Cellectis S.A. (CLLS) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The earnings call reveals a strong financial position with significant investments from AstraZeneca and stable cash reserves. The Q&A section highlights confidence in upcoming data releases, suggesting positive future developments. The collaboration with AstraZeneca is fully reimbursed, reducing cash burn. Despite competitive pressures and supply chain challenges, the overall sentiment leans positive due to strategic partnerships and financial strength.
Key Financial Performance
Equity Investment from AstraZeneca $140 million investment from AstraZeneca, which is a new addition compared to the previous year.
Cash Position $264 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $108 million from $156 million as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to the $140 million from AstraZeneca and $20 million from the European Investment Bank.
Revenue from Collaboration $47 million received under the joint research and collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca, which includes $25 million upfront and $22 million from development milestones.
Consolidated Net Loss Details on consolidated net loss attributable to shareholders for the 12-months ended December 31, 2024, were mentioned but not specified in the transcript.
Cash Payments $47 million paid to suppliers, $40 million for wages, bonuses, and social expenses, $11 million for lease debts, and $5 million for repayment of the PGE loan.
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Operating Highlights
New Product Development: Cellectis announced the start of research and development activities for three programs under collaboration with AstraZeneca, including an allogeneic CAR T for hematological malignancies, an allogeneic CAR T for solid tumors, and an in vivo gene therapy for a genetic disorder.
Clinical Trials: Cellectis plans to present Phase 1 data for UCART22 in the third quarter of 2025 and is focusing on the BALLI-01 and NATHALI-01 studies.
Market Expansion: AstraZeneca completed an additional equity investment of $140 million, increasing their ownership to approximately 44% of Cellectis.
Cash Position: Cellectis reported cash and equivalents of $264 million as of December 31, 2024, up from $156 million in 2023, sufficient to fund operations into mid-2027.
Operational Efficiency: Cellectis is focusing on developing UCART22 and UCART20x22 while managing R&D pipeline and controlling SG&A expenses.
Strategic Collaboration: Cellectis is excited about the strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca, which is expected to shape the future of cell and gene therapies.
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Risk or Challenges
Financial Risks: Cellectis faces financial risks related to the sufficiency of cash to fund operations, despite current confidence in cash runway extending to mid-2027.
Regulatory Risks: There are regulatory risks associated with the development of clinical programs, including the need for alignment with FDA and EMA on Phase 2 registration strategies.
Competitive Pressures: Cellectis operates in a highly competitive environment in the cell and gene therapy market, which may impact its market position and financial performance.
Supply Chain Challenges: The company may encounter supply chain challenges that could affect the manufacturing and delivery of its therapies.
Economic Factors: Economic factors, including fluctuations in funding and investment climate, could impact Cellectis's financial stability and growth prospects.
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Guidance & Outlook
Collaboration with AstraZeneca: Cellectis announced the start of research and development activities for three programs under collaboration with AstraZeneca, including allogeneic CAR T for hematological malignancies and solid tumors, and an in vivo gene therapy for a genetic disorder.
Equity Investment: AstraZeneca completed an additional equity investment of $140 million in Cellectis, acquiring 10 million Class A and 18 million Class B convertible preferred shares.
Cash Runway: Cellectis' cash runway is projected to fund operations into mid-2027, supported by financing activities and partnerships.
Clinical Trials Focus: Cellectis will focus on advancing core clinical trials, particularly BALLI-01 and NATHALI-01, while building the next generation of genomic medicines.
Phase 1 Data Presentation: Cellectis expects to present Phase 1 data set and late-stage development strategy for UCART22 in Q3 2025.
Phase 2 Study Preparation: Cellectis plans to open recruitment for a Phase 2 study in Q4 2025 for UCART22.
Financial Position: Cellectis reported cash and equivalents of $264 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase from $156 million in 2023, indicating a strong financial position.
Future Revenue Expectations: Cellectis anticipates continued revenue from collaboration with AstraZeneca, with $47 million received under the joint research agreement by year-end 2024.
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Shareholder Return Plan
AstraZeneca Equity Investment: AstraZeneca completed an additional equity investment of $140 million in Cellectis, subscribing for 10 million Class A convertible preferred shares and 18 million Class B convertible preferred shares at a price of $5 per share.
Cash Position: Cellectis reported cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and fixed term deposits of $264 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $108 million from the previous year.
Funding from EIB: Cellectis drew down the second tranche of €15 million and the third tranche of €5 million under a credit facility agreement with the European Investment Bank.
Research Collaboration Payments: Cellectis received $47 million under the joint research and collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca, including $25 million upfront and $22 million for development milestones.
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Key Q&A
Q:Could you give us a little bit more color in terms of amount of data including patient number, the type of data point you will be sharing with us in 3Q, and in what kind of forum you will share with us?
A:We would plan to have the full Phase 1 dose escalation data set available in the third quarter. We will also have additional data being shared at ASH.
Q:How are you shaping up the internal bar for success, as we move towards that third quarter readout?
A:We are confident in the data we have seen thus far and believe it will surpass regulatory requirements, but we cannot share any data yet.
Q:Any additional context around near term milestones you might expect with AstraZeneca?
A:Progress is very good, and we are targeting a comprehensive data set for disclosure this year.
Q:Could you discuss the different potential late stage development strategies, and how the data might inform this decision?
A:We believe there's a clear registration path, but we cannot prejudge how conversations with FDA and EMA will go.
Q:Can you comment on where you expect these registration trials will be similar to what we've seen from autologous CD19 CAR T?
A:We expect a similar approach from a regulatory perspective, but there are subtle differences due to the nature of allogeneic therapy.
Q:Do any of these near-term readouts trigger any milestone payments?
A:The overall $410 million milestones for cema-cel are spread out across the development life cycle.
Q:Can you breakdown your R&D spend and remind us of the terms with your AstraZeneca collaboration?
A:The research activities with AstraZeneca are fully reimbursed, allowing us to offset our cash burn.
Q:What are you seeing from the arbitration with Servier?
A:We are not going to be commenting on this ongoing legal activity.
Q:What read-throughs do you see as it relates to UCART20x22 program, given the discontinuation of CARGO's CD22 targeted asset?
A:CARGO's setback highlights the unmet need for non-CD19 CAR T, which we aim to address with UCART20x22.
Q:Can you provide any comments on the recent data update from the ALLO-501A Cema-Cel program from Allogene?
A:The long-term durability data from Allogene is encouraging and supports the potential of allogeneic CAR T.
Q:What is the enrollment progress for UCART22 and UCART20x22?
A:We have planned up to 40 patients for UCART22 and believe we can execute a Phase 2 program quickly.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided giving a direct answer regarding the potential outcomes of the Servier arbitration, stating they would not comment on ongoing legal activity.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
ASH Annual
Adrian
Andre
Annual Conference
AstraZeneca share
Car
Class share
Drug Designation
EIB
FDA
Hodgkin lymphoma
Orphan Drug
Phase study
Stril
United
agreement European
collaboration AstraZeneca
credit facility
effect conversion
equity investment
financing activity
investment AstraZeneca
leader
leukemia
mid
registration
research
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today Cellectis
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CLLS Transcript
Cellectis S.A. (CLLS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive3-20
The earnings call summary indicates a positive sentiment due to strategic collaborations, particularly with AstraZeneca, and promising recruitment progress in pivotal studies. While financial specifics are lacking, optimistic guidance is given for upcoming milestones and data readouts. The Q&A reveals management's confidence in ongoing trials and commercial opportunities, despite some confidentiality constraints. The market is likely to respond positively, anticipating future growth and successful milestone achievements.
Cellectis S.A. (CLLS) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown8-5
The earnings call summary presents a mixed picture. Financials show a cash decrease, but the cash runway is secure until 2027. Product development updates are promising, with regulatory alignment and no barriers to Phase II trials. However, uncertainties remain, such as the Servier arbitration decision and lack of milestone payment details. The Q&A session did not reveal major negative sentiments but highlighted cautious optimism from management. The overall sentiment is neutral, as positive product development is offset by financial and legal uncertainties.
Cellectis S.A. (CLLS) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive3-14
The earnings call reveals a strong financial position with significant investments from AstraZeneca and stable cash reserves. The Q&A section highlights confidence in upcoming data releases, suggesting positive future developments. The collaboration with AstraZeneca is fully reimbursed, reducing cash burn. Despite competitive pressures and supply chain challenges, the overall sentiment leans positive due to strategic partnerships and financial strength.
Cellectis S.A. (CLLS) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown11-5
The earnings call presents mixed signals. The AstraZeneca collaboration and strong cash position are positive indicators, but supply chain challenges and intense competition in cell and gene therapy pose risks. The Q&A reveals management's cautious approach to prioritizing projects and lack of clarity on future datasets. Additionally, deprioritizing UCART123 raises concerns. Despite these issues, the partnership with AstraZeneca provides a financial buffer, mitigating some negative impacts. Overall, the sentiment is neutral as positives balance out the negatives.
CLLS Report
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