8-K
false 0001660334 0001660334 2023-08-08 2023-08-08

 

 

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): August 8, 2023

 

 

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38529   46-3137900

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

44 W. Gay St., Suite

400 West Chester, PA

  19380
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (484) 453-3300

 

 

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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

symbol

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock   VRCA   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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 August 8, 2023, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Registrant”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023. This press release has been furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02, and Exhibit 99.1 hereto, 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 liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any incorporation language in such a filing, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

   Exhibit Description
99.1    Press Release, dated August 8, 2023
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL).


SIGNATURES

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.

 

      Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Date: August 8, 2023      

/s/ P. Terence Kohler Jr.

      P. Terence Kohler Jr.
      Chief Financial Officer
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

– In July, FDA approved YCANTH for the treatment of molluscum, a highly contagious viral skin infection affecting approximately 6 million people annually in the United States, primarily children –

– YCANTH launch expected by September 2023 –

– Expanding Part 2 enrollment of ongoing Phase 2 trial of VP-315 in basal cell carcinoma to accelerate clinical development –

– Secured $125 million debt facility to support launch of YCANTHTM

– Cash runway extended into the first quarter of 2025 –

WEST CHESTER, PA – Aug 8, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Verrica”) (Nasdaq: VRCA), a dermatology therapeutics company developing medications for skin diseases requiring medical interventions, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023.

“The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of YCANTH for the treatment of molluscum marks the most important achievement in our company’s history” said Ted White, Verrica’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “With no other FDA-approved therapies available prior to YCANTH, molluscum represents one of the largest and most underserved patient populations in all of dermatology, and we could not be prouder to launch this product that can positively impact so many patients. Following the approval of YCANTH, we had the opportunity to secure significant, non-dilutive capital to ensure that we have ample resources to support the YCANTH product launch. With our cash runway extended into the first quarter of 2025, and our commercial organization fully operational, we are ready to make YCANTH available to the millions of patients who will benefit from this therapy.”

“We also continue to make significant progress in advancing our novel oncolytic peptide, VP-315, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in patients with basal cell carcinoma. We recently made the decision to expand patient enrollment in Part 2 of the trial, which we believe will provide enough patient data so that we can bypass Part 3 of the trial and advance VP-315 directly into a later-stage, potentially registration-enabling trial.”


Business Highlights and Recent Developments

VP-102

 

   

On July 21, 2023, Verrica announced that the FDA approved YCANTH (cantharidin) topical solution as the first FDA approved treatment of pediatric and adult patients with molluscum contagiosum (molluscum) in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. Molluscum, is a highly contagious viral skin infection affecting approximately 6 million people annually in the United States, primarily children; Verrica plans to make YCANTH available by September 2023.

VP-315

 

   

On April 12, 2023, Verrica announced that the first patient has been dosed in Part 2 of a Phase 2 trial evaluating Verrica’s potentially first-in-class oncolytic peptide, VP-315, for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. Part 2 of the Phase 2 trial is designed to further explore dosing regimens and identify an optimized dosing schedule of VP-315 that will be used in the next stage of clinical development.

 

   

In July 2023, Verrica implemented plans to expand patient enrollment in Part 2 of the ongoing Phase 2 trial of its novel oncolytic peptide, VP-315, which is being developed for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. The purpose of expanding Part 2 enrollment is to generate enough patient data so that Verrica can bypass Part 3 of the Phase 2 trial and advance VP-315 directly into a later-stage, potentially registration-enabling trial.

Debt Financing

 

   

On July 26, 2023, Verrica announced the closing of a $125 million debt facility with OrbiMed. Verrica borrowed $50 million at the close of the transaction. In addition, if specified revenue thresholds are achieved, Verrica will be able to borrow an aggregate of an additional $75 million available in five tranches, which it believes will be sufficient to fund ongoing operations without requiring additional equity financing. Verrica also issued to OrbiMed a warrant to purchase 518,551 shares of Verrica’s common stock, with an exercise price of $6.0264. Including the net proceeds from the debt placement of $44 million Verrica received in connection with the closing of the debt financing, plus Verrica’s $55 million in cash and cash equivalents on-hand as of June 30, 2023, Verrica expects its cash and cash equivalents will fund Verrica’s operations into the first quarter of 2025.

Financial Results

Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

 

   

Verrica recognized collaboration revenues of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and 2022 related to the Clinical Supply Agreement with Torii Pharmaceutical Col, Ltd (Torii). The collaboration revenue consists of supplies and development activity with Torii.

 

   

Research and development expenses were $5.7 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to $3.9 million for the same period in 2022. The increase of $1.8 million was


 

primarily attributable to an increase in CMC costs related to Verrica’s development of VP-102 for molluscum partially offset by $1.0 million milestone payment to LYTIX upon achievement of a regulatory milestone during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

 

   

General and administrative expenses were $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2022. The increase of $0.8 million was primarily a result of higher expenses related to pre-commercial activities for VP-102.

 

   

Interest income was $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to $20,000 for the same period in 2022, primarily due to higher interest rates.

 

   

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 consisted of interest expense on Verrica’s previous debt facility.

 

   

For the second quarter of 2023, net loss on a GAAP basis was $11.0 million, or $0.24 per share, compared to a net loss of $10.2 million, or $0.37 per share, for the same period in 2022.

 

   

For the second quarter of 2023, non-GAAP net loss was $9.4 million, or $0.21 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $8.8 million, or $0.32 per share, for the same period in 2022.

Year-to-Date June 2023 Financial Results

 

   

Verrica recognized collaboration revenues of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $0.6 million for the same period in 2022 related to the Clinical Supply Agreement with Torii. The decrease of $0.4 million was attributable to less clinical supplies and development activity provided to Torii pursuant to the Clinical Supply Agreement entered into on March 7, 2022.

 

   

Research and development expenses were $8.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $6.4 million for the same period in 2022. The increase of $2.1 million was primarily attributable to an increase of $2.9 million in CMC and clinical costs related to Verrica’s development of VP-102 for molluscum, external genital warts and common warts partially offset by a payment made to LYTIX upon the achievement of a regulatory milestone for VP-315 of $1.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

   

General and administrative expenses were $10.3 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Costs decreased by $1.2 million due to a reduction in headcount offset by increased spend for commercial launch of $0.7 million and increased legal costs of $0.3 million.

 

   

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, net loss on a GAAP basis was $17.6 million, or $0.40 per share, compared to a net loss of $18.6 million, or $0.68 per share, for the same period in 2022.

 

   

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, non-GAAP net loss was $14.9 million, or $0.34 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of 15.6 million, or $0.57 per share, for the same period in 2022.

 

   

As of June 30, 2023, Verrica had aggregate cash and cash equivalents of $55.1 million.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating the operating performance of its business, Verrica’s management considers non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude stock-based compensation charges and non-cash interest expense that are required by GAAP. Verrica believes that non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding the effect of certain non-cash expenses and items that Verrica believes may not be indicative of its operating performance, because either they are unusual and Verrica does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business, or they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course. Non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure in the tables following the financial statements in this press release.

About YCANTH (VP-102)

YCANTH (VP-102) is a proprietary drug-device combination product that contains a GMP-controlled formulation of cantharidin delivered via a single-use applicator that allows for precise topical dosing and targeted administration for the treatment of molluscum. YCANTH is the only product approved by the FDA to treat molluscum — a common, highly contagious skin disease that affects an estimated six million people in the United States, primarily children.

In addition, Verrica has successfully completed a Phase 2 study of VP-102 for the treatment of common warts and a Phase 2 study of VP-102 for the treatment of external genital warts.

About VP-315

VP-315 is a potentially first-in-class oncolytic peptide immunotherapy in development as a non-surgical treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancers. The Phase 2 trial was initially a three-part, open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation, proof-of-concept study with a safety run-in designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of VP-315 when administered intratumorally to adults with biopsy-proven basal cell carcinoma and was recently amended to two-parts by expanding Part 2. The study is expected to enroll approximately 80 adult subjects with a histological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in at least one eligible target lesion.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” and similar expressions, and are based on Verrica’s current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include expectations regarding the


commercial launch of YCANTH, including the timing thereof, Verrica’s achievement of revenue milestones under the debt facility, the availability of future financing from the debt facility with OrbiMed, Verrica’s ability to fund ongoing operations without additional equity financing if the additional $75 million is borrowed, Verrica’s ability to fund its operations into the first quarter of 2025 and the timing of clinical trial completion for VP-315. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include uncertainties inherent in the drug development process and the regulatory approval process, Verrica’s reliance on third parties over which it may not always have full control and uncertainties that are described in Verrica’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other filings Verrica makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to Verrica as of the date of this release, and Verrica assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

VERRICA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2023     2022     2023     2022  

Collaboration revenue

   $ 182     $ 214     $ 219     $ 645  

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     5,725       3,943       8,464       6,388  

General and administrative

     5,937       5,173       10,256       10,291  

Cost of collaboration revenue

     136       219       204       497  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     11,798       9,335       18,924       17,176  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (11,616     (9,121     (18,705     (16,531

Interest income

     626       20       1,126       42  

Interest and other expense

     —         (1,067     —         (2,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (10,990   $ (10,168   $ (17,579   $ (18,638
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.24   $ (0.37   $ (0.40   $ (0.68
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     45,916,867       27,519,053       44,478,116       27,519,053  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


VERRICA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Selected Balance Sheet Data

(in thousands)

 

     June 30,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 55,140      $ 34,273  

Collaboration revenue billed & unbilled receivables

     173        487  

Prepaid expenses, and other assets

     1,464        4,355  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     56,777        39,115  

PP&E, lease right of use asset, other

     5,424        5,606  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 62,201      $ 44,721  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 6,801      $ 4,688  

Total stockholders’ equity

     55,400        40,033  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 62,201      $ 44,721  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


VERRICA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

(in thousands except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2023  
     Loss from
Operations
    Net loss     Net loss
per share
 

GAAP

   $ (11,616   $ (10,990   $ (0.24

Non-GAAP Adjustments:

      

Stock-based compensation – Selling, General & admin (a)

     950       950    

Stock-based compensation – Research & Development (a)

     594       594    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted

   $ (10,072   $ (9,446   $ (0.21
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2022  
     Loss from
Operations
    Net loss     Net loss
per share
 

GAAP

   $ (9,121   $ (10,168   $ (0.37

Non-GAAP Adjustments:

      

Stock-based compensation – Selling, General & Admin (a)

     745       745    

Stock-based compensation – Research & Development (a)

     340       340    

Non-cash interest expense (b)

       302    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted

   $ (8,036   $ (8,781   $ (0.32
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


     Six Months Ended June 30, 2023  
     Loss from
Operations
    Net loss     Net loss
per share
 

GAAP

   $ (18,706   $ (17,579   $ (0.40

Non-GAAP Adjustments:

      

Stock-based compensation – Selling, General & admin (a)

     1,785       1,785    

Stock-based compensation – Research & Development (a)

     853       853    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted

   $ (16,067   $ (14,941   $ (0.34
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Six Months Ended June 30, 2022  
     Loss from
Operations
    Net loss     Net loss
per share
 

GAAP

   $ (16,531   $ (18,638   $ (0.68

Non-GAAP Adjustments:

      

Stock-based compensation – Selling, General & Admin (a)

     1,644       1,644    

Stock-based compensation – Research & Development (a)

     757       757    

Non-cash interest expense (b)

       634    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted

   $ (14,130   $ (15,603   $ (0.57
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The effects of non-cash stock-based compensation are excluded because of varying available valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions. Verrica believes this is a useful measure for investors because such exclusion facilitates comparison to peer companies who also provide similar non-GAAP disclosures and is reflective of how management internally manages the business.

(b)

The effects of non-cash interest charges are excluded. Verrica believes such exclusion facilitates an understanding of the effects of the debt service obligations on the Company’s liquidity and comparisons to peer group companies and is reflective of how management internally manages the business.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Investors:

Terry Kohler

Chief Financial Officer

tkohler@verrica.com


Kevin Gardner

LifeSci Advisors

kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com

Chris Calabrese

LifeSci Advisors

ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com