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Sana Biotechnology, Inc. (SANA)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2025 was execution-heavy with clinical and CMC progress; GAAP EPS improved to $0.21 loss vs $0.49 loss in Q1 2024, and management reiterated cash runway into 2026 .
  • EPS beat consensus: S&P Global Q1 2025 EPS consensus was -$0.236*, and S&P-recorded actual EPS was -$0.200*, a beat driven by lower R&D and G&A vs last year; revenue remains pre-commercial at ~$0* (consensus $0*) .
  • Guidance maintained on near-term clinical catalysts (GLEAM and VIVID data in 2025) and IND timing (SC451 and SG299 as early as 2026) ; financing flexibility enhanced via new $119.0M ATM program with TD Cowen .
  • Near-term stock catalysts: six-month UP421 data in an ADA plenary on June 23 and continued 2025 readouts in autoimmune CAR-T and oncology; potential equity overhang from ATM capacity .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Clinical signal in T1D strengthened: 12-week UP421 data showed persisted C‑peptide, meal-responsive insulin secretion, MRI evidence of graft survival, and no safety issues without immunosuppression. “We have made significant progress in 2025 toward a functional cure of this disease.”
  • IND path clarity: Foundation for a genomically stable, gene‑modified master cell bank established; SC451 and SG299 INDs as early as 2026 .
  • Expense discipline: R&D fell to $37.2M vs $56.4M YoY; G&A fell to $11.5M vs $16.3M YoY, improving GAAP EPS and non‑GAAP loss .

What Went Wrong

  • Pre‑commercial profile persists: no product revenue yet; program value realization remains milestone-dependent and capital intensive .
  • Portfolio selectivity and funding constraints: Management flagged that continuation of certain CAR‑T efforts (especially oncology) depends on investor/partner support; focus will not compromise diabetes asset .
  • Equity overhang risk: Newly established ATM program up to $119.0M may pressure shares if utilized at unfavorable prices .

Financial Results

GAAP EPS vs Prior Periods

MetricQ1 2024Q3 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
GAAP EPS ($)-$0.49 -$0.25 -$0.21 -$0.21

YoY: GAAP EPS improved by $0.28 (from -$0.49 to -$0.21) on lower R&D and G&A . QoQ: flat at -$0.21 .

Revenue (Pre-Commercial) and EPS vs Estimates (S&P Global)

MetricQ1 2025 ConsensusQ1 2025 Actual# of Estimates
Revenue ($USD Millions)$0.00*$0.00*5*
Primary EPS ($)-$0.236*-$0.200*5*

Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Operating Expenses and Cash KPIs

Metric ($USD Millions unless noted)Q3 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
R&D Expense (GAAP)$53.2 $47.0 $37.2
G&A Expense (GAAP)$14.1 $17.3 $11.5
Non-GAAP Operating Cash Burn$153.1 (9M) $195.1 (FY) $46.6
Cash, Cash Equivalents & Marketable Securities$199.0 $152.5 $104.7
Weighted-Average Shares (Basic) (Millions)235.4 236.3 237.6
Contingent Consideration (Balance Sheet)$111.9 $109.0 $110.8
Success Payment Liabilities$15.1 $4.6 $4.6

Notes: Non‑GAAP definitions and reconciliations provided by the company .

Segment/Revenue Breakdown

  • Not applicable; Sana is pre-revenue (no segment revenues disclosed) .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Cash RunwayThrough 2026Into 2026 Into 2026 Maintained
GLEAM (SC291, Autoimmune) Data20252025 data expected 2025 data expected Maintained
VIVID (SC262, Oncology) Data20252025 data expected 2025 data expected Maintained
SC451 (Stem Cell Islets) INDAs early as 2026As early as 2026 As early as 2026 Maintained
SG299 (In vivo CAR‑T) INDAs early as 2026As early as 2026 As early as 2026 Maintained
ATM Program CapacityCurrentNone disclosedUp to $119.0M sales capacity with TD Cowen New

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q3 & Q4 2024)Current Period (Q1 2025)Trend
Type 1 Diabetes HIP IsletsEarly clinical signals; focus increased 12-week persistence/function without immunosuppression; ADA plenary next Strengthening clinical signal; moving toward IND/CMC readiness
Autoimmune Allogeneic CAR‑T (SC291/GLEAM)Enrolling; aim for deep B‑cell depletion Enrolling; prior safety/deep B‑cell depletion in oncology informs autoimmune Steady enrollment; proof-of-mechanism targeted
Oncology Allogeneic CAR‑T (SC262/VIVID)Enrolling post‑CD19 failure Enrolling; cautious on durability and capital prioritization Mixed; longer follow-up needed; funding selective
Financing & LiquidityCash into 2026 Adds $119M ATM capacity Bolsters liquidity; potential equity overhang
CMC/IND ReadinessN/AMaster cell bank genomic stability; FDA meeting planned Advancing manufacturing/quality groundwork

Management Commentary

  • “Type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains a large, unmet need… we have made significant progress in 2025 toward a functional cure.” — Steve Harr, President & CEO .
  • “We recently presented 12‑week clinical data for UP421… continue to evade immune detection and function three months after transplant… broadly generalizable across the population.” .
  • “This should work… transformative where patients reach our goal: normal blood glucose with no more insulin and no immunosuppression.” — Steve Harr at BofA Healthcare Conference .
  • “We will not compromise the diabetes asset [given capital constraints].” — Steve Harr .

Q&A Highlights

  • IND and CMC path: Four scientific challenges outlined; hypoimmune rejection overcome; differentiation scaled for Phase 1; genomically stable master cell bank established; pivotal-ready manufacturing process must be locked ahead of registration studies .
  • Trial design sizing: Reference analog programs suggests total exposure on the order of ~50 patients; Sana’s program may be in a similar range, adjusted for broader patient population and lack of immunosuppression .
  • Autoimmune CAR‑T (SC291): Objective is dose‑dependent deep B‑cell depletion with clinical benefit; outcome bands considered vs autologous CAR‑T (ok/good/great) to gauge convenience/efficacy tradeoffs .
  • Capital allocation: Continuation of certain CAR‑T efforts depends on investor/partner validation; diabetes asset remains top priority .

Estimates Context

  • Q1 2025: EPS beat vs consensus (S&P): -$0.200 actual* vs -$0.236 consensus*, driven by lower R&D and G&A; revenue remains $0* as pre-commercial .
  • Potential estimate revisions: Continued cost discipline and clarity on clinical timelines could support incremental upward adjustments to outer‑quarter EPS expectations; however, funding cadence (ATM usage) and trial readouts will shape conviction.
    Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • T1D program is the engine: 12‑week human data without immunosuppression de‑risk core biology; six‑month ADA plenary is a near‑term sentiment catalyst .
  • Capital flexibility improved: $119.0M ATM enables opportunistic financing ahead of INDs; monitor issuance pace/price for dilution risk .
  • 2025 readouts are pivotal: GLEAM/VIVID data will inform allogeneic CAR‑T competitiveness vs autologous across efficacy/convenience dimensions .
  • Execution focus on CMC/IND: Master cell bank stability and manufacturing process lock are critical to timeline; FDA interactions underway .
  • Expense discipline matters: Material YoY reductions in R&D and G&A improved EPS and non‑GAAP burn; watch sustainability of lower spend as programs scale .
  • Trade set-up: Near‑term upside on ADA and 2025 data flow; ATM could cap rallies if used aggressively; partner optionality for CAR‑T could mitigate capital needs .
  • Risk monitors: Safety in higher doses/scaled stem cell products; durability in oncology; macro financing conditions for cell/gene therapy.

Earnings and operations data cited from company filings and press releases: Q1 2025 press release and financials ; Q4 2024 press release ; Q3 2024 press release ; ATM program 8‑K . Management commentary from BofA conference transcript .
S&P Global consensus/actual estimates marked with asterisks; Values retrieved from S&P Global.