UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of November 2020

 

Commission File Number: 001-36581

 

Vascular Biogenics Ltd.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

8 HaSatat St

Modi’in

 

Israel 7178106

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes [  ] No [X]

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

Attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein is the press release issued by Vascular Biogenics Ltd (the “Company”) on November 16, 2020, announcing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, unaudited condensed interim financial statements as of September 30, 2020 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and operating and financial review for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. This Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference into the Company’s registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-207250 and 333-222138), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 2, 2015 and December 18, 2017, to the extent not superseded by information subsequently filed or furnished (to the extent the Company expressly states that it incorporates such furnished information by reference) by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

	VASCULAR BIOGENICS LTD.
Date: November 16, 2020	By:	/s/ Dror Harats
	Name:	Dror Harats
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

VBL Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

 

- Continued progress in OVAL Phase 3 potential-registration study in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer; high response rates (RR) of over 50% in the total evaluable patient population with approximately 200 patients enrolled to date

 

- Management to host conference call and webcast at 8:30 am Eastern Time Today

 

TEL AVIV, Israel, November 16, 2020 - VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VBLT), today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, and provided a corporate update.

 

“The clinical development program for VB-111, our unique gene therapy for solid tumors, continues to advance well. Patient enrollment in the OVAL Phase 3 study in ovarian cancer continues to be ahead of plan, with almost 200 patients enrolled to date. We had two positive DSMC analyses, indicating that our OVAL trial remains on the right track,” said Dror Harats, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of VBL Therapeutics. “While it is important to note that the study remains blinded, we are encouraged by the very high response rate (RR), over 50%, that we continue to see to date. This RR is impressively higher than expected for standard-of-care treatments, for which RR is typically in the teens. If successful, the OVAL trial has the potential to establish VB-111 as a new standard of care in a challenging disease setting where patients currently have limited options.”

 

Third Quarter and Recent Key Corporate Highlights:

 

VB-111

 

●	Provided an update on the ongoing OVAL Phase 3 study investigating VB-111 in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

 

	○	High response rate of over 50% continues to be observed in the total evaluable patient population (treatment and control groups combined) to date, consistent with results from interim analysis reported in March
	○	Approximately 50% of study participants enrolled to date.

 

●	Initiated an investigator sponsored Phase 2 study of VB-111 in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo®), an immune checkpoint inhibitor, for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

 

○

Study is being conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and VBL.

 

●	Investigator sponsored VB-111 Phase 2 studies, in rGBM, at Dana Farber Cancer Center and other leading neuro-oncology centers is also on track for initiation.

 

MOSPD2

 

●	Held a pre-IND meeting with the FDA, reaching alignment on the clinical development of lead candidate VB-601 for immune-inflammatory indications; on track to submit an IND for a first-in-human study in the second half of 2021.
●	Anti-MOSPD2 mAbs significantly inhibited migration of monocytes isolated from all MS patients included in the study (n=33) by up to 97%, regardless of disease severity, gender or active treatment.
●	Two patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) for anti-MOSPD2 platform technology to treat cancer and inflammatory conditions, including relapsing-remitting and progressive MS, rheumatoid arthritis, NASH and inflammatory bowel disease.

 

 

Corporate:

 

●	In October 2020, Marc Kozin was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kozin will transition to the Chairman role during 2021.

 

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

 

Cash Position. As of September 30, 2020, VBL had cash, cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and restricted bank deposit totaling $37.3 million and working capital of $30.8 million. VBL expects that its cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits will be sufficient to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2022.

 

Revenue: Revenues for the third quarter, 2020 were $193 thousand, compared to $79 thousand for the comparable period in 2019.

 

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

Comprehensive Loss: VBL reported a net loss of $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

For further details on VBL’s financials, please refer to Form 6-k filed with the SEC.

 

Conference Call:

 

Monday, November 16 @ 8:30 a.m. ET.

 

As previously announced, VBL will host a webcast Monday, November 16, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

 

From the US:	877-407-9208
International:	201-493-6784
Israel local Number:	1 809 406 247
Conference ID:	13711944
Webcast:	https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/5wkkzaat

 

The live webcast will be available online and may be accessed from the “Events and Presentation” page of the company website. A replay of the webcast will be available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for at least 30 days thereafter.

 

About VBL

 

Vascular Biogenics Ltd., operating as VBL Therapeutics, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class treatments for areas of unmet need in cancer and immune/inflammatory indications. VBL has developed three platform technologies: a gene-therapy based technology for targeting newly formed blood vessels with focus on cancer, an antibody-based technology targeting MOSPD2 for anti-inflammatory and immuno-oncology applications, and the Lecinoxoids, a family of small-molecules for immune-related indications. VBL’s lead oncology product candidate, ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), is a first-in-class, targeted anti-cancer gene-therapy agent that is being developed to treat a wide range of solid tumors. It is conveniently administered as an IV infusion once every 6-8 weeks. It has been observed to be well-tolerated in >300 cancer patients and demonstrated activity signals in a VBL-sponsored “all comers” Phase 1 trial as well as in three VBL-sponsored tumor-specific Phase 2 studies. Ofranergene obadenovec is currently being studied in a VBL-sponsored Phase 3 potential registration trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “look forward to,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our programs, including VB-111, including their clinical development, such as the timing of clinical trials and expected announcement of data, therapeutic potential and clinical results, and our financial position and cash runway. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and approvals, the risk that historical clinical trial results may not be predictive of future trial results, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, clinical trials, supply chain, strategy, goals and anticipated timelines and clinical results, that our financial resources do not last for as long as anticipated, and that we may not realize the expected benefits of our intellectual property protection. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in our regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, and subsequent filings with the SEC. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. VBL Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

 

INVESTOR CONTACT:

 

Irina Koffler

LifeSci Advisors

ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com

(646) 970-4681

 

 

VASCULAR BIOGENICS LTD.

 

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

		September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
		U.S. dollars in thousands
Assets
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	11,633			$	9,436
Short-term bank deposits			25,169				27,100
Short-term restricted bank deposits			153				-
Trade Receivables			123				-
Other current assets			1,105				1,242
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			38,183				37,778
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Restricted bank deposits			358				506
Property and equipment, net			6,228				6,949
Right-of-use assets			2,846				3,088
Long-term prepaid expenses			257				300
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS			9,689				10,843
TOTAL ASSETS		$	47,872			$	48,621
Liabilities and equity
CURRENT LIABILITIES-
Accounts payable and accruals:
Trade		$	3,148			$	3,330
Other			3,096				4,238
Deferred revenue			583				386
Lease liabilities			579				774
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			7,406				8,728
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES-
Severance pay obligations, net			164				163
Deferred revenue			1,046				1,723
Other non-current liability			99				-
Lease liabilities			1,985				2,167
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES			3,294				4,053
TOTAL LIABILITIES			10,700				12,781
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Ordinary shares, NIS 0.01 par value; Authorized as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 150,000,000 and 70,000,000 shares, respectively; issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 47,896,936 and 35,882,928 shares, respectively			108				73
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(8	)			(8	)
Additional paid in capital			251,742				235,974
Warrants			10,401				7,904
Accumulated deficit			(225,071	)			(208,103	)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			37,172				35,840
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	47,872			$	48,621

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

VASCULAR BIOGENICS LTD.

 

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF NET LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
		U.S. dollars in thousands
Revenues		$	193			$	79			$	717			$	436
Cost of revenues			(75	)			(30	)			(188	)			(118	)
Gross profit			118				49				529				318
Research and development expenses, net		$	4,805			$	3,795			$	14,421			$	10,832
General and administrative expenses			1,106				1,232				3,348				3,669
Operating loss			5,793				4,978				17,240				14,183
Financial income			(53	)			(223	)			(382	)			(722	)
Financial expenses			37				101				110				267
Financial income, net			(16	)			(122	)			(272	)			(455	)
Net loss and comprehensive loss		$	5,777			$	4,856			$	16,968			$	13,728
Loss per ordinary share			U.S. dollars
Basic and diluted		$	0.12			$	0.14			$	0.40			$	0.38
			Number of shares
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
Basic and diluted			47,896,747				35,881,128				42,222,603				35,881,128

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

 

 

VASCULAR BIOGENICS LTD.

 

CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

										Accumulated
		Number of								other				Additional												Total
		ordinary				Ordinary				comprehensive				paid								Accumulated				shareholders’
		shares				shares				income				in capital				Warrants				deficit				equity
		U.S. dollars in thousands
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2019			35,881,128			$	73			$	41			$	233,721			$	7,904			$	(188,646	)		$	53,093
CHANGES FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019:
Comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				-				(13,728	)			(13,728	)
Share based payments to employees
and non-employees services			-				-				-				1,790				-				-				1,790
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2019			35,881,128			$	73			$	41			$	235,511			$	7,904			$	(202,374	)		$	41,155

 

										Accumulated
		Number of								other				Additional												Total
		ordinary				Ordinary				comprehensive				paid								Accumulated				shareholders’
		shares				shares				income				in capital				Warrants				deficit				equity
		U.S. dollars in thousands
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2020			35,882,928			$	73			$	(8	)		$	235,974			$	7,904			$	(208,103	)		$	35,840
CHANGES FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020:
Comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				-				(16,968	)			(16,968	)
Issuance of ordinary shares
and warrants, net of
issuance costs			12,014,008				35				-				12,624				4,313				-				16,972
Expired warrants			-				-				-				1,816				(1,816	)			-				-
Share based payments to employees
and non- employees services			-				-				-				1,328				-				-				1,328
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2020			47,896,936			$	108			$	(8	)		$	251,742			$	10,401			$	(225,071	)		$	37,172

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

VASCULAR BIOGENICS LTD.

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2019
		U.S. dollars in thousands
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss for the period		$	(16,968	)		$	(13,728	)
Adjustments required to reflect net cash used in operating activities (see Appendix A)			554				4,151
Interest received			311				624
Interest paid			(79	)			(95	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(16,182	)			(9,048	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment			(49	)			(53	)
Investment in restricted bank deposits			(511	)			(500	)
Maturity of restricted bank deposits			500				-
Investment in short-term bank deposits			(29,085	)			(36,000	)
Maturity of short-term bank deposits			31,027				39,000
Net cash generated from (used in) investing activities			1,882				2,447
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of ordinary shares and warrants, net			16,972				-
Principal elements of lease payments			(612	)			(556	)
Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities			16,360				(556	)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			2,060				(7,157	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD			9,436				29,347
EXCHANGE GAINS ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			137				129
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD		$	11,633			$	22,319
APPENDIX A:
Adjustments required to reflect net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation		$	1,242			$	1,281
Interest income			(316	)			(723	)
Interest paid			79				95
Exchange losses (gains) on cash and cash equivalents			(137	)			(129	)
Exchange losses (gains) on lease liability			5				242
Net changes in severance pay obligations			1				7
Share based payments			1,328				1,790
			2,202				2,563
Changes in working capital:
Decrease (increase) in other current assets			137				(475	)
Increase in trade receivables			(123	)			-
Decrease in long-term prepaid expenses			43				-
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accruals:
Trade			(182	)			69
Other (including non-current liability)			(1,043	)			2,312
Decrease in deferred revenue			(480	)			(318	)
			(1,648	)			1,588
		$	554			$	4,151
APPENDIX B:
Supplementary information on investing and financing activities not involving cash flows:
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities			230				-

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

 

 

VASCULAR BIOGENICS LTD.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 - GENERAL

 

Vascular Biogenics Ltd. (the “Company” or VBL) was incorporated on January 27, 2000. The Company is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class treatments for cancer and immune/inflammatory indications. VB-111 (ofranergene obadenovec), a Phase 3 drug candidate, is the lead product candidate in the Company’s cancer program.

 

VB-600 series are preclinical stage antibodies targeting MOSPD2 for inflammatory and oncology indications. VB-601 is the lead mAb candidate for various inflammatory indications, which is being advanced towards IND. VB-611 is the lead bi-specific mAb for various solid tumors.

 

VB-201, a Phase 2-ready drug candidate, is the Company’s lead Lecinoxoid-based product candidate for chronic immune-related indications.

 

The Company is engaged in an exclusive license agreement with NanoCarrier Co., Ltd. for the development, commercialization, and supply of ofranergene obadenovec (“VB-111”) in Japan for all indications.

 

In March 2019, the Company entered into an exclusive option license agreement with an animal health company for the development of VB-201 for veterinary use, see note 7.

 

On March 26, 2020, the Company announced positive outcome of the first interim analysis in the OVAL Phase 3 Ovarian Cancer Pivotal Study.

 

Since its inception, the Company has incurred significant losses, and it expects to continue to incur significant expenses and losses for at least the next several years. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $225.1 million. The Company’s losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, depending on the timing of its clinical trials, the receipt of payments under any future collaboration agreements it may enter into, and its expenditures on other research and development activities.

 

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and restricted bank deposits of $37.3 million. The Company may seek to raise more capital to pursue additional activities. The Company may seek these funds through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings, government grants, strategic collaborations and licensing arrangements. Additional financing may not be available when the Company needs it or may not be available on terms that are favorable to the Company.

 

NOTE 2 - BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

The Company’s condensed interim financial statements as of September 30, 2020 and for the nine and three months period then ended (the “condensed interim financial statements”) have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” (“IAS 34”). These condensed interim financial statements, which are unaudited, do not include all disclosures necessary for a complete presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, in conformity with international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year or for any other interim period.

 

The condensed interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended, along with the accompanying notes, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB)”.

 

NOTE 3 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accounting policies and calculation methods applied in the preparation of the interim financial statements are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the annual financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended. 

 

 

NOTE 4 - FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange risk and price risk), credit and interest risk and liquidity risk. The interim financial statements do not include all financial risk management information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements; therefore, they should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual financial statements as of December 31, 2019. There have been no significant changes in the risk management policies since the year end.

 

NOTE 5 - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, SHORT-TERM BANK DEPOSITS AND RESTRICTED BANK DEPOSITS

 

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and restricted bank deposits as of September 30, 2020 were $11.7 million, $25.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

 

The short-term bank deposits as of September 30, 2020 were for terms of six months and carried interest at annual rates of 0.69%-1.00%.

 

 

NOTE 6 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

a.

On May 7, 2020 and May 11, 2020, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with several institutional investors and existing shareholders to purchase 11,492,065 of the Company's ordinary shares at a purchase price of $1.575 per share in a registered direct offering. In a concurrent private placement, the Company issued to investors and existing shareholders in the offering unregistered warrants to purchase up to 11,492,065 ordinary shares. Each warrant is exercisable immediately upon issuance at an exercise price of $1.45 per share, and will remain exercisable for 18 months following issuance date. The offering raised a total of $18.1 million, with net proceeds of $16.4 million, after deducting fees and expenses. The closing of the sale of the ordinary shares and warrants occurred on May 11, 2020 and May 13, 2020.

 

The fair value of the warrants is computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The underlying data used for computing the fair value of the warrants are mainly as follows: ordinary share price based on the current price of an ordinary share: $1.27-$1.63; expected volatility based on Company historical trade: 74%-76%; risk-free interest rate: 0.155%-0.165%; expected dividend: zero; and expected life to exercise of 1.5 years. The consideration was allocated between ordinary shares and warrants based on the ratio of the warrants’ fair value and the ordinary share price.

 

On June 9, 2020, the Company registered the resale of 11,492,065 ordinary shares underlying the warrants. As of September 30, 2020, none of the warrants were exercised.

 

b.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 521,943 ordinary shares under its at-the-market equity facility. The total consideration amounted to $549 thousand, net of issuance costs.

 

	c.	On January 6, 2020, 2,952,381 short-term warrants related to June 25, 2018 registered direct offering expired.
	d.	On July 29, 2020, the general meeting of the shareholders of the Company approved the increase of the authorized share capital of the Company by 80,000,000 ordinary shares to 150,000,000 ordinary shares, par value NIS 0.01 per share.

 

NOTE 7 - REVENUE

 

The revenues recognized for the period comprise revenues from the exclusive license agreement for the development, commercialization, and supply of VB-111 in Japan for all indications and from the option to license agreement for the development of VB-201 for animal healthcare worldwide. The revenues are recognized according to IFRS 15 “Revenue from contract with customers.”

 

Under IFRS 15, the consideration that the Company would be entitled to upon the achievement of contractual milestones, which are contingent upon the occurrence of future events of development progress, are a form of variable consideration.

 

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 (included in our Annual Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019) and their accompanying notes and the related notes and the other financial information included elsewhere in this Form 6-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB and our unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended on September 30, 2020 (the “Period”) have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard No. 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” (“IAS 34”). Unless stated otherwise, comparisons included herein are made to the nine months period ended on September 30, 2019 (the “Parallel Period”).

 

Overview

 

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class treatments for areas of unmet need in cancer and immune/inflammatory indications. We have developed three platform technologies: a gene-therapy based technology for targeting newly formed blood vessels with focus on cancer, an antibody-based technology targeting MOSPD2 for anti-inflammatory and immuno-oncology applications, and the Lecinoxoids, a family of small-molecules for immune-related indications.

 

Our main program in oncology is based on our proprietary Vascular Targeting System, or VTS, platform technology, which we believe will allow us to develop product candidates for multiple oncology indications. The VTS technology utilizes genetically targeted therapy to destroy newly formed, or angiogenic, blood vessels. By utilizing a viral vector as a delivery mechanism, the VTS platform can also lead to induction or enhancement of a localized anti-tumor immune response, thereby turning immunologically ‘cold’ tumors ‘hot’.

 

Our lead product candidate, VB-111 (ofranergene obadenovec), is a gene-based biologic that we are developing for solid tumor indications, and which we have advanced to programs for recurrent glioblastoma, or rGBM, an aggressive form of brain cancer, ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer. We have obtained fast track designation for VB-111 in the United States for prolongation of survival in patients with glioblastoma that has recurred following treatment with standard chemotherapy and radiation. We have also received orphan drug designation for GBM in both the United States and Europe. VB-111 has also received an orphan designation for the treatment of ovarian cancer from the European Commission.

 

In March 2020, we announced an encouraging outcome of the planned interim analysis in the OVAL study, a double-blind controlled Phase 3 potential-registration study in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The OVAL independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) reviewed unblinded data and assessed CA-125 response, measured according to the GCIG criteria, in the first 60 enrolled subjects evaluable for CA-125 analysis. The DSMC confirmed that the study met the interim pre-specified efficacy criterion, of an absolute percentage advantage of 10% or higher CA-125 response rate for the VB-111 treatment arm, and recommended the study continue. The overall response rate in the first 60 randomized evaluable patients was 53%. Assuming a balanced randomization, the response rate in the treatment arm (VB-111 in addition to weekly paclitaxel) was 58% or higher. In patients who had post-dosing fever, which is a marker for VB-111 treatment, the response rate was 69%.

 

A second interim analysis in the OVAL study was conducted on August 11, 2020. The DSMC reviewed unblinded overall survival (OS) data of the first 100 enrolled subjects with a follow-up of at least 3 months. The committee also looked at response rate and safety information. The DSMC recommended that the study continue as planned. The primary endpoint of the OVAL Phase 3 study is OS, which currently approved therapies for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer have thus far failed to demonstrate. The next DSMC review in the OVAL study is expected in the first quarter of 2021. Our study is being conducted in collaboration with the GOG Foundation, Inc., a leading organization for research excellence in the field of gynecologic malignancies.

 

Final results from our Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VB-111 for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were reported in June 2019 and published online in April 2020 (Arend et al., Gynecologic Oncology 157 (2020) 578–584). Data demonstrated a median OS of 498 days in the VB-111 therapeutic-dose arm, versus 172.5 days in the low-dose arm (p=0.03). 58% of evaluable patients treated with the therapeutic dose of VB-111 had a GCIG CA-125 response. VB-111 activity signals were seen despite unfavorable prognostic characteristics (48% platinum refractory disease and 52% previous treatment with anti-angiogenics). There was a trend for favorable survival in patients who had CA-125 decrease >50% in the VB-111 therapeutic-dose arm (808 vs. 351 days; p=0.067) implicating CA-125 as a potentially valuable biomarker for response to VB-111. Post treatment fever was also associated with a signal for improved survival (808 vs. 479 days; p=0.27).

 

In a Phase 2 study for rGBM, patients who were primed with VB-111 monotherapy that was continued after progression with the addition of bevacizumab (Avastin^®) showed significant survival (414 vs 223 days; HR 0.48; p=0.043) and progression free survival (PFS) advantage (90 vs 60 days; HR 0.36; p=0.032) compared to a cohort of patients that had limited exposure to VB-111 (Brenner et al., Neuro Oncol. 2019). Radiographic responders to VB-111 exhibited specific imaging characteristics related to its mechanism of action. Survival advantage was also seen in comparison to historic controls, with the percentage of patients living more than one year doubling from 24% to 57%.

 

Our Phase 3 GLOBE study in rGBM compared upfront concomitant administration of VB-111, without priming, and bevacizumab to bevacizumab monotherapy. The study, which enrolled a total of 256 patients in the US, Canada and Israel, was conducted under a special protocol assessment, or SPA, agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, with full endorsement by the Canadian Brain Tumor Consortium (CBTC). In this modified regimen, the treatment did not improve OS and PFS outcomes in rGBM. Study results (Cloughesy et al. Neuro Oncol. 2019) attribute the contradictory outcomes between the Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials as being related to the lack of VB-111 monotherapy priming in the GLOBE study, providing clinical, mechanistic and radiographic support for this hypothesis. No new safety concerns associated with VB-111 have been identified in the study. We do not think that results of the GLOBE study will necessarily have implications on the prospects for VB-111 in other regimens or tumor types.

 

An IND application for an investigator-sponsored randomized controlled study of VB-111 in rGBM patients has gone into effect with the FDA. The new Phase 2 study, sponsored by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in collaboration with a group of top neuro-oncology US medical centers, will investigate neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatment with VB-111 in rGBM patients undergoing a second surgery. The study is open for recruitment.

 

VB-111 is also being studied in combination with nivolumab, an anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. This Phase 2 study is being sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement or CRADA. The study, which is open label, will investigate if priming with VB-111 can drive immune cells into the tumor and turn the colorectal tumors from being immunologically “cold” to “hot.” In addition to safety and tolerability, this study will evaluate efficacy endpoints including Best Overall Response, as well as immunological and histologic readouts from tumor biopsies. Enrollment in this clinical trial started in September 2020. We expect preliminary readout in this study in the first half of 2021.

 

In February 2017, we reported full data from our exploratory Phase 2 study of VB-111 in recurrent, iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer. The primary endpoint of the trial, defined as 6-month progression-free-survival (PFS-6) of 25%, was met with a dose response. Forty-seven percent of patients in the therapeutic-dose cohort reached PFS-6, versus 25% in the sub-therapeutic cohort, both groups meeting the primary endpoint. An OS benefit was seen, with a tail of more than 40% at 3.7 years for the therapeutic-dose cohort. Most patients in the VB-111 study had tumors that previously had progressed on pazopanib (Votrient®) or other kinase inhibitors.

 

 

We are also conducting two parallel drug development programs that are exploring the potential of MOSPD2, a protein which we identified as a key regulator of cell motility, as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancer.

 

For inflammatory applications, we are developing classical antibodies that bind and block MOSPD2 on immune cells. Our data show that MOSPD2, which is predominantly expressed on the surface of human monocytes, is essential for their migration. By inhibiting this protein, we seek to block this migration of monocytes to sites of inflammation, and accordingly to reduce inflammation and tissue damage.

 

Our data show that VBL’s novel anti-MOSPD2 monoclonal antibodies have potential for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Notably, in September 2020, at the MS Virtual 2020 Meeting, we presented human proof-of-concept data that show that our anti-MOSPD2 mAbs significantly inhibited migration of monocytes isolated from all MS patients included in the study (n=33) by up to 97%, regardless of disease severity, gender or active treatment. The activity was seen not only in the monocytes from relapsing-remitting, but also those from primary progressive and secondary progressive patients with high Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 5.5-6.5. These clinical data are backed up by strong pre-clinical studies (Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 201: 105–120). We believe that our antibodies offer a novel mechanism for potential treatment of MS, through blocking the accumulation of monocytes/macrophages in the central nervous system, which is differentiated from the existing available treatments, which mostly target T and B cells.

 

Our data suggest the potential of anti-MOSPD2 antibodies for treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In May 2020, we presented data at the Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2020 virtual meeting, demonstrating that treatment with anti-MOSPD2 antibody profoundly decreased inflammation and fibrosis in a NASH model and significantly reduced the disease activity in a colitis model. In June 2020, we presented data at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2020 Congress, demonstrating the potential of anti-MOSPD2 mAbs for treatment RA with differentiation from anti-TNF treatment.

 

We believe that antibodies targeting MOSPD2 have potential for treatment of various inflammatory indications, and are advancing our lead pre-clinical candidate VB-601 through IND-enabling studies. In September 2020, we announced the successful completion of a Type B pre-IND meeting with the FDA regarding the Company’s development plan for VB-601. Toxicology studies for VB-601 are currently underway. Submission of IND for the clinical development of VB-601 is expected to commence in the second half of 2021.

 

In October 2020, we announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted Patent #3328408, which covers VBL’s proprietary investigational anti-MOSPD2 monoclonal antibodies to treat inflammatory conditions. The patent is expected to provide protection for VBL’s MOSPD2 antibodies for inflammation, until at least July 2036.

 

For oncology applications, we are developing antibodies aimed to kill tumor cells, based on MOSPD2 as a target whose expression is induced in multiple tumors. We found that MOSPD2 was detected in the majority of cancerous organs, including colon, esophagus, liver and breast, where MOSPD2 seems to play a key role in cancer cell metastasis (Int. J. Cancer: 144, 125–135 (2019)). Given the specificity of MOSPD2 expression and its highly elevated expression in tumors, we believe MOSPD2 can serve as a novel target for immuno-oncology mediated therapy for cancer. In June 2020, we presented data showing that our proprietary MOSPD2 bi-specific full-IgG antibody candidates mediated killing of tumor cells by CD8 T-cells in a dose-dependent manner, induced T-cell activation in-vivo and extended survival of animals carrying established metastatic cervical and breast cancer.

 

In October 2020, we announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted Patent #3328401, which covers VBL’s proprietary investigational anti-MOSPD2 monoclonal antibodies to treat oncology conditions. The patent is expected to provide protection for VBL’s MOSPD2 antibodies for cancer, until at least July 2036.

 

We also have been conducting a program targeting anti-inflammatory diseases, based on the use of our Lecinoxoid platform technology. Lecinoxoids are a novel class of small molecules we developed that are structurally and functionally similar to naturally occurring molecules known to modulate inflammation. The lead product candidate from this program, VB-201, is a Phase 2-ready molecule that demonstrated activity in reducing vascular inflammation in a Phase 2 sub-study in psoriatic patients with cardiovascular risk. Based on recent pre-clinical studies, we believe that VB-201 and some second generation molecules such as VB-703 may have potential applicability for NASH and renal fibrosis. In March 2019, we announced a strategic exclusive option license agreement with one of the world-leading European animal health companies for the development of VB-201 for veterinary use. We retain the VB-201 rights for treatment of humans, worldwide.

 

 

In October 2017, we announced the opening of our new gene therapy manufacturing plant in Modiin, Israel. This plant can be the commercial facility for production of VB-111, if approved. The Modiin facility is the first commercial-scale gene therapy manufacturing facility in Israel and currently one of the largest gene-therapy designated manufacturing facilities in the world (20,000 sq. ft.). In July 2019, the facility was certified by a European Union (EU) Qualified Person (QP) as being in compliance with EU Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

 

In November 2017, we signed an exclusive license agreement with NanoCarrier Co., Ltd. (TSE Mothers:4571) for the development, commercialization and supply of VB-111 in Japan. We retain rights to VB-111 in the rest of the world. Under terms of the agreement, we have granted NanoCarrier an exclusive license to develop and commercialize VB-111 in Japan for all indications. We will supply NanoCarrier with VB-111, and NanoCarrier will be responsible for all regulatory and other clinical activities necessary for commercialization in Japan. In exchange, we received an up-front payment of $15 million, and are entitled to receive greater than $100 million in development and commercial milestone payments if certain development and commercial milestones are achieved. We will also receive tiered royalties on net sales in the high-teens.

 

In March 2019, we executed an exclusive option license agreement with an animal health company for the development of our proprietary anti-inflammatory molecule, VB-201, for veterinary use. We retain VB-201 rights for treatment of humans worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, we have granted an exclusive option license to explore the potential of VB-201 for animal health indications. In consideration, we received an undisclosed up-front payment, and are entitled to receive additional development milestone payments. In April 2020, another milestone event under this agreement was reached, following which we received an undisclosed payment. Upon exercising the option to license, we will receive additional milestones and royalties on net sales.

 

The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Operations and Clinical Trials

 

The Company has implemented safety measures designed to comply with applicable guidelines in Israel in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, our key operations were largely uninterrupted by this pandemic; however, the nature of the pandemic is highly uncertain, and we may encounter interruptions or delays in the future. According to Israeli regulations, VBL, as a pharmaceutical company producing potential therapies for cancer patients, is considered an essential facility and is therefore exempt from many labor work restrictions even under emergency conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, our gene therapy pharmaceutical grade manufacturing plant in Modiin, Israel continues to operate as normal. At this time, all preclinical programs and research activities remain on track, and the Company does not anticipate any material impact on our regulatory activities. While we believe that the fundamentals of our business remain strong, the extent to which the outbreak impacts our business, preclinical studies and clinical trials will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.

 

With regards to clinical trials, the Company continues to advance the ongoing OVAL study of VB-111 for platinum resistant ovarian cancer and the study is continuing to recruit patients in the U.S. and Israel. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, patient enrollment is so far in line with our projections. As the trial population includes cancer patients with advanced disease and limited alternatives, we believe it is less susceptible to impact by COVID-19 compared to other non-life-threatening indications. We continue to advance our plans to extend the OVAL study to additional geographies, particularly in Europe. The study may also expand to Japan, in collaboration with our Japanese licensee for VB-111, NanoCarrier. The VB-111 investigator-sponsored study in rGBM is open for enrollment and is expected to start recruitment. Recruitment in the NCI-sponsored study in metastatic colorectal cancer is ongoing.

 

We commenced operations in 2000, and our operations to date have been limited to organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, developing our VTS and Lecinoxoid platform technologies and developing our product candidates, including conducting pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of VB-111 and VB-201. To date, we have funded our operations through private sales of preferred shares, a convertible loan, public offering and grants from the Israeli Office of Chief Scientist, or OCS, which has later transformed to the Israeli Innovation Authority, or IIA, under the Israel Encouragement of Research and Development in Industry, or the Research Law. We have no products that have received regulatory approval and accordingly have never generated regular revenue streams. Since our inception and through September 30, 2020, we had raised an aggregate of $275.1 million to fund our operations, of which $113.4 million was from sales of our equity securities, $40.5 from our initial public offering, or IPO, $15.0 million from a November 3, 2015 underwritten offering, approximately $24.0 million from a June 7, 2016 registered direct offering, $17.9 million from a November 16, 2017 underwritten offering, $15.5 million from a June 27, 2018 registered direct offering, $18.1 million from both a May 11, 2020 and May 13, 2020 registered direct offerings, $28.6 million from IIA grants and $2.1 million from at-the-market equity facility.

 

Since inception, we have incurred significant losses. Our loss for the Period was $17.0 million. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our loss was $19.5 million and $20.4 million, respectively. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and losses for at least the next several years. As of September 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $225.1 million. Our losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, depending on the timing of our clinical trials, the receipt of payments under any future collaborations we may enter into, and our expenditures on other research and development activities.

 

As of September 30, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and restricted bank deposits of $37.3 million. On May 7, 2020 and on May 11, 2020, we entered into definitive agreements with several institutional investors and existing shareholders for the purchase and sale of 11,492,065 ordinary shares of the Company, at a purchase price of $1.575 per share, the net proceeds from which were approximately $16.4 million after deducting the placement agent fees and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. To fund further operations, we will need to raise additional capital. We may seek to raise more capital to pursue additional activities, which may be through a combination of private and public equity offerings, government grants, strategic collaborations and licensing arrangements. Additional financing may not be available when we specifically need it or may not be available on terms that are favorable to us. As of September 30, 2020, we had 38 employees. Our operations are located in a single facility in Modiin, Israel.

 

 

Various statements in this release concerning our future expectations constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include words such as “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” and “intends,” and describe opinions about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are incurred losses; dependence on the success of our lead product candidate, VB-111, its clinical development, regulatory approval and commercialization; the novelty of our technologies, which makes it difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development and potential regulatory approval; as well as potential delays in our clinical trials.

 

These and other factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.

 

Financial Overview

 

Revenue

 

Since inception, we have generated cumulative revenues of approximately $15.7 million under an exclusive license agreement for the development, commercialization, and supply of VB-111 in Japan for all indications and an option to license agreement for the development of VB-201 for animal healthcare worldwide. The generated revenues comprises upfront and milestone payments.

 

The cost of revenues associated with these revenues were approximately $1.0 million.

 

We do not expect to receive any other revenue from any product candidates that we develop unless and until we obtain regulatory approval and commercialize our products or enter into collaborative agreements with third parties.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred for the development of both of our platform technologies and our product candidates. Those expenses include:

 

●	employee-related expenses, including salaries and share-based compensation expenses for employees in research and development functions;
●	expenses incurred in operating our laboratories and small-scale manufacturing facility;
●	expenses incurred under agreements with CROs and investigative sites that conduct our clinical trials;
●	expenses relating to outsourced and contracted services, such as external laboratories, consulting and advisory services;
●	supply, development and manufacturing costs relating to clinical trial materials;
●	maintenance of facilities, depreciation and other expenses, which include direct and allocated expenses for rent and insurance; and
●	costs associated with pre-clinical and clinical activities.

 

Research expenses are recognized as incurred. An intangible asset arising from the development of our product candidates is recognized if certain capitalization conditions are met. As of September 30, 2020, we did not have any capitalized development costs.

 

Costs for certain development activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information and data provided to us by our vendors and clinical sites. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in future periods for use in research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. The capitalized amounts are then expensed as the related goods are delivered and the services are performed.

 

We have received grants from the IIA as part of the research and development programs for our VTS and Lecinoxoid platform technologies. The requirements and restrictions for such grants are found in the Research Law. These grants are subject to repayment through future royalty payments on any products resulting from these research and development programs, including VB-111 and VB-201. The cumulative total gross amount of grants actually received by us from the IIA, including accrued LIBOR interest as of September 30, 2020 totaled $35.7 million.

 

Information on our liabilities and the restrictions that we are subject to under the Research Law in connection with the IIA grants that we have received is detailed in the Annual Report on Form 20-F as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

Under applicable accounting rules, the grants from the IIA have been accounted for as an off-set against the related research and development expenses in our financial statements. As a result, our research and development expenses are shown on our financial statements net of the IIA grants.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist principally of salaries and related costs for personnel in executive and finance functions such as salaries, benefits and share-based compensation. Other general and administrative expenses include facility costs not otherwise included in research and development expenses, communication expenses, and professional fees for legal services, patent counseling and portfolio maintenance, consulting, auditing and accounting services.

 

Financial Expenses (Income), Net

 

Financial income is comprised of interest income generated from interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits and gains and losses due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, mainly in the appreciation and depreciation of the NIS exchange rate against the U.S. dollar.

 

Financial expenses primarily consist of calculated interest expenses from our lease liabilities and gains and losses due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Taxes on Income

 

We have not generated taxable income since our inception, and had carry forward tax losses as of December 31, 2019 of $181.1 million. We anticipate that we will be able to carry forward these tax losses indefinitely to future tax years. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay taxes in Israel until we have taxable income after the full utilization of our carry forward tax losses.

 

We recognize deferred tax assets on losses for tax purposes carried forward to subsequent years if utilization of the related tax benefit against a future taxable income is expected. We have not recognized deferred taxes on our tax loss carry forward since their utilization is not expected in the foreseeable future.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

 

This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

We make estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.

 

Revenue

 

With respect to the License Agreement, the Company used its judgement in the following main issues:

 

Identifying the performance obligations in the agreement and determining whether the license provided is distinct - based on the Company’s analysis, the license is distinct as the licensee is able to benefit from the license on its own at its current stage (inter alia, due to sublicensing rights, rights and responsibility for development in the territory, etc.).

 

Allocation of the transaction price - the Company estimated the standalone selling prices of the services to be provided based on expected cost plus a margin and used the residual approach to estimate the standalone selling price of the license as the Company has not yet established a price for the license, and it has not previously been sold on a standalone basis.

 

Variable consideration consists of potential future milestone payments. The Company determined that all such variable consideration shall be allocated to the license (the satisfied performance obligation).

 

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

With respect to grants to employees, the value of the labor services received from them in return is measured on the date of grant based on the fair value of the equity instruments granted to the employees.

 

The Company’s management estimates the fair value of the options granted to consultants based on the value of services receivable over the vesting period of the applicable options.

 

The value of the transactions, measured as aforesaid, is expensed over the period during which the right of the employees and non-employees to exercise or receive the underlying equity instruments vests; commensurate with every periodic recognition of the expense, a corresponding increase is recorded to additional paid in capital, included under the Company’s equity.

 

Clinical trial accruals

 

Clinical trial expenses are charged to research and development expense as incurred. We accrue for expenses resulting from obligations under contracts with clinical research organizations (CROs). The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations, which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided. Our objective is to reflect the appropriate trial expense in the financial statements by matching the appropriate expenses with the period in which services and efforts are expended. As of September 30, 2020, we had clinical accruals in the amount of approximately $1.1 million.

 

Lease

 

In determining the lease term, we consider all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options are only included in the lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended. At initial recognition of lease liability, we used incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 :

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Increase (decrease)								Nine Months Ended September 30,								Increase (decrease)
		2020				2019				$				%				2020				2019				$				%
		(in thousands)																(in thousands)
		(unaudited)																(unaudited)
Revenues		$	193			$	79			$	114				144	%		$	717			$	436			$	281				64	%
Cost of revenues			(75	)			(30	)			(45	)			150	%			(188	)			(118	)			(70	)			59	%
Gross profit			118				49				69				141	%			529				318				211				66	%
Expenses:
Research and development, gross			5,559				4,289				1,270				30	%			15,784				13,156				2,628				20	%
Government grants			(754	)			(494	)			(260	)			53	%			(1,363	)			(2,324	)			961				(41	)%
Research and development, net			4,805				3,795				1,010				27	%			14,421				10,832				3,589				33	%
General and administrative			1,106				1,232				(126	)			(10	)%			3,348				3,669				(321	)			(9	)%
Operating loss			5,793				4,978				815				16	%			17,240				14,183				3,057				22	%
Financial income, net			(16	)			(122	)			106				(87	)%			(272	)			(455	)			183				(40	)%
Loss		$	5,777			$	4,856			$	921				19	%		$	16,968			$	13,728			$	3,240				24	%

  

 

Revenues.

 

Comparison of three-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $193 thousand, compared to $79 thousand for the parallel period in 2019, an increase of 144%.

 

The Cost of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $75 thousand, compared to $30 thousand for the parallel period. The cost of revenues is attributed to the labor costs and other expenses related to the performance obligations that were delivered during the period.

 

Comparison of nine-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Revenues for the period ended September 30, 2020 were $717 thousand, compared to $436 thousand for the parallel period in 2019, an increase of 64%.

 

The Cost of revenues for the period ended September 30, 2020 were $188 thousand, compared to $118 thousand for the parallel period. The cost of revenues is attributed to the labor costs and other expenses related to the performance obligations that were delivered during the period.

 

Research and development expenses, net.

 

Comparison of three-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019 

 

Research and development expenses are shown net of IIA grants. Research and development expenses, net for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were approximately $4.8 million, compared to approximately $3.8 million in the parallel period, an increase of approximately $1.0 million or 27%. The increase in research and development expenses, net, in the three month period was mainly related to the increase in the MOSPD2 and Ovarian Phase III activity for approximately $1.3 million, offset by an increase in the IIA grant of $0.3 million.

 

Comparison of nine-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Research and development expenses, net for the period ended September 30, 2020 were approximately $14.4 million for the period, compared to approximately $10.8 million in the parallel period, an increase of approximately $3.6 million or 33%. The increase in research and development expenses, net, in the period was mainly related to the increase in the MOSPD2 activity for approximately $2.5 million and a decrease in the IIA grant of $0.9 million, offset mainly by payroll related costs for share-based compensation expense of approximately $0.2 million.

 

General and administrative expenses.

 

Comparison of three-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $1.1 million, compared to $1.2 million for the parallel period, a decrease of $0.1 million or 10%.

 

Comparison of nine-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

General and administrative expenses for the period ended September 30, 2020 were $3.3 million, compared to $3.7 million for the parallel period, a decrease of $0.4 million or 9%.

 

This decrease is mainly attributed to share-based compensation expense and financial advisory costs.

 

Financial expenses (income), net.

 

Comparison of three-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Financial income, net for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were approximately $16 thousand, compared to approximately $122 thousand for the parallel period, a decrease of $106 thousand or 87%. The decrease was primarily attributable to interest income on short-term deposits offset by favorable exchange rates.

 

Comparison of nine-month periods ending September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

Financial income, net for the period ended September 30, 2020 were approximately $272 thousand, compared to approximately $455 thousand for the parallel period, a decrease of $183 thousand or 40%. The decrease was primarily attributable to interest income on short-term deposits offset by favorable exchange rates.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Since inception, we have incurred significant losses. Our loss for the period was $17.0 million. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, our loss was $19.5 million and $20.4 million, respectively. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and losses for at least the next several years. As of September 30, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $225.1 million. Our losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, depending on the timing of our clinical trials, the receipt of payments under any future collaborations we may enter into, and our expenditures on other research and development activities.

 

Funding Requirements

 

At September 30, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits and restricted bank deposit totaling $37.3 million and working capital of $30.8 million. VBL expects that its cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits will be sufficient to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2022. We are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenses associated with completing the development of VB-111 and our other product candidates. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

 

●	the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of VB-111 and any other product candidates we may pursue;

 

●	the costs of future development activities, including clinical trials, for VB-111 and any other product candidates we may pursue;

 

●	the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims;

 

●	the extent to which we acquire or in-license other products and technologies; and

 

●	our ability to establish any future collaboration arrangements on favorable terms, if at all.

 

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenue, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. We do not have any committed external source of funds.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table sets forth the primary sources and uses of cash for each of the periods set forth below:

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2019
		(in thousands)
		(unaudited)
Cash used in operating activities		$	(16,182	)		$	(9,048	)
Cash provided by investing activities			1,882				2,447
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities			16,360				(556	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		$	2,060			$	(7,157	)

 

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash used in operating activities for the Period was $16.2 million and consisted primarily of net loss of $17.0 million arising primarily from research and development activities in addition to net increase in working capital of $1.6 million, partially offset by a net aggregate non-cash charges of $2.2 million.

 

Cash used in operating activities for the Parallel Period was $9.0 million and consisted primarily of net loss of $13.7 million arising primarily from research and development activities, partially offset by a net decrease in working capital of $1.6 million and net aggregate non-cash charges of $2.6 million.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $1.9 million for the Period. This was primarily due to maturation of short-term bank deposits of $31.0 million, offset by the investment of short-term bank deposits of $29.1 million.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $2.5 million for the Parallel Period. This was primarily due to maturation of short-term bank deposits of $39.0 million, offset by the investment of short-term bank deposits of $36.0 million.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $16.4 million for the Period compared to net cash used in financing activities of $0.6 million for the Parallel Period. The increase was mainly due to the issuance of ordinary shares and warrants per the closing of the May 11, 2020 and May 13, 2020 securities offerings.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there have been no material changes to our contractual obligations and commitments outside the ordinary course of business.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Since our inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC, such as relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, which are often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating financing transactions that are not required to be reflected on our statement of financial positions.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily a result of foreign currency exchange rates. Approximately 30% of our expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were denominated in New Israeli Shekels. Changes of 5% in the US$/NIS exchange rate will increase or decrease the operating expenses by up to 1%.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

 

Fluctuations in exchange rates, especially the NIS against the U.S. dollar, may affect our results, as some of our assets are linked to NIS, as are some of our liabilities. In addition, the fluctuation in the NIS exchange rate against the U.S. dollar may impact our results, as a portion of our operating cost is NIS denominated.

 

Inflation Risk

 

We do not believe that inflation had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations in the last two fiscal years. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through hedging transactions. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

 

Exhibits
Exhibit No.		Description
101.INS XBRL		Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL		Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL		Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL		Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL		Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL		Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document