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Korro Bio, Inc. (KRRO)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2025 delivered first collaboration revenue ($2.55M) from Novo Nordisk, while R&D investment stepped up as KRRO-110 advanced; net loss widened to $23.39M and diluted EPS was $(2.49) .
  • Management streamlined operations with a ~20% workforce reduction and expects one-time restructuring charges of ~$1.2M in Q2 to extend the cash runway into 2027 .
  • Clinical execution remains on track: interim readout from the Phase 1/2a REWRITE study for KRRO-110 in AATD expected in H2 2025; trial expansion underway to New Zealand and targeted for the U.S. .
  • Street consensus for Q1 2025 EPS and revenue was unavailable via S&P Global, limiting beat/miss analysis; near-term stock catalysts center on H2 2025 KRRO-110 data and clarity on regulatory path .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Initiated revenue generation via collaboration; $2.55M recognized in Q1 tied to Novo Nordisk agreement .
  • Cash runway extended into 2027 through cost reductions and workforce realignment; CEO emphasized staying “on track to achieve our clinical and pipeline milestones” .
  • Clinical momentum: regulatory approval to expand REWRITE in New Zealand, with continued progress on enrollment and site activation; interim data H2 2025 and completion in 2026 remain on track .

Specific quotes:

  • “We remain on track to achieve our clinical and pipeline milestones, most notably reporting interim data from our Phase 1/2a REWRITE clinical trial of KRRO-110 in the second half of 2025.” — Ram Aiyar, Ph.D., CEO and President .
  • “Streamlining the organization is essential to enable Korro’s long-term success.” — Todd Chappell, COO .

What Went Wrong

  • Net loss widened YoY to $(23.39)M (from $(19.56)M), driven by higher KRRO-110 and personnel-related R&D spend; R&D rose to $19.74M vs $13.57M YoY .
  • Operating expenses increased to $27.57M vs $21.45M YoY, reflecting scale-up into clinical execution; cash decreased to $138.99M from $163.05M at year-end .
  • Organizational restructuring (~20% workforce reduction) introduces near-term execution risk and ~$1.2M of one-time charges expected in Q2 2025 .

Financial Results

Income Statement Comparison

MetricQ1 2024Q3 2024Q1 2025
Collaboration Revenue ($USD Millions)$0.00 N/A (not disclosed)$2.55
Research & Development Expense ($USD Millions)$13.57 $15.96 $19.74
General & Administrative Expense ($USD Millions)$7.88 $7.33 $7.83
Total Operating Expenses ($USD Millions)$21.45 $23.29 $27.57
Other Income, net ($USD Millions)$1.91 $2.28 $1.63
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$(19.56) $(21.00) $(23.39)
Diluted EPS ($USD)$(2.44) $(2.26) $(2.49)

Note: Prior quarter Q4 2024 was reported on a full-year basis without separate quarterly detail in 8-K materials .

Cash Position

MetricSep 30, 2024Dec 31, 2024Mar 31, 2025
Cash, Cash Equivalents & Marketable Securities ($USD Millions)$169.11 $163.05 $138.99
Working Capital ($USD Millions)$139.17 $116.57 $108.35
Total Stockholders’ Equity ($USD Millions)$179.63 $160.42 $138.96

Results vs Estimates

MetricActual Q1 2025Consensus Q1 2025Beat/Miss
Revenue ($USD Millions)$2.55 N/AN/A
EPS ($USD)$(2.49) N/AN/A

Consensus was unavailable in S&P Global for Q1 2025.

Segment Breakdown

Not applicable; Korro reports as a single operating entity focused on RNA-editing programs .

KPIs (Program and Collaboration)

KPIQ-2 (Q3 2024)Q-1 (Q4 2024)Current (Q1 2025)
REWRITE Participants (planned)Up to 64 participants Up to 64 participants Up to 64 participants
REWRITE StatusRegulatory filing submitted (Australia) Dosed first two SAD cohorts; no SAEs observed NZ approval; progressing enrollment; expansion planned incl. U.S.
Interim Readout TimingH2 2025 H2 2025 H2 2025
Novo Nordisk CollaborationAnnounced; up to two targets Progressing; focus on cardiometabolic Progressing; up to two programs through preclinical
Second Development CandidateExpected 2025 Expected 2025 Expected 2025

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Cash RunwayThrough H2 2026“Cash runway into the second half of 2026” (Q3 2024; FY 2024) “Cash runway into 2027” (post-streamlining) Raised (extended)
Restructuring ChargesQ2 2025None disclosed previously~$1.2M one-time charges; majority recognized in Q2 2025 New
REWRITE Interim DataH2 2025H2 2025 H2 2025 (unchanged) Maintained
Trial Geographies2025Australia (filed; Q3 2024) Expansion approved in New Zealand; planning expansion incl. U.S. Expanded
Second Dev. Candidate2025Expected in 2025 Expected in 2025 Maintained

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

(Company did not furnish an earnings call transcript for Q1 2025; management commentary derived from Q1 press release and May 2025 RBC conference transcript.)

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q-2: Q3 2024)Previous Mentions (Q-1: Q4 2024)Current Period (Q1 2025)Trend
Clinical execution (REWRITE)Filing submitted in Australia; first dosing expected Q1 2025 First two SAD cohorts dosed; no SAEs; interim H2 2025 NZ expansion approved; enrollment progressing; interim H2 2025 Consistent progress
Regulatory/Orphan statusCAB formed; preparing for clinic FDA Orphan Drug Designation granted for KRRO-110 Ongoing regulatory interactions; planning U.S. expansion Strengthening pathway
Collaboration (Novo Nordisk)Announced; up to two cardiometabolic targets Collaboration progressing Working to advance up to two preclinical programs Steady execution
Financing/RunwayStrong balance sheet; runway into H2 2026 Runway into H2 2026 Streamlining extends runway into 2027 Improved runway duration
LNP safety/approachN/AN/ACEO addressed LNP safety and dosing frequency expectations (q3–q6 weeks) at RBC De-risking narrative
Technology differentiationOTS preclinical data showcased OPERA efficacy Emphasized best-in-class potential Reinforced editing potency and translation in animals (80% editing; protein translation) Confidence building

Management Commentary

  • “We believe that KRRO-110 represents a groundbreaking therapy with best-in-class potential for patients with AATD… executing our 3-2-1 strategy through 2027” — Ram Aiyar, CEO .
  • “Streamlining… reducing [the] workforce by approximately 20%… to advance its programs to key value inflection points” — Press release detail and COO statement .
  • On editing potency and dosing: “We are the only ones that have shown… 80% editing in vivo… expectation… dosing frequency is somewhere between once in three weeks to once in six weeks” — CEO at RBC .
  • On regulatory landscape: “Data… is going to drive everything… [we] have open communication channels [with FDA]; approvals may become more challenging” — CEO at RBC .

Q&A Highlights

  • Regulatory path and accelerated approval: Management believes protein-level data (M variant at near-normal levels) plus functional comparability could support accelerated approval, with additional liver benefit if editing exceeds 50% at any point .
  • LNP safety in AATD and fibrosis: CEO cited historical LNP experiences and competitor dosing to argue transaminase elevations are unlikely dose-limiting; infusion reactions are more typical; focus is to find the lowest dose that achieves target protein levels .
  • Upcoming interim data scope: Plan to show all eight SAD cohorts (six healthy, two PiZZ) together with safety/tolerability, dose-response, M/Z ratios, and ex vivo neutrophil elastase activity over 2–4 weeks .
  • Z vs M protein dynamics: Expect Z proportion to decline with higher editing; anticipate M predominance at ≥50% editing with potential “bolus” of Z clearance post-dose, potentially beneficial for liver outcomes .
  • Runway/financing: ~$139M cash and runway into 2027; Novo milestones not included; aim to nominate second asset and hit milestones through early 2027 .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global consensus for Q1 2025 EPS and revenue was unavailable; therefore, beat/miss analysis vs Street cannot be determined. Actuals: Revenue $2.55M, EPS $(2.49) .
  • Implication: Post-collaboration revenue initiation and higher R&D spend may prompt analysts to refine cash burn trajectories and timing expectations around H2 2025 KRRO-110 interim data; broader coverage may remain limited until clinical readouts .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Near-term catalyst: H2 2025 interim REWRITE data that will inform editing levels, M/Z ratios, protein levels, and safety — key for establishing an accelerated approval case and valuation inflection .
  • Strategic runway: Streamlining extends cash runway to 2027, reducing financing overhang while focusing spend on KRRO-110 and OPERA platform investments .
  • Collaboration monetization: Initial collaboration revenue recognized; Novo programs progressing — provides non-dilutive validation and optionality ahead of clinical data .
  • Execution watchpoints: Monitor Q2 restructuring charge (~$1.2M) and operational impact; track site activations and U.S./EU regulatory interactions .
  • Safety and dosing profile: Management’s confidence in LNP safety and achievable dosing frequency (q3–q6 weeks) supports chronic-use feasibility if efficacy is confirmed .
  • Competitive differentiation: Preclinical data and translational claims (high editing, protein output) position KRRO-110 as potentially best-in-class; human data will be decisive .
  • Trading setup: Stock is likely to be event-driven into H2 2025; upside tied to robust interim efficacy/safety; downside risk if editing/protein levels fall short or regulatory tone tightens .

Sources: Q1 2025 Form 8-K with Exhibit 99.1 (press release and financials) ; FY 2024 8-K (for runway and dosing updates) ; Q3 2024 8-K (for prior trends and collaboration announcement) ; RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference 2025 transcript (management Q&A) .