Edesa Biotech : Reports Fiscal Year 2020 Results

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 7, 2020 / Edesa Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:EDSA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today reported financial results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and provided an update on its business.

During the fiscal year, Edesa added two Phase 2-ready biologics to its development pipeline, with a focus on COVID-19 and other strategic indications. Last month, the company initiated a Phase 2/Phase 3 study of the most advanced one of these acquired monoclonal antibodies in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and is currently enrolling subjects in the U.S. and Canada. In response to the pandemic, Edesa also took actions to facilitate enrollment for an ongoing Phase 2b clinical study of its EB01 drug candidate in chronic allergic contact dermatitis patients, and recently announced that that the project had reached an enrollment milestone.

'While 2020 brought unexpected challenges, it also brought opportunities for Edesa to demonstrate the flexibility and breadth of our clinical development strategy. In a matter of months, we achieved new regulatory approvals in two jurisdictions and launched a Phase 2/3 study of a potential best-in-class anti-TLR4 antibody treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - the leading cause of death in COVID-19 patients,' said Dr. Par Nijhawan, Chief Executive Officer of Edesa. 'Our team continues to operate at a high level and we are looking forward to building on our momentum, achieving our near-term milestones and, ultimately, building value for shareholders.'

Chief Financial Officer Kathi Niffenegger reported that Edesa's year-end results reflect the company's increased clinical activities and growth-related expenditures, which included COVID-19 study preparations, fill-finish expenses for its EB05 drug product, increased staffing and enrollment-based expenses for the company's ongoing dermatitis study. 'Our fiscal year results demonstrate the efficiency of our business model and the disciplined approach we are taking to deploying our working capital to studies with near-term inflection points,' she said.

Ms. Niffenegger reported that cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $7.2 million at September 30, 2020. In addition, she noted that subsequent to end of the fiscal year, Edesa received cash proceeds of approximately $2.0 million as a result of warrant exercises and issuances of common shares under the company's at-the-market equity distribution program.

Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020*

Total revenues for fiscal year 2020 were $0.33 million compared to $0.41 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, reflecting a reduction in sales of product inventory obtained in the June 2019 reverse acquisition. The company expects such product sales to continue to decline as a result of the discontinuation of legacy operations.

Total operating expenses increased by $3.49 million to $6.73 million for fiscal year 2020 compared to $3.24 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019:

• Cost of sales was $0.02 million for fiscal year 2020 compared to $0.10 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, reflecting a reduction in sales of product inventory obtained in the reverse acquisition.

• Research and development expenses were $3.33 million for the year ended September 30, 2020, reflecting increased external research expenses related to the clinical study of the company's EB01 drug candidate and increased activities and preparations related to the company's Phase 2/3 clinical study of EB05 as a potential treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, as well as increased salary and related personnel expenses. Research and development expenses were $1.10 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.

• General and administrative expenses were $3.38 million for the year ended September 30, 2020, reflecting increased salary and related personnel expenses, and increased public company expenses. General and administrative expenses were $2.05 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, Edesa reported a net loss of $6.36 million, or $0.74 per common share, compared to a net loss of $2.78 million, or $0.55 per common share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.

* As a result of the acquisition accounting for the business combination completed on June 7, 2019, and the subsequent change in year-end of the company's subsidiary Edesa Biotech Research, Inc., the comparative year-end data represent the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2020 and the nine-months ended September 30, 2019, which should be taken into account when reviewing comparative results. Financial results for any periods ended prior to June 7, 2019 reflect the financials of the company's subsidiary Edesa Biotech Research, Inc. on a standalone basis.

Working Capital
At September 30, 2020, Edesa had working capital of $6.57 million. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $7.21 million. From October 1 to December 2, 2020, the exercise of common share purchase warrants resulted in cash proceeds to the company of approximately $1.0 million. During this same period, the company also received cash proceeds of approximately $1.0 million from the issuance of common shares under an equity distribution agreement with RBC Capital Markets, LLC.

Calendar
From January 11-14, 2021, Edesa is scheduled to participate in the H.C. Wainwright Bioconnect Conference. Investors and biopharma executives interested in meetings with management can schedule one-on-one teleconference and video meetings through the conference website or by contacting Edesa at [e-mail].

About Edesa Biotech, Inc.
Edesa Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:EDSA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for inflammatory and immune-related diseases with clear unmet medical needs. The company's two lead product candidates, EB05 and EB01, are in later stage clinical studies. EB05 is a monoclonal antibody therapy that we are developing as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. ARDS is a life-threatening form of respiratory failure, and the leading cause of death among COVID-19 patients. Edesa is also developing an sPLA2 inhibitor, designated as EB01, as a topical treatment for chronic allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a common, potentially debilitating condition and occupational illness. EB01 employs a novel, non-steroidal mechanism of action and in two clinical studies has demonstrated statistically significant improvement of multiple symptoms in ACD patients. The company is based in Markham, Ontario, Canada, with a U.S. subsidiary located in Southern California. Sign up for news alerts.

Edesa Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'plan,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'could,' 'should,' 'might,' 'potential,' or 'continue' and variations or similar expressions, including statements related to: upcoming milestones in the company's clinical studies and the expectation that legacy product sales will continue to decline. Readers should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as all such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such risks include: the ability of Edesa to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize any of its product candidates, the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund Edesa's operations may not be available or may be available on terms that are not commercially favorable to Edesa, the risk that Edesa's product candidates may not be effective against the diseases tested in its clinical trials, the risk that Edesa fails to comply with the terms of license agreements with third parties and as a result loses the right to use key intellectual property in its business, Edesa's ability to protect its intellectual property, the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of regulatory filings, and the impacts of public health crises, such as COVID-19. Many of these factors that will determine actual results are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. For a discussion of further risks and uncertainties related to Edesa's business, please refer to Edesa's public company reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, Edesa assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Contacts
Gary Koppenjan
Edesa Biotech, Inc.
[phone] ext. 150
[e-mail]

Consolidated Statements of Operations

		Year Ended			Nine-Month Period Ended
		September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
Total Revenues		$	328,801			$	410,870
Expenses:
Cost of sales			17,601				101,286
Research and development			3,329,451				1,096,426
General and administrative			3,382,591				2,045,296
			6,729,643				3,243,008
Loss from operations			(6,400,842)				(2,832,138	)
Other income			37,412				55,404
Income tax expense			800				-
Net loss			(6,364,230)				(2,776,734	)
Exchange differences on translation			54,870				87,899
Net comprehensive loss		$	(6,309,360)			$	(2,688,835	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding			8,607,161				5,036,331
Loss per common share - basic and diluted		$	(0.74)			$	(0.55	)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

		September 30,			September 30,
		2020			2019
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	7,213,695			$	5,030,583
Other current assets			890,323				614,123
Intangible assets, net			2,483,536				-
Operating lease right-of-use assets			160,006				-
Property and equipment, net			14,815				73,058
Total Assets		$	10,762,375			$	5,717,764
Liabilities, shareholders' equity and temporary equity:
Current liabilities		$	1,529,857			$	461,634
Noncurrent liabilities			124,388				-
Temporary equity			2,476,955				-
Shareholders' equity			6,631,175				5,256,130
Total liabilities, shareholders' equity and temporary equity		$	10,762,375			$	5,717,764

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

		Year Ended			Nine-Month Period Ended
		September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(6,364,230)			$	(2,776,734	)
Adjustments for non-cash items			655,922				39,853
Change in working capital items			721,968				(2,108,906	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(4,986,340)				(4,845,787	)
Net cash provided by investing activities			19,073				6,417,968
Net cash provided by financing activities			7,092,749				-
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			57,630				91,304
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			2,183,112				1,663,485
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			5,030,583				3,367,098
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	7,213,695			$	5,030,583

SOURCE: Edesa Biotech

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/619605/Edesa-Biotech-Reports-Fiscal-Year-2020-Results