Business |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2022 | |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Business | Business Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Avalo” or “we”) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation by developing therapies that target the LIGHT network.
LIGHT (Lymphotoxin-like, exhibits Inducible expression, and competes with HSV Glycoprotein D for Herpesvirus Entry Mediator (“HVEM”), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes; also referred to as TNFSF14) is an immunoregulatory cytokine. LIGHT and its signaling receptors, HVEM (TNFRSF14), and lymphotoxin β receptor (TNFRSF3), form an immune regulatory network with two co-receptors of herpesvirus entry mediator, checkpoint inhibitor B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (“BTLA”), and CD160 (collectively, the “LIGHT-signaling network” or the “LIGHT network”). Accumulating evidence points to the dysregulation of the LIGHT network as a disease-driving mechanism in autoimmune and inflammatory reactions in barrier organs. Therefore, we believe reducing LIGHT levels can moderate immune dysregulation in many acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.
Avalo was incorporated in Delaware and commenced operation in 2011, and completed its initial public offering in October 2015.
On July 7, 2022, Avalo effected a 1-for-12 reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company retroactively applied the reverse stock split to common share and per share amounts for periods prior to July 7, 2022, including the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, pursuant to their terms, a proportionate adjustment was made to the per share exercise price and number of shares issuable under all of the Company’s outstanding options and warrants, and the number of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans have been reduced proportionately. Avalo retroactively applied such adjustments in the notes to consolidated financial statements for periods presented prior to July 7, 2022, including the year ended December 31, 2021. The reverse stock split did not reduce the number of authorized shares of common and preferred stock and did not alter the par value.
Liquidity
In order to meet its cash flow needs, the Company applies a disciplined decision-making methodology as it evaluates the optimal allocation of the Company’ resources between investing in its existing pipeline assets and acquisitions or in-licensing of new assets. As of December 31, 2022, Avalo had $13.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Avalo generated a net loss of $41.7 million and negative cash flows from operations of $26.8 million. As of December 31, 2022, Avalo had an accumulated deficit of $303.8 million.
On February 7, 2023, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 3,770,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate 3,770,000 shares of common stock resulting in net proceeds of approximately $13.7 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us. The warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $5.00 per share and are exercisable for one year from the issuance date.
In 2022, Avalo received $19.5 million of upfront payments from business development transactions, including the out-license of AVTX-007 for $14.5 million of upfront consideration. In the second quarter of 2022, the Company made a $15.0 million partial prepayment on the notes issued under its venture loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (“Horizon”) and Powerscourt Investments XXV, LP (“Powerscourt”, and together with Horizon, the “Lenders”), as collectively agreed upon with the Lenders. Avalo might consider additional prepayments prior to principal loan amounts coming due, if collectively agreed upon with the Lenders. As of December 31, 2022, the future principal payments were $21.2 million, $5.9 million of which is due in 2023 (beginning in the third quarter).
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern; however, losses are expected to continue as the Company continues to invest in its research and development pipeline assets. The Company will require additional financing to fund its operations and to continue to execute its business strategy within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements included herein were issued. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
To mitigate these conditions and to meet the Company’s capital requirements, management plans to use its current cash on hand along with some combination of the following: (i) financings, (ii) out-licensing or strategic alliances/collaborations of its current pipeline
assets, (iii) out-licensing or sale of its non-core assets, and (iv) federal and/or private grants. If the Company raises additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, the Company might have to relinquish valuable rights to its technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates. Subject to limited exceptions, the Loan Agreement prohibits the Company from incurring certain additional indebtedness, making certain asset dispositions, and entering into certain mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions without the prior consent of the Lenders. Additionally, the Loan Agreement contains certain covenants and certain other specified events that could result in an event of default, which if not cured or waived, could result in the immediate acceleration of all or a substantial portion of the outstanding Notes. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company was not aware of any breach of covenants or occurrence of material adverse change, nor had it received any notice of event of default from the Lenders (refer to Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements for more information).
If the Company requires but is unable to obtain additional funding, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, delay, suspend, reduce or eliminate some or all of its planned research and development programs, or liquidate assets where possible. Due to the uncertainty regarding future financings and other potential options to raise additional funds, management has concluded that substantial doubt exists with respect to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K were issued.
Over the long term, the Company’s ultimate ability to achieve and maintain profitability will depend on, among other things, the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of its pipeline assets, and the potential receipt and sale of any priority review vouchers it receives.
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