eq-ex991_14.htm

EQUATE Phase 1b/2 trial in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) ongoing with data expected in 1Q 2020

On track to initiate Phase 1b proof-of-concept trials of itolizumab (EQ001) in uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma and lupus nephritis this year

LA JOLLA, Calif., May 13, 2019 – Equillium, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging deep understanding of immunobiology to develop products to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with high unmet medical need, today announced financial results for the first quarter 2019, and recent business highlights.

“We achieved a significant milestone during the first quarter of 2019 with the initiation of the open label Phase 1b portion of our EQUATE trial evaluating itolizumab in acute GVHD, our initial indication,” stated Daniel Bradbury, chairman and chief executive officer of Equillium. “In parallel, we continue to advance plans to initiate two additional trials this year – uncontrolled asthma and lupus nephritis – all of which we believe set the stage for multiple opportunities to demonstrate the value of itolizumab in treating severe immuno-inflammatory diseases. The body of evidence implicating the CD6-ALCAM pathway in immuno-inflammatory diseases continues to grow. Itolizumab’s unique mechanism of action, which selectively targets CD6 and downregulates cellular pathways that modulate both the activity and trafficking of effector T cells, represents an entirely new approach to treating these serious diseases. We look forward to data from these important proof-of-concept trials.”

Research and development (R&D) expenses. Total R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $3.8 million, compared with $0.7 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily driven by additional costs related to increased headcount and the ramp up in regulatory and clinical activity including initiation of the Phase 1b portion of the clinical trial of itolizumab in aGVHD, and preclinical research activities to support Equillium’s clinical development program.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses. Total G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $2.6 million, compared with $0.4 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily driven by additional costs related to increased headcount, legal and other professional fees and costs associated with being a public company.

Net loss. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $6.0 million, or $(0.34) per basic and diluted share, compared with a net loss of approximately $1.6 million, or $(0.15) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018.

Cash and cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2019, Equillium reported total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $61.6 million, compared to $65.9 million as of December 31, 2018.

Equillium is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging deep understanding of immunobiology to develop products to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory, or immuno-inflammatory, disorders with high unmet medical need.

Equillium’s initial product candidate, itolizumab (EQ001), is a clinical-stage, first-in-class monoclonal antibody that selectively targets the novel immune checkpoint receptor CD6. CD6 plays a central role in modulating the activity and trafficking of T cells that drive a number of immuno-inflammatory diseases. Itolizumab is a clinically-validated therapeutic that has demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Equillium acquired rights to itolizumab through an exclusive partnership with Biocon Limited. Equillium believes that itolizumab has the potential to be a best-in-class disease modifying therapeutic and is advancing itolizumab into clinical development in multiple immuno-inflammatory indications with high unmet medical need. For more information, visit www.equilliumbio.com.

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 Company’s business strategy, the Company’s plans and expected timing for developing itolizumab, including the expected timing of clinical trial initiation and timing of results, and the potential benefits of itolizumab. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: uncertainties related to the Company’s plans and product development, including the initiation and completion of clinical trials and whether the results from clinical trials will validate and support the safety and efficacy of itolizumab. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Equillium's filings and reports with the United

States Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Equillium undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

	March 31,		December 31,
	2019		2018
	(Unaudited)
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	61,607	$	65,913
Prepaid expenses and other assets		1,120		1,250
Total assets	$	62,727	$	67,163
Current liabilities		3,052		2,028
Non-current liabilities		181		200
Total stockholders' equity		59,494		64,935
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	62,727	$	67,163

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
	(Unaudited)
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$	3,759		$	663
General and administrative		2,589			374
Total operating expenses		6,348			1,037
Loss from operations		(6,348	)		(1,037	)
Other income (expense), net		398			(540	)
Net loss	$	(5,950	)	$	(1,577	)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net		44			-
Comprehensive loss	$	(5,906	)	$	(1,577	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.34	)	$	(0.15	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		17,376,236			10,708,074