Check-Cap Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Corporate Highlights

Submitted Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application to the FDA for Pivotal Study of C-Scan®

ISFIYA, Israel, Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Check-Cap Ltd. (the "Company" or "Check-Cap") (NASDAQ: CHEK), (NASDAQ: CHEKZ), a clinical stage medical diagnostics company advancing the development of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly preparation-free screening test to detect polyps before they may transform into colorectal cancer, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and corporate highlights.

Third Quarter and Recent Highlights:

• Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 18, 2020 for pivotal study of C-Scan.
• Continuing preparation for the U.S pivotal study including progress in establishing supporting device manufacturing, supply chain and quality controls, while initiating the substantial expansion of the clinical dataset on average risk patients at leading Israeli sites.
• Strengthened balance sheet through gross proceeds of $9.6 million in a warrant exercise financing in July 2020.

"The IDE submission constitutes a major milestone towards the initiation of our U.S. pivotal study, " said Alex Ovadia, chief executive officer of Check-Cap. "We plan to provide a further investor update on the timelines for the initiation of the U.S. pivotal study, expected in 2021, following guidance from the FDA."

Mr. Ovadia added "The Check-Cap team remains laser-focused on the Company's goal of advancing C-Scan towards final clinical stages and market acceptance as a patient-friendly colorectal cancer (CRC) screening option for the detection of pre-cancerous polyps before they may transform into cancer."  

"Despite the increasing rates of CRC in recent years, especially in the younger population, screening rates remain low mostly due to the invasiveness of the colonoscopy procedure and the required bowel preparation. Non-invasive biomarker tests currently available or in development, such as fecal or liquid biopsy tests, demonstrate low sensitivity in detecting pre-cancerous polyps. There is a great unmet need for a patient-friendly screening option that can help detect polyps before they may turn into cancer and prevent this disease."

COVID-19 Corporate Update

The Company has experienced disruptions to its operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the third quarter of 2020, infection rates in Israel began to significantly increase and toward the end of the third quarter, the government mandated a lockdown for the second time this year. The Company has implemented several measures according to the Israel Ministry of Health's guidelines, including remote working whenever possible, physical separation between employees and daily employee health monitoring.

It is still too early to assess the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, but the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Company's ability to initiate its planned pivotal study and commence pilot sales in Israel and Europe in its original timeframe. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic shall impact the Company's operations and planned timelines will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration and severity of the outbreak, the impact on the global economy, the impact of any further waves of COVID-19 and the actions that may be required to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or treat its impact. In particular, the continued spread of COVID-19 globally could materially adversely impact the Company's operations and workforce, including its research and clinical trials and its ability to continue raising capital. It could also affect the operations of key governmental agencies, such as the FDA, which may delay the Company's development plans, and could result in the inability of its suppliers to deliver components or raw materials on a timely basis or at all, each of which in turn could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operation. 

Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2020

Research and development expenses were approximately $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, unchanged from the same period in 2019. The main fluctuations were primarily a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in clinical expenses associated with the pilot study in the U.S. and post CE study in 2019, and a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in other research and development expenses. The foregoing decrease was offset in part by an increase of approximately $0.1 million for materials and approximately $0.3 million in salaries and related expenses.

General and administrative expenses were approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $0.8 million for the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase of approximately $0.1 million in other general expenses and approximately $0.1 million in salaries and related expenses.

Operating loss was approximately $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, unchanged from the operating loss in the same period in 2019.

Net loss was approximately $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $3.5 million for the same period in 2019.

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term bank deposits totaled approximately $21.7 million as of September 30, 2020, compared with approximately $16.4 million as of June 30, 2020 and approximately $8.0 million as of December 31, 2019. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company completed a warrant exercise financing resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $9.6 million (approximately $8.7 million net of offering expenses). The Company believes that it has sufficient capital to fund its ongoing operations and plans for approximately the next 12 months.

The number of outstanding ordinary shares as of September 30, 2020 was 46,233,296. As of November 17, 2020, the number of the Company's outstanding ordinary shares was 46,237,551. 

Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

Research and development expenses were approximately $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $7.7 million for the same period in 2019. The decrease is primarily due to (i) a decrease of approximately $0.7 million in clinical expenses mainly due to higher expenses for the pilot study in the U.S and post CE study in 2019, (ii) a decrease of approximately $0.3 million in other research and development expenses, and (iii) a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in share-based compensation. The foregoing decrease was offset in part by an increase of approximately $0.7 million in salaries and related expenses mainly as a result of an expansion in head count and currency exchange rate fluctuation.

General and administrative expenses were approximately $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $2.6 million for the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase of approximately $0.1 million in salaries and related expenses, approximately $0.1 million in share-based compensation and approximately $0.2 million in other general expenses, offset in part by a decrease of approximately $0.2 million in professional services expenses.

Operating loss was approximately $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $10.2 million in the same period in 2019.

Finance income, net was approximately $62,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $215,000 for the same period in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to a decline in interest rates

Net loss was approximately $9.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $10.0 million for the same period in 2019.

Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to net cash used in operating activities of approximately $9.5 million for the same period in 2019.

[Financial Tables to Follow]

About Check-Cap

Check-Cap is a clinical stage medical diagnostics company aiming to redefine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and prevention through the introduction of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly preparation-free screening test to detect polyps before they may transform into colorectal cancer. The Company's disruptive capsule-based screening technology aims to significantly increase screening adherence worldwide and help millions of people to stay healthy through preventive CRC screening. C-Scan uses an ultra-low dose X-ray capsule, an integrated positioning, control and recording system, as well as proprietary software to generate a 3D map of the inner lining of the colon. C-Scan is non-invasive and requires no preparation or sedation, allowing the patients to continue their daily routine with no interruption as the capsule is propelled through the gastrointestinal tract by natural motility.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, often signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information that the Company has when those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these and other risks that could cause such differences and that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements, please refer to the "Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contacts

Irina Koffler
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646.970.4681
[email protected]

Meirav Gomeh-Bauer
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+972(0)-54-476-4979
[email protected]

SOURCE Check-Cap Ltd.