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EP

Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ELOX)·Q3 2023 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • ELOX delivered a smaller net loss of $3.6M ($1.31 per share) in Q3 2023 as operating expenses continued to decline; the quarter was pre-revenue and costs were driven by R&D and G&A .
  • Clinical momentum: in Alport Syndrome, ELX-02 showed disease-modifying signals with an average 60% improvement in podocyte foot process effacement and post-treatment collagen expression observed in all three patients; data featured at ASN Kidney Week 2023 .
  • Liquidity remains the key overhang: cash was $4.8M at quarter-end; management raised ~$3.8M gross in Q3 and expects cash to fund operations only through end of Q4 2023 while pursuing additional capital .
  • Strategic update: progress toward a partnership for ZKN-013 following FDA clearance to begin a SAD study; discussions may enable focus on ELX-02 and continued funded discovery on TURBO‑ZM .
  • Listing risk: trading on Nasdaq is suspended pending appeal; shares began trading on OTC Pink as of Oct 16, 2023—an incremental investor access/visibility headwind .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • ELX-02 Phase 2 Alport study showed structural kidney improvements: average 60% improvement in filtration slit density and protein re‑expression (COL4A5) post-treatment; independent TEM visual assessments confirmed foot process improvement; data included at ASN 2023 .
  • Cost discipline: R&D down to $1.3M (vs $4.9M prior year), reflecting lower CF and CFF-funded activities and reduced personnel/overhead; net loss narrowed to $3.6M (vs $7.5M prior year) .
  • CEO tone constructive on pipeline and partnering: “We are excited about the recent progress across our pipeline and remain committed to advancing our programs…” .

What Went Wrong

  • Liquidity runway limited: $4.8M cash at 9/30/23 with stated runway only through end of Q4 2023 absent additional funding; reliance on capital markets persists .
  • Listing status: Nasdaq trading suspended; shares moved to OTC Pink pending appeal—likely to constrain liquidity and widen spreads .
  • Program timing risk: ELX‑02 pivotal initiation is contingent on financing; ZKN‑013 pivoted to strategic transaction discussions vs immediate clinical initiation, introducing partner/timing uncertainty .

Financial Results

Quarterly financials (oldest → newest):

MetricQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(6.23) $(4.34) $(3.59)
Net Loss per Share ($)$(2.88) $(1.96) $(1.31)
R&D Expense ($USD Millions)$3.49 $2.34 $1.25
G&A Expense ($USD Millions)$2.00 $1.80 $2.39
Total Operating Expenses ($USD Millions)$5.48 $4.14 $3.64
Cash & Cash Equivalents ($USD Millions)$4.90 $4.33 $4.78

Notes and context:

  • Q3 YoY comparisons: Net loss improved to $(3.6)M vs $(7.5)M; EPS $(1.31) vs $(3.47); R&D $1.25M vs $4.88M; G&A $2.39M vs $2.26M .
  • Operating expense mix drivers: R&D declines reflect lower CF/CFF activity and reduced personnel/overhead; G&A modestly higher on professional/consulting fees .
  • No revenue line was reported; financials reflect pre‑revenue operating expenses and other income/expense .

KPIs and clinical readouts:

KPIQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
ELX‑02 FSD Improvement Avg (%)60%
UPCR Patient 4401‑01 (mg/g): Baseline1,299
UPCR Patient 4401‑01 (mg/g): During Tx (8 wks)1,799
UPCR Patient 4401‑01 (mg/g): 3 mo Post‑Tx2,328
UPCR Patient 4401‑02 (mg/g): Baseline1,646
UPCR Patient 4401‑02 (mg/g): During Tx (8 wks)850
UPCR Patient 4401‑02 (mg/g): 3 mo Post‑Tx1,495
UPCR Patient 4402‑01 (mg/g): Baseline1,659
UPCR Patient 4402‑01 (mg/g): During Tx (8 wks)2,209
UPCR Patient 4402‑01 (mg/g): 3 mo Post‑Tx1,559

Mechanistic/qualitative clinical observations:

  • Post‑treatment collagen expression (COL4A5) in GBM observed in all patients; independent TEM review confirmed foot process improvement .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Liquidity runwayFY2023“Sufficient to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2023” (as of Q2 update) “Sufficient to fund operations through the end of the fourth quarter of 2023” (as of Q3) Slightly improved specificity (to end of Q4)
ELX‑02 pivotal initiationNext stepIntend to advance into pivotal pending capital “Initiate Phase 3 activities when sufficient funding allows” Timing contingent on financing; reinforced
ELX‑02 regulatoryNear‑termELX‑02 IND expected to be submitted in Q3 2023 Not reiterated; focus on Phase 3 design engagement and Breakthrough Therapy potential following Phase 2 signals Narrative shift to pivotal design and designation
ZKN‑013 (RDEB/JEB)2023FDA cleared SAD; first subject expected by end of 2023, funding permitting “Significant progress toward a strategic partnership” post‑FDA clearance Strategy pivot to partnering
Listing status2023Extension to regain Nasdaq compliance to Oct 9, 2023 Nasdaq trading suspended; OTC Pink trading effective Oct 16, 2023; appeal filed Deteriorated listing condition

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

No public Q3 2023 earnings call transcript was located; the company issued an earnings press release and did not furnish a transcript in our document set or on typical distribution pages for that period .

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1–Q2 2023)Current Period (Q3 2023)Trend
ELX‑02 efficacy in AlportQ1: topline with biopsies expected; one patient had meaningful protein reduction . Q2: 100% biopsy response; remission in one patient; decision to advance to pivotal .Morphology and protein re‑expression in all patients; avg 60% FSD improvement; ASN presentations .Strengthening clinical signal; building external validation
Regulatory path (ELX‑02)Q1: planning; Q2: ELX‑02 IND expected Q3 2023 .Alignment with FDA on pivotal design and potential Breakthrough Therapy Designation .Shift from enabling to pivotal design/BTD positioning
ZKN‑013 programQ1: FDA cleared SAD; plan to initiate, funding permitting . Q2: first subject expected by end 2023, funding permitting .Strategic partnering progress post‑FDA clearance to enable focus on ELX‑02 .Pivoting to partner‑led path
Financing/liquidityQ1: Cash $4.9M; runway into Q3 2023; term loan amended . Q2: Cash $4.3M; ATM raised $1.7M post‑Q2; runway into Q4 2023 .Cash $4.8M; raised ~$3.8M gross in Q3 (RD + ATM); runway through end of Q4 2023; plan to raise more .Tight but slightly extended runway; continued capital reliance
Listing statusQ2: Nasdaq extension to Oct 9, 2023 .Nasdaq trading suspended; OTC Pink trading; appeal in process .Deterioration in listing venue
TURBO‑ZM platformQ2: peer‑reviewed CRC data supporting ZKN‑157 and MYC‑targeting potential .Continued focus on funded discovery efforts alongside partnering .Ongoing preclinical platform validation

Management Commentary

  • “We are excited about the recent progress across our pipeline and remain committed to advancing our programs for the benefit of our patients and stakeholders.” — Sumit Aggarwal, President & CEO (Q3 press release) .
  • “This is a transformative time at Eloxx… we look forward to advancing to a pivotal trial of ELX‑02 for the treatment of Alport syndrome.” — Sumit Aggarwal (Q2 press release) .
  • “We are approaching a significant milestone for Eloxx, with topline data, including kidney biopsy results, expected for ELX‑02 in Alport syndrome…” — Sumit Aggarwal (Q1 press release) .

Q&A Highlights

  • Not applicable. We did not locate a public Q3 2023 earnings call transcript; the quarter appears to have been communicated via press release without an accompanying public call transcript .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global consensus estimates for Q3 2023 (EPS, revenue) were unavailable for ELOX via our estimates tool due to missing mapping; therefore, no comparison to Wall Street consensus can be provided for this quarter. As such, we do not present estimate vs actual comparisons for EPS or revenue in Q3 2023.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Clinical signal strengthening for ELX‑02 in Alport Syndrome, with structural kidney improvements and protein re‑expression across all treated patients; this underpins an emerging pivotal thesis and potential BTD pathway .
  • Liquidity is the gating factor: cash funds operations only through end of Q4 2023; additional financing or partnering is essential to enable a pivotal trial start and broader pipeline execution .
  • Strategic focus sharpening: ZKN‑013 likely to transition under a partner, freeing resources for ELX‑02 and TURBO‑ZM discovery; monitor timing and economics of any transaction .
  • Listing overhang: OTC Pink trading status and Nasdaq suspension may suppress liquidity and institutional participation; appeal outcome is a potential catalyst but also a risk .
  • Cost base flexing lower: sustained reductions in R&D and controlled G&A narrowed losses; however, absolute scale remains dependent on trial initiation pacing and financing .
  • Near‑term catalysts: FDA alignment on pivotal design/BTD for ELX‑02; potential ZKN‑013 partnering announcement; financing updates .
  • Trading implications: headlines around financing, partnering, or regulatory designations likely to drive outsized moves given micro‑cap/OTC dynamics and the binary nature of pivotal initiation readiness .

Additional source press releases and updates relevant to Q3 2023:

  • Independent confirmation of ELX‑02 kidney biopsy improvements; plans for FDA alignment on pivotal/BTD .
  • IND submission update and UPCR trends post‑treatment (confirming on‑treatment remission in one patient) .
  • Core Q2 and Q1 financial/operating baselines for trend context .