- GPR84 antagonist program and OXER1 antagonist program on
track to meet previously stated milestones in 2023
- Closed March 31, 2023 with
just over CAD26.9 million cash on
hand, expecting to provide cash runway into early 2024
- Net loss from continuing operations of CAD 7.4 million during the quarter ended
March 31, 2023 compared to
CAD 11.1 million during the first
quarter of 2022
LAVAL,
QC and CAMBRIDGE,
England, May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Liminal
BioSciences Inc. (Nasdaq: LMNL) ("Liminal BioSciences" or the
"Company"), a development-stage biopharmaceutical company
focused on discovering and developing distinctive novel small
molecule therapeutics for metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrotic
diseases, today reported its financial results for the first
quarter ended March 31,
2023.
"We remain focused on completing CTA-enabling work for our GPR84
antagonist program and progressing LMNL6511 towards initiating a
Phase 1 clinical trial during the second half of 2023, with the
goal of identifying an early indicator of biological activity by
the end of the clinical trial," stated Bruce Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer of
Liminal BioSciences. "We are also working towards analysing the
data necessary to select a lead candidate for our OXER1 antagonist
development program in the first half of 2023."
First Quarter Ended March
31st 2023 Financial Results
All figures
presented in this section are in Canadian dollars.
- Cash and cash equivalents were $26.9 million at March 31,
2023 while our working capital, i.e., the current assets net
of current liabilities, was $25.0
million.
- Research and development expenses were $4.2 million during the first quarter of 2023
compared to $4.4 million for the
first quarter of 2022. The decrease of $0.2
million in R&D expenses during the quarter ended
March 31, 2023 compared to the
corresponding period in 2022 was mainly attributable to a
$0.4 million decrease in upfront
payments relating to a royalty stream agreement, $0.4 million decrease in personnel costs, a
$0.2 million decrease in professional
fees, and a $0.2 million decrease in
clinical trial expenses, offset by a $1.0
million increase in preclinical studies expense associated
with the advancement of our GPR84 and OXER1 antagonist
programs.
- Administration expenses were $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2023
compared to $4.7 million for the
first quarter of 2022. The decrease of $1.1
million in administration expenses during the quarter ended
March 31, 2023 compared to the
corresponding period in 2022 was mainly attributable to a decrease
of $0.7 million in personnel costs
reflecting a decrease in our workforce and a decrease of
$0.5 million in reduced directors'
and officers' insurance premiums.
- Net loss from continuing operations, net of taxes was
$7.6 million for the first quarter of
2023 compared to $11.2 million for
the first quarter of 2022. This decrease of $3.6 million was mainly due to reductions in
finance costs of $1.6 million, a
decrease in administration expenses of $1.1
million and further reductions in R&D expenses of
$0.2 million as we continue to
streamline the business and improve operating efficiencies.
- Total income from discontinued operations Total income
from discontinued operations increased by $0.1 million during the quarter ended
March 31, 2023 compared to the
corresponding period in 2022. This increase was mainly attributable
to an indemnification adjustment expense of $0.6 million recorded against the loss on sale of
discontinued operations during the first quarter of 2022 in regards
a research and development tax credit claim for a former
subsidiary. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the
net income from discontinued operations of $0.1 million reflecting changes in the underlying
assumptions used to value the provision pertaining to a Contract
Development Manufacturing Organization.
- Net Loss was $7.4 million
for the first quarter of 2023 compared to income of $11.2 million for the first quarter of 2022.
About Liminal BioSciences Inc.
Liminal BioSciences is a development-stage biopharmaceutical
company focused on discovering and developing novel and distinctive
small molecule therapeutics that modulate G protein-coupled
receptor pathways (GPCRs). The Company is designing proprietary
novel small molecule therapeutic candidates with the intent of
developing best/first in class therapeutics for the treatment of
metabolic, inflammatory and fibrotic diseases with significant
unmet medical needs, using its integrated drug discovery platform,
medicinal chemistry expertise and deep understanding of GPCR
biology. The Company's pipeline is currently made up of three
programs. The candidate selected for clinical development,
LMNL6511, a selective antagonist for the GPR84 receptor, is
expected to commence a Phase 1 clinical trial in the second half of
2023. The Company is also developing potential OXER1 antagonists,
and GPR40 agonists, both of which are at the preclinical stage. In
addition to these programs, the Company continues to explore other
development opportunities to add to its pipeline.
Liminal BioSciences has active business operations in
Canada and the United Kingdom.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified
by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not
historical in nature, including the words "anticipate," "expect,"
"suggest," "plan," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "target,"
"project," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "forecast"
and other similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These statements include those related
to Liminal BioSciences' objectives, strategies and businesses that
involve risks and uncertainties. Forward–looking information
includes statements concerning, among other things: advancement of
Liminal Biosciences' candidates or development programs, including
the timing and outcome of the potential development of the
Company's R&D programs such as the development of LMNL6511 and
our GPR40 agonist and OXER1 antagonist discovery programs; the
timing of initiation or nature of preclinical and clinical trials,
including the expected commencement of a Phase 1 clinical trial of
LMNL6511 in the second half of 2023; the contemplated potential
therapeutic areas, including Eosinophilic mediated diseases and
T2D; the potential for our development programs to address
significant unmet medical needs; our ability to add new development
opportunities to our pipeline; our ability to continue to comply
with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) to remain listed on the Nasdaq
Capital Market; our expected cash runway and our ability to
actively seek and close on opportunities to monetize non-core
assets or commercial opportunities related to our assets. These
statements are "forward-looking" because they are based on our
current expectations about the markets we operate in and on various
estimates and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our
estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. Among the
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described or projected herein include, but are not limited
to, risks associated with: the Company's ability to develop,
manufacture, and successfully commercialize product candidates, if
ever; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geopolitical
tensions on the Company's workforce, business operations, clinical
development, regulatory activities and financial and other
corporate impacts; the availability of funds and resources to
pursue R&D projects, clinical development, manufacturing
operations or commercialization opportunities; the successful and
timely initiation or completion of preclinical and clinical trials;
the ability to take advantage of financing opportunities or
business opportunities in the pharmaceutical
industry, uncertainties associated generally with research and
development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and
approvals; our ability to comply with Nasdaq listing rules and
remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and general changes in
economic conditions, including as a result of increased inflation,
bank failures and rising interest rates. You will find a more
detailed assessment of these risks, uncertainties and other risks
that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from
our current expectations in the filings and reports the Company
makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian
Securities Administrators, including in the Annual Report on Form
20-F for the year ended December 31,
2022, as well as other filings and reports Liminal
Biosciences' may make from time to time. As a result, we cannot
guarantee that any given forward-looking statement will
materialize. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and
estimates, which speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no
obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in
this press release even if new information becomes available, as a
result of future events or for any other reason, unless required by
applicable securities laws and regulations.
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SOURCE Liminal BioSciences Inc.