Dicerna Announces Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides a Business Update

8/6/20

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRNA), a leading developer of investigational ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) therapeutics, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

“Our organization’s steady and consistent execution across all fronts, despite the impacts of COVID-19 on all facets of daily life, continues to advance our goals of expanding the reach of RNAi into numerous therapeutic categories and becoming a commercial-stage organization. The efforts of our employees, clinical sites, manufacturing and collaborative partners demonstrate an important shared dedication to bringing new RNAi-based therapies to patients in need,” said Douglas Fambrough, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Dicerna. “In addition to our financial results, today we also updated our guidance for completion of enrollment of our pivotal PHYOX2 trial of nedosiran in patients with primary hyperoxaluria types 1 or 2, to the fourth quarter of 2020. We look forward to discussing our clinical progress in detail at our R&D Day event today, which will include interim positive data from our ongoing PHYOX3 multidose trial of nedosiran, Phase 1 proof-of-concept data from our ongoing trial of RG6346 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, and our first public presentation of preclinical data demonstrating delivery of our proprietary technology to multiple tissues outside the liver – all of which reinforce Dicerna’s position as a best-in-class company in RNAi therapeutics.”

Clinical and Regulatory Updates

Since its first COVID-19-related update in March, the Company has continued to monitor developments related to the pandemic and potential impacts to its business and clinical development programs, including the timing of development milestones. Dicerna today provided an update on the progress of each of its core development programs and development timeline expectations.

  • RG6346 Phase 1 Proof-of-Concept Trial for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. RG6346 is an investigational candidate for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being developed in collaboration with Roche. Enrollment of the Phase 1 clinical study of RG6346 was completed in June 2020. In a separate news release today, Dicerna announced positive data from the ongoing trial in which patients from its multidose Group C reached a mean reduction in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of 1.39, 1.80 and 1.84 log10 IU/mL at Day 112 end-of-treatment for the 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg cohorts, respectively. Notably, HBsAg suppression has been stably maintained beyond Day 112, with the 1.5 mg/kg cohort showing stable mean HBsAg reduction through Day 336, confirming preclinical predictions of a long duration of effect for Dicerna’s X-sparing HBV targeting strategy. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were observed with RG6346 treatment in any group. The most commonly reported adverse events were mild or moderate injection-site events. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and there were no safety-related discontinuations. Under the collaboration agreement, Roche will be responsible for initiating Phase 2 development of RG6346.
  • Positive Interim Data from PHYOX3 Multidose, Open-Label Extension Trial of Nedosiran. In April 2020, in response to COVID-19 impacts at clinical trial sites, the Company implemented a protocol amendment with local Institutional Review Boards and transitioned certain site visits to a combination of at-home nurse visits with investigator telehealth assessments for dose administration and safety follow-up.

    Updated interim data from this ongoing trial, which were released in a separate news release this morning, demonstrated that of the 11 participants included in the analysis (eight PH1 and three PH2) who had reached Day 120 receiving once-monthly nedosiran, nine participants (82%) had achieved normal or near-normal urinary oxalate (Uox) levels, defined as below 0.46 mmol/1.73m2 body surface area adjusted (BSA)/24 hr (laboratory assay upper limit of normal [ULN]) and from 0.46 to 0.6 mmol/1.73m2 BSA/24 hr (1.3xULN, defined per protocol as near-normal), respectively. To date, five of the 17 participants enrolled in PHYOX3 had achieved and maintained normal Uox concentrations on at least three consecutive visits, making them eligible for gradual reduction in fluid intake. In this interim analysis, nedosiran appeared generally well tolerated, with three injection-site reactions in the 16 enrolled patients and no drug-related severe adverse events. The overall adverse event profile was comparable to that observed in the PHYOX1 Phase 1 clinical trial.

  • Nedosiran PHYOX2 Pivotal Trial. In April and May 2020, Dicerna transitioned certain site visits in the PHYOX2 trial to a combination of at-home nurse visits and investigator telehealth assessments for drug administration and safety follow-up to align with trial sites’ operational changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment in the PHYOX2 trial continues at a limited number of sites globally. While subject to change pending potential future site impacts related to the pandemic, the Company currently expects to complete enrollment in the PHYOX2 trial in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for Nedosiran for Treatment of Primary Hyperoxaluria. In June 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted rare pediatric disease designation for nedosiran. Under the FDA's rare pediatric disease designation program, the FDA may grant a priority review voucher to a sponsor who receives a product approval for a “rare pediatric disease.” Subject to FDA approval of nedosiran for the treatment of PH, Dicerna would be eligible to receive a voucher that may be redeemed to receive priority review for a subsequent marketing application for a different product candidate or which could be sold or transferred.
  • Preclinical Data From Dicerna’s Technology in New Tissues. In a separate news release today, Dicerna announced positive preclinical data demonstrating expansion of its technology and discovery efforts beyond its hepatocyte-focused GalXC RNAi technology to central nervous system (CNS), skeletal muscle and adipose tissues. The data demonstrated consistent and durable CNS-wide target mRNA knockdown using novel constructs regardless of route of administration (intrathecal [IT] or intracisterna magna [ICM]) and reduction in target mRNA (messenger RNA) in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue using optimized chemistries, resulting in equivalent and potentially highly durable target knockdown regardless of dosing regimens.
  • DCR-A1AT Phase 1/2 Trial and ALN-AAT02 Program Update. In late April 2020, the Scientific Review Committee for the DCR-A1AT Phase 1/2 trial confirmed that the study could continue, and the Company began enrolling the following dosing cohort in May, which has since been completed. The Company is currently targeting program selection and potential initiation of patient dosing in the first quarter of 2021.

Corporate and Collaboration Program Updates

  • Shreeram Aradhye, M.D. Appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dicerna announced yesterday the appointment of Dr. Aradhye as executive vice president and chief medical officer, effective Sept. 8, 2020. Dr. Aradhye brings over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in clinical development and medical affairs, most recently as chief development officer of Axcella Health. Prior to Axcella, Dr. Aradhye served as global head of medical affairs and chief medical officer – pharmaceuticals for Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
  • Roche Collaboration Agreement. In April 2020, Roche formally nominated the first selected target and thus initiated the research and development portion of its agreement with the Company. In October 2019, Dicerna and Roche entered into an agreement related to the development and commercialization of RG6346 and the discovery, development and commercialization of oligonucleotide therapeutics targeting multiple gene targets implicated in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Upcoming Milestones

  • Nedosiran: Expected completion of enrollment in PHYOX2 pivotal clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2020 with last patient anticipated to complete the study in the first half of 2021 and subsequent New Drug Application submission in the third quarter of 2021
  • Collaborative Program: Investigational New Drug or Clinical Trial Authorization filing for LY3561774 by Lilly in late 2020
  • DCR-A1AT/ ALN-AAT02: Program selection and potential initiation of patient dosing in the first quarter of 2021

Supply Chain Update

The current supply of Dicerna’s investigational medicines continues to be sufficient to support ongoing clinical trials. Based on current evaluations, Dicerna’s supply chain continues to appear intact at this time to meet expected 2020 clinical, nonclinical, and chemistry, manufacturing and control supply demands across all programs. The Company has undertaken efforts to mitigate potential future impacts to the supply chain by increasing its stock of critical starting materials required to meet its needs and its collaborative partners’ needs through mid-2021 and by identifying and engaging alternative suppliers. The Company continues to be alert to the potential for disruptions that could arise from COVID-19 and remains in close contact with suppliers.

Financial Results for Second Quarter of 2020

  • Cash Position – As of June 30, 2020, Dicerna had $669.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and held-to-maturity investments, compared to $348.9 million as of Dec. 31, 2019. Additionally, the Company had $5.6 million and $3.9 million of restricted cash equivalents as of June 30, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2019, respectively, reflecting collateral securing the Company’s lease obligations.
  • Revenue – Dicerna recognized $40.4 million of revenue associated with its collaboration partners during the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $5.7 million for the same period in 2019.
  • Research and Development (R&D) Expenses – R&D expenses were $53.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $22.8 million for the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily due to direct research and development expenses as a result of manufacturing and clinical study costs and employee-related expenses due to an increase in headcount necessary to support our growth.
  • General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses – G&A expenses were $20.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $8.8 million for the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily due to employee-related expenses as a result of increased headcount necessary to support our growth.
  • Net Loss – Net loss was $31.8 million, or $0.43 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $23.8 million, or $0.35 per share, for the same period in 2019.

Guidance

Dicerna believes that its cash, cash equivalents and held-to-maturity investments will be sufficient to fund the execution of its current clinical and operating plan into 2023, which includes our expectations to advance nedosiran through pivotal development, regulatory filing and potential commercial launch; completing the proof-of-concept study of RG6346 in participants with HBV infection; conducting nonclinical studies of ALN-AAT02 and advancing either ALN-AAT02 or DCR-A1AT through Phase 1/2; and initiating and conducting research and development programs with our collaborative partners. This estimate assumes no new funding from additional collaboration agreements or from external financing events and no significant unanticipated changes in costs and expenses. Dicerna expects its overall expenses to continue to increase significantly for the foreseeable future, primarily as the Company continues clinical manufacturing activities, advances preclinical toxicology studies, continues clinical activities associated with its lead product candidates, prepares for commercialization of nedosiran and initiates or increases activities under the agreements with Novo Nordisk A/S, Roche, Eli Lilly, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

About Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRNA) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing medicines that are designed to leverage ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) to selectively silence genes that cause or contribute to disease. Using our proprietary RNAi technology platform called GalXC™, Dicerna is committed to developing RNAi-based therapies with the potential to treat both rare and more prevalent diseases. By silencing disease-causing genes, Dicerna’s GalXC platform has the potential to address conditions that are difficult to treat with other modalities. Initially focused on hepatocytes, Dicerna has continued to innovate and is exploring new applications of its RNAi technology beyond the liver, targeting additional tissues and enabling new therapeutic applications. In addition to our own pipeline of core discovery and clinical candidates, Dicerna has established collaborative relationships with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, including Novo Nordisk A/S, Roche, Eli Lilly and Company, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Between Dicerna and our collaborative partners, we currently have more than 20 active discovery, preclinical or clinical programs focused on rare, cardiometabolic, viral, chronic liver and complement-mediated diseases, as well as neurodegeneration and pain. At Dicerna, our mission is to interfere – to silence genes, to fight disease, to restore heath. For more information, please visit www.dicerna.com.