Atossa Genetics Announces First Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Provides Company Update

SEATTLE, May 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atossa Genetics Inc. (Nasdaq:ATOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics and delivery methods to treat breast cancer and other breast conditions, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and provided an update on recent company developments.

Steven C. Quay, M.D., Ph.D., Atossa Genetics’ President and CEO commented, "As we anticipated, we completed dosing in the topical Endoxifen breast density study in April and we look forward to announcing initial top-line results later this quarter. Further, as previously reported, the FDA approved an ‘Expanded Access’ program for use of our oral Endoxifen to treat a breast cancer patient prior to her surgery and in March 2019 we received a second approval for this patient to continue treatment post-surgery. We are planning a Phase 2 clinical study using our oral Endoxifen to reduce breast density and we look forward to providing updates on the launch of that study and progress with our other programs."

Q1 2019 Corporate Developments 

Developments during the first quarter include the following:

• April 2019 – Completed dosing of Phase 2 topical Endoxifen breast density trial
• April 2019 – Completed the first phase of a preclinical study using proprietary intraductal delivery technology. The company is now advancing to the next preclinical phase, which involves the intraductal administration of immune modulating formulations. These results will form the basis for advancing the intraductal delivery program into humans and to ultimately deliver immunotherapy to treat breast cancer using Atossa's proprietary intraductal delivery technology
• March 2019 – FDA approval of oral Endoxifen for expanded access as post-mastectomy treatment for a U.S. breast cancer patient
• March 2019 – Atossa received $11.3 million from the exercise of warrants that were previously outstanding
• February 2019 – Atossa provided breast cancer prevention recommendations to the United States Preventative Services Task Force
• February 2019 – Atossa reports results from expanded access program for a U.S. breast cancer patient taking oral Endoxifen: sizeable reduction in cancer cell biological activity; no safety or tolerability issues
• January 2019 – Successfully completed and provided final results from male Phase 1 study of topical Endoxifen; no clinically significant safety nor tolerability issues and acceptable pharmacokinetics

Q1 2019 Financial Results 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2019 the company reported no revenue and no associated cost of revenue.

Total operating expenses were approximately $4,064,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which is an increase of approximately $2,190,000 or 117 percent, from the three months ended March 31, 2018. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 consisted of research and development (R&D) expenses of approximately $1,451,000 and general and administrative (G&A) expenses of approximately $2,613,000. Operating expenses for the same period in 2018 consisted of R&D expenses of approximately $471,000, and G&A expenses of approximately $1,403,000.
    
R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were approximately $1,451,000, an increase of approximately $980,000 or 208 percent from total R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of approximately $471,000. The increase in R&D expense is attributed to salaries, stock-based compensation, and clinical trial expenses associated with our Endoxifen program. Stock-based compensation expense increased approximately $668,000 in 2019 resulting from the cancellation of stock options. There were no option cancellations in the comparable period in 2018. We expect our R&D expenses to increase throughout 2019 as we commence additional Phase 2 clinical studies of Endoxifen, continue the clinical trial of Fulvestrant administered via our intraductal technology and continue the development of other indications and therapeutics, including CAR-T and immunotherapies administered via our intraductal technologies.

G&A expenses were approximately $2,613,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of approximately $1,210,000, or 86 percent from the total G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, of approximately $1,403,000. G&A expenses consist primarily of personnel and related benefit costs, facilities, professional services, insurance, and public company related expenses. The increase in G&A expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, is mainly attributed to an increase in stock-based compensation expense due to the cancellation of 2018 options of approximately $1,074,000, payroll expenses resulting from salary increases, and increased legal and professional consulting expenses over the prior year.

As of March 31, 2019, Atossa had approximately $19.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of approximately $19.3 million.

About Atossa Genetics 

Atossa Genetics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics and delivery methods to treat breast cancer and other breast conditions. For more information, please visit www.atossagenetics.com.

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 preliminary 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, lower than anticipated rate of patient enrollment, estimated market size of drugs under development, the safety and efficacy of Atossa's products and services, performance of clinical research organizations and investigators, obstacles resulting from proprietary rights held by others with respect to fulvestrant, such as patent rights, potential market sizes for Atossa's drugs under development 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 Form10-K and 10-Q, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

Atossa Genetics Company Contact:
Atossa Genetics Inc.
Kyle Guse, CFO and General Counsel
Office: 866 893-4927
[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:
Scott Gordon
Core IR
377 Oak Street
Concourse 2
Garden City, NY 11530
Office:(516) 222-2560
[email protected] 

Source: Atossa Genetics Inc.

ATOSSA GENETICS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		As of March 31,				As of December 31,
		2019				2018
Assets		(Unaudited)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	19,568,247			$	10,380,493
Restricted cash			110,000				110,000
Prepaid expenses			835,468				509,833
Research and development tax rebate receivable			237,856				518,098
Other current assets			27,957				30,942
Total current assets			20,779,528				11,549,366
Furniture and equipment, net			48,212				54,487
Intangible assets, net			91,667				99,375
Right-of-use asset			88,103
Other assets			17,218				17,218
Total Assets		$	21,024,728			$	11,720,446
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	463,970			$	353,328
Accrued expenses			74,844				177,074
Payroll liabilities			891,758				935,070
Stock-based compensation liability							1,410,025
Lease liability			50,706
Other current liabilities			9,863				39,939
Total current liabilities			1,491,141				2,915,436
Long term liabilities
Lease liability long term			37,397
Total Liabilities			1,528,538				2,915,436
Commitments and contingencies (note 11)
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, consisting of Series B convertible preferred stock- $0.001 par value; 702 and 2,379 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively			1				2
Additional paid-in capital- Series B convertible preferred stock			701,999				2,378,997
Common stock - $0.18 par value; 175,000,000 shares authorized, and 9,122,171 and 5,846,552 shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively			1,641,979				1,052,372
Additional paid-in capital			98,056,781				82,204,902
Accumulated deficit			(80,904,570	)			(76,831,263	)
Total Stockholders' Equity			19,496,190				8,805,010
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	21,024,728			$	11,720,446

ATOSSA GENETICS INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

		For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2019				2018
Operating expenses
Research and development		$	1,451,236			$	470,976
General and administrative			2,613,093				1,403,465
Total operating expenses			4,064,329				1,874,441
Operating loss			(4,064,329	)			(1,874,441	)
Other income (expense)			(8,978	)			59
Loss before income taxes			(4,073,307	)			(1,874,382	)
Income taxes
Net loss		$	(4,073,307	)		$	(1,874,382	)
Loss per common share - basic and diluted		$	(0.62	)		$	(8.48	)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted			6,565,514				220,996