OTIC - Otonomy Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

• Clinical-stage programs on track with results expected from three trials in 2020
  
• Current capital funds operations into 2021

Conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EDT

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otonomy, Inc. (NASDAQ: OTIC), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for neurotology, today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and provided an update on its product pipeline and corporate activities. The company will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EDT to discuss recent highlights and financial results.

"We are on track in executing our business plan and focused on reporting clinical results from three trials in 2020 -- the Phase 3 trial of OTIVIDEX in Ménière’s disease, the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of OTO-313 in tinnitus and the Phase 1/2 trial of OTO-413 in hearing loss," said David A. Weber, Ph.D., president and CEO of Otonomy. “We are also tracking to our financial plan and guidance that will enable our existing capital to fund operations through these three clinical trial results next year and into 2021."

Product Pipeline Update

• OTIVIDEX™: Enrollment in Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Ménière’s Disease is Ongoing with Results Expected in the First Half of 2020. Otonomy has completed one successful Phase 3 trial and is conducting this additional pivotal trial to support a submission for U.S. registration of OTIVIDEX in Ménière’s disease. The company plans to enroll approximately 160 patients in the United States and Europe.

• OTO-313: Enrollment in Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in Tinnitus is Ongoing with Results Expected in the First Half of 2020. In April, Otonomy initiated enrollment of the first patients in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OTO-313, a sustained-exposure formulation of the NMDA receptor antagonist gacyclidine, in tinnitus patients. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included an initial safety cohort, which has been successfully completed, followed by an exploratory efficacy study that is currently enrolling approximately 50 patients with tinnitus.

• OTO-413: Preparing to Initiate a Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in Hearing Loss Patients in the Third Quarter of 2019. OTO-413 is a sustained-exposure formulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in development for the repair of cochlear synaptopathy, an underlying cause of hearing loss. Otonomy is preparing to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the third quarter of 2019 that will enroll approximately 40 patients with speech-in-noise hearing loss.

"Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my best wishes to Dr. Kathie Bishop, chief scientific officer, who has resigned in order to join a former colleague in an early-stage venture," said Dr. Weber. "We appreciate the support that Kathie provided during the last two years as we positioned the company for our upcoming clinical milestones and look forward to her continued involvement as a scientific advisor."

Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

• In third quarter of 2019, initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of OTO-413 in hearing loss patients.

• In first half of 2020, complete OTO-313 Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

• In first half of 2020, complete Phase 3 trial for OTIVIDEX in Ménière’s disease.

• In second half of 2020, complete OTO-413 Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights

• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $78.5 million as of June 30, 2019, compared to $97.3 million as of December 31, 2018.

• Operating Expenses: GAAP operating expenses were $11.8 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $13.8 million for the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP operating expenses, which exclude stock-based compensation, were $10.6 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $9.4 million for the second quarter of 2018.

• Research and Development Expenses: GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses for the second quarter of 2019 were $8.9 million, compared to $8.2 million for the second quarter of 2018. A slight net increase in expenses for this quarter compared to a year ago resulted from an increase in expenses for the OTIVIDEX and OTO-313 clinical trials and OTO-413 nonclinical and manufacturing activities that were partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation.

• Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the second quarter of 2019 were $2.9 million, compared to $5.6 million for the second quarter of 2018. The decrease this quarter was primarily a result of reduced stock-based compensation expense together with OTIPRIO cost reimbursement received from our OTIPRIO co-promotion partners.

• Financial Guidance:
  • 2019 Operating Expenses: Otonomy expects that GAAP operating expenses will be in the range of $55-$60 million, and that non-GAAP operating expenses will be in the range of $45-$50 million.
  • 2020 Operating Expenses: Otonomy expects that operating expenses will be lower than 2019 as multiple clinical trials are completed.
  • Cash Runway: Otonomy expects that its current cash, cash equivalents, and short term investments will be sufficient to fund the company through completion of the OTIVIDEX Phase 3 trial, OTO-313 Phase 1/2 trial, and OTO-413 Phase 1/2 trial in 2020, and will support company operations into 2021.

Webcast and Conference Call

Otonomy management will host a webcast and conference call regarding this announcement at 4:30 p.m. EDT/1:30 p.m. PDT today. The live call may be accessed by dialing (877) 305-6769 for domestic callers and (678) 562-4239 for international callers with conference ID code number: 6634946. A live webcast of the call will be available online in the investor relations section of Otonomy’s website at www.otonomy.com and will be archived there for 30 days.

Non-GAAP Operating Expenses

In this press release, Otonomy’s operating expenses are provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and also on a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude stock-based compensation. Non-GAAP operating expenses are provided as a complement to operating expenses provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes non-GAAP operating expenses help indicate underlying trends in the company’s business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and provide additional information regarding the company’s financial position. Management also uses non-GAAP operating expenses to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally and to manage the company’s business and to evaluate its performance. The attached financial information includes a reconciliation of the GAAP operating expenses to non-GAAP operating expenses and a reconciliation of GAAP operating expense guidance to non-GAAP operating expense guidance.

About Otonomy

Otonomy is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for neurotology. The company pioneered the application of drug delivery technology to the ear in order to develop products that achieve sustained drug exposure from a single local administration. This approach is covered by a broad patent estate and is being utilized to develop a pipeline of products addressing important unmet medical needs including Ménière’s disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus. For additional information please visit www.otonomy.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the future financial or operating performance of Otonomy. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, timing of results, patient recruitment and enrollment plans for, and design and conduct of, the Phase 3 clinical trial for OTIVIDEX, and comments regarding submission for U.S. registration; timing of results, patient recruitment and enrollment plans for, and design and conduct of,  the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OTO-313; expectations regarding timing of initiation and results, patient recruitment and enrollment plans for, and design and conduct of, the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OTO-413; expectations regarding the status, timing and nature of upcoming milestones; expectations regarding operating expenses for 2019 and 2020; expectations that current capital is sufficient to fund the company through completion of the OTIVIDEX Phase 3 trial, OTO-313 Phase 1/2 trial, and OTO 413 Phase 1/2 trial, and will support company operations into 2021; and statements by Otonomy’s president and CEO. Otonomy’s expectations regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: Otonomy’s limited operating history and its expectation that it will incur significant losses for the foreseeable future; Otonomy’s ability to accurately forecast financial results; Otonomy’s ability to obtain additional financing; Otonomy’s dependence on the regulatory success and advancement of its product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process, including, without limitation, Otonomy’s ability to adequately demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates, the nonclinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not support further development, and challenges related to patient enrollment in clinical trials; Otonomy’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates; the risks of the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of co-promotion agreements; the risks of the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could impact Otonomy’s ability to repay or comply with the terms of the loan provided by Oxford Finance LLC; side effects or adverse events associated with Otonomy’s product candidates; Otonomy’s ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates, if approved; competition in the biopharmaceutical industry; Otonomy’s dependence on third parties to conduct nonclinical studies and clinical trials; Otonomy’s dependence on third parties for the manufacture of its product candidates; Otonomy’s dependence on a small number of suppliers for raw materials; Otonomy’s ability to protect its intellectual property related to its product candidates in the United States and throughout the world; expectations regarding potential market size, opportunity and growth; Otonomy’s ability to manage operating expenses; implementation of Otonomy’s business model and strategic plans for its business, products and technology; and other risks. Information regarding the foregoing and additional risks may be found in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Otonomy’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on August 1, 2019, and Otonomy’s future reports to be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Otonomy as of the date hereof. Otonomy disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Media Inquiries
Spectrum Science
Leticia Diaz
Vice President
202.587.2517
ldiaz@spectrumscience.com

Investor Inquiries
Westwicke Partners
Robert H. Uhl
Managing Director
858.356.5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com