10-Q: Nascent Biotech Reports Q3 2024 Results, Advances Brain Cancer Clinical Trials
Quarterly Report
Nascent Biotech reports its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, highlighting progress in its Phase 2 clinical trials for brain cancer and ongoing financial challenges.
Summary
- Nascent Biotech, a phase 2 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, released its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
- The company is focused on developing Pritumumab for brain and pancreatic cancer treatments and has orphan drug status for both.
- Nascent Biotech received FDA clearance to commence Phase 2 clinical trials for brain cancer on August 10, 2023.
- The company reported a net loss of $205,406 for the three months and $1,575,106 for the nine months ended December 31, 2023.
- Operating expenses included consulting fees of $194,521 for the quarter and $1,120,073 for the nine months, and general and administrative expenses of $101,941 for the quarter and $271,727 for the nine months.
- Research and development expenses were $47,170 for the quarter and $101,388 for the nine months, while clinical trial costs were $19,102 for the quarter and $82,467 for the nine months.
- The company had total assets of $641,296 and total liabilities of $610,929 as of December 31, 2023, with a stockholders' equity of $30,367.
- The company's working capital was $30,367 as of December 31, 2023.
- Nascent Biotech is seeking to raise $15-20 million to complete its Phase II clinical studies.
- The company has identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting.
Sentiment
Score: 4
Explanation: The document presents a mixed picture. While there is progress in clinical trials, the company's financial position is weak, with significant losses and minimal working capital. The need for a substantial capital raise and identified internal control weaknesses further dampen the sentiment.
Positives
- The company received FDA clearance to commence Phase 2 clinical trials for brain cancer.
- The company successfully paid off $400,000 in convertible notes.
- The company raised $1,461,000 through the sale of common stock.
- The company's stockholders' equity improved from a deficit of $1,296,137 on March 31, 2023 to a positive $30,367 on December 31, 2023.
Negatives
- The company reported a net loss of $205,406 for the three months and $1,575,106 for the nine months ended December 31, 2023.
- The company has minimal working capital of $30,367.
- The company has identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting.
- The company has no revenue to cover its operating costs.
- The company is dependent on raising capital to continue operations.
Risks
- The company has minimal working capital and has incurred losses from operations, raising substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.
- The company is dependent on raising additional capital to fund its operations and clinical trials.
- The company has identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting.
- The company may substantially curtail or terminate its operations if it cannot secure sufficient funding.
- The company's stock price is subject to significant fluctuations due to the nature of its business and the market's perception of its prospects.
Future Outlook
The company projects it must raise approximately $15-20 million to complete its Phase II clinical studies, which are scheduled to begin in 2024.
Management Comments
- The company is focused on developing pritumumab for the treatment of patients with brain cancer malignancies such as gliomas and astrocytomas.
- The company is actively researching other cancers that have a high probability of benefiting from the therapeutic effects of Pritumumab because they share a common target.
- The company will continue to raise outside capital through loans, equity sales and possible licensing agreements.
Industry Context
The company is operating in the biopharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on cancer treatments. The development of Pritumumab for brain and pancreatic cancer aligns with the industry's focus on innovative therapies for diseases with high unmet medical needs. The company's research into the potential of Pritumumab for COVID-19 also reflects the industry's response to emerging health crises.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- Nascent Biotech's financial position is weak compared to established biopharmaceutical companies, with minimal working capital and ongoing losses.
- The company's reliance on external funding is typical for early-stage biotech firms, but the amount needed ($15-20 million) is significant for a company of its size.
- The company's focus on orphan drug status for brain and pancreatic cancer is a common strategy for smaller biotech companies to gain market exclusivity and potential regulatory advantages.
- The company's clinical trial progress is in line with industry timelines for drug development, but the success of Phase 2 trials is critical for future funding and commercialization prospects.
- Compared to companies like Novocure (NVCR) which has a commercialized brain cancer treatment, Nascent is still in the early stages of development. Novocure has a market cap of over $2 billion and revenue of over $500 million per year.
- Compared to companies like BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) which focuses on orphan drugs, Nascent is still in the early stages of development. BioMarin has a market cap of over $15 billion and revenue of over $2 billion per year.
- Compared to companies like Incyte (INCY) which has a broad range of cancer treatments, Nascent is still in the early stages of development. Incyte has a market cap of over $15 billion and revenue of over $3 billion per year.
Related Party Transactions
- During the nine months ended December 31, 2023, two officers and a director were issued 6,821,785 shares of common stock with a value of $705,974 for service.
- As of December 31, 2023, the Company owed a related party $2,179 in expenses.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders face the risk of dilution due to potential equity sales to raise capital.
- Employees may be impacted by potential cost-cutting measures if the company fails to secure sufficient funding.
- Patients with brain and pancreatic cancer may benefit from the development of Pritumumab if clinical trials are successful.
- Creditors face the risk of non-payment if the company fails to secure sufficient funding.
Next Steps
- The company will continue to develop Pritumumab for brain and pancreatic cancer treatments.
- The company will commence Phase 2 clinical trials for brain cancer.
- The company will seek to raise $15-20 million to complete its Phase II clinical studies.
- The company will address the identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2014-03-03 | Nascent Biotech, Inc. was incorporated. |
| 2015-09-01 | The company entered into five-year employment contracts with three officers and directors. |
| 2016-09-30 | The company entered a cell line sales agreement with the product manufacturer. |
| 2017-03-31 | The company filed its IND submission with the FDA for Phase I clinical trials. |
| 2018-12-07 | The company received a letter from the FDA allowing it to use a specific lot of drug substance to begin phase 1 clinical trials. |
| 2020-03-09 | The Board of Directors of the Company adapted an expense bonus program. |
| 2020-09-01 | The company entered into five-year compensation agreements with two officers and directors. |
| 2021-03-15 | The company opened phase 1 clinical trials. |
| 2021-03-31 | The company issued a license agreement to BioRay Pharmaceutical Co, LTD. |
| 2022-08-31 | The company entered into an agreement for convertible debentures totaling $1,500,000. |
| 2022-09-02 | The company entered into an agreement for convertible debentures totaling $500,000. |
| 2023-06-06 | The company and BioRay mutually agreed to terminate the license agreement. |
| 2023-06-29 | The company signed a redemption agreement with the debentures owner. |
| 2023-08-10 | The company received FDA clearance to commence phase 2 clinical trials for brain cancer. |
| 2023-08-31 | The company amended the redemption agreement with the debentures owner. |
| 2023-12-01 | The company issued an amended convertible debenture to an unrelated third party. |
| 2023-12-06 | The note holder converted $125,000 of the note into 1,250,000 shares of common stock. |
| 2023-12-15 | The balance of the note of $250,000 was paid in full. |
| 2023-12-31 | End of the reporting period for the quarterly report. |
| 2024-01-30 | The company issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock for cash and 250,000 warrants. |
| 2024-02-14 | Date of the filing of the quarterly report. |
Keywords
Pritumumab, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, clinical trials, biopharmaceutical, FDA, monoclonal antibodies, financial results, convertible debt, equity financing
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