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Evelo Biosciences, Inc. (EVLO)·Q3 2022 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • EVLO reported Q3 2022 net loss of $30.6M and EPS of $(0.28), with R&D of $21.9M and G&A of $7.1M; cash and equivalents were $69.1M at quarter-end, down from $92.0M in Q2 after Q2 financing, reflecting burn to fund pipeline progress .
  • Regulatory momentum in psoriasis advanced: EMA and MHRA gave supportive feedback on proposed registration trial design; initial FDA feedback received with a meeting requested, de-risking path to pivotal trials .
  • Key 2023 catalysts reiterated: EDP1815 atopic dermatitis Phase 2 Cohorts 1–3 data early Q1, Cohort 4 (faster-release) in Q2, and first EV product candidate EDP2939 Phase 2 in psoriasis in 2H 2023; MHRA requested additional CTA information for EDP2939, pushing initial dosing into Q1 2023 .
  • No Wall Street consensus estimates (EPS, revenue) available via S&P Global for EVLO this quarter due to a mapping issue; consequently, no beat/miss determination versus estimates can be made [SpgiEstimatesError].

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • EMA and MHRA supported EVLO’s proposed registration trial design for EDP1815 in psoriasis, including endpoints and CMC, marking substantive regulatory progress toward pivotal studies .
  • Atopic dermatitis Phase 2 execution remained strong: recruitment completed for Cohorts 1–3; Cohort 4 recruitment ahead of schedule with a faster-release capsule targeting upper small intestine, aiming for greater efficacy .
  • EDP1815’s platform narrative emphasized broad anti-inflammatory effects (Th1/Th2/Th17) with placebo-like safety/tolerability and affordability potential, positioning as foundational therapy across disease severities, per CEO remarks .

What Went Wrong

  • Cash declined to $69.1M from $92.0M in Q2 as operating burn continued; net loss remained elevated at $30.6M, underscoring ongoing funding needs typical for clinical-stage biotech .
  • EDP2939 timeline slipped: MHRA requested additional CTA information; dosing now anticipated in Q1 2023 rather than Q4 2022, modestly pushing the EV psoriasis program .
  • No Q3 earnings call transcript available in our document set, limiting real-time management Q&A insights for the quarter; reliance on press release and prior quarter call commentary for qualitative color [ListDocuments: 0 results for Q3 call].

Financial Results

MetricQ1 2022Q2 2022Q3 2022
Cash and Equivalents ($USD Millions)$39.6 $92.0 $69.1
Research & Development Expense ($USD Millions)$19.3 $21.2 $21.9
General & Administrative Expense ($USD Millions)$9.4 $8.4 $7.1
Total Operating Expenses ($USD Millions)$28.7 $29.6 $29.1
Loss from Operations ($USD Millions)$(28.7) $(29.6) $(29.1)
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(29.9) $(30.6) $(30.6)
EPS, Basic & Diluted ($USD)$(0.56) $(0.40) $(0.28)
Weighted-Average Shares (Basic & Diluted)53,619,635 75,719,092 108,051,851

Notes:

  • EVLO did not report product revenue; financials are dominated by operating expenses and losses .
  • No consensus estimates available via S&P Global; therefore, no vs-estimates comparison can be provided this quarter [SpgiEstimatesError].

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
EDP1815 AD Phase 2 Cohorts 1–3 dataEarly Q1 2023Data anticipated in Q1 2023 Data expected early Q1 2023 Maintained
EDP1815 AD Phase 2 Cohort 4 (faster-release) dataQ2 2023Data anticipated in Q2 2023 Data expected in Q2 2023 Maintained
EDP2939 Psoriasis Phase 2 data2H 2023Data expected 2H 2023 Data anticipated 2H 2023 Maintained
EDP2939 CTA/dosing startInitially Q4 2022Initiation in Q3 2022; dosing expected Q4 2022 MHRA requested info; dosing anticipated Q1 2023 Lowered (timeline slipped)
EDP1815 Psoriasis registration trial feedbackBy year-end 2022Expect feedback by year-end 2022 EMA/MHRA supportive; initial FDA feedback received; meeting requested Achieved milestone (EU/UK), progressing (US)

No explicit financial guidance (revenue, margins, OpEx totals, tax rate, dividends) was provided in Q3 materials .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

Note: No Q3 2022 call transcript found; themes below track evolution from Q1 to Q2 alongside Q3 press release commentary.

TopicQ1 2022 (Prior-2)Q2 2022 (Prior-1)Q3 2022 (Current)Trend
Psoriasis registration pathwayAdvancing EDP1815 toward later-stage trials; faster-release capsule highlighted Expect health authority feedback by year-end EMA/MHRA supportive on design/endpoints; initial FDA feedback; meeting requested Positive progression toward pivotal
Atopic dermatitis Phase 2 progressRecruitment ahead of plan; added potential 4th cohort Cohorts 1–3 on-schedule; added Cohort 4 faster-release Cohorts 1–3 recruitment complete; Cohort 4 ahead of schedule Execution strong; timelines intact
EDP2939 (EV) psoriasisClinical initiation planned Q3 2022 Initiation Q3; dosing expected Q4 2022 MHRA requested info; dosing now anticipated Q1 2023 Modest delay; still targeting 2H 2023 data
Financing and cashCash $39.6M at Q1-end $79.2M registered direct offering completed; cash $92.0M Cash $69.1M at Q3-end Raise then burn; runway management critical
LeadershipBoard/advisors additions CFO appointment effective Sep 1; CEO succession plan announced; Chair remarks No new leadership changes disclosed in Q3 PR Transition underway
Cost control focusManagement emphasized disciplined cost controls in Q&A Not discussed in Q3 PROngoing focus (inferred from Q2)
Pricing and market strategyOral demand and volume-driven pricing strategy positioning vs Otezla Strategic stance consistent (from Q2)

Management Commentary

  • “We are on-track to deliver on three Phase 2 clinical milestones throughout 2023… data from the first three cohorts in the Phase 2 trial of EDP1815 in atopic dermatitis [early Q1],… data from the fourth cohort… [Q2],… and… data… in the Phase 2 trial of EDP2939… [2H 2023].” – CEO Simba Gill .
  • “EMA and MHRA… acknowledged the appropriateness of our proposed registration clinical trial design for EDP1815 in psoriasis… We have also received initial written feedback from the FDA… and have requested a meeting…” – CEO Simba Gill .
  • “Given the integrated profile of EDP1815, which is not just effective, but also has placebo-like safety and tolerability, oral delivery and affordable pricing, we anticipate broad usage as a foundational therapy…” – CEO Simba Gill (Q2 call) .

Q&A Highlights

  • Capital preservation and cost controls: Management had already implemented disciplined cost measures and prioritized core programs to align with cash runway in the current environment .
  • Psoriasis Phase 3 design/formulation: Base plan is original once-daily formulation; faster-release capsule adoption in Phase 3 contingent on Cohort 4 AD data showing improved efficacy, with no expected timeline impact .
  • AD efficacy bar: EASI50 separation of ≥20% versus placebo would be a “clear win”; 15–20% considered a gray zone; safety expected to remain strong .
  • EDP2939 efficacy expectations: EVs may achieve higher potency than whole microbes due to better small intestine access; ambition is antibody-like efficacy in a majority of patients, potentially segmenting with 1815 in mild/moderate and EV candidate in more severe populations depending on data .
  • Durability: Noted durability and deepening of response post-dosing; hypothesis centered on modulation of circulating regulatory T-cell subpopulations; plans for longer-duration and open-label extensions to assess maintenance .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global consensus estimates for Q3 2022 (EPS and revenue) were unavailable due to a CIQ mapping issue for EVLO; as a result, we cannot determine beats/misses vs Wall Street estimates this quarter [SpgiEstimatesError].
  • Given no product revenue reported and operating loss profile, future estimate adjustments will likely be driven by clinical timeline shifts (e.g., EDP2939 dosing move to Q1 2023) and OpEx run-rate disclosures .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Regulatory de-risking in psoriasis: EMA/MHRA supportive design feedback and initial FDA engagement materially improve visibility toward registration trials; watch for FDA meeting outcomes as a potential catalyst .
  • 2023 catalyst cadence intact for EDP1815 (AD) with Cohorts 1–3 in early Q1 and Cohort 4 in Q2; positive Cohort 4 data could upgrade Phase 3 formulation choice and strengthen efficacy narrative .
  • EDP2939 (EV) modestly delayed to Q1 dosing; still aiming for 2H 2023 data—monitor timeline adherence and initial healthy volunteer safety/tolerability .
  • Cash dynamics: Post-Q2 financing, cash fell to $69.1M by Q3; continued burn underscores importance of disciplined OpEx and potential future financing ahead of pivotal trials .
  • Positioning vs oral competitors: Management’s volume-driven pricing strategy and safety/tolerability differentiation target broad mild/moderate segments, potentially expanding market access relative to higher-priced or less-tolerable orals .
  • Stock-relevant narrative: Near-term bidirectional risk around regulatory feedback and AD readouts; upside if faster-release capsule shows superior efficacy and FDA aligns on registration path; downside if efficacy bars not met or timelines slip .
  • No estimates comparison this quarter due to data unavailability; watch for future consensus formation post-major readouts and regulatory milestones to recalibrate expectations [SpgiEstimatesError].

Appendix: Source Documents Read

  • Q3 2022 8-K press release with financial statements and regulatory/business updates .
  • Q2 2022 8-K press release and full earnings call transcript for trend analysis .
  • Q1 2022 8-K press release for trend analysis .

S&P Global consensus estimates were attempted but unavailable due to CIQ mapping error; no estimates are presented for Q3 2022 [SpgiEstimatesError].