TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioblast Pharma Ltd. (Nasdaq:ORPN), a clinical-stage, orphan disease-focused biotechnology company, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results and Cash Position

• R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $0.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily related to reduced clinical trial related activities, specifically as our planned Phase 2b clinical study in Ocular Pharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy patients has not been initiated.
  
  
• Pre-Commercial Expenses: Pre-commercial expenses were $0.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2016.
  
  
• G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $0.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily related to downsizing of the management team, which took effect primarily in the second quarter of 2016, offset by costs related to a terminated securities offering, announced on April 6, 2017.
  
  
• Net Loss: For the quarter ended June 30, 2017, net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares was ($1.6) million, or ($0.10) per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of ($3.7) million, or ($0.22) per share, for the same period in 2016.
  
  
• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of June 30, 2017, were $5.2 million, compared to $7.1 million as of March 31, 2017, primarily reflecting our second quarter operating expenditures.

Post Second Quarter 2017 Activities

• As part of the continuing effort to reduce expenditures, the Company announced that Colin Foster and Ralf Rosskamp, MD, have submitted their resignations as members of the Board of Directors, effective August 31, 2017.
   
• The number of employees has been reduced to three, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, all of whom are working to assist JSB-Partners, which is the Company’s exclusive advisor to find a third party for partnership or merger opportunities.
   
• In addition, a comprehensive review of operations has identified expenses that have been eliminated or cut back across-the-board.

About Bioblast

Bioblast Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to developing clinically meaningful therapies for patients with rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases.  Bioblast is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “ORPN.” For more information, please visit our website: www.BioblastPharma.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss exploring partnership or merger opportunities, and when we imply that our product candidate may successfully treat certain medical conditions. In addition, historic results of scientific research and clinical and preclinical studies do not guarantee that the conclusions of future research or studies will suggest identical or even similar conclusions or that historic results referred to in this press release would not be interpreted differently, in light of additional research and clinical and preclinical study results. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Bioblast Pharma Ltd.'s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Bioblast Pharma could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Bioblast Pharma's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 24, 2017, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Bioblast Pharma disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Investor Contact			
Matthew P. Duffy			
Managing Director			
LifeSci Advisors LLC			
Matthew@LifeSciAdvisors.com
Phone: 212-915-0685			

JSB-Partners Contact
Wolfgang Stoiber
Managing Director
JSB-Partners
wstoiber@jsb-partners.com
Phone: 978-697-9753