Press Release: LAVA Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides a Business Update

Dow Jones
28 Mar

LAVA Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides a Business Update

   -- Focused on the evaluation of strategic alternatives 
 
   -- Adopted a restructuring plan to extend capital resources, incurring a 
      reduction in workforce of 30% to support the evaluation of strategic 
      options and the Phase 1 study for LAVA-1266 
 
   -- Phase 1 enrollment in LAVA-1266 clinical trial underway 
 
   -- Johnson and Johnson development milestone of $5.0 million achieved and 
      received in Q4 2024 
 
   -- Cash balance of $76.6 million as of December 31, 2024 expected to fund 
      operations into 2027 

UTRECHT, The Netherlands and PHILADELPHIA, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LAVA Therapeutics N.V. (NASDAQ: LVTX, "LAVA," "the Company"), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing its proprietary Gammabody$(R)$ platform of bispecific gamma delta T cell engagers, today announced recent corporate highlights and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

"LAVA's approach to maximize shareholder value in 2025 will focus on evaluating strategic options while continuing to enroll patients in our ongoing Phase 1 study of LAVA-1266, and supporting our pharma partnerships," said Steve Hurly, Chief Executive Officer of LAVA. "The Phase 1 study of LAVA-1266 as a potential treatment for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome is progressing. Looking ahead, with a strong cash balance, we believe LAVA is well-positioned to unlock strategic opportunities, and we look forward to updating investors with our progress throughout the year."

Portfolio Highlights

LAVA-1266 -- Phase 1 Trial (ACTRN12624001214527)

Designed to target CD123+ tumor cells for the treatment of hematological malignancies

   -- Key indications: Acute myeloid leukemia $(AML.UK)$ and myelodysplastic 
      syndrome (MDS) 
 
   -- Current Status: LAVA is enrolling patients in the second dose level at 
      300 ug in a first-in-human Phase 1, open label, multi-center study in 
      Australia. The study includes a dose escalation and dose expansion 
      segment to evaluate LAVA-1266 in approximately 50 adults with CD123+ 
      relapsed/refractory AML or intermediate, high or extremely high risk 
      MDS.The study is evaluating safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics $(PK)$, 
      pharmacodynamics $(PD)$, immunogenicity and preliminary anti-tumor 
      activity. 

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Partnered Program (JNJ-89853413) -- Phase 1 Trial (NCT06618001)

Designed to target CD33 and gamma delta T cells with a bispecific gamma delta T cell engager

   -- Key Indications: Include hematological cancers 
 
   -- Current Status: J&J is enrolling patients in a Phase 1, open label, 
      multi-center study underway in Canada and Spain. The study includes a 
      dose escalation and dose expansion segment to evaluate JNJ-89853413 in 
      approximately 100 adults with relapsed/refractory AML or moderate or 
      higher risk MDS. The study is evaluating safety, tolerability, PK, PD, 
      immunogenicity and preliminary anti-tumor activity.J&J presented 
      preclinical data for JNJ-89853413 at the Annual Meeting of the American 
      Society of Hematology (ASH 2024) on December 7, 2024 (Abstract 2054). 
   -- Milestone: Development milestone of $5 million received from J&J in Q4 
      2024 related to the IND filing for JNJ-89853413 

Pfizer Partnered Program (PF08046052) -- Phase 1 Trial (NCT05983133)

Potential first-in-class epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and bispecific gamma delta T cell receptor-targeted therapy for solid tumors

   -- Key Indications: Include colorectal cancer $(CRC)$, non-small cell lung 
      cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and 
      pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) 
 
   -- Current Status: Pfizer is enrolling patients in a Phase 1 open label, 
      multi-center study, underway in the U.S. and UK. The study will include 
      dose escalation and dose expansion segments to evaluate PF08046052 in 
      approximately 275 subjects with metastatic, non-resectable solid tumor 
      cancers. The study will evaluate safety, tolerability, PK, immunogenicity 
      and preliminary anti-tumor activity. 
 
   -- Milestone: Clinical development milestone of $7 million received from 
      Pfizer in Q1 2024 

Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Financial Results

   -- In February 2025, the Company adopted a restructuring plan to extend its 
      capital resources in connection with initiating a process to evaluate 
      strategic alternatives. As part of the restructuring plan, the Company's 
      board of directors approved a reduction of approximately 30% of the 
      Company's global workforce to better align resources with the Company's 
      focus on the evaluation of strategic options and the Phase 1 study for 
      LAVA-1266. The Company expects approximately $1.0 million of expenses 
      related to the restructuring to be incurred during the six months ended 
      June 30, 2025, of which approximately $0.3 million of cash payments are 
      expected to be made during 2025. 
 
   -- As of December 31, 2024, LAVA had cash, cash equivalents, and investments 
      of $76.6 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents, and investments of 
      $95.6 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company believes its current 
      cash, cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to fund 
      operations into 2027. 
 
   -- Revenue from contracts with customers was $5.0 million and $0.4 million 
      for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 
      $12.0 million and $6.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 
      2023, respectively. The increase in revenue for the quarter ended 
      December 31, 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to the $5.0 million 
      milestone related to J&J's IND filing in October 2024. The increase in 
      revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023 was 
      primarily related to $7.0 million the Company recognized in revenue in 
      connection with its agreement with Pfizer related to the achievement of a 
      clinical development milestone and $5.0 million the Company recognized as 
      revenue in connection with J&J's IND filing. In comparison, in 2023, 
      revenue included $4.3 million related to the Company's agreement with 
      Pfizer and $2.5 million related to the Company's agreement with J&J. 
 
   -- Cost of sales of goods and providing services was zero and $0.2 million 
      for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and zero 
      and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, 
      respectively. The cost in 2023 was due to the initial drug supply 
      delivery to Pfizer and related stability studies. 
 
   -- Research and development expenses were $8.6 million and $2.3 million for 
      the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $28.5 
      million and $32.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, 
      respectively. The increase for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, as 
      compared to December 31, 2023, was primarily due to costs associated with 
      the discontinuation of LAVA-1207, announced in December 2024. The 
      decrease for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to December 
      31, 2023, was primarily due to reduced manufacturing scale-up costs and 
      headcount reductions that occurred in the second half of 2023, offset by 
      costs associated with the discontinuation of LAVA-1207. 
 
   -- General and administrative expenses were $3.3 million for each of the 
      quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and $13.2 million and $14.1 
      million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The 
      decrease for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to December 
      31, 2023, was primarily due to lower share-based compensation expense as 
      a result of fewer options issued and a reduction in the Company's share 
      price. 
 
   -- Net loss was $3.8 million and $6.4 million for the quarters ended 
      December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, or $0.14 and $0.24 net loss per 
      share for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. 
      Net losses were $25.1 million and $41.9 million for the years ended 
      December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, or $0.94 and $1.57 net loss per 
      share for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. 
 
 
                        LAVA Therapeutics N.V. 
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and 
                           Comprehensive Loss 
           (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 
                              (unaudited) 
 
                      Three Months Ended             Year Ended 
                         December 31,               December 31, 
                   ------------------------  -------------------------- 
                      2024         2023         2024         2023 
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
Revenue: 
  Revenue from 
   contracts with 
   customers       $     4,990  $       353  $    11,982  $       6,769 
Total revenue            4,990          353       11,982          6,769 
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ------------ 
Cost and 
expenses: 
  Cost of revenue           --        (155)           --        (3,482) 
  Research and 
   development         (8,568)      (2,302)     (28,450)       (32,559) 
  General and 
   administrative      (3,344)      (3,300)     (13,225)       (14,122) 
Total cost and 
 expenses             (11,912)      (5,758)     (41,675)       (50,163) 
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ------------ 
Operating loss         (6,922)      (5,405)     (29,693)       (43,394) 
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ------------ 
Other income 
(expense), net 
  Interest income          863        1,002        3,758          3,672 
  Interest 
   expense               (125)        (117)        (515)          (470) 
  Foreign 
   currency 
   exchange gain 
   (loss), net           2,688      (1,851)        1,966        (1,422) 
Total other 
 income 
 (expense), net          3,427        (966)        5,209          1,780 
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ------------ 
Net loss before 
 taxes                 (3,495)      (6,370)     (24,484)       (41,614) 
Income tax 
 expense, net            (379)         (37)        (630)          (257) 
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ------------ 
Net loss           $   (3,874)  $   (6,408)  $  (25,114)  $    (41,871) 
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ------------ 
Other 
comprehensive 
(expense) 
income: 
  Foreign 
   currency 
   translation 
   adjustment          (2,054)        2,159      (1,758)          2,075 
Comprehensive 
 loss              $   (5,928)  $   (4,249)  $  (26,872)  $    (39,796) 
                    ==========   ==========   ==========   ============ 
 
 
Net loss per 
 share, basic and 
 diluted           $    (0.14)  $    (0.24)  $    (0.94)  $      (1.57) 
Weighted-average 
 common shares 
 outstanding, 
 basic and 
 diluted            26,866,931   26,769,937   26,834,422     26,732,556 
 
 
 
 
 
                          LAVA Therapeutics N.V. 
                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 
                         (in thousands) (unaudited) 
 
                                                   As of December 31, 
                                                   2024            2023 
                                              ---------------  ------------ 
Assets 
Current assets: 
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $     35,015  $     44,231 
  Short-term investments                               41,561        51,340 
  Prepaid expenses                                      1,072         1,627 
  Other current assets                                  1,649         1,699 
Total current assets                                   79,297        98,897 
Property and equipment, net                             1,002         1,602 
Operating lease right-of-use assets                       441           855 
Other non-current assets                                   91           319 
  Total assets                                   $     80,831  $    101,673 
                                              ====  =========   =========== 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity 
Current liabilities: 
  Accounts payable                               $      2,722  $      4,446 
  Accrued expenses and other current 
   liabilities                                         10,083         4,751 
  Borrowings                                            4,886         5,282 
  Current portion of operating lease 
   liabilities                                            315           415 
    Total current liabilities                          18,006        14,894 
  Non-current portion of deferred revenue              35,000        35,000 
  Non-current portion of operating lease 
   liabilities                                             80           415 
                                              ----  ---------   ----------- 
Total liabilities                                      53,086        50,309 
Commitments and contingencies 
Shareholders' equity: 
  Common stock                                          3,717         3,715 
  Additional paid-in capital                          211,656       208,405 
  Accumulated deficit                               (174,973)     (149,859) 
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss               (12,655)      (10,897) 
Total shareholders' equity                             27,745        51,364 
                                              ----  ---------   ----------- 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       $     80,831  $    101,673 
                                              ====  =========   =========== 
 
 

About LAVA Therapeutics

LAVA Therapeutics N.V. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on advancing its proprietary Gammabody(R) platform to develop a portfolio of bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers for the potential treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. The Company utilizes bispecific antibodies engineered to selectively kill cancer cells by triggering V<GAMMA>9V 2 (Vgamma9 Vdelta2) T cell anti-tumor effector functions upon cross-linking to tumor-associated antigens.

LAVA's pipeline includes three internal and partnered clinical-stage bispecific gamma-delta T cell engagers for the treatment of solid tumor and hematological cancers including LAVA 1266, targeting CD123+ cancers (ACTRN12624001214527); PF-08046052, targeting EGFR (NCT05983133); and JNJ-89853413, targeting hematological cancers (NCT06618001). The pipeline also includes preclinical programs. For more information on LAVA, please visit our website at www.lavatherapeutics.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Gammabody(R) is a registered trademark of LAVA Therapeutics N.V.

LAVA's Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "will", "may", "expect", "should", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "potential", "suggests", and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on LAVA's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include but are not limited to statements relating to LAVA's evaluation of strategic alternatives and transactions to maximize shareholder value, LAVA's ability to preserve capital and the sufficiency of cash on hand, the reduction in force, as well as the therapeutic potential, development strategy and potential uses of LAVA's product candidates, including LAVA-1266, the timing of initiation of clinical trials and achievement of clinical milestones, LAVA's cash runway and the sufficiency of resources to pursue development activities, progress and data from clinical trials, and the ability of LAVA's product candidates to treat various tumor targets and improve patient outcomes, among others. Many factors, risks and uncertainties may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including, among other things, the Company's ability to leverage its initial programs to develop additional product candidates using its Gammabody(R) platform, the failure of LAVA's collaborators to support or advance collaborations or LAVA's product candidates, the timing and results of LAVA's research and development programs and preclinical and clinical trials, the possibility that clinical trials may fail to establish sufficient efficacy, the risk that adverse events or safety signals may occur in clinical trials, the risk that results obtained in preclinical studies or clinical trials to date may not be indicative of results obtained in ongoing or future trials, the risk that adverse regulatory actions or other setbacks could occur in clinical trials even after promising results in earlier clinical trials or preclinical studies, the Company's ability to obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize its product candidates, LAVA's ability to identify any strategic alternatives or if so identified, be able to consummate any such transactions on terms acceptable to LAVA and its shareholders, and the risk that setbacks in development could occur as a result of the difficulty and uncertainty of pharmaceutical product development and other factors. There may be adverse effects on the Company's business condition and results from general economic and market conditions and overall fluctuations in the United States and international equity markets, including as a result of inflation, heightened interest rates, recent and potential future pandemics and other health crises, and hostilities, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption "Risk Factors" in LAVA's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LAVA assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations

ir@lavatherapeutics.com

LifeSci Advisors (IR/Media)

Joyce Allaire

Jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 28, 2025 07:30 ET (11:30 GMT)

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