Press Releases Events & Presentations Press Release Assembly Biosciences Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Recent Highlights November 7, 2019 at 4:05 PM EST PDF Version SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.,, Nov. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome, today reported financial results and recent highlights for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019. “I’m thrilled to have joined Assembly during the third quarter; this is an exciting time as our HBV and microbiome programs are building important momentum. We have also had the opportunity to attract industry-leading talent to our team with the recent additions of Tom Russo as CFO and Luisa Stamm as CMO,” said John McHutchison, AO, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President. “We look forward to presenting data from our Phase 2a trials of ABI-H0731 in more detail on Monday, November 11, during the AASLD Annual Meeting in Boston. As our abstract indicated, the combination of ‘731 with nucleos(t)ide therapy not only showed superior antiviral activity to nucleos(t)ide therapy alone, but is also associated with declines in surrogate markers predictive of cccDNA pool depletion, suggesting our core inhibitor regimens may be on the path to HBV cure. We also continue to advance our second and third core inhibitor candidates, with interim data from the Phase 1b trial of 2158 scheduled for presentation at AASLD.” Third Quarter 2019 and Recent Highlights Abstracts with data highlighting safety and antiviral activity of Assembly’s first and second generation core inhibitor candidates in the treatment of chronic HBV were accepted for late-breaking posters at the upcoming American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Annual Meeting (The Liver Meeting®) in Boston.° Phase 2a studies of ABI-H0731 + nucleos(t)ide analogs (Nrtl) in HBeAg+ patients show faster and deeper declines in HBV DNA and pgRNA with combination than Nrtl alone, as well as subsequent declines in the surrogate markers of cccDNA with long-term treatment° Potent antiviral activity was observed in first cohort of HBeAg+ patients treated in 14-day monotherapy study of ABI-H2158° The posters will be displayed during the 8:00am-5:30pm ET session on Monday, November 11, 2019, with presentation scheduled from 12:30-1:30pm ET. John McHutchison, AO, MD, joined Assembly in August as Chief Executive Officer and President. Dr. McHutchison is a world-renowned hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and anti-viral drug developer who previously led the research and development of five marketed therapies for chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C. Further strengthened the leadership team with appointments of Thomas Russo as Chief Financial Officer in October and Luisa Stamm, MD, PhD as Chief Medical Officer, as announced separately today.° Mr. Russo brings 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, spanning finance and operations (including commercial planning and manufacturing), as well as equity research.° Dr. Stamm is an infectious disease specialist whose industry career has focused on the development of therapeutics for hepatitis C (HCV) and liver disease, as well as HIV and other viral diseases. Anticipated Milestones and Events HBV Program ABI-H0731° Data from the ongoing long-term open label extension Phase 2 trial, Study 211, combining 731 with Ntrl therapy, including 48-week interim results, as well as final 24 week data from Studies 201 and 202 to be presented at AASLD on November 11, 2019. ABI-H2158° Data from the initial dose cohort in the Phase 1b trial in HBV-infected subjects to be presented at AASLD on November 11, 2019. Full study data anticipated in Q1 2020. ABI-H3733° Phase 1a trial expected to initiate in Q1 2020. Microbiome Program ABI-M201° Enrollment and dosing ongoing in Phase 1b trial in patients with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). Microbiome Platform° Leveraging discovery and development capabilities and manufacturing expertise to advance new proprietary candidates for multiple other disease indications. Upcoming Events and Conferences Conference call on Monday, November 11, 2019 at 8:30am ET to review AASLD data William Blair Biotech Focus Day Series: Boston Area Innovation on November 12, 2019 Jefferies London Healthcare Conference, November 20-21, 2019 Hep-DART, December 8-12, 2019 in Kauai, HI Upcoming Conference Call and Webcast InformationAssembly will host a live conference call and audio webcast on Monday, November 11, 2019, at 8:30am ET following the start of the late breaking poster session at the AASLD meeting. The live audio webcast can be accessed through the Events & Presentations page in the Investors section of the company's website at assemblybio.com. Alternatively, participants can dial (866) 438-0453 (domestic) or (409) 220-9366 (international) and refer to conference ID 4283686. Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $156.9 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $173.8 million as of June 30, 2019. This quarter-end cash position is projected to fund operations into 2021. Revenues from collaborative research were approximately $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2018. Research and development expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, were approximately $19.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $16.6 million for the same period in 2018. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. General and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, were approximately $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2018. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $3.5 million for the same period in 2018. Net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $25.0 million, or $0.96 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $21.5 million, or $0.87 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018. About Assembly Biosciences Assembly Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome. The HBV program is focused on advancing a new class of potent, oral core inhibitors that have the potential to increase cure rates for chronically infected patients. The microbiome program is developing novel oral live microbial biotherapeutic candidates with Assembly’s fully integrated platform, including a robust process for strain identification and selection, GMP banking and production, and targeted delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract with the GEMICEL® technology. For more information, visit assemblybio.com. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events, including statements about the clinical and therapeutic potential of core inhibitors, the timing of the initiation of and the availability of data from our ongoing and planned clinical trials and cash projections. Certain forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or by use of forward-looking terminology such as “expected,” “plans,” “potential” and “projected.” Assembly intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the components, timing, cost and results of clinical trials and other development activities involving our product candidates (including those licensed by Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited); the unpredictability of the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates and of the duration and results of regulatory review of those candidates by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities; whether our cash resources will be sufficient to fund continuing operations for the periods and/or trials; and the possible impairment of, or inability to obtain, intellectual property rights and the costs of obtaining such rights from third parties. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Assembly are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Assembly's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Assembly assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Investors: Lauren Glaser (415) 521-3828 lglaser@assemblybio.com Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Balance Sheet For the Period Ended September 30, 2019 Rounded September 30, December 31, 2019 2018 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,867 $ 41,471 Marketable securities 132,070 176,609 Accounts receivable from collaboration 2,944 2,430 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,441 1,992 Total current assets 165,322 222,502 Property and equipment, net 1,931 557 Operating lease right-of-use assets 12,783 — Other assets 1,671 3,348 Indefinite-lived intangible asset 29,000 29,000 Goodwill 12,638 12,638 Total assets $ 223,345 $ 268,045 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 2,709 $ 3,693 Accrued expenses 9,430 9,679 Deferred revenue - short-term 6,151 5,100 Operating lease liabilities - short-term 3,208 — Total current liabilities 21,498 18,472 Deferred rent — 108 Deferred tax liabilities 3,251 3,252 Deferred revenue - long-term 32,268 35,560 Operating lease liabilities - long-term 9,839 — Total liabilities 66,856 57,392 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding — — Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; 25,872,723 and 25,495,425 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 26 25 Additional paid-in capital 569,005 552,762 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (205 ) (347 ) Accumulated deficit (412,337 ) (341,787 ) Total stockholders' equity 156,489 210,653 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 223,345 $ 268,045 Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Income Statement For the Period Ended September 30, 2019 Rounded Rounded Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Collaboration revenue $ 4,231 $ 4,286 $ 11,197 $ 11,069 Operating expenses: Research and development 21,736 19,109 63,141 51,490 General and administrative 8,488 7,752 22,085 25,992 Total operating expenses 30,224 26,861 85,226 77,482 Loss from operations (25,993 ) (22,575 ) (74,029 ) (66,413 ) Other income (expenses) Interest and other income 983 1,116 3,441 2,015 Other income (expense), net - (82 ) 5 (232 ) Total other income 983 1,034 3,446 1,783 Loss before income taxes (25,010 ) (21,541 ) (70,583 ) (64,630 ) Income tax benefit 15 6 33 40 Net loss $ (24,995 ) $ (21,535 ) $ (70,550 ) $ (64,590 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax (18 ) 17 142 37 Comprehensive loss $ (25,013 ) $ (21,518 ) $ (70,408 ) $ (64,553 ) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.96 ) $ (0.87 ) $ (2.74 ) $ (2.95 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 25,912,568 24,878,413 25,765,414 21,900,943 Source: Assembly Biosciences, Inc. 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Assembly Biosciences Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Recent Highlights November 7, 2019 at 4:05 PM EST PDF Version SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.,, Nov. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome, today reported financial results and recent highlights for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019. “I’m thrilled to have joined Assembly during the third quarter; this is an exciting time as our HBV and microbiome programs are building important momentum. We have also had the opportunity to attract industry-leading talent to our team with the recent additions of Tom Russo as CFO and Luisa Stamm as CMO,” said John McHutchison, AO, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President. “We look forward to presenting data from our Phase 2a trials of ABI-H0731 in more detail on Monday, November 11, during the AASLD Annual Meeting in Boston. As our abstract indicated, the combination of ‘731 with nucleos(t)ide therapy not only showed superior antiviral activity to nucleos(t)ide therapy alone, but is also associated with declines in surrogate markers predictive of cccDNA pool depletion, suggesting our core inhibitor regimens may be on the path to HBV cure. We also continue to advance our second and third core inhibitor candidates, with interim data from the Phase 1b trial of 2158 scheduled for presentation at AASLD.” Third Quarter 2019 and Recent Highlights Abstracts with data highlighting safety and antiviral activity of Assembly’s first and second generation core inhibitor candidates in the treatment of chronic HBV were accepted for late-breaking posters at the upcoming American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Annual Meeting (The Liver Meeting®) in Boston.° Phase 2a studies of ABI-H0731 + nucleos(t)ide analogs (Nrtl) in HBeAg+ patients show faster and deeper declines in HBV DNA and pgRNA with combination than Nrtl alone, as well as subsequent declines in the surrogate markers of cccDNA with long-term treatment° Potent antiviral activity was observed in first cohort of HBeAg+ patients treated in 14-day monotherapy study of ABI-H2158° The posters will be displayed during the 8:00am-5:30pm ET session on Monday, November 11, 2019, with presentation scheduled from 12:30-1:30pm ET. John McHutchison, AO, MD, joined Assembly in August as Chief Executive Officer and President. Dr. McHutchison is a world-renowned hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and anti-viral drug developer who previously led the research and development of five marketed therapies for chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C. Further strengthened the leadership team with appointments of Thomas Russo as Chief Financial Officer in October and Luisa Stamm, MD, PhD as Chief Medical Officer, as announced separately today.° Mr. Russo brings 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, spanning finance and operations (including commercial planning and manufacturing), as well as equity research.° Dr. Stamm is an infectious disease specialist whose industry career has focused on the development of therapeutics for hepatitis C (HCV) and liver disease, as well as HIV and other viral diseases. Anticipated Milestones and Events HBV Program ABI-H0731° Data from the ongoing long-term open label extension Phase 2 trial, Study 211, combining 731 with Ntrl therapy, including 48-week interim results, as well as final 24 week data from Studies 201 and 202 to be presented at AASLD on November 11, 2019. ABI-H2158° Data from the initial dose cohort in the Phase 1b trial in HBV-infected subjects to be presented at AASLD on November 11, 2019. Full study data anticipated in Q1 2020. ABI-H3733° Phase 1a trial expected to initiate in Q1 2020. Microbiome Program ABI-M201° Enrollment and dosing ongoing in Phase 1b trial in patients with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). Microbiome Platform° Leveraging discovery and development capabilities and manufacturing expertise to advance new proprietary candidates for multiple other disease indications. Upcoming Events and Conferences Conference call on Monday, November 11, 2019 at 8:30am ET to review AASLD data William Blair Biotech Focus Day Series: Boston Area Innovation on November 12, 2019 Jefferies London Healthcare Conference, November 20-21, 2019 Hep-DART, December 8-12, 2019 in Kauai, HI Upcoming Conference Call and Webcast InformationAssembly will host a live conference call and audio webcast on Monday, November 11, 2019, at 8:30am ET following the start of the late breaking poster session at the AASLD meeting. The live audio webcast can be accessed through the Events & Presentations page in the Investors section of the company's website at assemblybio.com. Alternatively, participants can dial (866) 438-0453 (domestic) or (409) 220-9366 (international) and refer to conference ID 4283686. Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $156.9 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $173.8 million as of June 30, 2019. This quarter-end cash position is projected to fund operations into 2021. Revenues from collaborative research were approximately $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2018. Research and development expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, were approximately $19.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $16.6 million for the same period in 2018. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. General and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, were approximately $5.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2018. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $3.5 million for the same period in 2018. Net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $25.0 million, or $0.96 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to approximately $21.5 million, or $0.87 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018. About Assembly Biosciences Assembly Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome. The HBV program is focused on advancing a new class of potent, oral core inhibitors that have the potential to increase cure rates for chronically infected patients. The microbiome program is developing novel oral live microbial biotherapeutic candidates with Assembly’s fully integrated platform, including a robust process for strain identification and selection, GMP banking and production, and targeted delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract with the GEMICEL® technology. For more information, visit assemblybio.com. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events, including statements about the clinical and therapeutic potential of core inhibitors, the timing of the initiation of and the availability of data from our ongoing and planned clinical trials and cash projections. Certain forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or by use of forward-looking terminology such as “expected,” “plans,” “potential” and “projected.” Assembly intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the components, timing, cost and results of clinical trials and other development activities involving our product candidates (including those licensed by Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited); the unpredictability of the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates and of the duration and results of regulatory review of those candidates by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities; whether our cash resources will be sufficient to fund continuing operations for the periods and/or trials; and the possible impairment of, or inability to obtain, intellectual property rights and the costs of obtaining such rights from third parties. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Assembly are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Assembly's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Assembly assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Investors: Lauren Glaser (415) 521-3828 lglaser@assemblybio.com Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Balance Sheet For the Period Ended September 30, 2019 Rounded September 30, December 31, 2019 2018 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,867 $ 41,471 Marketable securities 132,070 176,609 Accounts receivable from collaboration 2,944 2,430 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,441 1,992 Total current assets 165,322 222,502 Property and equipment, net 1,931 557 Operating lease right-of-use assets 12,783 — Other assets 1,671 3,348 Indefinite-lived intangible asset 29,000 29,000 Goodwill 12,638 12,638 Total assets $ 223,345 $ 268,045 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 2,709 $ 3,693 Accrued expenses 9,430 9,679 Deferred revenue - short-term 6,151 5,100 Operating lease liabilities - short-term 3,208 — Total current liabilities 21,498 18,472 Deferred rent — 108 Deferred tax liabilities 3,251 3,252 Deferred revenue - long-term 32,268 35,560 Operating lease liabilities - long-term 9,839 — Total liabilities 66,856 57,392 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding — — Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; 25,872,723 and 25,495,425 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 26 25 Additional paid-in capital 569,005 552,762 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (205 ) (347 ) Accumulated deficit (412,337 ) (341,787 ) Total stockholders' equity 156,489 210,653 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 223,345 $ 268,045 Assembly Biosciences, Inc. Income Statement For the Period Ended September 30, 2019 Rounded Rounded Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Collaboration revenue $ 4,231 $ 4,286 $ 11,197 $ 11,069 Operating expenses: Research and development 21,736 19,109 63,141 51,490 General and administrative 8,488 7,752 22,085 25,992 Total operating expenses 30,224 26,861 85,226 77,482 Loss from operations (25,993 ) (22,575 ) (74,029 ) (66,413 ) Other income (expenses) Interest and other income 983 1,116 3,441 2,015 Other income (expense), net - (82 ) 5 (232 ) Total other income 983 1,034 3,446 1,783 Loss before income taxes (25,010 ) (21,541 ) (70,583 ) (64,630 ) Income tax benefit 15 6 33 40 Net loss $ (24,995 ) $ (21,535 ) $ (70,550 ) $ (64,590 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax (18 ) 17 142 37 Comprehensive loss $ (25,013 ) $ (21,518 ) $ (70,408 ) $ (64,553 ) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.96 ) $ (0.87 ) $ (2.74 ) $ (2.95 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 25,912,568 24,878,413 25,765,414 21,900,943 Source: Assembly Biosciences, Inc.
