SAN DIEGO, May 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative antibiotics for life-threatening infections, announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 and provided an update on key accomplishments for the year to date.
At March 31, 2011, Trius had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $36.7 million and as of May 1, 2011, Trius had 23,667,333 shares outstanding.
For the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, Trius reported a net loss of $10.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The increase in net loss was largely due to increased clinical trial expenses as compared to the same period in 2010. For the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, Trius reported a net loss per share of $0.43 and $5.08, respectively. The decrease in the net loss per share was primarily due to the increase in shares outstanding resulting from our Initial Public Offering (IPO) in August 2010.
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased to $2.7 million compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2010. The increase in revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2011 was largely a result of the initiation of work on the Company's second federal research contract, a four and a half-year contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), a part of the Department of Defense, for up to $29.5 million. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $10.4 million compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2010. The increase in expenses was primarily related to higher clinical trial expenses due to the ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial for torezolid phosphate which began in August 2010.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased to $2.3 million compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2010. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to additional costs related to operating as a publicly traded company.
Trius 2011 Year to Date Highlights
- Announced positive data from a Phase 1 lung study that provided further support for more advanced clinical studies for torezolid phosphate in lung infections.
- Secured a patent term extension of over 1,000 days for our torezolid U.S. composition of matter patent, extending the patent term to 2028.
- Received a new federal research contract of up to $3.0 million from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
- Continued enrollment as expected for our ongoing Phase 3 oral trial for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).
- Hired Craig Thompson, formerly Vice President of Specialty Marketing at Pfizer, as Chief Commercial Officer based on his strong anti-infectives commercial experience.
Torezolid Clinical Update
Enrollment in the Phase 3 clinical trial of the oral dosage form of torezolid phosphate in ABSSSI remains on target. Enrollment in European clinical trial sites commenced early in the second quarter and Latin American clinical trial sites are expected to begin enrolling later this quarter. The completion of enrollment for the Phase 3 oral trial is expected this year followed by the announcement of top-line data in early 2012. The Company also met with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year to discuss protocol details for its second Phase 3 ABSSSI trial testing the transition from IV to oral dosing of torezolid phosphate. Based on these discussions, Trius expects to obtain a separate Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for this trial by the end of the third quarter of 2011.
"We are very encouraged with the progress we have made in our clinical programs so far this year. We continue to see a steady rate of enrollment for torezolid phosphate's Phase 3 trial in skin infections. In addition, we recently announced positive results from our Phase 1 study that supports the use of a once daily 200 milligram dose of torezolid phosphate for severe respiratory infections," said Jeffrey Stein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Trius.
About Trius Therapeutics
Trius Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative antibiotics for life-threatening infections. The Company's first product candidate, torezolid phosphate, is an IV and orally administered second generation oxazolidinone being developed for the treatment of serious gram-positive infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. In addition to the Company's torezolid phosphate clinical program, it is currently conducting three preclinical programs using its proprietary discovery platform to develop antibiotics to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. For more information, visit .
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the initiation of our torezolid phosphate clinical program in additional indications, the enrollment of patients in our ongoing Phase 3 clinical program of torezolid phosphate, an additional agreement with the FDA on an SPA for our second Phase 3 clinical trial of torezolid phosphate and potential strategic partnerships for the development of torezolid phosphate outside the United States. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: Trius' ability to obtain additional financing; Trius' use of the net proceeds from the initial public offering; the accuracy of Trius' estimates regarding expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; the success and timing of Trius' preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; the performance of third-party manufacturers; changes in Trius' plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Trius' ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Trius' most recently filed SEC documents, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2011, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in such filings. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Trius undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
CONTACT: Public Relations Contact: Jason Spark at Canale Communications, Inc. jason@canalecomm.com 619-849-6005 Investor Relations Contact: Stefan Loren at Westwicke Partners, LLC sloren@westwicke.com 443-213-0507