Cara Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results

Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn., March 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (CARA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities with a primary focus on pruritus as well as pain by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors, today announced financial results and operational highlights for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018.  

“During 2018, we made significant clinical and corporate advancements with our late-stage pruritus programs, including the initiation of both Phase 3 pivotal trials with KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection for chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus, or CKD-aP, in hemodialysis patients. Additionally, the execution of our Licensing Agreement with VFMCRP, a joint company of Vifor Pharma Group and Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest dialysis company, will help provide momentum for the commercial launch of KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection in the U.S. and Europe, if approved,” said Derek Chalmers, Ph.D., D.Sc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cara Therapeutics. “We anticipate 2019 to be a transformative year for the Company with significant clinical readouts expected from both pivotal Phase 3 trials of KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection, and from our Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ in pre-dialysis patients with CKD-aP.  We also expect to broaden our clinical pruritus program for Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ with the initiation of Phase 2 trials in both liver disease and dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis.”

2018 & Recent Highlights and Outlook

KORSUVA Injection: Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus (CKD-aP): Hemodialysis

• In January 2019, based on the recommendation of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, the Company announced that its pivotal KALM-1 Phase 3 trial of KORSUVAâ„¢ (CR845/difelikefalin) Injection will continue as planned with no changes to the original enrollment target of 350 hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP. The pre-specified interim conditional power assessment was conducted after approximately half of the targeted number of patients completed the designated 12-week treatment period.
   
• The Company also announced the completion of enrollment in the KALM-1 Phase 3 trial. Top-line data from this trial are expected in the second quarter of 2019.
   
• In August 2018, the Company announced the dosing of the first patient in KALM-2, the second Phase 3 efficacy trial of KORSUVA Injection, which is similar in design to the KALM-1 trial and will facilitate regulatory filings worldwide. KALM-2 is an international trial that will enroll patients in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. Based on current patient enrollment projections, the Company expects top-line data from this trial in the second half of 2019.

Oral KORSUVA: Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus (CKD-aP): Non-Hemodialysis

• In July 2018, the Company announced the dosing of the first patient in the Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ (CR845/difelikefalin) for the treatment of pruritus in Stage III - V (moderate-to-severe) CKD patients, evaluating the safety and efficacy of three dose levels (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg, once daily) of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ versus placebo.  Top-line data from this trial are expected in the second half of 2019.

Oral KORSUVA: Chronic Liver Disease-Associated Pruritus (CLD-aP)

• The Company completed a Phase 1 trial of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ at multiple tablet strengths in patients with chronic liver disease in the first quarter of 2019. The pharmacokinetic parameters were dose-proportional and Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ was generally well tolerated with no unexpected safety signals reported. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 2 trial in chronic liver disease patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus in the second quarter of 2019.

I.V. CR845/Difelikefalin: Acute Post-Operative Setting

• In June 2018, the Company reported positive top-line data from the adaptive Phase 2/3 trial of I.V. CR845 for the treatment of acute post-operative pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. At the 1.0 mcg/kg dose, I.V. CR845 achieved statistical significance for the primary endpoint of pain relief over the 0- to 24-hour period post-surgery. Additionally, I.V. CR845 treatment resulted in statistically significant reductions in the secondary endpoint of incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting over the 24-hour period post-surgery for both 0.5 and 1.0 mcg/kg doses.

Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd. License Agreement

• In May 2018, the Company entered into a license agreement with Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd., or VFMCRP, under which VFMCRP has the exclusive rights to commercialize KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection for the treatment of CKD-aP in dialysis patients outside of the United States, except in Japan and South Korea. The Company retains full development and commercialization rights for KORSUVA Injection for the treatment of CKD-aP in the United States, except in the dialysis clinics of Fresenius Medical Care North America, or FMCNA, where VFMCRP and the Company will promote KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection under a profit-sharing arrangement.
  
  
• Under the agreement, the Company received an upfront payment of $50.0 million in cash and Vifor (International) Ltd. made an equity investment of $20.0 million. The Company is also eligible to receive $30.0 million in regulatory milestones, up to $440.0 million in tiered sales-based commercial milestones, and tiered royalties on net sales of KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection in the licensed territories.

Appointments:

• Chief Medical Officer - In the fourth quarter of 2018, Cara announced the appointment of Joana Goncalves, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, or CMO. The Company’s former CMO, Dr. Joseph Stauffer, D.O., has transitioned to a consulting role for the Company.

Expected 2019 Clinical Milestones

• Top-line 12-week efficacy and safety data from the KALM-1 and KALM-2 Phase 3 trials of KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection in hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP are expected in the second quarter and second half of 2019, respectively.
   
• Top-line data from the Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ in Stage III - V CKD patients (moderate-to-severe) CKD-aP are expected in the second half of 2019.
   
• Initiation of the Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ in patients with CLD-aP is expected in the second quarter of 2019.
   
• Initiation of the Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVAâ„¢ in atopic dermatitis patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus is expected around mid-year 2019.

Upcoming Meeting Activities

The Company expects to make presentations at the following upcoming conferences:

• Needham & Company’s Annual Healthcare Conference, April 9-10
• Bank of America Merrill Lynch Healthcare Conference, May 14-16
• Jefferies 2019 Healthcare Conference, June 4-7

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at December 31, 2018 totaled $182.8 million compared to $92.6 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in the balance resulted primarily from $92.1 million of net proceeds raised in a follow-on offering of the Company’s common stock in July 2018, as well as proceeds of $70.0 million related to the license agreement with VFMCRP, partially offset by cash used in operations.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, net loss was $20.7 million, or $0.52 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $14.2 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2017.

• Revenues: The Company recognized $5.5 million of license and milestone revenue during the fourth quarter of 2018 related to its collaboration agreement with VFMCRP. No revenue was recognized during the same period of 2017.  
   
• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $22.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $11.6 million in the same period of 2017. The higher R&D expenses in 2018 were principally due to a net increase in costs associated with clinical trials, as well as increases in stock compensation expense and payroll and related costs.
   
• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $4.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $3.0 million in the same period of 2017. The increase in 2018 was primarily due to increases in stock compensation expense and payroll and related costs and consulting costs.
   
• Other Income: Other income was $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $368,000 in the same period of 2017. The increase in 2018 was primarily due to a higher average balance of the Company’s portfolio of investments in the 2018 period.

For the full year ended December 31, 2018, net loss was $74.0 million, or $2.06 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $58.1 million, or $1.86 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended 2017.

• Revenues: Total revenue was $13.5 million for the full year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $911,000 for the year ended 2017. Total revenue consisted of:
  
  (1) License and milestone fees revenue of $13.4 million for the full year ended December 31, 2018 was recognized by the Company related to its license agreement with VFMCRP. The Company recognized license and milestone fees revenue of $530,000 in 2017 related to a sub-license fee received from Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., or Maruishi, in connection with its sub-license agreement with Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
  
  (2) There was no collaborative revenue recognized for the full year ended December 31, 2018. Collaborative revenue of $313,000 was recognized for the year ended 2017 related to a sub-license fee received from Maruishi.
  
  (3) The Company recognized $33,000 and $68,000 of clinical compound revenue during the full year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in connection with the sale of clinical compound to Maruishi.

• Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $75.5 million for the full year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $48.5 million for the year ended 2017. The higher R&D expenses in 2018 were principally due to a net increase in clinical trial costs, as well as increases in stock compensation expense and payroll and related costs.
   
• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $15.3 million for the full year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $11.9 million for the year ended 2017. The increase in 2018 was primarily due to increases in stock compensation expense, payroll and related costs, consultants’ costs and legal fees. Those increases were partially offset by decreased rent, utilities and related costs.
  
  
• Other Income: Other income was $3.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1.2 million for the year ended 2017. The increase in 2018 was primarily due to a higher average balance of the Company’s portfolio of investments in 2018.

Financial Guidance

Based on timing expectations and projected costs for current clinical development plans, Cara expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities as of December 31, 2018 will be sufficient to fund its currently anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditures into 2021, without giving effect to any potential milestone payments under existing collaborations. 

Conference Call

Cara management will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2018 financial results and provide a business update.

To participate in the conference call, please dial (855) 445-2816 (domestic) or (484) 756-4300 (international) and refer to conference ID 5381969. A live webcast of the call can be accessed under "Events and Presentations" in the News & Investors section of the Company's website at www.CaraTherapeutics.com.

An archived webcast recording will be available on the Cara website beginning approximately two hours after the call.

About Cara Therapeutics

Cara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities with a primary focus on pruritus as well as pain by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors (KORs). Cara is developing a novel and proprietary class of product candidates, led by KORSUVA^TM (CR845/difelikefalin), a first-in-class KOR agonist that targets the body's peripheral nervous system, as well as certain immune cells. In Phase 2 trials, KORSUVAâ„¢ Injection has demonstrated statistically significant reductions in itch intensity and concomitant improvement in pruritus-related quality of life measures in hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) and is currently being investigated in Phase 3 trials in hemodialysis patients with CKD-aP.

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