HOUSTON, Nov. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using protein inhibition and protein degradation to develop cancer therapies for patients in need of new treatment options, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and provided a business update. Highlights of the third quarter of 2022 and recent weeks include:

Financial Highlights

• Cash and cash equivalents were $16.8 million as of September 30, 2022, compared with $29.2 million as of December 31, 2021
• Net loss for the third quarter of 2022 was $14.4 million, or $6.41 per share, which included a loss on goodwill impairment of $8.9 million, or an impairment of $3.94 per share, compared with net loss for the third quarter of 2021 of $3.7 million, or $2.09 per share
• Higher operating expenses reflect initial SP-3164 costs as the company makes progress toward important near-term milestones
• Regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum-bid requirement following a reverse stock split

SP-3164 (Targeted Protein Degrader) Highlights

• Advanced plans for filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first half of 2023 after completing the pre-IND meeting process
• Presented favorable preclinical results at the 5^th Annual Targeted Protein Degrader Summit showing:
  • Potent cereblon binding, efficient degradation of select proteins and induction of cell death in both lymphoma and multiple myeloma cell lines
  • Significant increase in tumor growth inhibition compared with lenalidomide (Revlimid®) and pomalidomide (Pomalyst®) in multiple myeloma animal models
• Announced acceptance of an abstract for presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting showing SP-3164 has:
  • Attractive therapeutic properties compared with avadomide and lenalidomide (Revlimid®)
  • Potential to be administered at lower doses in clinic and provide a more flexible dosing regimen compared with avadomide
  • Increased and rapid protein (IKZF1) degradation compared with lenalidomide (Revlimid®) and avadomide
  • Significantly increased tumor growth inhibition as a monotherapy compared with lenalidomide (Revlimid®) in an established lymphoma mouse model
    

“The third quarter and recent weeks were productive yet challenging for Salarius. SP-3164, our promising targeted protein degrader or molecular glue, has been generating exciting preclinical data and commensurate interest within the scientific community. Next month at the 64^th ASH annual meeting, one of blood cancer’s most prestigious events of the year, Dr. Daniela Santiesteban, our director of targeted protein degradation development, will deliver a poster presentation providing an update on additional SP-3164 research data that we believe continue to support our excitement surrounding SP-3164. We remain focused on SP-3164 IND-enabling studies and are on track to submit the IND in the first half of 2023 and to begin clinical trials shortly thereafter,” said David Arthur, CEO of Salarius.

Seclidemstat (Targeted Protein Inhibitor) Highlights

• Announced acceptance of an abstract for a presentation at ASH by collaborators at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showing that in six patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, the combination of seclidemstat with azacitidine appeared safe at current dose levels and showed initial signs of potential activity
  • Response to therapy was observed in two patients including one patient with a complete marrow response and another patient with a complete marrow response plus hematologic improvement who transitioned to allogeneic stem-cell transplantation, which is generally considered as a potential curative treatment
• On October 18, 2022, enrollment of new patients in the Salarius-sponsored seclidemstat sarcoma clinical trial and the MD Anderson investigator-initiated hematologic clinical trial was voluntarily paused due to a suspected unexpected serious adverse reaction (SUSAR); patients currently enrolled in both studies are able to continue treatment after consulting with their physician
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently agreed with Salarius’ approach and placed the sarcoma trial on partial clinical hold; Salarius is working with the FDA to further analyze the available data with the goal of understanding how best to proceed and restart enrollment
• Salarius plans to report interim results from the Phase 1/2 study of seclidemstat in Ewing sarcoma and FET-rearranged sarcomas before the end of the year
  

Mr. Arthur continued, “Independent investigators at MD Anderson also had an abstract accepted for presentation at the upcoming ASH meeting and exhibition, focused on seclidemstat. The abstract concludes that in the six hematologic or blood cancer patients for whom data was available, the combination of seclidemstat with azacitidine seems safe at the current dose levels and shows signs of potential activity. Further enrollment and follow-up will continue to explore this combination. We believe this interim data is an encouraging development for these patients in need of new treatment options and we are looking forward to an additional data update next month.”

Mr. Arthur concluded, “Although recent months were punctuated by highs and lows, we remain optimistic about the company’s prospects. We are delighted to be part of the protein degradation sector of drug development, an exciting opportunity driven by the commercial success of first-generation molecular glues that together had 2021 global sales of more than $16 billion. We also remain excited about seclidemstat and look forward to reporting interim clinical data that could signal the potential for new treatment options. We are looking forward to the additional updates on both programs later this year.”

Third Quarter Financial Results

Net loss for the third quarter of 2022 was $14.4 million, or $6.41 per share, compared with a net loss of $3.7 million, or $2.09 per share, for the third quarter of 2021. The increase in net loss was due to higher operating expenses, including development spending on SP-3164, which was acquired in January 2022. Net loss for the third quarter of 2022 included a non-cash charge of $8.9 million for impairment of goodwill related to the 2019 reverse merger with Flex Pharma, Inc.

Net cash used for operating activities during the third quarter of 2022 was $5.7 million, compared with $1.6 million during the same quarter last year.

Nine Month Financial Results

Net loss for the first nine months of 2022 was $25.2 million, or $12.13 per share, compared with a net loss of $8.7 million, or $5.41 per share, for the first nine months of 2021. The increase in net loss was primarily due to a $8.9 million one-time nonrecurring non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill, higher research and development expenses primarily resulting from the acquisition and development of SP-3164, higher seclidemstat development costs and higher general and administrative expenses. The 2021 period included grant revenue of $1.8 million, with no such revenue in 2022.

Net cash used in operating activities for the first nine months of 2022 was $12.9 million, compared with $7.5 million for the prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to higher research and development expenses.

As of September 30, 2022, Salarius had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $16.8 million, compared with $29.2 million as of December 31, 2021. Current cash and cash equivalents are expected to fund the company’s planned operations into the second half of 2023.

About Salarius Pharmaceuticals
Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for patients with cancer in need of new treatment options. Salarius’ product portfolio includes seclidemstat, the company’s lead candidate, which is being studied as a potential treatment for pediatric cancers, sarcomas and other cancers with limited treatment options, and SP-3164, an oral small molecule protein degrader. Seclidemstat is currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma and certain additional sarcomas that share a similar biology. Seclidemstat has received fast track, orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations for Ewing sarcoma from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Salarius is also exploring seclidemstat’s potential in several cancers with high unmet medical need, with an investigator-initiated Phase 1/2 clinical study in hematologic cancers at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Salarius has received financial support from the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to advance the Ewing program and was a recipient of a Product Development Award from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). SP-3164 is currently in IND-enabling studies and anticipated to enter the clinic in 2023. For more information, please visit salariuspharma.com or follow Salarius on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement and the referenced presentation contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this presentation are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “will,” “future,” “believe,” “developing,” “expect,” “may,” “progress,” “potential,” “could,” “look forward,” “might,” “should,” and similar terms or expressions or the negative thereof. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the following: our future development plans for our product candidates; the expected cost, timing and results of our clinical development plans and clinical trials with respect to our product candidates; our expectations with respect to the release of data from our clinical trials and the expected timing thereof; the potential for our product candidates to achieve success in clinical trials; and our expected financial condition, including the anticipation duration of cash runways and timing regarding needs for additional capital; and the impact that the addition of new clinical sites will have on the development of our product candidates. We may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or objectives disclosed in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: resolution of the FDA’s partial clinical hold on the company’s Phase 1/2 trial of seclidemstat as a treatment for Ewing sarcoma and FET-rearranged sarcomas following the SUSAR; our ability to resume enrollment in the clinical trial following its review of the available data surrounding the SUSAR; anticipated pre-clinical studies and clinical trials may be more costly or take longer to complete than anticipated, and may never be initiated or completed, or may not generate results that warrant future development of the tested product candidate; we may elect to change our strategy regarding our product candidates and clinical development activities; we may not receive the necessary regulatory approvals for the clinical development of our products; economic and market conditions may worsen; market shifts may require a change in strategic focus; and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could significantly disrupt our clinical development programs; and other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as revised or supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and the referenced presentation speak only as of the date of this announcement and the referenced presentation and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Contact:

LHA Investor Relations
Kim Sutton Golodetz
kgolodetz@lhai.com
212-838-3777

Source: Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.