CUR Neuralstem Inc

- NSI-189 Received Orphan Designation for Treatment of Angelman Syndrome -

Neuralstem, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of nervous system therapies based on its neural stem cell and small molecule technologies, today provided a business update and reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. 

“During the third quarter of 2018 we have made progress with our programs, have taken steps to strengthen the balance sheet, and, perhaps most importantly, have determined how we will focus our efforts moving forward,” said Jim Scully, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Neuralstem.  “We believe that proceeds from our recent offering, combined with our efforts to reduce cash burn, will allow us to pursue key development initiatives that will be detailed in the coming weeks.”

Clinical Highlights

• In August, NSI-189 received from FDA the orphan designation for treatment of Angelman Syndrome. Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare congenital genetic disorder caused by a lack of function in the UBE3A gene on the maternal 15th chromosome.  It affects approximately one in 15,000 people - about 500,000 individuals globally.  Symptoms of AS include developmental delay, lack of speech, seizures, and walking and balance disorders. Patients with AS may never walk or speak and require life-long care. Life expectancy is normal which places a significant burden on patients and caregivers. There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for the treatment of Angelman syndrome. 
• In July, the company announced initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial to further evaluate NSI-566 in ischemic stroke.  This follows the positive results of the open-label Phase 1 stroke study disclosed in a 2018 ISSCR (International Society for Stem Cell Research) abstract on June 23, 2018.  The Phase 2 study is a randomized, double-blind, sham-surgery controlled study.  It is intended to further test the safety and efficacy of NSI-566 to reverse paralysis in stroke patients with half of their body partially paralyzed.  The trial is taking place at BaYi Brain Hospital in Beijing, China, and commenced on August 1, 2018. 
• In October, the company announced publication of a manuscript in Scientific Reports showing that transplantation of NSI-532.IGF1 mitigates disease pathology and improves cognition in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease.  The study was performed at the University of Michigan by a team led by Dr. Eva Feldman, Director of the Program for Neurology Research and Discovery, and Research Director of the University of Michigan ALS Center of Excellence.  NSI-532.IGF1 is the first candidate from the NSI-532 program, a second-generation cell therapy program which combines neural stem cells with neuroprotective proteins.

Corporate Highlights

• In October, the company completed a registered direct offering of its securities which resulted in gross proceeds to Neuralstem of $2.1 million. Neuralstem intends to use the proceeds from this offering to further its clinical and preclinical programs, and for general working capital.

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2018

• Cash Position and Liquidity:  At September 30, 2018, cash and investments was $5.7 million as compared to $7.1 million at June 30, 2018.  The $1.4 million decrease reflects a loss for the period, which was somewhat ameliorated by management’s cost reduction efforts.  The company expects its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund its operations, based on its current operating plans, into the second quarter of 2019. 
• Operating Loss: Operating loss for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $2.1 million compared to a loss of $2.6 million for the comparable period of 2017.  The reduction in loss is attributed to reduced clinical development activity and management efforts to reduce overall expenses.   
• Net Loss:  Net loss for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $1.8 million, or $0.12 per share (basic), compared to a loss of $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share (basic), for the comparable period of 2017.  The increase in net loss was primarily due to the non-cash gains related to the change in the fair value of our liability classified warrants in 2017, partially offset by a decrease in our operating loss. 
• Research and Development Expenses: The $0.9 million of research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 represents a 35% decrease over the comparable period of 2017. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in personnel and facility expenses, and a decrease in clinical trial and related costs due to the completion of our NSI-189 Phase 2 clinical trial.  
• General and Administrative Expenses:  The $1.2 million of general and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 represents a 2% decrease over the comparable period of 2017.  This decrease was primarily attributable to lower payroll and related expenses due to corporate restructuring and cost reduction efforts coupled with a decrease in non-cash share-based compensation expense which was offset by an increase in tax and insurance expenses and consulting and professional fees.

Neuralstem, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	September 30,			December 31,
	2018			2017
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,736,929			$6,674,940
Short-term investments	-			5,000,000
Trade and other receivables	161,979			312,802
Current portion of related party receivable, net of discount	62,248			58,784
Prepaid expenses	545,187			402,273
Total current assets	6,506,343			12,448,799
Property and equipment, net	107,154			172,886
Patents, net	788,733			883,462
Related party receivable, net of discount and current portion	290,354			365,456
Other assets	28,475			13,853
Total assets	$7,721,059			$13,884,456
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$835,749			$875,065
Accrued bonuses	-			418,625
Other current liabilities	348,928			220,879
Total current liabilities	1,184,677			1,514,569
Warrant liabilities, at fair value	2,047,563			3,852,882
Other long term liabilities	9,715			1,876
Total liabilities	3,241,955			5,369,327
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, 7,000,000 shares authorized, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017	10,000			10,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized, 15,205,060 and 15,160,014 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	152,051			151,600
Additional paid-in capital	217,619,996			217,050,174
Accumulated other comprehensive income	630			2,631
Accumulated deficit	(213,303,573	)		(208,699,276	)
Total stockholders' equity	4,479,104			8,515,129
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$7,721,059			$13,884,456

Neuralstem, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Revenues	$2,500			$2,500			$257,500			$7,500
Operating expenses:
Research and development expenses	897,098			1,383,863			3,081,319			6,871,028
General and administrative expenses	1,188,076			1,206,510			3,630,822			4,174,583
Total operating expenses	2,085,174			2,590,373			6,712,141			11,045,611
Operating loss	(2,082,674	)		(2,587,873	)		(6,454,641	)		(11,038,111	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	17,619			18,099			54,882			52,995
Interest expense	(1,498	)		(1,383	)		(4,190	)		(155,843	)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	236,270			2,679,770			1,805,319			(403,155	)
Fees related to issuance of indcuement warrants and other expenses	-			(242,396	)		(5,667	)		(806,115	)
Total other income (expense)	252,391			2,454,090			1,850,344			(1,312,118	)
Net loss	$(1,830,283	)		$(133,783	)		$(4,604,297	)		$(12,350,229	)
Net loss per share - basic	$(0.12	)		$(0.01	)		$(0.30	)		$(1.00	)
Net loss per share - diluted	$(0.12	)		$(0.18	)		$(0.30	)		$(1.00	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	15,171,495			14,060,844			15,144,425			12,380,054
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	15,171,495			14,163,072			15,144,425			12,380,054
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	$(1,830,283	)		$(133,783	)		$(4,604,297	)		$(12,350,229	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(512	)		(1,005	)		(2,001	)		(1,560	)
Comprehensive loss	$(1,830,795	)		$(134,788	)		$(4,606,298	)		$(12,351,789	)

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking InformationThis news release contains “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to future, not past, events and may often be identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Specific risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Neuralstem’s periodic reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three, six and nine months ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in other reports filed with the SEC. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact:Argot Partners (Investor Relations)212-600-1902neuralstem@argotpartners.com