GlobeNewswire Inc | Feb 11, 2021 07:00AM EST

February 11, 2021

- Company on track to provide multiple data readouts for XLRP and ACHM clinical programs in 2021 and 2022 -

- Net proceeds of approximately $69.2 million from a recent public offering provide cash runway into calendar year 2023 -

- Company to host conference call and webcast today at8:00 a.m. ET-

GAINESVILLE, Fla. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: AGTC), a biotechnology company conducting human clinical trials of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for the treatment of rare diseases, today announced financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2020.

We believe that the data generated to date in our XLRP trials continue to give us a leading position in this indication and we are eager to move our Phase 1/2 expansion (Skyline) and Phase 2/3 (Vista) trials forward, said Sue Washer, President and CEO of AGTC. The latest data from our ongoing Phase 1/2 trials in patients with achromatopsia provide the first reported quantitative evidence of improvements in visual sensitivity and provide a path forward to collect additional data and to fully realize the potential of this treatment. Continued progress in our clinical and earlier-stage development efforts is expected to create multiple data milestones, including four important data releases for XLRP and two for achromatopsia over the next two years, while bringing us closer to our goal of developing best-in-class therapies that provide meaningful benefit to patients.

X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP)In November 2020, the Company reported additional positive data from its Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with XLRP that indicated durable improvements observed in visual sensitivity and supportive trends in visual acuity over a wide dose range with a favorable safety profile out to month 12 in two of the dose groups. The Company believes it has a best-in-class product candidate that may provide significant benefit to patients with XLRP. The Company expects to:

-- Provide 12-month data for Phase 1/2 dose groups 5 and 6 in 2Q 2021; -- Provide Skyline trial results from the 3-month masked interim analysis in 4Q 2021; -- Provide Skyline trial results from the 12-month data in 3Q 2022; and -- Provide Vista trial results from the 6-month masked interim analysis in 3Q 2022.

Achromatopsia (ACHM)In January 2021, the Company announced the first reported quantitative evidence of improvement in visual sensitivity, as measured by full field static perimetry, supported in some patients by other endpoints. Seven of the 16 patients in the three highest dose groups in the ACHMB3 trial showed these improvements in visual sensitivity in the treated area. No consistent results were seen in the other dose groups. In a subset of these patients with evaluable multi-focal electroretinograms (mfERG), improvements in electrical signaling were measurable in the same treated area.

For ACHMA3, of the 16 patients in the four highest dose groups, three patients showed improvements in visual sensitivity in the treated area, as measured by static perimetry. No consistent results were seen in other dose groups. None of these three patients with improvements in visual sensitivity had evaluable mfERGs.

AGTC currently plans to focus on completing enrollment of pediatric patients in the two highest dose groups in its ACHMB3 and ACHMA3 trials and to follow all patients through 12 months. The Company expects to:

-- Provide 12-month data from the adult patients in both trials in 2Q 2021; and -- Provide preliminary 3-month data from the pediatric patients in both trials in 4Q 2021, AGTC currently plans to focus on completing enrollment depending on any effects of the COVID pandemic.

Financial Results for the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2020

Revenue:There was no revenue for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $2.5million in each of the comparable 2019 periods. Revenue during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to $2.2million ofnon-cashcollaboration revenue in connection within-kindcontributions made to Bionic Sight, LLC pursuant to a collaborative agreement.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 were $11.8million and $23.4 million, respectively, compared to $8.4million and $17.0 million, respectively, during the comparable 2019 periods. The increase of $6.4million during the 2020 six-month period was primarily due to increased external XLRP spending for planned manufacturing, clinical site preparation and other activities related to the Skyline and Vista trials, partially offset by decreased external ACHM spending.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 were $3.3million and $6.7 million, respectively, compared to $3.0million and $6.4 million, respectively, during the comparable 2019 periods. The increase of $0.3 million during the 2020 six-month period was primarily due to higher fees from outside legal counsel, partially offset by lower employee-related expenses and share-based compensation expense.

Investment Income, net: Investment income, net for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 declined by $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, when compared to the comparable 2019 periods, which was primarily due to lower interest rates in the marketplace.

Interest Expense: Interest expense for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 increased by $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, when compared to the comparable 2019 periods due to the loan agreement that the Company entered into on June 30, 2020.

Net Loss: The Companys net loss for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 was $15.5 million and $30.8 million, respectively, compared to $8.6million and $20.2 million, respectively, during the comparable 2019 periods.

Financial Guidance: As of December 31, 2020, the Companys cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $53.1million. The Company believes that these funds, along with net proceeds of approximately $69.2 million from an underwritten public offering that closed in February 2021, will be sufficient to allow the Company to generate data from its ongoing and planned clinical programs and fund currently planned research and discovery programs into calendar year 2023.

Conference Call and WebcastAGTC will host a conference call and webcast to discuss financial results for the fiscal quarter endedDecember 31, 2020today at8:00 a.m. ET.To access the call, dial 877-407-6184 (US) or 201-389-0877 (outside of the US). A live webcast will be available in the Events and Presentations section of AGTCs Investor Relations site at http://ir.agtc.com/events-and-presentations. Please log in approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The archived webcast will be available in the Events and Presentations section of the Company's website.

About AGTCAGTC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing genetic therapies for people with rare and debilitating ophthalmic, otologic and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. AGTC is a leader in designing and constructing all critical gene therapy elements and bringing them together to develop customized therapies that address real patient needs. AGTCs most advanced clinical programs leverage its best-in-class technology platform to potentially improve vision for patients with an inherited retinal disease. AGTC has active clinical trials in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and achromatopsia (ACHM CNGB3 and ACHM CNGA3). Its preclinical programs build on the Companys industry-leading AAV manufacturing technology and scientific expertise. AGTC is advancing multiple important pipeline candidates to address substantial unmet clinical need in optogenetics, otology and CNS disorders.

About XLRPXLRP is an inherited condition that causes progressive vision loss in boys and young men. Characteristics of the disease include night blindness in early childhood and progressive constriction of the visual field. In general, XLRP patients experience a gradual decline in visual acuity over the disease course, which results in legal blindness around the 4th or 5th decade of life. AGTC was granted U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) orphan drug designation in 2017, as well as European Commission orphan medicinal product designation in 2016, for its gene therapy product candidate to treat XLRP caused by mutations in the RPGR gene.

About ACHMACHM is an inherited retinal disease, which is present from birth and is characterized by the lack of cone photoreceptor function. The condition results in markedly reduced visual acuity, extreme light sensitivity causing day blindness, and complete loss of color discrimination. Best-corrected visual acuity in persons affected by ACHM, even under subdued light conditions, is usually about 20/200, a level at which people are considered legally blind.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect AGTC's plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs, including statements regarding the projected timing for its planned Vista (Phase 2/3 XLRP) and Skyline (Expanded Phase 1/2 XLRP) clinical trials, the timing for reporting data in both its Skyline and Vista trials and the potential of its ACHM clinical programs. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, financial guidance, business strategies and operations, preclinical and clinical product development and regulatory progress, potential growth opportunities, potential market opportunities, the effects of competition and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact on AGTCs ability to enroll patients. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "seeks," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "should," "will," "would" or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, due to a number of important factors. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include, among others: gene therapy is still novel with only a few approved treatments so far; AGTC cannot predict when or if it will obtain regulatory approval to commercialize a product candidate or receive reasonable reimbursement; uncertainty inherent in clinical trials and the regulatory review process; risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization; the direct and indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys business, results of operations, and financial condition; factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in AGTCs most recent annual and subsequently filed quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent management's plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

APPLIED GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONCONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS(Unaudited)

In thousands, except per share data December 31, June 30, 2020 2020ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,108 $ 38,463 Investments 33,989 41,995 Prepaid and other current assets 2,080 2,506 Total current assets 55,177 82,964 Property and equipment, net 4,095 4,311 Intangible assets, net 1,194 1,098 Investment in Bionic Sight, LLC 8,046 8,096 Right-of-use assets ? operating leases 3,249 3,422 Right-of-use asset ? finance lease 57 80 Other assets 151 348 Total assets $ 71,969 $ 100,319 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 1,775 $ 1,355 Accrued and other liabilities 11,352 10,502 Lease liabilities ? operating 1,067 1,058 Lease liability ? finance 50 48 Total current liabilities 14,244 12,963 Lease liabilities ? operating, net of current 3,723 4,070 portionLease liability ? finance, net of current 13 38 portionLong-term debt, net of debt discounts and 9,844 9,677 deferred financing feesOther liabilities 2,623 2,555 Total liabilities 30,447 29,303 Stockholders? equity: Preferred stock ? ? Common stock 25 25 Additional paid-in capital 253,990 252,519 Treasury stock at cost (211 ) (88 )Accumulated deficit (212,282 ) (181,440 )Total stockholders? equity 41,522 71,016 Total liabilities and stockholders? equity $ 71,969 $ 100,319

APPLIED GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONCONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(Unaudited)

Three Months Six Months Ended December 31, Ended December 31,In thousands, except per 2020 2019 2020 2019 share dataRevenue: Collaboration and $ ? $ 2,297 $ ? $ 2,297 milestone revenueGrant revenue ? 156 ? 156 Total revenue ? 2,453 ? 2,453 Operating expenses: Research and development 11,811 8,375 23,437 17,017 General and 3,304 3,008 6,740 6,356 administrative and otherTotal operating expenses 15,115 11,383 30,177 23,373 Loss from operations (15,115 ) (8,930 ) (30,177 ) (20,920 )Other income (expense), net:Investment income, net 29 336 93 782 Interest expense (335 ) (2 ) (667 ) (4 )Total other income (306 ) 334 (574 ) 778 (expense), netLoss before provision (15,421 ) (8,596 ) (30,751 ) (20,142 )for income taxesProvision for income 20 21 41 42 taxesLoss before equity innet losses of an (15,441 ) (8,617 ) (30,792 ) (20,184 )affiliateEquity in net losses of (21 ) (6 ) (50 ) (16 )an affiliateNet loss $ (15,462 ) $ (8,623 ) $ (30,842 ) $ (20,200 )Weighted average shares outstanding:Basic 25,883 18,219 25,850 18,215 Diluted 25,883 18,219 25,850 18,215 Net loss per common share:Basic $ (0.60 ) $ (0.47 ) $ (1.19 ) $ (1.11 )Diluted $ (0.60 ) $ (0.47 ) $ (1.19 ) $ (1.11 )

IR/PR CONTACTS:David Carey (IR) or Glenn Silver (PR)Lazar FINN PartnersT: (212) 867-1768 or (646) 871-8485david.carey@finnpartners.com or glenn.silver@finnpartners.com

Corporate Contacts:Bill SullivanChief Financial OfficerApplied Genetic Technologies CorporationT: (617) 843-5728bsullivan@agtc.com

Stephen PotterChief Business OfficerApplied Genetic Technologies CorporationT: (617) 413-2754spotter@agtc.com