Edesa Biotech Reports Fiscal 3rd Quarter 2021 Financial Results

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 13, 2021 / Edesa Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:EDSA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on inflammatory and immune-related diseases, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and provided an update on its business.

During the quarter, the company achieved key interim milestones for both of its lead product candidates, EB05 and EB01. Independent monitoring boards assessed blinded interim treatment data and based on their positive findings recommended that the two development programs advance to the final stages of enrollment. Edesa expects the end of Phase 2 (interim) analysis of a Phase 2/3 study of EB05 as a single-dose treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients will be completed as early as the current quarter. The company plans to provide more detailed clinical updates as they become available. In parallel, the company has begun patient randomizations for the final part of a Phase 2b clinical study evaluating EB01 as a monotherapy for chronic Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Edesa recently added new investigational sites and expanded recruitment beyond the U.S. to Canada.

“We are pleased to have these two key programs advancing side by side toward data readouts and value inflection opportunities. EB05 and EB01 each represent novel anti-inflammatory technologies with the potential to provide transformational therapies for a broad range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions,” said Par Nijhawan, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Edesa Biotech. “We look forward to maintaining the momentum we achieved year to date, and announcing our end of Phase 2 results of our EB05 program as soon as available.”

Edesa’s Chief Financial Officer Kathi Niffenegger reported that expenditures for the fiscal third quarter were in line with management’s expectations and driven primarily by incremental clinical study expenses related to patient enrollment, expanded operations and drug product-related costs. “Our R&D expenditures for the three-month and nine-month periods have largely tracked the accelerated progress of our clinical studies as well as preparations related to commercial-scale manufacturing of our product candidates,” she said.

For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2021, Ms. Niffenegger reported that the company recorded reimbursements of approximately $8.5 million under a C$14 million reimbursement grant from the Canadian Government, including $1.3 million for the fiscal third quarter. At June 30, 2021, Edesa had working capital of $13.35 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $8.05 million.

Financial Results for the three months Ended June 30, 2021

There were no revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $0.11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, reflecting the winddown and discontinuation of sales of product inventory from legacy operations.

Total operating expenses increased by $4.19 million to $6.07 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $1.88 million for the same period last year:

Research and development expenses increased by $3.32 million to $4.46 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $1.14 million for the same period last year primarily due to increased external research expenses related to recruitment and enrollment in the company’s ongoing clinical studies, increased investigational drug product expenses and an increase in noncash share-based compensation. Higher salary and related personnel expenses and patent fees also contributed to the increase.
General and administrative expenses increased by $0.88 million to $1.61 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $0.73 million for the same period last year primarily as a result of higher salary and related personnel expenses, noncash share-based compensation and increased headcount. Higher legal and other professional services also contributed to the increase.

Total other income increased by $1.31 million to $1.31 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to less than $0.01 million for the same period last year primarily due to increased grant income under the company’s federal reimbursement grant with the Canadian government’s Strategic Innovation Fund.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, Edesa reported a net loss of $4.76 million, or $0.36 per common share, compared to a net loss of $1.77 million, or $0.20 per common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2021

There were no revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $0.33 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2020, reflecting the winddown and discontinuation of sales of product inventory from legacy operations.

Total operating expenses increased by $13.48 million to $18.20 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021compared to $4.72 million for the same period last year:

Research and development expenses increased by $11.65 million to $13.82 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $2.17 million for the same period last year primarily due to milestone payments related to advancement of the company’s EB05 clinical program, increased external research expenses related to accelerated activity in the company’s ongoing clinical studies, increased investigational drug product expenses and an increase in noncash share-based compensation. Higher salary and related personnel expenses and patent fees also contributed to the increase.
General and administrative expenses increased by $1.85 million to $4.38 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $2.53 million for the same period last year primarily as a result of higher salary and related personnel expenses, noncash share-based compensation and increased headcount. Higher legal and other professional services also contributed to the increase.

Total other income increased by $8.50 million to $8.54 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $0.04 million for the same period last year primarily due to increased grant income under the company’s federal reimbursement grant with the Canadian government’s Strategic Innovation Fund.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2021, Edesa reported a net loss of $9.66 million, or $0.83 per common share, compared to a net loss of $4.35 million, or $0.52 per common share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2020.

Event Calendar

Edesa management is scheduled to present at the H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference being held September 13-15, 2021 in New York City. Attendees interested in meeting with management can schedule one-on-one meetings through the conference or by contacting Edesa at investors@edesabiotech.com.

About Edesa Biotech, Inc.

Edesa Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:EDSA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for inflammatory and immune-related diseases with clear unmet medical needs. The company’s two lead product candidates, EB05 and EB01, are in later stage clinical studies. EB05 is a monoclonal antibody therapy that the company is developing as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a life-threatening form of respiratory failure, and the leading cause of death among COVID-19 patients. Edesa is also developing an sPLA2 inhibitor, designated as EB01, as a topical treatment for chronic allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a common, potentially debilitating condition and occupational illness. EB01 employs a novel, non-steroidal mechanism of action and in two clinical studies has demonstrated statistically significant improvement of multiple symptoms in ACD patients. The company is based in Markham, Ontario, Canada, with a U.S. subsidiary located in Southern California. Sign up for news alerts. Connect with Edesa on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Edesa Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “might,” “potential,” or “continue” and variations or similar expressions, including statements related to: upcoming milestones in the company’s clinical studies, including the timing of enrollment milestones and data readouts for its COVID-19 and dermatitis studies; the company’s belief that its product candidates may provide transformational therapies for a broad range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions; and the company’s intention to maintain the momentum it has achieved during 2021 and move another step closer to providing new, effective treatment options for patients. Readers should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as all such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such risks include: the ability of Edesa to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize any of its product candidates, the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund Edesa’s operations may not be available or may be available on terms that are not commercially favorable to Edesa, the risk that Edesa’s product candidates may not be effective against the diseases tested in its clinical trials, the risk that Edesa fails to comply with the terms of license agreements with third parties and as a result loses the right to use key intellectual property in its business, Edesa’s ability to protect its intellectual property, the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of regulatory filings, and the impacts of public health crises, such as COVID-19. Many of these factors that will determine actual results are beyond the company’s ability to control or predict. For a discussion of further risks and uncertainties related to Edesa’s business, please refer to Edesa’s public company reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, Edesa assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact
Gary Koppenjan
Edesa Biotech, Inc.
(805) 488-2800 ext. 150
investors@edesabiotech.com

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 30, 2021			June 30, 2020			June 30, 2021			June 30, 2020

Total Revenues	$	–		$	109,985		$	–		$	328,301

Expenses:
Cost of sales		–			1,472			–			15,287
Research and development		4,464,347			1,143,868			13,819,305			2,174,680
General and administrative		1,608,232			733,079			4,377,507			2,528,702

		6,072,579			1,878,4190			18,196,812			4,718,669

Loss from Operations		(6,072,579	)		(1,768,434	)		(18,196,812	)		(4,390,368	)

Other Income (Loss):
Reimbursement grant income		1,306,796			–			8,477,261			–
Other income (loss)		6,273			2,671			63,242			41,436

Loss before income taxes		(4,759,510	)		(1,765,763	)		(9,656,309	)		(4,348,932	)

Income tax expense		–			–			800			800

Net Loss		(4,759,510	)		(1,765,763	)		(9,657,109	)		(4,349,732	)

Exchange differences on translation		174,128			68,972			267,075			47,178

Net Comprehensive Loss	$	(4,585,382	)	$	(1,696,791	)	$	(9,390,034	)	$	(4,302,554	)

Weighted average number of common shares		13,251,999			8,859,520			11,680,294			8,364,866

Loss per common share – basic and diluted	$	(0.36	)	$	(0.20	)	$	(0.83	)	$	(0.52	)

Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
	June 30, 2021		September 30, 2020

Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,052,574	$	7,213,695
Other current assets		6,281,733		890,323
Non-current assets		2,543,036		2,658,357

Total Assets	$	16,877,343	$	10,762,375

Liabilities, shareholders’ equity and temporary equity:
Current liabilities	$	983,467	$	1,529,857
Noncurrent liabilities		90,121		124,388
Temporary equity		–		2,476,955
Shareholders’ equity		15,803,755		6,631,175

Total liabilities, shareholders’ equity and temporary equity	$	16,877,343	$	10,762,375

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended
	June 30, 2021			June 30, 2020

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(9,657,109	)	$	(4,349,732	)
Adjustments for noncash items		2,380,648			540,945
Change in working capital items		(6,033,149	)		495,384

Net cash used in operating activities		(13,309,610	)		(3,313,403	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(7,610	)		15,532

Net cash provided by financing activities		13,953,703			3,864,307

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		202,396			43,676

Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period		838,879			610,112
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		7,213,695			5,030,583

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	8,052,574		$	5,640,695