Longeveron Inc. (LGVN) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Greetings, and welcome to the Longeveron Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Mike Moyer. Mike, please proceed.

Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Longeveron's Third Quarter 2023 Results Conference Call. Today, we will discuss financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and provide a business update. Earlier this morning, we issued a press release with these results, which can be found under the Investors section of Longeveron's website. I'm joined today by the following members of Longeveron's management team. Mr. Wa'el Hashad, Chief Executive Officer; Nataliya Agafonova, Chief Medical Officer; and Lisa Locklear, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Hashad will begin with a brief corporate overview, then Dr. Agafonova will review Longeveron's recent progress in its clinical programs and Ms. Locklear will review financial results for the third quarter. Following the company's prepared remarks, we will open the call to questions from covering analysts. As a reminder, during this call, we will be making forward-looking statements, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these statements. Any such statements should be considered in conjunction with cautionary statements in our press releases and risk factors discussed in our filings with the SEC, including our quarterly report on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, and cautionary statements made during this call. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements or information. Now I'd like to turn the call over to Mr. Wa'el Hashad, Chief Executive Officer of Longeveron. Wa'el?

Thank you, Mike, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to the Longeveron's Third Quarter 2023 Business Update and Financial Results Call. We are pleased to be speaking with you today and look forward to sharing our progress developing regenerative medicines for unmet medical needs. Our third quarter and recent weeks have been very productive, led by top line results we announced from the CLEAR MIND Alzheimer's disease trial, which affirms the safety profile of Lomecel-B and provided a clear efficacy signal. We are also presenting extended survival data from ELPIS I trial of Lomecel-B in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, also known as HLHS, at the scientific session of the American Heart Association and took steps to strengthen our balance sheet, securing $4 million of gross proceeds before expenses from equity financing to support our continued advancement of these clinical programs. I will turn the call over to my colleague, Dr. Agafonova, and Lisa Locklear in a moment to review these developments in detail. But first, I'll begin with a brief overview of Lomecel-B. Our product candidate, Lomecel-B is a living cell product made from a specialized cell isolated from a bone marrow of young healthy adult donor aged 18 to 45. These specialized cells are known in the literature as medicinal signaling cells, or MSCs, and are essential to our endogenous or built-in biological repair mechanism. MSCs have been shown to perform a number of complex functions in our body, including the formation of these tissues. They also have been shown to hone and respond to type of injury or disease and secrete bioactive factors that are immunomodulatory and degenerative. We believe that Lomecel-B has multiple potential mechanisms of action that may lead to anti-inflammatory pro-vascular, regenerative response and therefore, they have a broader application of a range of rare and aging-related diseases. We have ongoing program in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS, Alzheimer's disease and aging-related frailty. Our ELPIS II trial in HLHS has exceeded its 50% enrollment threshold and we have activated additional clinical sites to further expedite enrollment. This is our priority program and are focused on completing enrollment in this file in 2024. As I mentioned, we also announced positive top line results from our CLEAR MIND Phase 2a trial for Lomecel-B treatment in Alzheimer's disease last month, and expect full data from this trial in the coming weeks. In aging-related frailty, enrollment continues to progress in our Phase 2 study in Japan. The data we have generated in HLHS, Alzheimer's, all supports a broader potential of Lomecel-B as a regenerative medicine therapy for a range of unmet needs and we are excited about the progress we are making. With that, I will turn over the call to Dr. Nataliya Agafonova to provide more detailed overview of our clinical program and recent projects. Nataliya?

Thank you, Wa'el. I will begin with a brief review of our Alzheimer's disease program and the top line results we recently presented from our CLEAR MIND study. Based on the growing body of preclinical and clinical data from various sources, we believe Lomecel-B may prevent the clinical progression of Alzheimer's disease by reducing disease-related brain inflammation. Neuronal cell death also that caused by earlier and substantial neuro inflammation is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease, MSCs with characteristics similar to Lomecel-B have been shown to cross the blood brain barrier, potentially this anti-inflammatory effect, improving endothelial function and promoting neurogenesis, the process of neuron formation in the brain. Our Phase 2a trial of Lomecel-B for mild Alzheimer's disease called the CLEAR MIND trial, completed enrollment in November of 2022. CLEAR MIND is a 48-patient, 4-arm parallel design, randomized clinical trial of Lomecel-B designed to evaluate the safety of single and multiple infusions of 2 different dose levels of Lomecel-B compared to placebo in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The primary endpoint is safety, as measured by the occurrence of serious adverse events within the first 30 days after administration of Lomecel-B. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include measures of cognitive function, fluid and radiological biomarkers relevant to inflammation endothelial vascular systems. In a previously completed Phase 1 study, we demonstrated a preliminary safety of Lomecel-B patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Results from CLEAR MIND show that the primary endpoint of safety was met based on statistical and medical assessment. There was 1 serious adverse event reported on each Lomecel-B treatment group and none on placebo. Each SAE was reviewed and assessed by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board with no safety issues raised. The study safety data were consistent with established safety profile, with no incidence of hypersensitivities, no cases of Alzheimer-related imaging abnormalities, no clinically asymptomatic microhemorrhages as revealed by the magnetic MRI and no notable changes in laboratory evaluations and electrocardiogram. In the secondary endpoint of change from baseline to week 39 in CADS, which is the Composite Alzheimer Disease Score, positive results were demonstrated at the prespecified statistical level of p less than 0.1 2-tailed. Statistically significant improvement in week 39 in CADS was observed for Lomecel-B at dose level of 25 million, with statistical significant 0.091 versus placebo, and the pooled Lomecel Group consists of 25 million dose once, 25 million dose 4, 100 million cells 4 doses with statistical significant 0.099. In terms of specific components of the CADS score composite endpoint evaluated at p level of 0.05 2-tailed, Lomecel-B dose 25 million once demonstrated statistical significant slowing of disease progression in left hippocampal volume, the statistical significance 0.015 relative to placebo. ADCS-ADL score, which stands for Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study Activity of Daily Living and left hippocampal volume at week 39 were statistically significant for all Lomecel-B treatment group relative to placebo with p-value 0.047 and 0.038, respectively. Other doses demonstrated numerical slowing and prevention of disease worsening relative to placebo in composite score ADAS-cognitive score, cognition and function scale and activity of daily living scale, measured by the caregiver and left hippocampal volume at week 39. We believe these results provide important validation of both the safety and therapeutic potential of Lomecel-B in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and provide a robust support for additional clinical trials in other indications. As Wa'el mentioned, we expect the full data set from this trial in the coming weeks. Now for an update on our HLHS program. For those who might not know, HLHS is a rare congenital and devastating birth defect in which the left ventricle of the heart is either severely underdeveloped or missing. The condition affects approximately 1,000 babies per year in the United States. Babies born with this condition have severely diminished systemic blood flow, which requires children to undergo a complex 3-stage heart reconstruction surgery process over the course of the first 5 years of their life. While these children can now live into adulthood with surgical intervention, only 50% to 60% of affected individuals survive to adolescence due to right ventricle failure, which is often unable to handle the increased load required to support systemic circulation. Furthermore, even those children with successful surgical intervention are at an elevated risk of short-term mortality, delayed development and long-term complications, including organ failure. As such, there is an important unmet medical need to improve right ventricle function in these patients to improve both short-term and long-term patient outcome. As Wa'el mentioned, we are presenting the latest long-term survival from our ELPIS I study, a Phase I study of Lomecel-B in children with HLHS, at the scientific session of the American Heart Association, which begins tomorrow. 10 patients participated in ELPIS I trial during which Lomecel-B was injected concurrent with Stage 2 surgery, also known as the Glenn procedure. In the data set we are presenting, 10 patients have been monitored for up to 5 years after treatment. Earlier long-term follow-up data from this trial was announced previously, showing that 100% of the 10 patients who participated in ELPIS I trial survived and remained heart transplant free for up to 5 years of age as compared with the historical clinical trial results showing that children with HLHS who undergo the Glenn procedure typically have had 15% to 20% mortality by 5 years of age. The ELPIS I data are highly encouraging and reinforce our enthusiasm for Lomecel-B as a potential treatment to transform care for patients with HLHS. Our ELPIS II trial is designed to assess the potential of Lomecel-B to improve right ventricular function and long-term outcomes. The trial is a 38-patient controlled Phase II clinical trial, evaluating the safety and efficacy of Lomecel-B as an adjunct therapeutic to standard of care HLHS surgery. The primary outcome measure is the change in the right ventricle ejection fraction from baseline to 12 months. The trial is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. As we announced this week, our ELPIS II trial has exceeded its enrollment threshold of 50%. We also announced the activation of our eighth clinical site location, one more than the 7 originally planned. Completion of ELPIS II is our priority program and our focus is on completing enrollment in this trial in 2024. I will conclude with a brief update of our aging-related frailty program. Aging-related frailty is an age-associated decline across multiple physiological system leading to the inability to cope with stressors. It is characterized by mobility impairment, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, slowness and low activity and puts individuals at high risk for poor clinical outcome, such as infections, falls, fractures, hospitalization and even death. At Longeveron, we've been evaluating the effect Lomecel-B may have on health and function of elderly frail patients, particularly on their physical and immune system function. This clinical development strategy in aging-related frailty in focus on Japan, a country with one of the oldest population in the world. Our Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating Lomecel-B in patients with aging-related frailty in Japan. The Phase 2 trial is a 3-arm, parallel design, randomized, evenly split 1:1:1, of placebo as well as 2 different Lomecel-B simple infusions. Enrollment is continued and the trial is expected to enroll 45 patients by the end of 2024. The primary endpoint is to evaluate safety with an overarching goal of providing support for an eventual limited approval under the Japan Act of the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, or ASRM, which recognizes the tremendous potential, therapeutic potential of cell therapy. With that, I'd now like to turn the call over to Lisa Locklear, our CFO, to discuss our financial results for the third quarter of 2023. Lisa?

Thanks, Nataliya, and good morning, everyone. What I'm covering this morning will be presented in more detail in our condensed financial statements and in our management's discussion and analysis of operations in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which we filed yesterday. Revenues for each of the 3 months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Grant revenue for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 0 and $0.1 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in grant funds available due to the completion of the grant-funded clinical trial. Clinical trial revenue, which is derived from the Bahamas Registry Trial, for the 3-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $0.2 million. Clinical trial revenue for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023, decreased by less than $0.1 million compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of a decrease in participant demand. Related cost of revenues was approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease of $0.1 million or 45% was primarily due to the decrease in revenues earned from the Bahamas Registry Trial. This resulted in a gross profit of approximately $0.1 million for both of the 3-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. General and administrative expenses for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023, increased to approximately $3.1 million compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2022. The increase of approximately $1 million was primarily related to increases of $0.3 million in compensation and benefit expenses, $0.4 million of expenses related to legal and professional fees and $0.4 million of expenses related to the subscription rights offering. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in stock-based compensation expense. Research and development expenses for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023, decreased to approximately $1.8 million from approximately $3 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease of $1.1 million was primarily due to a decrease of $1 million in research and development expenses driven by lower spend on clinical trials and supplies. Selling and marketing expenses for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of investor and public relations expenses. Other income for the 3 months ended September 30, 2023, was $0.1 million, which consisted of interest income. Other expense for the 3 months ended September 30, 2022, was less than $0.1 million. Our net loss was approximately $5.1 million and $5.2 million for the 3-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $2 million, marketable securities of $2 million and working capital of approximately $1.7 million. As of December 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents was $10.5 million, marketable securities were $9.2 million and working capital was approximately $15.4 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on October 13, 2023, the company closed a registered direct equity offering priced at the market under NASDAQ rules and a concurrent private placement with gross proceeds of approximately $4 million, before deducting the placement agent's fees and other offering expenses payable by Longeveron. Longeveron currently intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the ongoing clinical and regulatory development of Lomecel-B and for capital expenditures, working capital and general corporate purposes. Based on the company's current operating plan and financial resources, we believe that our existing cash and short-term investments will be sufficient to cover expenses and capital requirements into the first quarter of 2024. With that, thank you and I'll turn the call over to Wa'el. Wa'el?

Thank you, Lisa. And yes, as everyone has heard today with the announcement of positive trial results from our CLEAR MIND study and the full data expected in the coming weeks, results from ELPIS I trial and HLHS being presented at the American Heart Association and ELPIS II continuing its enrollment and our Phase II program in aging-related frailty progressing in Japan as well, we are looking forward to meaningful milestones in the near term. We are making steady progress in advancing Lomecel-B across these 3 indications and fully realizing the therapeutic potential of Lomecel-B. I would now like to open the call for questions. Operator, please open the lines to our covering analysts.

[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from Michael Okunewitch.

I guess to kick things off, I just want to ask something about your strategy regarding HLHS given that you have this strong data from ELPIS I. What sort of community outreach and awareness building are you doing? Or given the rare nature of the disease, the unmet need, is there not really a need to do all that much more than presenting data at conferences and strategically selecting sites for the ELPIS II study?

Michael, thank you for the question. I think it's a great question, and I will pass it on to Nataliya, who have been -- since she came, she started reaching out to advocacy groups and other communities within the hypoplastic left heart syndrome. As you know, HLHS is a rare, ultrarare actually for that matter, ultra-rare disease. So there are not too many communities, but there are some communities, and I will have Nataliya give you a little bit of some of the examples that we are working on. Nataliya?

Thank you so much, Wa'el and thank you so much, Michael, for your question. And you're absolutely right, because it's a rare disease, my first probably action when I came to the company was how do we increase awareness. And there are few steps we are currently doing. The largest advocacy group existing for this particular indication even, not just for rare disease, but even for HLHS, it's called Sisters by Heart. We reach out Sisters by Heart. We are collaborating right now to engage with parents, engage with physicians who are treating this disease just to increase awareness and that our trial exists and do everything possible for patients, for parents, for community to be aware. In addition, besides that, of course, we are very actively engaged with our sites. We are visiting them. We understand more about these patients' care, about the disease. And we reach more other potential programs, which exist as a network for parents to be aware about HLHS, and this is in progress.

Yes. And of course, Michael, we did also 1 key opinion leader event that was hosted by 3 top key opinion leaders to educate everyone on the hypoplastic left heart syndrome. It was conducted by Dr. Sunjay Kaushal, Dr. Ram Subramanyan and Dr. Josh Hare. And it's available also as an enduring material on both our website and LifeSci, our Investor Relations portal as well.

All right. Yes. And then 1 more for me and I'll hop back into the queue. I just want to see with the full CLEAR MIND data coming up in the next few weeks, are there any particular additional analyses that you think we should be keeping our eye out for?

Yes, of course. This will be a complete study report, so it will include the data that we disclosed. But as Nataliya has mentioned, we are going to also announce additional analysis from additional scales that we have not presented, cognitive scales, such as MMSE, MOCA. We're also going to be presenting more detailed MRI data. And of course, all the biomarker data, which is a large data set, that's why it's taking a lot of time to do the analysis. So there will be a lot of additional analysis is coming, but those are the 3. The cognitive scales, the MRI data and the biomarker data are the 3 things that people have not seen before. And I think they all will be interesting.

All right. We're looking forward to it.

[Operator Instructions] This concludes our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the floor back over to Wa'el Hashad for closing comments.

All right. Thank you, operator. All right. Well, thanks, everyone, for attending the call today. On behalf of Longeveron, I would like to thank you for your continued interest and support and wish you a good day today. Thank you.

This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.