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Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PCSA)·Q2 2022 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q2 2022 focused on clinical execution across three active programs, with PCS12852 enrollment “on target to complete by September” and top-line gastric emptying data expected before year-end, positioning clinical catalysts in Q3–Q4 2022 .
  • Management reiterated cash of $12.1M at June 30, 2022, sufficient to fund operations and complete ongoing trials into Q3 2023; net cash used in operations was $4.1M in H1 2022 (improved versus $4.4M in H1 2021) .
  • H1 2022 GAAP net loss increased to $8.4M ($0.53 per share) versus $5.3M ($0.35 per share) in H1 2021, driven by higher R&D spend for three trials; non-cash compensation was used to conserve cash .
  • Near-term stock reaction catalysts: PCS12852 top-line gastric emptying data (target October), PCS6422 interim cohort readout (target August/September) and clarity on maximum tolerated dose (MTD) by late 2022/early 2023; PCS499 interim analysis cohort enrollment targeted by year-end .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • PCS12852: Rapid enrollment; “almost completely enrolled” with final top-line results expected before year-end and Phase 2B planning for 2023 .
    • PCS6422: Protocol amendments implemented; patients added to screening queue with interim cohort data targeted for summer (Aug/Sept) and MTD by late 2022/early 2023 .
    • Cash discipline: H1 operating cash outflow improved to $4.1M vs $4.4M YoY, aided by equity incentives and use of prior CRO prepayments .
  • What Went Wrong

    • PCS499: Enrollment slower than expected due to COVID-related patient reluctance and site delays; management instituted supplemental programs and launched a patient awareness website to mitigate .
    • PCS6422: Regulatory “hoops” to modify the protocol delayed momentum at sites, requiring re-engagement and site refocus, contributing to timing slippage vs original mid-2022 interim timetable .
    • Higher GAAP loss: H1 2022 net loss rose to $8.4M, reflecting increased trial activity across three programs; non-cash items widened GAAP loss versus cash burn .

Financial Results

  • Financial Position and Cash Trends
MetricQ4 2021Q1 2022Q2 2022
Cash and Equivalents ($USD Millions)$16.5 $14.3 $12.1
Common Shares Outstanding (Millions)15.7 15.8 15.8
  • H1 2022 vs H1 2021 (YoY)
MetricH1 2022YoY Change
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$8.4 +$3.1 (vs $5.3 in H1 2021)
Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.53 +$0.18 (vs $0.35 in H1 2021)
R&D Expense ($USD Millions)$5.2 +$2.1
G&A Expense ($USD Millions)$3.2 +$1.1 (vs $2.1 in H1 2021)
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities ($USD Millions)$4.1 -$0.3 (vs $4.4 in H1 2021)
  • Prior Quarter (Q1 2022) Reference
MetricQ1 2022
Net Loss ($USD Millions)$3.2
Diluted EPS ($USD)$0.20

Notes:

  • PCSA is a clinical-stage company with no commercial revenue cited in the Q2 materials .

  • No margin metrics were reported.

  • KPIs and Program Status

ProgramKPI / MilestoneQ2 2022 StatusTimeline / Next Step
PCS12852 (Gastroparesis)EnrollmentOn target to complete by September Top-line gastric emptying data target Oct; symptoms analysis by year-end
PCS6422 (Next-Gen Capecitabine)Interim CohortsPatients added to screening queue; interim readout planned Interim data Aug/Sep; complete enrollment by year-end; MTD by late 2022/early 2023
PCS499 (uNL)Patient IdentificationIncreased activity; website launched to drive awareness Interim cohort enrollment by year-end; interim results H1 2023
PCS3117 (Pancreatic Cancer)Biomarker Assay Dev.Ongoing assay development for macromolecule sampling strategy FDA meeting targeted beginning of 2023

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
PCS12852 Enrollment2022Complete enrollment Sept/Oct; 24-patient plan “Almost completely enrolled”; complete by September Maintained/Accelerated execution
PCS12852 Top-line Data2022Top-line gastric emptying by year-end Gastric emptying top-line target Oct; symptoms by year-end Clarified timing within Q4
PCS6422 Interim Readout2022Mid-2022 interim identification of dosing regimen Summer (Aug/Sep) interim results after protocol amendments Slipped due to regulatory/site protocol changes
PCS6422 MTD2022/23Preliminary MTD by end-2022 End-2022 or Jan/Feb 2023 Slightly deferred window
PCS6422 Enrollment2022Complete enrollment by year-end Maintained: complete by year-end Maintained
PCS499 Interim Cohort2022/23Enroll 5–10 patients mid-2022; top-line interim year-end Interim cohort enrollment by year-end; interim results H1 2023 Deferred due to COVID-related headwinds
PCS3117 FDA Interaction2022End-of-year FDA meeting targeted Beginning of 2023 after assay progress Slight timing shift

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicQ4 2021 (Mar-31-2022)Q1 2022 (May-12-2022)Q2 2022 (Aug-11-2022)Trend
COVID impact on enrollment (PCS499)Patient deaths from COVID; prescreen challenges Pre-screening instituted; tightened identification; ongoing COVID drag Patients now willing to travel; increased activity; optimism for interim cohort by YE Improving but still a headwind
PCS6422 protocol and timelineMid-2022 DPD timeline readout expected Amended Phase 1b; interim identification mid-2022 Regulatory/site “hoops” delayed; interim data Aug/Sep; MTD around YE/early 2023 Slight delay, clearer roadmap
PCS12852 enrollment and data planEnrolling; plan for 24 patients 5 patients enrolled; YE gastric emptying top-line Almost fully enrolled; gastric emptying in Oct; symptoms by YE On track, accelerating
Funding strategy & partnershipsLPC facility for flexibility Two funding paths: license/partner vs offering; target raise at higher market cap; interest from companies Building optionality
Resource capacity concernsLean operating model; overhead discipline Added staff; ready to add more; experienced multi-program team Capacity rising
Cash runway$16.5M at YE21 $14.3M at 3/31/22 $12.1M at 6/30/22; runway into Q3’23 Adequate runway

Management Commentary

  • “We expect to close out enrollment for PCS12852 for Gastroparesis within the next month and present top-line data from the trial before the end of the year.”
  • “We… have a sufficient number of patients in the screening queue for PCS6422… We anticipate we will determine the maximum tolerated dose by early 2023.”
  • “Patients are beginning to show a willingness to travel… increased patient activity in our PCS499 uNL trial… optimistic that we will enroll our interim analysis cohort before the end of the year.”
  • “Our cash balance at June 30, 2022 was $12.1 million… sufficient to complete our 3 ongoing clinical trials and fund our operations into the third quarter of 2023.”

Q&A Highlights

  • PCS499 screening dynamics: The issue was patient inflow rather than screening failure; pre-screening and the website are increasing inbound interest as programs mature .
  • PCS6422 timing: Interim cohort results targeted for August/September; study completion by year-end; MTD by end-2022 or Jan/Feb 2023 .
  • PCS3117 assay and FDA: Ongoing work to optimize sampling (biopsy vs circulating tumor cells); FDA meeting planned for early 2023 after assay progress .
  • PCS12852 top-line: October focus on gastric emptying rate, with symptomology analysis later in the year; no open-label portion in current study .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q2 2022 revenue/EPS was unavailable at time of collection; as a result, we cannot benchmark vs Street for this quarter.
  • Implication: With limited Street coverage and development-stage status, near-term price reactions are more likely driven by clinical data timing and operational milestones rather than quarterly P&L comparisons .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • PCS12852 is the nearest catalyst: completion of enrollment by September and gastric emptying top-line targeted for October; symptom data by year-end could be a meaningful inflection for GI franchise narrative .
  • PCS6422 de-risking continues: interim cohort readout in Aug/Sep and MTD clarity by late 2022/early 2023 will frame next-generation capecitabine’s dosing strategy and Phase 2/3 path—key for oncology asset valuation .
  • PCS499 visibility improving: patient travel willingness and website outreach are beginning to convert into activity; interim cohort enrollment targeted by year-end with interim readout in H1 2023—watch enrollment cadence updates .
  • Cash runway into Q3 2023 mitigates financing overhang near term; management highlights dual-track funding (partnering/licensing and offerings) with intent to raise at higher market cap post-data, reducing dilution risk if milestones deliver .
  • GAAP vs cash dynamics: Elevated H1 GAAP loss reflects non-cash items; operating cash outflow improved YoY, underscoring disciplined cash management amidst increased trial activity .
  • Narrative drivers: Execution on timelines (particularly PCS12852 and PCS6422) and tangible data readouts are likely the primary stock catalysts in the next 3–6 months; slip risks remain tied to regulatory/site processes and COVID-sensitive enrollment .
  • Partnership interest exists but is contingent on trial readouts; successful interim/top-line data may unlock strategic options and reduce capital intensity .

Appendix: Additional Financial Tables

  • Operating Cash Flow (H1 Comparison)
MetricH1 2021H1 2022
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities ($USD Millions)$4.4 $4.1
  • Expense Mix (H1 2022)
MetricH1 2022
R&D Expense ($USD Millions)$5.2
G&A Expense ($USD Millions)$3.2
Non-cash Compensation Allocated (R&D + G&A) ($USD Millions)$2.8

Sources: Q2 2022 8-K Item 2.02 press release and exhibits ; Q2 2022 earnings call transcript ; Q1 2022 earnings call transcript ; Q4 2021 earnings call transcript .