 

Other current liabilities

   

21

     

19

 

Total current liabilities

   

3,444

     

5,568

 
                 

Total Liabilities

   

3,444

     

5,568

 
                 

Commitments and contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders' equity

               

Series B convertible preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; 1 share issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022

   

-

     

-

 

Additional paid-in capital - Series B convertible preferred stock

   

582

     

582

 

Common stock - $0.18 par value; 175,000 shares authorized; 125,304 and 126,624 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

   

22,792

     

22,792

 

Additional paid-in capital - common stock

   

254,886

     

250,784

 

Treasury stock, at cost; 1,320 and 0 shares of common stock at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

   

(1,475

)

   

-

 

Accumulated deficit

   

(178,534

)

   

(156,194

)

Total Stockholders' Equity

   

98,251

     

117,964

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

$

101,695

   

$

123,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC. 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(amounts in thousands, except for per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

   

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Research and development

 

$

4,467

   

$

5,160

   

$

11,680

   

$

10,097

 

General and administrative

   

3,001

     

3,045

     

10,678

     

9,456

 

Total operating expenses

   

7,468

     

8,205

     

22,358

     

19,553

 

Operating loss

   

(7,468

)

   

(8,205

)

   

(22,358

)

   

(19,553

)

Impairment charge on investment in equity securities

   

-

     

-

     

(2,990

)

   

-

 

Interest income

   

1,274

     

194

     

3,107

     

207

 

Other expense, net

   

(35

)

   

-

     

(99

)

   

(123

)

Loss before income taxes

   

(6,229

)

   

(8,011

)

   

(22,340

)

   

(19,469

)

Income taxes

   

-

     

-

     

-

     

-

 

Net loss

   

(6,229

)

   

(8,011

)

   

(22,340

)

   

(19,469

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   

-

     

(54

)

   

-

     

(54

)

Comprehensive loss

   

(6,229

)

   

(8,065

)

   

(22,340

)

   

(19,523

)

Loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

(0.18

)

 

$

(0.15

)

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

   

125,793

     

126,624

     

126,344

     

126,624