General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses were $33.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $25.6 million in the corresponding period in 2021. General and administrative expenses increased by $8.0 million in the 2022 period due primarily to increases in commercial preparation activities, including a corresponding increase in head count, and an increase in stock compensation expense. We believe our general and administrative expenses may increase over time as we advance our clinical and preclinical development programs for resmetirom, prepare for commercialization, and expand our operating activities, which will likely result in an increase in our headcount, consulting services, and related overhead needed to support those efforts.
Interest Income
Our net interest income was $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $0.3 million in the corresponding period in 2021. The increase in interest income was due primarily to higher interest rates in 2022.
Interest Expense
Our interest expense was $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $0 million in the corresponding period in 2021. The increase in interest expense was as a result of the Loan Facility we entered into with Hercules during the second quarter of 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, we have incurred significant net losses and we have funded our operations primarily through the issuance of capital stock and also from Loan Facility and the proceeds from our 2016 merger transaction. Our most significant use of capital pertains to salaries and benefits for our employees, including clinical, scientific, operational, financial and management personnel, and external research and development expenses, such as clinical trials and preclinical activity related to our product candidates. We also are required to make repayments of interest and principal on our Loan Facility with Hercules, as described below.
As of September 30, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $153.2 million compared to $270.3 million as of December 31, 2021, with this decrease attributable to the funding of operations, partially offset by $50.0 million drawn at closing in May 2022 from the Loan Facility with Hercules. Our cash and investment balances are held in a variety of interest-bearing instruments, including obligations of U.S. government agencies, U.S. Treasury debt securities, corporate debt securities and money market funds. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested in accordance with our investment policy with a view toward capital preservation and liquidity.
We anticipate continuing to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. Subject to the considerations noted below, our rate of cash usage will likely increase in the future, in particular to support our product development and pre-commercialization efforts. Our future long-term liquidity requirements will be substantial and will depend on many factors. To meet future long-term liquidity requirements, we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations through equity or debt financings, collaborations, partnerships or other strategic transactions. We regularly consider fundraising opportunities and may decide, from time to time, to raise capital based on various factors, including market conditions and our plans of operation. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of a $200 million at-the-market sales agreement entered into in June of 2021, with Cowen and Company, LLC (the “2021 Sales Agreement”), pursuant to which we may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of our common stock up to established limits. We may also draw on additional tranches of debt under our $250 million Loan Facility with Hercules based upon achievement of resmetirom clinical and regulatory milestones and conditions. However, there is no assurance that additional capital and financing will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2021 and in Part II, Item I.A of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022, which includes a description of the risks related to our liquidity requirements, financial position and need for capital. In addition, if such capital or financing is available, any sales of additional equity securities may result in dilution to our stockholders, and any additional debt financing may include covenants that restrict our business.
Based upon our current operating plans, and the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $153.2 million as of September 30, 2022, the Company expects, that such resources will not be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital requirements through the one year anniversary of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern under ASC 205-40. While management currently believes this shortfall can be addressed by future financings and capital issuances, or by delaying certain clinical studies or pre-commercialization expenses if necessary, under the requirements of ASC 205-40, management may not consider in its assessment of the Company’s ability to meet its obligations for the next twelve months the potential for future capital raises through debt or equity financings, collaborations, partnerships or other strategic transactions, or management plans to reduce costs that are not considered probable under these accounting standards. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The inability of the Company to obtain sufficient funds on acceptable terms when needed: could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition; could result in
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