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Skye Bioscience Inc.(SKYE) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Research and development expenses for Q3 2024 were 4.9million,upfrom4.9 million, up from 1.3 million in Q3 2023, primarily due to clinical and manufacturing costs associated with the Phase 2 trial for nimacimab [27] - General and administrative expenses increased to 4.6millioninQ32024from4.6 million in Q3 2024 from 2.2 million in Q3 2023, driven by non-cash stock-based compensation and professional services [28] - The net loss for Q3 2024 was 3.9million,significantlyreducedfromanetlossof3.9 million, significantly reduced from a net loss of 24.9 million in Q3 2023, largely due to the absence of a major acquisition expense [29] - Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024, were 76.5million,withanexpectedincreaseinquarterlyburnratetoapproximately76.5 million, with an expected increase in quarterly burn rate to approximately 9 million in 2025 [30][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on advancing the Phase 2 obesity clinical trial named CBeyond, which is currently enrolling patients and tracking towards interim data announcement by Q2 2025 [19][20] - The CBeyond trial aims to demonstrate an 8% difference in mean weight loss using nimacimab versus placebo at 26 weeks, with secondary endpoints evaluating safety and tolerability [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is positioning nimacimab as a strong candidate in the anti-obesity medication landscape, aiming to establish itself as a leader in non-incretin metabolic therapies [22][39] - The competitive landscape includes incretin mimetics, with the company emphasizing the unique peripheral mechanism of nimacimab as a complementary alternative [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to create a comprehensive clinical pipeline in metabolic health, focusing on optimizing nimacimab's clinical profile and exploring additional GPCR targets [24][25] - The strategic roadmap over the next three years includes delivering key clinical and preclinical data while preparing for late-stage clinical development of nimacimab [41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the potential of nimacimab to drive significant weight loss without neuropsychiatric adverse events, differentiating it from previous small molecule CB1 inhibitors [39][40] - The company is focused on regulatory approval for nimacimab as a monotherapy, while exploring combination therapies with GLP-1 drugs for future commercial opportunities [90] Other Important Information - The company has added key personnel to its team, including a Chief Medical Officer with extensive metabolic experience, to strengthen its operational capabilities [36] - The company is actively engaging with key opinion leaders (KOLs) to enhance understanding and support for its clinical data and mechanisms of action [52][56] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide an update on CBeyond enrollment and expected data? - Management confirmed that enrollment is progressing well, with expectations to reach 50% enrollment before year-end, focusing on monotherapy weight loss as the primary endpoint [45][46] Question: What feedback was received from KOLs regarding preclinical data? - KOL feedback highlighted the importance of peripheral CB1 inhibition for weight loss, with positive responses to the preclinical efficacy of nimacimab [52][56] Question: How does the company view the commercial path for GLP-1 combinations? - The company sees potential for nimacimab as a complementary treatment alongside GLP-1 drugs, but emphasizes the primary focus on regulatory approval as a monotherapy [90] Question: What are the mechanisms behind neuropsychiatric adverse events in central CB1 targeting? - Management explained that central CB1 inhibition can lead to adverse events by blocking pathways that regulate mood and stress responses, which is not a concern with peripheral targeting [84][86] Question: Will further preclinical work be conducted comparing nimacimab with other CB1 modulators? - The company plans to continue preclinical studies to better understand nimacimab's mechanism and explore combinations with other anti-obesity medications [64][65]