Cara Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

– Net revenue was $23M for 2Q 2022 comprised of profit-sharing revenue of $8M from KORSUVA™ (difelikefalin) injection and a $15M milestone payment from the European Commission approval of Kapruvia® (difelikefalin) –

– KOMFORT Phase 2 trial met primary endpoint in notalgia paresthetica, validating potential broad utility of oral difelikefalin across multiple disease categories; FDA meeting expected in 2H 2022 –

– Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET –

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARA), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company leading a new treatment paradigm to improve the lives of patients suffering from pruritus, today announced financial results and operational highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

“During the second quarter of 2022, we made great strides toward establishing Cara Therapeutics as the leader in the treatment of chronic pruritus,” said Christopher Posner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cara Therapeutics. “The early U.S. launch of KORSUVA™ (difelikefalin) injection with our commercial partner Vifor has been progressing as expected, with independent and midsize dialysis organizations driving initial product uptake. We anticipate demand to accelerate in the coming months, driven by large dialysis organizations that started purchasing early in the third quarter.”

Mr. Posner continued, “In June 2022, we were pleased to announce positive topline results from our KOMFORT Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial of oral difelikefalin for the treatment of pruritus in patients with notalgia paresthetica. We continue to deliver against our commitments associated with our three strategic priorities both on the commercial and development side of the business thereby driving long-term growth and value creation.”

Second Quarter and Recent Developments:

KORSUVA Injection: Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus: Hemodialysis

In April 2022, the Company and its commercial partner, Vifor, launched KORSUVA (difelikefalin) injection in the U.S. for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults undergoing hemodialysis. KORSUVA injection generated net sales of $16.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, translating into $8 million in profit-sharing revenue for Cara. Wholesalers shipped 1,812 vials driven by independent and midsize dialysis organizations.

In the second quarter, the Company received the $15 million regulatory milestone payment triggered by the April 2022 European Commission approval of Kapruvia® (difelikefalin) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with CKD in adult hemodialysis patients. Also in April 2022, Kapruvia was approved in the UK. The Company expects the commercial launches of Kapruvia to commence in certain European markets in the second half of 2022.

Oral Difelikefalin: Notalgia Paresthetica

In June 2022, the Company announced positive topline results from the KOMFORT Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week study evaluating the efficacy and safety of oral difelikefalin for moderate-to-severe pruritus in patients with notalgia paresthetica (NP). The Company has submitted the data for presentation at an upcoming medical meeting and plans to host an R&D Day focused on NP in the third quarter of 2022. In addition, the Company anticipates having a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the second half of 2022 to discuss next steps in the development of oral difelikefalin for the treatment of pruritus in patients with NP.

Oral Difelikefalin: Pruritus Associated with Non-Dialysis Dependent Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

The Phase 3 program of oral difelikefalin in patients with advanced CKD stages 4 or 5 with moderate-to-severe pruritus who are not on dialysis is ongoing. The Phase 3 program is comprised of two identical 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, known as KICK 1 and KICK 2. The Company expects to report topline results in the second half of 2024.

Oral Difelikefalin: Atopic Dermatitis

The Phase 3 program for oral difelikefalin as an adjunctive therapy to topical corticosteroids in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus is ongoing. The program is comprised of two studies, known as KIND 1 and KIND 2. Both studies are double-blind, controlled, 12-week studies with patients allowed to roll over to 52-week open-label safety extensions. At the end of the 12-week treatment period in Part A of KIND 1, the Company expects to have an internal data readout to inform the dose and sample size to initiate Part B and KIND 2. The internal readout is expected for the second half of 2023.

Oral Difelikefalin: Chronic Liver Disease-Associated Pruritus: Primary Biliary Cholangitis

The Company is currently conducting a proof-of-concept Phase 2 clinical trial of oral difelikefalin for the treatment of pruritus in patients with hepatic impairment due to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of oral difelikefalin versus placebo for 16 weeks. The Company expects to report topline data in the second half of 2022.

Upcoming Meeting Activities:

The Company expects to present at the following upcoming investment conferences:

• Canaccord Genuity 42^nd Annual Growth Conference, August 8-11
• H.C. Wainwright 24^th Annual Global Investment Conference, September 12-14

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at June 30, 2022 totaled $204.7 million compared to $236.8 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease in the balance primarily resulted from $30.0 million of cash used in operating activities.

For the second quarter of 2022, net loss was $4.2 million, or $(0.08) per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss of $30.7 million, or ($0.61) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2021.

Revenues: Total revenue was $23.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. There was no revenue during the same period of 2021. Revenue consisted of:

• $15.0 million of license and milestone fees revenue, related to the regulatory milestone payment for the approval of Kapruvia by the European Commission in April 2022 during the three months ended June 30, 2022; and
  
  
• $8.0 million of collaborative revenue, related to the profit-sharing revenue from Vifor’s sales of KORSUVA injection to third parties during the three months ended June 30, 2022.
  

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): There was no COGS during the three months ended June 30, 2022 or June 30, 2021, as there was no commercial supply revenue recognized for the period.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $19.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $25.2 million in the same period of 2021. The lower R&D expenses in 2022 were principally due to a $10.0 million milestone earned by Enteris during the three months ended June 30, 2021, partially offset by increases in direct clinical trial costs and related consultant costs during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $7.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $5.7 million in the same period of 2021. The higher G&A expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022 were principally due to increases in stock-based compensation expense, which included additional compensation expense relating to the modification of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer’s equity awards in November 2021, as well as increases in accounting and auditing fees and payroll related costs.

Other Income, net: Other income, net was $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $0.1 million in the same period of 2021. The increase in other income, net was primarily due to an increase in interest income resulting from a higher yield on the Company’s portfolio of investments during the three months ended June 30, 2022, partially offset by an increase in net amortization expense of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

Financial Guidance

Based on timing expectations and projected costs for current clinical development plans, which include conducting supportive Phase 1 trials, Phase 2 trials in PBC and NP, and Phase 3 trials in CKD and AD, Cara expects that its current unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its currently anticipated operating expenses and capital requirements into the first half of 2024, without giving effect to product revenue the Company receives from the commercialization of KORSUVA injection or Kapruvia or any potential milestone payments or potential additional product revenue the Company may receive under collaboration agreements.

About Cara Therapeutics

Cara Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company leading a new treatment paradigm to improve the lives of patients suffering from pruritus. The Company’s novel KORSUVA™ (difelikefalin) injection is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease in adults undergoing hemodialysis. The Company is developing an oral formulation of difelikefalin and has initiated Phase 3 programs for the treatment of pruritus in patients with non-dialysis dependent advanced chronic kidney disease and atopic dermatitis. The Company has completed the placebo-controlled phase of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial of oral difelikefalin for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus in patients with notalgia paresthetica. A Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in primary biliary cholangitis patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus is ongoing. For more information, visit www.CaraTherapeutics.com and follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the Company’s ability to successfully commercialize KORSUVA injection and Kapruvia, risks that KORSUVA injection and Kapruvia revenue, expenses and costs may not be as expected, planned future regulatory meetings and/or submissions and potential future regulatory approvals, the performance of the Company’s commercial partners, including Vifor, expected timing of the initiation, enrollment and data readouts from the Company’s planned and ongoing clinical trials, the potential results of ongoing clinical trials, timing of future regulatory and development milestones for the Company’s product candidates, the potential for the Company’s product candidates to be alternatives in the therapeutic areas investigated, including NP, and the potential for oral difelikefalin to address additional pruritic indications, the size and growth of the potential markets for pruritus management, the Company’s expected cash reach, and the potential impact of COVID-19, geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic conditions on the Company’s clinical development and regulatory timelines and plans. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks are described more fully in Cara Therapeutics’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2021 and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Cara Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Financial tables follow

CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
			June 30,				December 31,
				2022				2021
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	46,718			$	13,453
	Marketable securities			110,794				153,582
	Accounts receivable - related party			8,003				-
	Inventory, net			3,460				2,584
	Income tax receivable			697				697
	Other receivables			468				455
	Prepaid expenses			6,026				2,519
Total current assets				176,166				173,290
	Operating lease right-of-use assets			2,278				2,973
	Marketable securities, non-current			47,171				69,754
	Property and equipment, net			549				631
	Restricted cash			408				408
Total assets			$	226,572			$	247,056
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	19,332			$	15,861
	Operating lease liabilities, current			1,835				1,755
Total current liabilities				21,167				17,616
	Operating lease liabilities, non-current			983				1,918
Commitments and contingencies				-				-
Stockholders’ equity:
	Preferred stock			-				-
	Common stock			53				53
	Additional paid-in capital			719,129				708,585
	Accumulated deficit			(512,713	)			(480,758	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,047	)			(358	)
Total stockholders’ equity				204,422				227,522
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$	226,572			$	247,056

	CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited)
			Three Months Ended June 30,										Six Months Ended June 30,
			2022					2021					2022				2021
Revenue:
	License and milestone fees		$	15,000				$	-				$	15,000				$	1,192
	Collaborative revenue		8,003					-					8,003					706
	Commercial supply revenue		-					-					4,790					-
	Clinical compound revenue		-					-					-					37
Total revenue			23,003					-					27,793					1,935
Operating expenses:
	Cost of goods sold		-					-					2,081					-
	Research and development		19,905					25,225					41,178					44,356
	General and administrative		7,570					5,651					16,917					12,016
Total operating expenses			27,475					30,876					60,176					56,372
Operating loss				(4,472	)				(30,876	)				(32,383	)				(54,437	)
Other income, net			266					131					428					391
Net loss				(4,206	)				(30,745	)				(31,955	)				(54,046	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and Diluted			$	(0.08	)			$	(0.61	)			$	(0.60	)			$	(1.08	)
Weighted average shares:
Basic and Diluted			53,614,668					50,059,984					53,561,161					49,989,379

MEDIA CONTACT:
Annie Spinetta
6 Degrees
973-768-2170
aspinetta@6degreespr.com 

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Iris Francesconi, Ph.D.
Cara Therapeutics
203-406-3700
investor@caratherapeutics.com