EX-99.1 2 d793839dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Bicara Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On track to initiate FORTIFI-HN01, a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of ficerafusp alfa in 1L R/M HNSCC

Completed upsized initial public offering, raising approximately $362 million in gross proceeds, with full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares

Strong financial position with approximately $521 million in cash and cash equivalents expected to fund operations into the first half of 2029

BOSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 – Bicara Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: BCAX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing transformative bifunctional therapies for patients with solid tumors, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 and provided a business update.

“The third quarter of 2024 was momentous for Bicara, highlighted by the successful completion of our upsized initial public offering, providing us with a robust balance sheet to continue to advance the development of ficerafusp alfa, our bifunctional EGFR/TGF-b inhibitor designed to exert potent anti-tumor activity directly within the tumor microenvironment,” said Claire Mazumdar, PhD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Bicara Therapeutics. “We are currently on track to achieve several anticipated milestones, most notably the upcoming initiation of FORTIFI-HN01, a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of ficerafusp alfa, for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, following encouraging interim Phase 1/1b data and alignment with the FDA on the registrational trial design. Bolstered by our strong financial position with cash runway expected to fund operations into the first half of 2029, we are committed to bringing ficerafusp alfa to patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and other solid tumors as quickly as possible.”

Pipeline Highlights

Bicara is developing ficerafusp alfa, a first-in-class, dual-action bifunctional epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) antibody for multiple different solid tumor cancer types.

Planned Pivotal Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial in 1L R/M HNSCC

 

   

The Company has aligned with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the design of FORTIFI-HN01, a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of ficerafusp alfa in combination with pembrolizumab in 1L (first line) recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and expects to initiate the trial late in the fourth quarter of 2024 or early in the first quarter of 2025.


Ongoing Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial in 1L R/M HNSCC

 

   

In an ongoing Phase 1/1b trial, ficerafusp alfa in combination with pembrolizumab has demonstrated clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity, with a 64% overall response rate, 18% complete response rate and median progression free survival of 9.8 months in frontline human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative R/M HNSCC, along with a favorable tolerability profile, as of the April 2024 data cut-off date (presented at the 3rd Hawaii Global Summit on Thoracic Malignancies in June 2024).

 

   

Updated data from an ongoing Phase 1/1b trial is expected at a medical meeting in the first half of 2025.

Expansion into Other HNSCC Populations and Solid Tumor Types

 

   

Data from a Phase 1b expansion cohort evaluating ficerafusp alfa in combination with pembrolizumab in second line (2L) or later squamous cancer of the anal canal is expected at a medical meeting in the first quarter of 2025.

 

   

Updated data from a Phase 1b expansion cohort evaluating ficerafusp alfa monotherapy in 2L or later cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is expected at a medical meeting in the first half of 2025.

Business Highlights

 

   

In September 2024, Bicara completed its initial public offering (IPO) of 20,125,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $18.00 per share, including full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, raising gross proceeds of approximately $362 million, before deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. Shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BCAX.”

 

   

In conjunction with its IPO in September 2024, Bicara appointed its President and Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Cohlhepp, PharmD, as a Director to its Board of Directors.

 

   

In August 2024, Bicara expanded its Board of Directors with the appointments of biopharma industry leaders Mike Powell, PhD, as Chairman of the Board, and Christopher Bowden, MD, as a Director.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

 

   

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2024, Bicara had cash and cash equivalents of $520.8 million, compared to $230.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Based on its current operating and development plans, the Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will fund operations into the first half of 2029.

 

   

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $15.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $6.9 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to additional costs associated with the Company’s ongoing clinical trials to advance ficerafusp alfa.

 

   

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $4.8 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to additional personnel costs and professional fees to prepare Bicara to operate as a public company.

 

   

Net Loss: Net loss was $17.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $22.8 million for the third quarter of 2023. Net loss for the third quarter of 2023 included a $13.3 million non- cash expense that represents the change in fair value of Bicara’s Series B preferred stock tranche rights liability.


About Bicara Therapeutics

Bicara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing transformative bifunctional therapies to patients with solid tumors. Bicara’s lead program, ficerafusp alfa, is a bifunctional antibody that combines two clinically validated targets, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed monoclonal antibody with a domain that binds to human transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b). Through this dual-targeting mechanism, ficerafusp alfa has the potential to exert potent anti-tumor activity by simultaneously blocking both cancer cell-intrinsic EGFR survival and proliferation, as well as the immunosuppressive TGF-b signaling within the tumor microenvironment. Ficerafusp alfa is being developed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, where there remains a significant unmet need, as well as other solid tumor types. For more information, please visit www.bicara.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, Bicara’s expectations regarding plans for its current and future clinical trials, the anticipated timing of the initiation of FORTIFI-HN01, Bicara’s pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical study, the anticipated timing of dosing patients and receiving data from Bicara’s Phase 1/1b expansion cohorts evaluating ficerafusp alfa in combination with pembrolizumab; the expected therapeutic potential and clinical benefits of ficerafusp alfa, including potential efficacy and tolerability, and the timing and success of interactions with and approval of regulatory authority; the anticipated contribution of the members of Bicara’s board of directors to its operations and progress; and financial projections and expectations regarding the time period in which our capital resources will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operations including our cash runway, use of capital, expenses and other financial results. The words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “seek,” “predict,” “future,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to uncertainties inherent in the development of product candidates, including the conduct of research activities and the conduct of clinical trials; uncertainties as to the availability and timing of results and data from clinical trials; whether results from prior preclinical studies and clinical trials will be predictive of the results of subsequent preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; whether Bicara’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; as well as the risks and uncertainties identified in Bicara’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Bicara’s upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and any subsequent filings Bicara makes with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Bicara’s views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Bicara explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.


Bicara intends to use its Investor Relations website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Company’s Investor Relations website, in addition to following the Company’s press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations, and webcasts.

Contacts

Investors

Rachel Frank

IR@bicara.com

Media

Dan Budwick

1AB

dan@1abmedia.com


BICARA THERAPEUTICS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited, in thousands except shares and per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2024     2023     2024     2023  

Operating expenses

        

Research and development - related party

   $ 2,310     $ 2,271     $ 7,400     $ 6,511  

Research and development

     13,554       4,668       36,336       13,544  

General and administrative

     4,764       2,591       12,016       6,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses1

     20,628       9,530       55,752       26,202  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (20,628     (9,530     (55,752     (26,202

Other (expenses) income

        

Interest income

     3,147       13       8,715       13  

Change in fair value of Series B preferred stock tranche rights liability

     —        (13,328     —        (13,356
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     3,147       (13,315     8,715       (13,343
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss before income taxes

     (17,481     (22,845     (47,037     (39,545

Income tax expense

     —        —        (1     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (17,481   $ (22,845   $ (47,038   $ (39,545
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (1.60   $ (38.23   $ (11.27   $ (70.18
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     10,901,138       597,586       4,147,353       563,483  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1 Expenses include the following non-cash stock-based compensation expense

        

Research & Development

   $ 1,469     $ 398     $ 3,172     $ 924  

General and administrative

     562       121       1,044       210  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 2,031     $ 519     $ 4,216     $ 1,134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


BICARA THEAPEUTICS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

     September
30, 2024
    December
31, 2023
 

Assets

     (Unaudited)    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 520,758     $ 230,440  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     756       633  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     521,514       231,073  

Property and equipment, net

     130       202  

Right of use asset – operating lease

     414       613  

Other assets

     2,115       2,094  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 524,173     $ 233,982  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,531     $ 2,142  

Accounts payable – related party

     431       1,044  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     10,410       8,053  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities – related party

     1,801       3,561  

Operating lease liability – current portion

     308       285  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     14,481       15,085  

Operating lease liability – net of current portion

     137       372  

Other liabilities

     —        17  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     14,618       15,474  

Total redeemable convertible preferred stock

     —        367,277  

Total stockholders’ equity

     509,555       (148,769
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ 524,173     $ 233,982