REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. (Soleno) (NASDAQ: SLNO), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, today provided an update on the U.S. launch of VYKAT^TM XR and reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

First Quarter 2025 and Recent Corporate Highlights

• Announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of VYKAT XR (diazoxide choline) extended-release tablets, previously referred to as DCCR, for the treatment of hyperphagia in adults and children four years of age and older with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).
  • Announced launch and commencement of patient treatments on April 14^th, 2025.
• From approval through May 6^th, 2025 Soleno reports:
  • 268 patient start forms received
  • 131 unique prescribers of VYKAT XR
• Continued to engage with leading payers regarding the value proposition of VYKAT XR with the goal of establishing broad access for patients.
• Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) seeking marketing approval of DCCR (marketed in the U.S. as VYKAT XR) to patients with PWS in the E.U. on track for second quarter of 2025.

“During the first quarter of 2025, we achieved the most significant milestone in the history of our company with FDA approval of VYKAT XR for the treatment of hyperphagia in patients four years and older with Prader-Willi syndrome,” stated Anish Bhatnagar, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Soleno Therapeutics. “While it has only been a few weeks since we announced approval and commercial availability, the high level of interest that we are experiencing, as reflected in both patient start forms and unique prescribers, reflects the significant unmet need that VYKAT XR can address as a first-to-market treatment for this debilitating condition. With a strong balance sheet and a world class team, I believe we are very well positioned to sustain our current momentum, delivering VYKAT XR to the patients who need it while creating significant long-term value for our company.”     

Financial Results

Soleno’s efforts are primarily focused on executing a robust commercial launch of VYKAT XR following FDA approval on March 26^th, 2025.

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025 Financial Results

Soleno used $32.8 million of cash in its operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2025, and had $290.0 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of the end of the quarter.

The Company had not commenced commercialization of VYKAT XR in the three months ended March 31, 2025, and accordingly generated no revenue during this period.

Research and development expense was $13.5 million, which includes $4.3 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $14.6 million, which includes $2.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, in the same period of 2024. Personnel and other associated costs increased $1.9 million as the Company continued to hire additional employees in support of its research and development activities. Costs in support of its June 2024 NDA submission decreased $1.3 million. Pre-launch supply chain activities and clinical activities decreased $1.2 million and $3.1 million, respectively, between comparable periods. The Company incurred $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, related to its MAA filing with the EMA, which is expected to be filed in the second quarter of 2025. The cadence of the Company’s research and development expenditures will fluctuate depending upon the state of its clinical programs, the timing of manufacturing and other projects necessary to support its ongoing regulatory requirements and commercial launch. The $1.9 million of additional non-cash stock-based compensation being recognized in the period is predominantly due to performance-based RSU grants which vested upon the approval of the Company’s NDA for VYKAT XR by the FDA in March 2025.

Selling, general and administrative expense was $29.3 million, which includes $10.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $8.5 million, which includes $4.0 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, in the same period of 2024. Personnel and associated costs increased $7.7 million as the Company hired additional employees in preparation for commercial launch and in support of its increased business activities. New program costs associated with preparation for commercial launch, including disease state education, analytics, other marketing programs, medical affairs activities and patient advocacy activities increased by $5.8 million. The $6.4 million of additional non-cash stock-based compensation being recognized in the period is predominantly due to performance-based RSU grants which vested upon approval of the Company’s NDA for VYKAT XR by the FDA in March 2025.

Soleno is obligated to make cash payments of up to a maximum of $21.2 million to the former Essentialis stockholders upon the achievement of certain commercial milestones associated with the sales of VYKAT XR in accordance with the terms of the Company’s 2017 merger agreement with Essentialis. The fair value of the liability for the contingent consideration payable by the Company upon achieving two commercial sales milestones of $100 million and $200 million in cumulative revenue in future years was estimated to be $17.8 million as of March 31, 2025, a $3.0 million increase from the estimate as of December 31, 2024, driven primarily by the FDA approval of VYKAT XR.

Other income (expense), net was approximately $2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to approximately $2.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to interest expense associated with the long-term debt, partially offset an increase in interest income driven by higher cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Net loss was approximately $(43.8) million, or $(0.95) per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and $(21.4) million, or $(0.59) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2024.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Soleno management will host an investor conference call and webcast to discuss its first quarter 2025 financial and operating results and provide an update on the U.S. launch of VYKAT XR today, May 7^th, 2025 at 4:30pm ET. Details can be found below:

About PWS

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an abnormality in the gene expression on chromosome 15. The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA estimates that PWS occurs in one in every 15,000 live births. The defining symptom of PWS is hyperphagia, a chronic and life-threatening condition characterized by an intense persistent sensation of hunger accompanied by food preoccupations, an extreme drive to consume food, food-related behavior problems, and a lack of normal satiety, which can severely diminish the quality of life for individuals with PWS and their families. Hyperphagia can lead to significant mortality (e.g., stomach rupture, choking, accidental death due to food seeking behavior) and longer term, co-morbidities such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

INDICATION

VYKAT XR is indicated for the treatment of hyperphagia in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications

Use of VYKAT XR is contraindicated in patients who have a known hypersensitivity to diazoxide, other components of VYKAT XR, or to thiazides.

Warnings and Precautions

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia, including diabetic ketoacidosis, has been reported. Before initiating VYKAT XR, test fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c; optimize blood glucose in patients who have hyperglycemia. During treatment, regularly monitor fasting glucose (FPG or fasting blood glucose) and HbA1c. Monitor fasting glucose more frequently during the first few weeks of treatment in patients with risk factors for hyperglycemia.

Risk of Fluid Overload

Edema, including severe reactions associated with fluid overload, has been reported. Monitor for signs or symptoms of edema or fluid overload. VYKAT XR has not been studied in patients with compromised cardiac reserve and should be used with caution in these patients.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and at least 2% greater than placebo) included hypertrichosis, edema, hyperglycemia, and rash.

Please see the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

About Soleno Therapeutics, Inc.

Soleno is focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases. The Company’s first commercial product, VYKAT XR (diazoxide choline) extended-release tablets, formerly known as DCCR, is a once-daily oral treatment for hyperphagia in adults and children 4 years of age and older with Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information, please visit www.soleno.life.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in the company's prior press releases and in the periodic reports it files with the SEC. The events and circumstances reflected in the company's forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, the company does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Corporate Contact:
Brian Ritchie
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
212-915-2578