AGENUS INC
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 12, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 12, 2025
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-12.
0000950170-24-125608
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-05-12.
0000950170-25-069396
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 70 previous paragraphs and 52 current paragraphs.
24 unchanged; 25 reworded; 3 added; 14 removed; 7 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 1 previous and 1 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (3)
Current report
We are a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in discovering and developing therapies to activate the body's immune system against cancer and infections. Our pipeline includes immune-modulatory antibodies, adoptive cell therapies (via MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. ("MiNK")), and vaccine adjuvants (via SaponiQx, Inc. ("SaponiQx")). Our primary focus is immuno-oncology (“I-O”), and our diverse pipeline is supported by our in-house capabilities, including current good manufacturing practice (“cGMP”) manufacturing and a clinical operations platform. To succeed in I-O, innovation and speed are paramount. We are a vertically integrated biotechnology company equipped with a suite of technology platforms to advance from novel target identification through manufacturing for clinical trials of antibodies and cell therapies. By understanding each patient's cancer, we aim to substantially expand the population benefiting from current I-O therapies. In addition to a diverse pipeline, we have assembled fully integrated end-to-end capabilities including novel target discovery, antibody generation, cell line development and cGMP manufacturing. Leveraging our science and capabilities, we have established strategic partnerships to advance innovation. We believe the next generation of cancer treatment will build on clinically validated antibodies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 combined with novel immunomodulatory agents designed to address underlying tumor escape mechanisms.
Current report
BOT in combination with BAL received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of patients with non-microsatellite instability-high (“MSI-H”) and/or deficient mismatch repair (“dMMR”) metastatic colorectal cancer without active liver involvement. This designation specifically targets patients who are heavily pretreated and have shown resistance or intolerance to standard chemotherapies, including fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan, as well as those who have received a VEGF inhibitor, an EGFR inhibitor, and/or a BRAF inhibitor, if indicated. Based on the BOT/BAL clinical data generated to date, we have developed designs for registration-enabling trials in Microsatellite Stable colorectal cancer across neoadjuvant, first-line, and late-line metastatic colorectal cancer. These trial(s) will launch upon completion of strategic transactions. The options being considered are partnerships, licensing, or joint ventures.
Current report
Our common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGEN.”
Removed paragraphs (14)
Previous report
We are a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies targeting cancer with a robust pipeline of immunological agents. Our mission is to expand patient populations benefiting from cancer immunotherapy through combination approaches, using a broad repertoire of antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell therapies (through our subsidiary MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (“MiNK”)), and vaccine adjuvants (through our subsidiary SaponiQx, Inc. (“SaponiQx”)). We believe that combination therapies and a deep understanding of each patient’s cancer will significantly expand the patient population benefiting from immuno-oncology (“I-O”) treatments.
Previous report
In addition to our diverse pipeline, we have established fully integrated capabilities encompassing novel target discovery, antibody generation, cell line development, and current good manufacturing practice ("cGMP") manufacturing. We believe these integrated capabilities enable us to develop and, if approved, commercialize novel candidates on accelerated timelines compared to industry standards. Through independent development and strategic partnerships, we leverage our scientific expertise and capabilities to drive innovation in the I-O field.
Previous report
Research and development revenue
Previous report
We did not recognize any research and development revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2024, but recognized research and development revenue of approximately $3.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Research and development revenues in the third quarter of 2023 primarily consisted of $2.9 million related to the recognition of deferred revenue earned under our Gilead Collaboration Agreements.
Previous report
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023
Previous report
Research and development revenue
Previous report
We recognized research and development revenue of approximately $0.3 million and $8.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Research and development revenues in the first nine months of 2023 primarily consisted of $7.2 million related to the recognition of deferred revenue earned under our Gilead Collaboration Agreements.
Previous report
Research and development expense
Previous report
General and administrative expense
Previous report
General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel costs, facility expenses, and professional fees. General and administrative expenses decreased 11% to $50.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $57.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Decreased expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily relate to a $3.2 million decrease in personnel related expenses, mainly due to decreased share based compensation expense, a $1.5 million decrease in professional fees and a $2.9 million decrease in expenses attributable to the activities of our subsidiaries. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in other general and administrative expenses.
Previous report
Non-operating income (expense)
Previous report
Non-operating income increased $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from income of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to income of $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to the recognition of a $5.3 million gain on the early termination of two operating leases and the recognition of R&D tax credits in the UK in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to de minimis activity in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Previous report
Interest expense, net
Previous report
Management continues to address the Company’s liquidity needs and has continued to adjust spending in order to preserve liquidity. In August 2023, we prioritized and focused our resources to accelerate the development, registration, and commercialization of our lead asset postponing all preclinical and other clinical programs and reducing our workforce by approximately 25%. Our CEO, Dr. Garo Armen has elected to receive his base salary and any potential bonus payments in stock rather than cash. We continuously evaluate the likelihood of success of our programs. As such, our decisions to continue to fund or eliminate funding of each of our programs are predicated on these determinations, on an ongoing basis. We expect our sources of funding to include payments from current collaborations which include out-licensing and/or partnering opportunities for our portfolio programs and product candidates with multiple parties; additional third-party agreements; asset sales; further royalty monetization; project financing, and/or sales of equity securities.
Reworded paragraphs (25)
Previous wording
More detailed descriptions of these risks and uncertainties and other risks and uncertainties applicable to our business that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements are included in in Part I-Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and in Part II-Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024. We encourage you to read those descriptions carefully. Although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this document; such statements need to be evaluated in light of all the information contained in this document. Furthermore, the statements speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements.
Current wording
More detailed descriptions of these risks and uncertainties and other risks and uncertainties applicable to our business that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements are included in in Part I-Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. We encourage you to read those descriptions carefully. Although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this document; such statements need to be evaluated in light of all the information contained in this document. Furthermore, the statements speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements.
Previous wording
ASV®, Agenus™, MiNK™, Prophage™, Retrocyte Display™ and STIMULON™ are trademarks of Agenus Inc. and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
Current wording
Agenus, MiNK, Prophage, Retrocyte Display and STIMULON are trademarks of Agenus Inc. and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
Previous wording
Antibody candidate programs, including our lead assets, botensilimab (a multifunctional immune cell activator and human Fc-enhanced cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody, also known as AGEN1181) and balstilimab (a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody).
Current wording
Antibody candidate programs, including our lead assets, botensilimab ("BOT") (a multifunctional immune cell activator and human Fc-enhanced cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody, also known as AGEN1181) and balstilimab ("BAL") (a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody).
Previous wording
We regularly evaluate development, commercialization, and partnering strategies for each product candidate based on various factors, including pre-clinical and clinical trial results, competitive positioning, funding requirements, and available resources. Our lead program, botensilimab (AGEN1181), is progressing through multiple clinical programs designed to support accelerated development as a monotherapy and in combination with balstilimab. In April 2023, botensilimab in combination with balstilimab received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for the treatment of patients with not-microsatellite instability-high ("MSI-H")/deficient mismatch repair ("dMMR") metastatic colorectal cancer with no active liver involvement. Patients targeted with this designation are heavily pretreated with standard of care chemotherapy, anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR if RAS wild type. We completed enrollment of patients with refractory MSS mCRC non-active liver metastases ("NLM") in a Phase 1 trial (n~150) and randomized Phase 2 trial (n~230) in October 2023. We are likely not to pursue accelerated approval pathways and intend to initiate a Phase 3 study with plans to ensure continued funding via partnering activities.
Current wording
We regularly evaluate development, commercialization, and partnering strategies for each product candidate based on various factors, including pre-clinical and clinical trial results, competitive positioning, funding requirements, and available resources. Our lead program, BOT is progressing through multiple clinical programs as a monotherapy and in combination with BAL. In April 2023,
Previous wording
We have entered into collaborations with several companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), Betta Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (“Betta”), UroGen Pharma Ltd. ("UroGen"), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”), Incyte Corporation (“Incyte”), and Merck Sharpe & Dohme (“Merck”). These collaborations, along with our internal programs, have resulted in over a dozen antibody pre-clinical or clinical development programs.
Current wording
We have entered into collaborations with several companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), Betta Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (“Betta”), UroGen Pharma Ltd. (“UroGen”), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”), Incyte Corporation (“Incyte”), and Merck Sharp & Dohme (“Merck”). These collaborations, along with our internal programs, have resulted in over a dozen antibody pre-clinical or clinical development programs.
Previous wording
Pursuant to our collaboration agreement with Incyte, we have exclusively licensed to Incyte monospecific antibodies targeting GITR, OX40, TIM-3 and LAG-3, which Incyte is currently advancing in various clinical trials, as well as an additional undisclosed target that Incyte is advancing in preclinical studies. Under the terms of our agreement, Incyte is responsible for all future development expenses, and we are eligible to receive up to an additional $315.0 million in potential milestone payments plus royalties on any future sales. Incyte has terminated the OX40 program, effective October 2023, and both the GITR program and undisclosed program, effective May 2024. Upon termination, the rights to the OX40, GITR, and undisclosed programs reverted back to us. On July 30, 2024, Incyte announced that it would discontinue further development of the LAG-3 and TIM-3 monoclonal antibodies.
Current wording
Pursuant to our collaboration agreement with Incyte, we had exclusively licensed to Incyte monospecific antibodies targeting GITR, OX40, TIM-3 and LAG-3, as well as an additional undisclosed target. Under the terms of our agreement, Incyte was responsible for all future development expenses, and we were eligible to receive up to an additional $315.0 million in potential milestone payments plus royalties on any future sales. Incyte has terminated the OX40 program, effective October 2023, and both the GITR program and undisclosed program, effective May 2024. Upon termination, the rights to the OX40, GITR, and undisclosed programs reverted back to us. In July 2024, Incyte announced that it would discontinue further development of the LAG-3 program and TIM-3 program and in February 2025, Incyte notified us of their intent to terminate the entire Collaboration Agreement, effective February 2026. Upon termination, the rights to the remaining programs will revert back to us.
Previous wording
In December 2018, we entered into collaboration agreements with Gilead for the development and commercialization of up to five novel I-O therapies (the “Gilead Collaboration Agreements”). Gilead received worldwide exclusive rights to our bispecific antibody, AGEN1423, and the exclusive option to license AGEN1223, a bispecific antibody, and AGEN2373, a monospecific antibody. Gilead elected to return AGEN1423 to us in November 2020 and terminated the license agreement. We ceased development of AGEN1223 in the third quarter of 2021, and the option and license agreement for AGEN1223 were formally terminated in October 2021. On August 5, 2024, Gilead elected not to exercise the option to license AGEN2373 and the option and license agreement was formally terminated.
Current wording
In December 2018, we entered into collaboration agreements with Gilead for the development and commercialization of up to five novel I-O therapies (the “Gilead Collaboration Agreements”). Gilead received worldwide exclusive rights to our bispecific antibody, AGEN1423, and the exclusive option to license AGEN1223, a bispecific antibody, and AGEN2373, a monospecific antibody. Gilead elected to return AGEN1423 to us in November 2020 and terminated the license agreement. We ceased development of AGEN1223 in the third quarter of 2021, and the option and license agreement for AGEN1223 was formally terminated in October 2021. In August 2024, Gilead elected not to exercise the option to license AGEN2373 and the option and license agreement was formally terminated.
Previous wording
$25.0 million milestone. We received this milestone in January 2024. On July 30, 2024, we received notice from BMS that it is returning AGEN1777 back to us and voluntarily terminating the BMS License Agreement, effective as of January 26, 2025.
Current wording
$25.0 million milestone. We received this milestone in January 2024. On July 30, 2024, we received notice from BMS was voluntarily terminating the BMS License Agreement, effective as of January 26, 2025. Upon termination, BMS returned AGEN1777 to us.
Previous wording
In May 2024, we, and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Ligand Purchase Agreement”) with Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Ligand”) for the sale to Ligand of (i) 31.875% of the development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments we were then eligible to receive under our agreements with BMS, UroGen, Gilead, Merck and Incyte, (the “Covered License Agreements”) (ii) 18.75% of the royalties we receive under the Covered License Agreements; and (iii) a 2.625% synthetic royalty on worldwide net sales of botensilimab and balstilimab (collectively the “Purchased Assets”). The total amounts payable to Ligand are subject to a 50% reduction in the event total payments to Ligand exceed a specified return hurdle. The synthetic royalty is subject to a reduction if annual worldwide net sales exceed a specified level, and a cap on annual worldwide net sales if annual worldwide net sales exceed a higher specified level. The synthetic royalty can increase by 1% based on the occurrence of certain future events. After taking into account our obligations under the Ligand Purchase Agreement, XOMA Royalty Purchase Agreement and the recent status of our collaboration agreements, we remain eligible to receive up to approximately $136.3 million, $49.4 million and $183.1 million in potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones from UroGen, Merck and Incyte, respectively.
Current wording
In May 2024, we, and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Ligand Purchase Agreement”) with Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Ligand”) for the sale to Ligand of (i) 31.875% of the development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments we were then eligible to receive under our agreements with BMS, UroGen, Gilead, Merck and Incyte, (the “Covered License Agreements”) (ii) 18.75% of the royalties we receive under the Covered License Agreements; and (iii) a 2.625% synthetic royalty on worldwide net sales of botensilimab and balstilimab (collectively the “Purchased Assets”). The total amounts payable to Ligand are subject to a 50% reduction in the event total payments to Ligand exceed a specified return hurdle. The synthetic royalty is subject to a reduction if annual worldwide net sales exceed a specified level, and a cap on annual worldwide net sales if annual worldwide net sales exceed a higher specified level. The synthetic royalty can increase by 1% based on the occurrence of certain future events. After taking into account our obligations under the Ligand Purchase Agreement, XOMA Royalty Purchase Agreement and the recent status of our collaboration agreements, we remain eligible to receive up to approximately $136.3 million and $49.4 million in potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestones from UroGen and Merck, respectively.
Previous wording
Under the agreement with HCR, we were entitled to receive milestone payments based on GSK’s vaccine sales. These milestones include $15.1 million upon GSK reaching $2.0 billion in last-twelve-months net sales prior to 2024 (the “First HCR Milestone”) and $25.25 million upon GSK reaching $2.75 billion in last-twelve-months net sales prior to 2026 (the “Second HCR Milestone”). We received the First HCR Milestone after GSK’s net sales of SHINGRIX for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, exceeded $2.0 billion, and we received the Second HCR Milestone after GSK’s net sales of SHINGRIX for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, exceeded $2.75 billion.
Current wording
Our bark extract QS-21 adjuvant is partnered with GSK and plays a vital role in multiple GSK vaccine programs. These programs are at various stages, including GSK’s approved shingles and RSV vaccines, SHINGRIX and AREXVY, which received FDA approval in the United States in October 2017 and May 2023, respectively. In January 2018, we entered into a Royalty Purchase Agreement with Healthcare Royalty Partners III, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (together, “HCR”), pursuant to which HCR purchased 100% of our worldwide rights to receive royalties from GSK on GSK’s sales of vaccines containing our QS-21 adjuvant. We do not incur clinical development costs for products partnered with GSK. We were also entitled to receive up to $40.35 million in milestone payments from HCR based on sales of GSK’s vaccines as follows: (i) $15.1 million upon reaching $2.0 billion last-twelve-months net sales any time prior to 2024 (the “First HCR Milestone”) and (ii) $25.25 million upon reaching $2.75 billion last-twelve-months net sales any time prior to 2026 (the “Second HCR Milestone”). We received the First HCR Milestone after GSK’s net sales of Shingrix for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 exceeded $2.0 billion. The Second HCR Milestone was received in 2022 after GSK’s net sales of Shingrix for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 exceeded $2.75 billion.
Previous wording
In October 2021, we completed the initial public offering (“IPO”) of MiNK, which trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “INKT”. MiNK is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing allogeneic invariant natural killer T (“iNKT”) cell therapies to treat cancer and other life-threatening immune diseases. MiNK’s most advanced product candidate, agenT-797, is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic, native iNKT cell therapy. MiNK is currently expanding its clinical programs, with a notable externally funded Phase 2 trial in second-line gastric cancer actively enrolling at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Additionally, MiNK is evaluating agenT-797 as a variant-agnostic therapy for patients with viral acute respiratory distress syndrome (“ARDS”) in planning for a randomized phase 2 study through a predominantly externally financed program. Recently, MiNK secured a $5.8 million private placement financing at a 25% premium, led by GKCC, LLC. This funding will propel the clinical development of MiNK-215, its leading allogeneic CAR-iNKT cell therapy targeting fibroblast activation protein (“FAP”) in solid tumors, which is scheduled to enter clinical trials in early 2025. In addition to its lead clinical program, MiNK has announced a collaboration with ImmunoScape, Inc. (“ImmunoScape”) to discover and develop next-generation T-cell receptor therapies targeting novel solid tumor antigens. This partnership leverages MiNK's proprietary library of T-cell antigens and ImmunoScape’s platform for rapid discovery of novel T-cell receptors.
Current wording
In October 2021, we completed the initial public offering (“IPO”) of MiNK, which trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “INKT.” MiNK is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing allogeneic invariant natural killer T (“iNKT”) cell therapies to treat cancer and other life-threatening immune diseases. MiNK’s most advanced product candidate, agenT-797, is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic, native iNKT cell therapy. MiNK is currently expanding its clinical programs, with an externally funded Phase 2 trial in second-line gastric cancer actively enrolling at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Additionally, MiNK is evaluating agenT-797 as a variant-agnostic therapy for patients with viral acute respiratory distress syndrome (“ARDS”) in planning for a randomized Phase 2 study through a predominantly externally financed program. In May 2024, MiNK secured a $5.8 million private placement financing at a 25% premium, led by GKCC, LLC. This funding will be used for the clinical development of MiNK-215, its leading allogeneic CAR-iNKT cell therapy targeting fibroblast activation protein (“FAP”) in solid tumors, which is scheduled to enter clinical trials in early 2025. In addition to its lead clinical program, MiNK has announced a collaboration with ImmunoScape, Inc. (“ImmunoScape”) to discover and develop next-generation T-cell receptor therapies targeting novel solid tumor antigens. This partnership leverages MiNK’s proprietary library of T-cell antigens and ImmunoScape’s platform for rapid discovery of novel T-cell receptors.
Previous wording
Our business activities include product research and preclinical and clinical development, intellectual property prosecution, manufacturing, regulatory and clinical affairs, corporate finance and development activities, and support of our collaborations. Our product candidates require successful clinical trials and approvals from regulatory agencies, as well as acceptance in the marketplace. Part of our strategy is to develop and commercialize some of our product candidates by continuing our existing arrangements with academic and corporate collaborators and licensees and by entering into new collaborations.
Current wording
Our business activities include product research, preclinical and clinical development, intellectual property prosecution, manufacturing, regulatory and clinical affairs, corporate finance and development activities, and support of our collaborations. Our product candidates require successful clinical trials and approvals from regulatory agencies, as well as acceptance in the marketplace. Part of our strategy is to develop and commercialize some of our product candidates through arrangements with academic and corporate collaborators and licensees.
Previous wording
In January 2018, we sold 100% of our worldwide rights to receive royalties from GSK on sales of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant to HCR. As described in Note F to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, this transaction has been recorded as a liability that amortizes over the estimated life of our Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR. As a result of this liability accounting, even though the royalties are remitted directly to HCR, we record these royalties from GSK as revenue. Non-cash royalty revenue related to our agreement with GSK increased $4.3 million, to approximately $24.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $20.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, due to increased net sales of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant, including net sales of AREXVY, that GSK launched in the third quarter of 2023.
Current wording
In January 2018, we sold 100% of our worldwide rights to receive royalties from GSK on sales of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant to HCR. As described in Note F to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, this transaction has been recorded as a liability that amortizes over the estimated life of our Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR. As a result of this liability accounting, even though the royalties are remitted directly to HCR, we record these royalties from GSK as revenue. Non-cash royalty revenue related to our agreement with GSK decreased $4.2 million, to approximately $23.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, from $27.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, due to decreased net sales of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant.
Previous wording
Research and development expense includes the costs associated with our internal research and development activities, including compensation and benefits, occupancy costs, manufacturing costs, costs of consultants, and administrative costs. Research and development expense decreased 20% to $41.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $51.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Decreased expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2024 primarily relate to a $4.2 million decrease in third-party services and other expenses, largely due to the timing of expenses related to the advancement of our antibody programs, a $2.9 million decrease in personnel related expenses, mainly due to a decrease in headcount, and a $4.1 million decrease in expenses attributable to the activities of our subsidiaries. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in other research and development expenses.
Current wording
Research and development expense includes the costs associated with our internal research and development activities, including compensation and benefits, occupancy costs, manufacturing costs, costs of consultants, and administrative costs. Research and development expense decreased 51% to $21.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $43.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Decreased expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily relate to a $16.3 million decrease in third-party services and other expenses, largely due to the timing of expenses related to the advancement of our antibody programs, a $3.3 million decrease in personnel related expenses, mainly due to a decrease in headcount, and a $3.3 million decrease in expenses attributable to the activities of our subsidiaries. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in other research and development expenses.
Previous wording
General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel costs, facility expenses, and professional fees. General and administrative expenses decreased 9% to $17.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $18.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Decreased expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2024 primarily relate to a $1.0 million decrease in personnel related expenses, mainly due to decreased share based compensation expense, a $0.7 million decrease in professional fees and a $0.5 million decrease in expenses attributable to the activities of our subsidiaries. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in other general and administrative expenses.
Current wording
General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel costs, facility expenses, and professional fees. General and administrative expenses decreased 7% to $15.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $16.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Decreased expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2025 primarily relate to a $1.5 million decrease in personnel related expenses, mainly due to a decrease in headcount, a $0.1 million decrease in other general and administrative expenses and a $0.4 million decrease in expenses attributable to the activities of our subsidiaries. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in professional fees.
Previous wording
Interest expense, net increased to approximately $35.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $18.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to increased non-cash interest recorded in connection with our Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR and the addition of non-cash interest expense recorded in connection with our Ligand Purchase Agreement.
Current wording
Interest expense, net decreased to approximately $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $29.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, mainly due to decreased non-cash interest recorded in connection with our Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR, primarily attributable to decreased sales forecasts of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant, partially offset by the addition of non-cash interest expense recorded in connection with our Ligand Purchase Agreement.
Previous wording
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, our research and development programs consisted largely of our antibody programs as indicated in the following table (in thousands).
Current wording
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, our research and development programs consisted largely of our antibody programs as indicated in the following table (in thousands).
Previous wording
We have incurred annual operating losses since inception, and we had an accumulated deficit of $2.1 billion as of September 30, 2024. We expect to incur significant losses over the next several years as we continue development of our technologies and product candidates, manage our regulatory processes, initiate and continue clinical trials, and prepare for potential commercialization of products. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through corporate partnerships, advance royalty sales and the issuance of equity. From our inception through September 30, 2024, we have raised aggregate net proceeds of approximately $2.0 billion through the sale of common and preferred stock, the exercise of stock options and warrants, proceeds from our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, royalty monetization transactions, and the issuance of convertible and other notes.
Current wording
We have incurred annual operating losses since inception, and we had an accumulated deficit of $2.2 billion as of March 31, 2025. We expect to incur significant losses over the next several years as we continue development of our technologies and product candidates, manage our regulatory processes, initiate and continue clinical trials, and prepare for potential commercialization of products. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through corporate partnerships, advance royalty sales and the issuance of equity. From our inception through March 31, 2025, we have raised aggregate net proceeds of approximately $2.01 billion through the sale of common and preferred stock, the exercise of stock options and warrants, proceeds from our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, royalty monetization transactions, and the issuance of convertible and other notes.
Previous wording
We maintain an effective registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) covering up to $300.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and units. The Registration Statement includes prospectuses covering the offer, issuance and sale of up to 20.6 million shares of our common stock from time to time in “at-the-market offerings” pursuant to an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. as our sales agent. We sold approximately 1.9 million and 1.8 million shares of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the period of October 1, 2024 through November 8, 2024, respectively, and received aggregate net proceeds totaling $33.0 million. As of November 8, 2024, approximately 18.1 million shares remained available for sale under the Sales Agreement.
Current wording
We maintain an effective registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) covering up to $300.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and units. The Registration Statement includes prospectuses covering the offer, issuance and sale of up to 20.6 million shares of our common stock from time to time in “at-the-market offerings” pursuant to an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. as our sales agent. We sold approximately 2.8 million and 0.6 million shares of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the period of April 1, 2025 through May 6, 2025, respectively, and received aggregate net proceeds totaling $7.7 million. As of May 6, 2025, approximately 14.7 million shares remained available for sale under the Sales Agreement.
Previous wording
Our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2024 were $44.8 million, a decrease of $31.3 million from December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents of our subsidiary, MiNK, at June 30, 2024, were $9.3 million. MiNK cash can only be accessed by Agenus through a declaration of a dividend by the MiNK Board of Directors or through settlement of intercompany balances.
Current wording
Our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2025 were $18.5 million, a decrease of $21.9 million from December 31, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents of our subsidiary, MiNK, at December 31, 2024, were $4.6 million. MiNK cash can only be accessed by Agenus through a declaration of a dividend by the MiNK Board of Directors or through settlement of intercompany balances.
Previous wording
As of September 30, 2024, we had debt outstanding of $13.0 million in principal due February 2025.
Current wording
As of March 31, 2025, we had debt outstanding of $36.0 million in principal, $10.5 million is due June 2026, and $24.75 million is due November 2026.
Previous wording
Since our founding we have financed our operations principally through income and revenues generated from corporate partnerships, advance royalty sales and proceeds from equity issuances. Based on our current plans and projections, we believe that our cash resources of $44.8 million as of September 30, 2024, will be sufficient to satisfy our critical liquidity requirements through the end of the year and into 2025. To support operations further, meet our subordinated notes obligation, and to execute on our business plans, we require additional funding.
Current wording
Based on our current plans and projections, we believe our cash resources of $18.5 million as of March 31, 2025, along with funding we expect to receive in 2025, will be sufficient to satisfy our critical liquidity requirements through the second quarter of 2026. To support operations on an ongoing basis we require additional funding. Since our founding we have financed our operations principally through income and revenues generated from corporate partnerships, advance royalty sales, and proceeds from debt and equity issuances. We transact at-the-market sales from time to time in order to manage our cash balances. We execute at-the-market offerings based on market conditions and our stock price. We do not have in place a program whereby at-the-market offerings are executed automatically based on our trading volume.
Previous wording
Currently we are in discussions with several entities including biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners, as well as dedicated healthcare funds to provide the funding necessary to support our operations through our planned biologics license application, or marketing authorization, submission for botensilimab/balstilimab. However, because the completion of such transactions is not entirely within our control, in accordance with accounting guidance we are required to disclose that substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year after the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes Agenus will continue as a going concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.
Current wording
Currently we are in discussions with entities including operating companies and financial entities to provide the additional funding necessary to support our operations through our planned registration and launch strategy for botensilimab/balstilimab. However, because the completion of cash funding transactions is not entirely within our control, and in accordance with accounting standards, substantial doubt continues to exist about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year after the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes Agenus will continue as a going concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business. Management continues to diligently address the Company’s liquidity needs and has continued to adjust spending in order to preserve liquidity. We expect our sources of funding to include additional out-licensing agreements, asset sales, project financing, and/or sales of equity securities.
Previous wording
Our future cash requirements include, but are not limited to, supporting clinical trial and regulatory efforts and continuing our other research and development programs. Since inception, we have entered into various agreements with contract manufacturers, institutions, and clinical research organizations (collectively “third party providers”) to perform pre-clinical activities and to conduct and monitor our clinical studies and trials. Under these agreements, subject to the enrollment of patients and performance by the applicable third-party provider, we have estimated our total payments to be $660.4 million over the term of the related activities. Through September 30, 2024, we have expensed $598.1 million as research and development expenses and $562.4 million has been paid under these agreements. The timing of expense recognition and future payments related to these agreements is subject to the enrollment of patients and performance by the applicable third-party provider. We plan to enter into additional agreements with third party providers and we anticipate significant additional expenditures will be required to initiate and advance our various programs.
Current wording
Our future cash requirements include, but are not limited to, supporting clinical trial and regulatory efforts and continuing our other research and development programs. Since inception, we have entered into various agreements with contract manufacturers, institutions, and clinical research organizations (collectively “third party providers”) to perform pre-clinical activities and to conduct and monitor our clinical studies and trials. Under these agreements, subject to the enrollment of patients and performance by the applicable third-party provider, we have estimated our total payments to be $660.7 million over the term of the related activities. Through March 31, 2025, we have expensed $618.7 million as research and development expenses and $572.0 million has been paid under these agreements. The timing of expense recognition and future payments related to these agreements is subject to the enrollment of patients and performance by the applicable third-party provider. We plan to enter into additional agreements with third party providers and we anticipate significant additional expenditures will be required to initiate and advance our various programs.
Previous wording
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $129.7 million and $183.8 million, respectively. Our future ability to generate cash from operations will depend on achieving regulatory approval and market acceptance of our product candidates, achieving benchmarks as defined in existing collaboration agreements, and our ability to enter into new collaborations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward Looking Statements” in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the risks highlighted in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our 2023 Form 10-K, Part II and Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Q2 2024 Form 10-Q.
Current wording
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $25.6 million and $38.2 million, respectively. Our future ability to generate cash from operations will depend on achieving regulatory approval and market acceptance of our product candidates, achieving benchmarks as defined in existing collaboration agreements, and our ability to enter into new collaborations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward Looking Statements” in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the risks highlighted in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our 2024 Form 10-K.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (7)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Our bark extract QS-21 adjuvant is partnered with GSK and plays a vital role in multiple GSK vaccine programs. These programs are at various stages, including GSK’s approved shingles and RSV vaccines, SHINGRIX and AREXVY, which received FDA approval in the United States in October 2017 and May 2023, respectively.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
In January 2018, we entered into a Royalty Purchase Agreement with Healthcare Royalty Partners III, L.P. and its affiliates (“HCR”). HCR purchased our worldwide rights to receive royalties from GSK on GSK’s sales of vaccines containing our QS-21 adjuvant. We do not incur clinical development costs for products partnered with GSK.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sale of future royalties
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
In January 2018, we sold 100% of our worldwide rights to receive royalties from GSK on sales of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant to HCR. As described in Note F to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, this transaction has been recorded as a liability that amortizes over the estimated life of our Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR. As a result of this liability accounting, even though the royalties are remitted directly to HCR, we record these royalties from GSK as revenue. Non-cash royalty revenue related to our agreement with GSK increased $13.5 million, to approximately $75.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, from $61.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to increased net sales of GSK’s vaccines containing our STIMULON QS-21 adjuvant, including net sales of AREXVY, that GSK launched in the third quarter of 2023.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Research and development expense includes the costs associated with our internal research and development activities, including compensation and benefits, occupancy costs, manufacturing costs, costs of consultants, and administrative costs. Research and development expense decreased 27% to $121.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $167.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Decreased expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily relate to a $25.9 million decrease in third-party services and other expenses, largely due to the timing of expenses related to the advancement of our antibody programs, a $8.9 million decrease in personnel related expenses, mainly due to a decrease in headcount, and a $14.7 million decrease in expenses attributable to the activities of our subsidiaries. These decreases were partially offset by a $3.3 million increase in other research and development expenses.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Interest expense, net increased to approximately $96.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $53.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, mainly due to increased non-cash interest recorded in connection with our Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR and the addition of non-cash interest expense recorded in connection with our Ligand Purchase Agreement.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
We have funded our operations largely from cash received from partners, royalty financing transactions and equity offerings. We transact at-the-market sales from time to time in order to manage our cash balances. We execute at-the-market offerings based on market conditions and our stock price. We do not have in place a program whereby at-the-market offerings are executed automatically based on our trading volume.