| o | replicating immunotherapy sequentially combined with adoptively transferred TCR transgenic T cells resulted in tumor cures in a preclinical setting; |
| o | arenaviral immunotherapy was able to overcome immune tolerance, induce potent T cell responses against two different tumor self-antigens and reduce tumor growth in these cancers in a preclinical setting; |
| o | HB-200 induced robust antigen-specific T cells that were high quality, expanding on previously reported data in patients with Human Papillomavirus 16-positive (HPV16+) head and neck cancer. Additional Phase 1 data, including the recommended Phase 2 dose for HB-202/HB-201 was recently accepted for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in June. |
● | In April, HOOKIPA reported the addition of Tim Reilly, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Tim brings extensive product development experience to the Board. |
Upcoming Milestones
| ● | Phase 1 HB-200 data in HPV16+ head and neck cancer: Mid-2022 |
| ● | Phase 2 HB-200 data in combination with pembrolizumab in HPV16+ head and neck cancer: |
| o | 1st-line initial data: 2H 2022 |
| o | 2nd-line initial data: 2H 2022 |
| ● | Randomized Phase 2 HB-200 study in combination with pembrolizumab in 1st line for HPV16+ HNSCC: 1H 2023 (Fast Track designation) |
| ● | Prostate cancer IND: 3Q 2022 |
| ● | Hepatitis B therapeutic IND: 2022 (Gilead-led) |
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Cash Position: HOOKIPA’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 31, 2022 was $141.8 million compared to $66.9 million as of December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to funds resulting from the amended and restated Gilead collaboration agreement, and the follow-on financing in March 2022, partly offset by cash used in operating activities.
Revenue was $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower cost reimbursements received under the Collaboration Agreement with Gilead and the fact that the $4.0 million milestone payment and the $15.0 million initiation fee received in the three months ended March 31, 2022 were mostly recorded as deferred revenue to be recognized in future accounting periods.
Research and Development Expenses: HOOKIPA’s research and development expenses were $16.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $20.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021 was attributable to a decrease in direct research and development expenses, partially offset by an increase in indirect research and development expenses.
The decrease in direct research and development expenses was primarily driven by lower manufacturing expenses for our HB-200 and Gilead partnered programs and lower clinical study expenses due to the completion of patient enrollment of the Phase 2 study for our HB-101 program. Indirect research and development expenses increased slightly because of an increase in professional and consulting fees, partially offset by a decrease in personnel related costs.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $5.0 million, compared to $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in professional and consulting fees, and an increase in personnel-related expenses, partially offset by a decrease in other expenses. The increase in personnel-related expenses resulted from increased stock compensation expenses, a growth in headcount along with increased salaries in our general and administrative functions. The increase in professional and consulting fees was primarily attributable to intellectual property costs incurred in connection with filing and prosecuting patent applications as well as third-party license fees.
Net Loss: HOOKIPA’s net loss was $18.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to a net loss of $17.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This increase was due to a decrease in revenues from collaboration and licensing, a decrease in grant income, an increase in general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a decrease in research and development expenses.