Month: May 2016

ARCA biopharma Announces First Quarter 2016 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Westminster, CO, May 11, 2016 – ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, and provided a business update.

“We are grateful for the continuing support of the physicians, clinical investigators and patients participating in the GENETIC-AF trial evaluating GencaroTM as potentially the first genetically-targeted treatment for atrial fibrillation,” commented Dr. Michael Bristow, ARCA’s President and CEO. “Last month we reached the halfway mark in enrollment to have a sufficient number of patients for the DSMB Phase 2B interim efficacy analysis, the outcome of which we expect in the second quarter of 2017. This analysis will provide the foundation for the decision whether or not to proceed to the Phase 3 portion of the GENETIC-AF trial. This is an important step for the Gencaro development program, which, if successful, may address an unmet medical need for new atrial fibrillation treatments that have fewer side effects than currently available therapies and are more effective in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.”

First Quarter 2016 Summary Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $35.9 million as of March 31, 2016, compared to $38.8 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company believes that its current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its operations, at its projected cost structure, through at least the end of 2017. ARCA had approximately 9.1 million outstanding shares of common stock as of March 31, 2016.

Research and development (R&D) expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $2.6 million compared to $1.7 million for the corresponding period of 2015. The increase in R&D expense is due, primarily, to the increased clinical expense of our GENETIC-AF clinical trial. The Company expects R&D expense in 2016 to be higher than 2015 as it activates new clinical sites and enrolls additional patients in the GENETIC-AF clinical trial.

General and administrative (G&A) expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1.1 million compared to $1.0 million for the corresponding period in 2015.  The increase in G&A expense is due, primarily, to increased franchise taxes and outside services. The Company expects G&A expense in 2016 will be higher than in 2015 as the Company increases administrative activities to support the GENETIC-AF clinical trial.

Total operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $3.7 million compared to $2.7 million for the corresponding period in 2015.

Net loss was $3.6 million, or $0.40 per share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $2.7 million, or $0.91 per share, for the first quarter of 2015.

GENETIC-AF Clinical Trial

GENETIC-AF is a Phase 2B/Phase 3, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, adaptive design clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of Gencaro to Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in approximately 620 patients. Eligible patients will have heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF), a history of paroxysmal AF (episodes lasting 7 days or less) or persistent AF (episodes lasting more than 7 days and less than 1 year) in the past 6 months, and the beta-1 389 arginine homozygous genotype that the Company believes responds most favorably to Gencaro.  The primary endpoint of the study is time to first event of symptomatic AF/atrial flutter (AFL) or all-cause mortality.  The combined Phase 2B/Phase 3 trial is designed for 90 percent power at a p-value of less than 0.01 significance level to detect a 25 percent reduction in the primary endpoint for patients in the Gencaro arm compared to patients in the Toprol-XL arm.  The trial is currently enrolling patients in the United States and Canada.

Based on the current enrollment rate, the Company expects to enroll at least 150 patients in the trial by the end of 2016. The GENETIC-AF Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will conduct a pre-specified interim analysis of study endpoints for efficacy, safety and futility to recommend whether or not the trial should proceed to Phase 3. The DSMB will make its recommendation based on a predictive probability analysis of certain trial data after at least 150 patients have evaluable endpoint data. An enrolled patient has evaluable endpoint data either when they experience their first endpoint event, or after they complete the 24-week follow up period.  The DSMB interim analysis will focus on analyses of the AF/AFL endpoints in the trial using both clinical-based intermittent monitoring and device-based continuous monitoring techniques. Should the DSMB interim analysis indicate that the data are consistent with pre-trial statistical assumptions and the potential for achieving statistical significance for the Phase 3 endpoint, the DSMB may recommend that the study continue to Phase 3. The DSMB may also recommend that the study be halted.  The Company expects the outcome of the interim analysis in the second quarter of 2017.

About ARCA biopharma

ARCA biopharma is dedicated to developing genetically-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate, GencaroTM (bucindolol hydrochloride), is an investigational, pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator being developed for atrial fibrillation. ARCA has identified common genetic variations that it believes predict individual patient response to Gencaro, giving it the potential to be the first genetically-targeted atrial fibrillation prevention treatment. ARCA has a collaboration with Medtronic, Inc. for support of the GENETIC-AF trial.  For more information please visit www.arcabiopharma.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding, potential timing for patient enrollment in the GENETIC-AF trial, potential timeline for GENETIC-AF trial activities and related recommendations of the DSMB, the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to support its operations, the potential for genetic variations to predict individual patient response to Gencaro, Gencaro’s potential to treat atrial fibrillation, future treatment options for patients with atrial fibrillation, and the potential for Gencaro to be the first genetically-targeted atrial fibrillation prevention treatment. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties associated with: the Company’s financial resources and whether they will be sufficient to meet the Company’s business objectives and operational requirements; results of earlier clinical trials may not be confirmed in future trials, the protection and market exclusivity provided by the Company’s intellectual property; risks related to the drug discovery and the regulatory approval process; and, the impact of competitive products and technological changes.  These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in ARCA’s filings with the SEC, including without limitation the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and subsequent filings. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor & Media Contact:
Derek Cole
720.940.2163
derek.cole@arcabiopharma.com

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(Tables Follow)

ARCA BIOPHARMA, INC.
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(in thousands)

March 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $35,933 $38,802
Working capital $28,674 $37,412
Total assets $36,928 $39,574
Total stockholders’ equity $34,584 $38,070

 

ARCA BIOPHARMA, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited)

Three Months Ended  
March 31,  
2016     2015  
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  
Costs and expenses:
Research and development $ 2,594 $ 1,707
General and administrative 1,074 1,037
Total costs and expenses 3,668 2,744
Loss from operations (3,668) (2,744)
Interest and other income 21 1
Interest expense (1)
Net loss $ (3,647) $ (2,744)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities 6
Comprehensive loss $ (3,641) $ (2,744)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted $ (0.40) $ (0.91)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted 9,053,186 3,023,932