WARREN, N.J., Aug. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLPH), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

“We are pleased to see continued progress in our clinical trials and look forward to several important catalysts for our INOpulse® programs in the second half of 2018,” said Fabian Tenenbaum, Chief Executive Officer of Bellerophon. “The results of the pre-specified interim analysis for INOvation-1, our Phase 3 study in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), are expected shortly. INOvation-1 utilizes an adaptive design, which allows for stopping the trial early for efficacy, continuing to enroll the study as planned, increasing the targeted enrollment size if the original design was slightly underpowered, or stopping the study for futility.”

“In addition, we expect top-line results from our ongoing Phase 2b study evaluating INOpulse in pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (PH-IPF) around the end of 2018. In pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PH-COPD), an indication with a large unmet medical need, we are pleased to have reached an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the design, including the primary endpoint, of our planned Phase 2b study,” concluded Mr. Tenenbaum.

Key Recent Highlights

• PAH: Enrollment continues to progress well in the Company’s Phase 3 INOvation-1 study evaluating INOpulse® in patients with PAH. As previously agreed upon with the FDA, a pre-specified interim analysis will be performed by the Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) when 75 subjects have completed the 16-week blinded treatment phase. The adaptive trial design allows the DMC to consider four potential recommendations following its unblinded review of the safety and efficacy data: stopping the trial early for efficacy, continuing to enroll the study as planned, increasing the targeted enrollment size if the original design is slightly underpowered, or stopping the study for futility or safety concerns. The Company is blinded to the results of the interim analysis and the DMC will only provide the recommendation to stop, continue or increase the trial size. The evaluations for the subjects needed to conduct the interim analysis have been completed and the Company expects the readout of the interim analysis shortly.
• PH-ILD: Following positive results in its Phase 2a study in PH-IPF, the Company is currently enrolling patients in a Phase 2b study evaluating INOpulse to assess the safety and efficacy of pulsed, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) versus placebo in patients with PH-ILD. A total of 40 subjects will be randomized in the double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, which will include patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The primary endpoint of the study is the change in 6 Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) and the study includes several additional endpoints, including improvement in right ventricular function. The Company expects top-line results from this study around the end of 2018.
• PH-COPD: Following positive results from its Phase 2 study for INOpulse in PH-COPD, the Company, in conjunction with its steering committee, finalized the design of a Phase 2b study in PH-COPD. Agreement with the FDA has been reached on the design of this trial, which will be a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and will enroll approximately 90 subjects. The primary endpoint is change in 6MWD, with several additional secondary endpoints, including improvement in right ventricular function.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results
For the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $11.5 million, or $0.20 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.12 per share, in the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. On a diluted basis, the Company reported a loss of $0.20 per share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to a loss $0.15 per share, in the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2018 included an adjustment of $(3.7) million to the fair value of the Company’s common stock warrant liability, as compared to an adjustment of $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $5.8 million, compared to $4.7 million in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased clinical trial activities and supply costs related to ongoing clinical programs.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $2.1 million, compared to $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased commercial and intellectual property consulting costs, and stock-based compensation expenses.

First Half 2018 Financial Results
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company’s net loss was $7.4 million, compared to a $23.1 million net loss reported in prior year period. Net loss per share was $0.13 in the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to a net loss of $0.70 in the prior year period. On a diluted basis, the Company reported a loss of $0.16 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to a loss of $0.70 per share in the prior year period.

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 included an adjustment of $3.4 million in the fair value of the Company’s common stock warrant liability, as compared to an adjustment of $(12.0) million in the prior year period.

Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased to $12.2 million, from $8.0 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to increased clinical trial activities and supply costs related to ongoing clinical programs.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $4.2 million as compared to $3.1 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to increased commercial, intellectual property and financial consulting costs, and stock-based compensation expenses.

Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2018, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $25.9 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $31.8 million at December 31, 2017.

About Bellerophon

Bellerophon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing innovative therapies at the intersection of drugs and devices that address significant unmet medical needs in the treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. The Company is currently developing three product candidates under its INOpulse program, a proprietary pulsatile nitric oxide delivery system. The first is for the treatment of PAH, for which the Company has commenced Phase 3 clinical trials. The second is for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PH-COPD) and the third is for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD), both of which are in Phase 2 development. For more information, please visit www.bellerophon.com.