8-K
false000182645700018264572022-11-102022-11-10

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 10, 2022

MONTE ROSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-40522

 

84-3766197

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

645 Summer Street, Suite 102

Boston, MA 02210

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(617) 949-2643

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

 

GLUE

 

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 


 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On November 10, 2022, Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release issued by Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc., dated November 10, 2022.

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

 


 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: November 10, 2022

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Markus Warmuth

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markus Warmuth

 

 

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 


EX-99.1

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Monte Rosa Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Business Updates

 

– Initiated Patient Dosing in Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Evaluating MRT-2359, a GSPT1-directed Molecular Glue Degrader, for Treatment of MYC-driven Tumors –

 

– Progressed VAV1 Molecular Glue Degrader Program into Lead Optimization –

 

BOSTON, November 10, 2022 – Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLUE), a biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines, today reported business highlights and financial results for the third quarter, ended September 30, 2022.

 

“Throughout 2022, we have made important strides in advancing our QuEENTM platform and our portfolio of MGDs derived from it, including our GSPT1 degrader MRT-2359. The FDA’s clearance of our first investigational new drug application, along with the recent initiation of patient dosing of MRT-2359 in our clinical trial in MYC-driven tumors, serve as strong validation of our platform, the quality of our team and the level of innovation we are bringing to the field,” said Markus Warmuth, M.D., CEO of Monte Rosa. “We are continually progressing toward our goal of discovering and developing MGDs into a new generation of precision medicines for patients who currently have no real alternatives. With a strong cash position and investor support, we are well positioned to continue to execute on our first clinical program, as well as advance additional discovery programs through lead optimization.”

 

THIRD QUARTER 2022 & RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

 

Received a Study May Proceed Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for MRT‑2359, a potent, selective and orally bioavailable GSPT1-directed MGD
Recently initiated patient dosing with MRT-2359, evaluating the treatment of MYC-driven solid tumors, including lung cancer
Advanced VAV1 degrader program into lead optimization; VAV1 plays a key role in T-cell and B-cell development and activation and is a highly validated target for multiple autoimmune diseases, as well as several types of lymphoma
Continued progress of CDK2 and NEK7 programs toward development candidate nominations
Entered into collaboration with Professor Sereina Riniker, Ph.D., (ETH Zürich) to integrate molecular dynamics into Monte Rosa’s AI/ML engine for target identification and virtual screening
Gave multiple presentations at the 5th Annual Targeted Protein Degradation Summit in October in Boston, which included new and updated preclinical data supporting development of MRT-2359 in MYC-driven lung cancer, and novel AI applications for the discovery of MGDs

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Presented overview of development of MRT-2359 as a GSPT1-directed MGD to target MYC-driven malignancies at the 34th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Oct. 28 in Barcelona, Spain

 

UPCOMING INVESTOR EVENTS

 

Monte Rosa will be participating in the following upcoming investor conferences:

Jefferies 13th Annual Global Healthcare Conference, Nov. 15-17, London
Piper Sandler 34th Annual Healthcare Conference, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, New York
41st Annual J.P. Morgan Health Care Conference, Jan. 9-12, 2023, San Francisco

 

THIRD QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were $21.3 million, compared to $15.1 million for the third quarter of 2021. These increases were due to the expansion of R&D activities, including the advancement of MRT-2359 toward clinical development and the development of the company’s QuEEN™ platform and its preclinical programs, as well as increased headcount and laboratory-related expenses due to the company’s continued growth as an R&D organization. R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2022 included non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.7 million and non-cash lease expense of $1.5 million due to a rent holiday on the company’s Harrison Avenue facility lease. The same period in 2021 included non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million.

 

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the third quarter of 2022 were $7.0 million, compared to $4.8 million for the third quarter of 2021. The increase in G&A expenses was a result of additional expenses incurred in support of the company’s growth and operations as a public company. G&A expenses included non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2021.

 

Net Loss: Net loss for the third quarter of 2022 was $27.3 million, compared to $19.8 million for the third quarter of 2021.

 

Cash Position and Financial Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities as of September 30, 2022, were $277.4 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $299.5 million as of June 30, 2022. The decrease is primarily related to cash used to fund operations of $20.6 million and cash used for fixed assets of $1.4 million, partially off-set by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.1 million. The company expects that its cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund planned operations and capital expenditures into late 2024.

 

About Monte Rosa

Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing a portfolio of novel molecular glue degrader (MGD) medicines. These medicines are designed to employ the body’s natural


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mechanisms to selectively eliminate therapeutically relevant proteins. The company has developed a proprietary protein degradation platform, called QuEEN™ (Quantitative and Engineered Elimination of Neosubstrates), that enables it to rapidly identify protein targets and MGD product candidates that are designed to eliminate therapeutically relevant proteins in a highly selective manner. The company’s drug discovery platform combines diverse and proprietary chemical libraries of small molecule protein degraders with in-house proteomics, structural biology, AI/machine learning-based target selection, and computational chemistry capabilities to predict and obtain protein degradation profiles. For more information, visit www.monterosatx.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes express and implied “forward-looking statements,” including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, and in some cases, can be identified by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. Forward-looking statements contained in herein include, but are not limited to, statements about our product development activities, including our expectations around MRT-2359 and the ongoing development of our QuEEN™ platform, and the advancement of our pipeline and the various products therein, , our expectations of timing for of our clinical trial for MRT-2359, our ability to initiate and the timing of initiation of additional lead optimization programs, and our expectations regarding our ability to nominate and the timing of our nominations of additional development candidates. By their nature, these statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the impact that the current COVID-19 pandemic will have on our development activities and operations, as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and any subsequent filings, that could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the statements. You should not rely upon forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Although our management believes that the expectations reflected in our statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, performance or events and circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Recipients are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made and should not be construed as statements of fact. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, any future presentations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Certain information contained in these materials and any statements made orally during any presentation of these materials that relate to the materials or are based on studies, publications, surveys and other data obtained from third-party sources and our own internal estimates and research. While we believe these


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third-party studies, publications, surveys and other data to be reliable as of the date of these materials, we have not independently verified, and make no representations as to the adequacy, fairness, accuracy or completeness of, any information obtained from third-party sources. In addition, no independent source has evaluated the reasonableness or accuracy of our internal estimates or research and no reliance should be made on any information or statements made in these materials relating to or based on such internal estimates and research.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

112,394

 

 

$

346,071

 

Marketable securities

 

 

159,755

 

 

 

 

Proceeds receivable from common stock sale

 

 

13,507

 

 

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

4,050

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

4,569

 

 

 

2,595

 

Current restricted cash

 

 

960

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

295,235

 

 

 

348,666

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

19,384

 

 

 

12,325

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

38,534

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash, net of current

 

 

4,302

 

 

 

5,338

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

148

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

357,603

 

 

$

366,329

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

9,753

 

 

$

6,558

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

8,972

 

 

 

10,080

 

Current portion of operating lease liability

 

 

3,065

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

21,790

 

 

 

16,638

 

Defined benefit plan liability

 

 

2,128

 

 

 

2,176

 

Operating lease liability

 

 

42,593

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

66,511

 

 

 

18,814

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 48,528,247 shares issued and 48,372,781 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2022; and 500,000,000 shares authorized, 46,794,295 shares issued and 46,535,966 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

493,443

 

 

 

471,566

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(2,602

)

 

 

(2,021

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(199,754

)

 

 

(122,035

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

291,092

 

 

 

347,515

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

357,603

 

 

$

366,329

 

 

 


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Consolidated Statement of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

 

2022

 

2021

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 $ 21,342

 

 $ 15,115

General and administrative

 

  7,020

 

  4,753

Total operating expenses

 

  28,362

 

  19,868

Loss from operations

 

  (28,362)

 

  (19,868)

Other income:

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

  997

 

  13

Foreign currency exchange gain, net

 

  63

 

  18

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

  (16)

 

  —

Total other income

 

  1,044

 

  31

Net loss

 

 $ (27,318)

 

 $ (19,837)

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted

 

 $ (0.58)

 

 $ (0.43)

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in computing
   net loss per common share—basic and diluted

 

  46,732,353

 

  45,987,866

 

Contacts:

 

Investors
Shai Biran, Monte Rosa Therapeutics

ir@monterosatx.com

 

Media
Dan Budwick, 1AB
dan@1abmedia.com