SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAPT), a clinical-stage, immunology-based therapeutics company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral small molecule therapies for patients with significant unmet needs in inflammatory diseases and oncology, today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2024.

“We continue to analyze the data from our two Phase 2 trials of zelnecirnon (RPT193) in atopic dermatitis and asthma, which we closed prior to completing enrollment following the clinical holds placed by the FDA in February,” said Brian Wong, President and CEO. “We anticipate that our analysis of the data will be completed this quarter.”

Financial Results for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $27.7 million, compared to $25.3 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2024 were $22.6 million, compared to $21.6 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to higher development costs related to zelnecirnon, as well as increased expenses for personnel, consultants, facilities and non-cash stock-based compensation, partially offset by decreases in development costs related to tivumecirnon and early-stage programs as well as lab supplies costs.

General and administrative expenses for each of the second quarter of 2024 and 2023 were $6.7 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses were unchanged as increased expenses for personnel and non-cash stock-based compensation were offset by decreases in expenses for consultants and insurance premiums.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024

Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $58.2 million, compared to $54.6 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $47.4 million, compared to $47.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to increased expenses for personnel, consultants, facilities and non-cash stock-based compensation, partially offset by decreases in development costs related to zelnecirnon, tivumecirnon, early-stage programs and lab supplies costs.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $14.4 million, compared to $12.7 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased expenses for personnel, non-cash stock-based compensation and facilities, partially offset by decreases in expenses for consultants and insurance premiums.

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $114.8 million.

On July 16, 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a reduction of the Company’s workforce to conserve cash resources. The workforce reduction affected 47 people, or approximately 40% of the Company’s headcount. The Company estimates that it will incur approximately $0.9 million in restructuring charges in connection with the workforce reduction, consisting of cash-based expenses related to employee severance payments, benefits and related costs. The Company expects that the execution of the workforce reduction and the majority of the cash payments related to the restructuring will be substantially completed by the end of the third quarter of 2024.

About RAPT Therapeutics, Inc.

RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, immunology-based therapeutics company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral small molecule therapies for patients with significant unmet needs in inflammatory diseases and oncology. Utilizing its proprietary discovery and development engine, the Company is developing highly selective small molecules designed to modulate the critical immune drivers underlying these diseases. RAPT has discovered and advanced two unique drug candidates, zelnecirnon (RPT193) and tivumecirnon (FLX475), each targeting C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), for the treatment of inflammation and cancer, respectively. The Company is also pursuing a range of targets that are in the discovery stage of development.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimates,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Each of these statements is based only on current information, assumptions and expectations that are inherently subject to change and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s expectations concerning the clinical holds of its Phase 2 trials of zelnecirnon, including its investigation of the incident, its analysis of the data from the unblinded trials and the timing thereof, its ability to resolve issues to the FDA’s satisfaction and the availability of updates concerning such process, statements regarding the workforce reduction and estimated costs associated with that reduction, and other statements that are not historical fact. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected or unfavorable safety or efficacy data observed during clinical studies, preliminary data and trends that may not be predictive of future data or results or that may not demonstrate safety or efficacy or lead to regulatory approval, the inability to resolve issues related to the clinical holds on the Phase 2 trials of zelnecirnon to the FDA’s satisfaction and to ultimately resume such trials, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, unanticipated or greater than anticipated impacts or delays due to macroeconomic conditions (including the long-term impacts of ongoing overseas conflicts, inflation, higher interest rates and other economic uncertainty), changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process and the sufficiency of RAPT’s cash resources. Detailed information regarding risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in this press release may be found in RAPT’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2024 and subsequent filings made by RAPT with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. RAPT disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

RAPT Media Contact:
Aljanae Reynolds
areynolds@wheelhouselsa.com

RAPT Investor Contact:
Sylvia Wheeler
swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com

(1) The consolidated balance sheet for December 31, 2023 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.