• Two Phase 2 trials investigating (Z)-endoxifen in neoadjuvant setting initiated and are enrolling patients
• Full enrollment of Phase 2 KARISMA mammographic breast density study expected by end of 2023
• Ended first quarter 2023 with $103.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and no debt

SEATTLE, May 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATOS), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative proprietary medicines to address significant unmet needs in oncology with a current focus on breast cancer, today announces financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, and provides an update on recent company developments.

Key developments from Q1 2023 and year to date include:

• Initiation of and First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 EVANGELINE Study – EVANGELINE (Endoxifen Versus exemestANe GosEreLIn), is a Phase 2 randomized non-inferiority study of (Z)-endoxifen compared to exemestane plus goserelin as a neoadjuvant treatment for premenopausal women with Grade 1 or 2 ER+ / HER2- breast cancer. Participants receive neoadjuvant treatment for up to 24 weeks, followed by surgery.
• Initiation of New Study Arm in the Ongoing Phase 2 I-SPY 2 Clinical Trial – I-SPY 2 is a collaborative effort among academic investigators from major cancer research centers across the United States, Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Cancer Biomarkers Consortium. Approximately 20 patients will be treated with (Z)-endoxifen for up to 24 weeks prior to surgery.
• Additional Intellectual Property Protection for (Z)-endoxifen – The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted a new patent (No. 11,572,334) directed to (Z)-endoxifen encapsulated in an enteric capsule. Enteric capsules have an acid resistant coating to prevent them from dissolving when they pass through the stomach. Enteric capsules are dissolved when they pass through an alkaline environment, which is usually when they reach the small intestine. Delivering oral (Z)-endoxifen via an enteric capsule prevents breakdown of the (Z)-endoxifen in the stomach.
• Poster Presentation at 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting – A Trial in Progress poster for the Phase 2 clinical study of (Z)-endoxifen in premenopausal women with early stage ER+ / HER2- breast cancer will be presented at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting, taking place June 2-6, 2023 in Chicago.

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made to date in 2023 and look forward to further accelerating our (Z)-endoxifen development programs over the coming months,” said Dr. Steven Quay, Atossa’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “With three ongoing Phase 2 studies investigating (Z)-endoxifen, $103.9 million of cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet, broad patent protection and a talented team in place, we are well positioned to change the treatment paradigm for women with dense breast tissue and those diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer."

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)

Revenue and Cost of Revenue: 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we had no source of sustainable revenue and no associated cost of revenue.

Operating Expenses:

The following table provides a breakdown of major categories within Research and Development (R&D) and General and Administrative (G&A) expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, together with the dollar and percentage change in those categories:

*Percentage is not meaningful

Total operating expenses were $7,098 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which was an increase of $2,351, or 50%, from the three months ended March 31, 2022. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted of R&D expenses of $3,508 and G&A expenses of $3,590.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 consisted of R&D expenses of $1,499 and G&A expenses of $3,248. Factors contributing to the increased operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are explained below.

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $3,508, an increase of $2,009, from total R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $1,499. Key changes were as follows:

• The increase in R&D expense was attributed primarily to increased spending on clinical and non-clinical trials of $1,048 compared to the prior year period due to (Z)-endoxifen trial costs and increased spending on active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and drug product formulation and development.
• The decrease in R&D compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the prior year quarter, was in part attributable to the increase in compensation expense of $43, or 9%, compared to the prior year period due to an increase in headcount, salaries and bonus accruals partially offset by a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation. Non-cash stock-based compensation decreased by $103, or 17%, compared to the prior year quarter due to the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2023 being lower quarter over quarter.
• In the first quarter of 2022, the Company received a refund of $1,000 from the research institution with which the Company had an exclusive right to negotiate for the acquisition of the worldwide rights to two oncology R&D programs. No exclusivity payments were made or refunded during the three months ended March 31, 2023. 

G&A Expenses: G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $3,590, an increase of $342, from total G&A expenses for quarter ended March 31, 2022 of $3,248. Key changes were as follows:

• The increase in G&A compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the prior year quarter, was in part attributable to the increase in compensation expense of $209, or 26%, compared to the prior year quarter due to an increase in headcount, salaries and bonus accruals that was partially offset by a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation. Non-cash stock-based compensation decreased by $130, or 11%, compared to the prior year period as the weighted average fair value of options amortizing in 2023 was lower quarter over quarter.
• Legal and professional fees increased by $257 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the prior year period due primarily to higher patent activity for (Z)-endoxifen and our immunotherapy research.

Interest Income: Interest income was $850 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 an increase of $849, from interest income of $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was due to the higher average balance of invested cash in a money market account and higher average interest rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the prior year period. 

About (Z)-Endoxifen

(Z)-endoxifen is the most active metabolite of the FDA approved Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), tamoxifen. Studies by others have demonstrated that the anti-estrogenic effects of tamoxifen are driven in a concentration-dependent manner by (Z)-endoxifen. In addition to its potent anti-estrogen effects, (Z)-endoxifen at higher concentrations has been shown to target PKCβ1, a known oncogenic protein.

Atossa is developing a proprietary oral formulation of (Z)-endoxifen that does not require liver metabolism to achieve therapeutic concentrations and is encapsulated to bypass the stomach as acidic conditions in the stomach convert a greater proportion of (Z)-endoxifen to the inactive (E)-endoxifen. Atossa’s (Z)-endoxifen has been shown to be well tolerated in Phase 1 studies and in a small Phase 2 study of women with breast cancer. We are currently studying our (Z)-endoxifen in healthy women with measurable breast density and women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. Atossa’s (Z)-endoxifen is protected by two issued U.S. patents and numerous pending patent applications.

About Atossa Therapeutics

Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology with a current focus on breast cancer. For more information, please visit www.atossatherapeutics.com 

CONTACTS:
Kyle Guse
General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer
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Eric Van Zanten
VP, Investor and Public Relations
610-529-6219
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Forward-looking statements in this press release, which Atossa undertakes no obligation to update, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with any variation between interim and final clinical results, actions and inactions by the FDA, the outcome or timing of regulatory approvals needed by Atossa including those needed to commence studies of (Z)-endoxifen, lower than anticipated rate of patient enrollment, estimated market size of drugs under development, the safety and efficacy of Atossa’s products, performance of clinical research organizations and investigators, obstacles resulting from proprietary rights held by others such as patent rights, whether reduction in breast density or in Ki-67 or any other result from a neoadjuvant study is an approvable endpoint for (Z)-endoxifen, whether Atossa can complete acquisitions, and other risks detailed from time to time in Atossa’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

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