AUSTIN, Texas, March 18, 2021 — Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGLE), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new generation of human enzyme therapeutics as innovative solutions for rare metabolic diseases, today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results, and provided recent corporate and program highlights.
“2020 was a challenging year advancing our clinical trials and at the same time prioritizing the health and well-being of the rare disease patients we serve, who often have additional difficulties and vulnerabilities,” said Anthony Quinn, M.B Ch.B, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Aeglea. “We have been focused on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on our clinical timelines and I’m proud of the work the team has done to put patient needs first while also advancing a broad range of other impactful activities, as seen with the regulatory designations received for AGLE-177, our continuous gains in Arginase 1 Deficiency patient identification and the buildout of our commercial organization.”
Dr. Quinn continued, “With enrollment completion expected this month and data expected in the fourth quarter for our pivotal Phase 3 PEACE study of pegzilarginase in Arginase 1 Deficiency, and the potential for first-in-human data from our AGLE-177 Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Homocystinuria, 2021 is shaping up to be a transformational year and we are well positioned to evolve into a successful commercial-stage company.”
Recent Highlights and Updates
Pegzilarginase in Arginase 1 Deficiency
- As of mid-March, 24 patients have been enrolled and randomized in the pivotal Phase 3 PEACE clinical trial. An additional nine patients are in active screening or scheduled to begin screening in the next two weeks. Trial enrollment is expected to close in March, with completion of screening and all patients randomized by the end of April. Topline data is expected in the fourth quarter of 2021.
- As of January, Aeglea has identified over 300 Arginase 1 Deficiency patients in addressable markets. The number of currently identified patients represents approximately 65% and 30% of the estimated genetic prevalence populations in the U.S. and EU4 plus the UK, respectively.
- At the 2021 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, Aeglea provided an update on the safety profile of pegzilarginase. As of September 2020, more than 1,350 doses had been administered in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial and Phase 2 open-label extension study.
AGLE-177 in Homocystinuria
- In December 2020, Aeglea announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to AGLE-177 for the treatment of Homocystinuria. If AGLE-177 is approved by the FDA, the company will be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher.
- In January, Aeglea announced it will be adding clinical trial sites in Australia for its Phase 1/2 clinical trial.
- In January, the Company presented the results of an analysis which determined the Classical Homocystinuria (CBS deficiency) population in global addressable markets may exceed 30,000 patients, with an estimated 15,000-18,000 of those patients to be non-responsive to the existing standard of care.
Corporate
- Aeglea expanded the Company’s Board of Directors to include two new members. Alison Lawton, who previously served as president and CEO of Kaleido Biosciences, was appointed in December 2020. Sara Brownstein, a principal at Baker Bros. Advisors LP, was appointed in February 2021.
Upcoming Events
Aeglea will be attending the following virtual investor conferences:
- Wells Fargo Annual Biotech Corporate Access Day, April 6
- 20th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference, April 12-13
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results
As of December 31, 2020, Aeglea had available cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash of $148.1 million. Based on Aeglea’s current operating plan, management believes it has sufficient capital resources to fund anticipated operations into 2023.
Research and development expenses totaled $15.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $17.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily associated with completing certain manufacturing and pre-commercial activities for Aeglea’s lead product candidate, pegzilarginase.
Research and development expenses totaled $59.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $64.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily associated with completing a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with Arginase 1 Deficiency and closing cancer related trials, completing certain manufacturing and pre-commercial activities for Aeglea’s lead product candidate, pegzilarginase, along with supporting toxicology studies for the Homocystinuria program.
General and administrative expenses totaled $7.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. This increase was primarily due to ramping-up commercial capabilities and infrastructure.
General and administrative expenses totaled $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily due to ramping-up commercial capabilities and infrastructure along with additional office space to support company growth.
Net loss totaled $22.7 million and $21.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively, with non-cash stock compensation expense of $1.6 million and $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net loss totaled $80.9 million and $78.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, with non-cash stock compensation expense of $6.3 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
About Pegzilarginase in Arginase 1 Deficiency
Pegzilarginase is a novel recombinant human enzyme, which has been shown to rapidly and sustainably lower levels of the amino acid arginine in plasma. Aeglea is developing pegzilarginase for the treatment of patients with Arginase 1 Deficiency (ARG1-D), a rare debilitating and progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of arginine. ARG1-D presents in early childhood and patients experience spasticity, seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disability and early mortality. Aeglea’s Phase 1/2 and Phase 2 open-label extension data for pegzilarginase in patients with ARG1-D demonstrated clinical improvements and sustained lowering of plasma arginine. The Company’s ongoing single, global pivotal Phase 3 PEACE trial is designed to assess the effects of treatment with pegzilarginase versus placebo over 24 weeks with a primary endpoint of plasma arginine reduction. Pegzilarginase has received multiple regulatory designations, including Rare Pediatric Disease, Breakthrough, Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations from the FDA as well as Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency.
About AGLE-177 in Homocystinuria
AGLE-177 is a novel recombinant human enzyme, which degrades the amino acid homocysteine and its related homocystine dimer. Aeglea is developing AGLE-177 for the treatment of patients with cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) deficiency, also known as Classical Homocystinuria, a rare inherited disorder of methionine metabolism that results in elevated levels of homocysteine and homocystine. Homocysteine accumulation plays a key role in multiple progressive and serious disease-related complications, including thromboembolic vascular events, skeletal abnormalities (including severe osteoporosis), developmental delay, intellectual disability, lens dislocation and severe near sightedness. Preclinical data demonstrated that AGLE-177 improved important disease-related abnormalities and survival in a mouse model of Homocystinuria. AGLE-177 has received U.S. Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug Designations as well as EU Orphan Drug Designation. Aeglea initiated a Phase 1/2 trial in the second quarter of 2020 and continues patient identification and administrative activities.
About Aeglea BioTherapeutics
Aeglea BioTherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company redefining the potential of human enzyme therapeutics to benefit people with rare and devastating metabolic diseases with limited treatment options. Aeglea’s lead product candidate, pegzilarginase, is in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for the treatment of Arginase 1 Deficiency and has received both Rare Pediatric Disease and Breakthrough Therapy Designation. In the second quarter of 2020, the Company initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of AGLE-177 for the treatment of Homocystinuria. AGLE-177 has also been granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation. Aeglea has an active discovery platform focused on engineering small changes in human enzymes to have a big impact on the lives of patients and their families. For more information, please visit http://aeglea.com.