BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., May 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PDS Biotechnology Corporation (“PDS Biotechnology”) (Nasdaq: PDSB), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company pioneering the development of novel multifunctional immunotherapeutic products, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Q1 2019 and Recent Business Highlights

• Successfully completed merger with Edge Therapeutics and listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market;
• Strengthened Board of Directors with the appointment of industry veteran Stephen Glover.

“The first quarter of 2019 was an exciting period for PDS, as we successfully completed our merger with Edge Therapeutics and became a public company. Simultaneously, we strengthened both our management team and Board of Directors with industry veterans who we believe will help guide our strategic direction moving forward,” commented Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotechnology. “As we look ahead, we are preparing to initiate three clinical studies of PDS0101 in the fourth quarter of this year, which includes; a planned phase 2 combination study to evaluate PDS0101 in combination with Keytruda^® in the treatment of head and neck cancer, a phase 2 study to evaluate PDS0101 in advanced HPV-associated cancers, and an anticipated registration trial to evaluate PDS0101 monotherapy in the treatment of high-grade cervical dysplasia.”

First Quarter 2019 Financial Review

For the first quarter of 2019, net income was approximately $6.8 million, or $1.82 per basic share and $1.47 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of approximately $(0.7) million, or $(0.24) per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2018.

Research and development expenses totaled approximately $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to approximately $0.2 million for the same period in 2018, an increase of 412%. These expenses include employee-related expenses, licensing fees to use certain technology in PDS’ research and development projects, costs of acquiring, developing and manufacturing clinical trial materials, as well as fees paid to consultants and various entities that perform certain research and testing on PDS’ behalf.

For the first quarter of 2019, general and administrative expenses were approximately $3.9 million compared with approximately $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 629%. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in non-cash stock compensation expense of $2.3 million and bonuses of $0.4 million. In addition, there was an increase in D&O insurance of $0.1 million, professional consulting fees of $0.1 million, as well as legal fees of $0.4 million.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were approximately $4.9 million, compared to total operating expenses of approximately $0.7 million for the same period in 2018, an increase of 570%.

The Company recognized a gain on bargain purchase of approximately $11.7 million in connection with the merger with Edge. The gain represents the difference between the book value of Edge assets compared to the cash value of stock granted to legacy Edge shareholders.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $26.6 million.

About PDS Biotechnology
PDS Biotechnology is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company with a growing pipeline of clinical-stage immunotherapies to treat various early-stage and late-stage cancers, including head and neck cancer, cervical, anal, prostate, breast and other cancers.

PDS Biotechnology’s lead product candidate, PDS0101 (Versamune®-HPV) is a proprietary clinical stage immunotherapeutic administered by subcutaneous injection being developed to treat HPV-associated cancers such as head and neck cancers and anal cancers, both of which are widely reported to be increasing in frequency over the last decade, as well as cervical, penile, vaginal and vulvar cancers and their pre-cancerous conditions. In a human Phase 1/2a clinical study, PDS0101 monotherapy demonstrated potent in-vivo induction of the critical phenotype of tumor-attacking killer (CD8) T-cells, and induction of memory T-cells. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in this study, suggesting potential for a rare combination of potency and safety among immune-oncology therapeutics.

For additional information about PDS, please visit www.pdsbiotech.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning PDS Biotechnology Corporation (the “Company”) and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the ability of the Company to integrate Edge and PDS Biotechnology following the merger; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; competitive responses to the completion of the merger; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the completion of the merger; the Company’s ability to access capital markets, the timing for the Company to initiate two clinical trials for its lead asset, PDS0101; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations; the acceptance by the market of the Company’s product candidates, if approved; and other factors, including legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments not within the Company’s control. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Company’s annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media & Investor Relations Contact:
Tram Bui / Alexander Lobo
The Ruth Group
Phone: +1-646-536-7035 / +1-646-536-7037
Email: tbui@theruthgroup.com / alobo@theruthgroup.com

(Financial Statements to Follow)

PDS BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	March 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
ASSETS	(unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	26,592,845			$	103,695
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,313,931				156,628
Total current assets		27,906,776				260,323
Property and equipment, net		412,735				29,508
Intangible assets, net		1,223,000				41,692
Right-to-use assets		1,347,557				-
Other assets		155,670				12,800
Total assets	$	31,045,738			$	344,323
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,665,266			$	1,412,951
Accrued expenses		446,962				601,889
Restructuring reserve		1,948,596				-
Operating lease liability- short term		477,300				-
Total current liabilities		5,538,124				2,014,840
Noncurrent liability:
Deferred tax liability		157,000				-
Operating lease liability- long term		902,972				-
Convertible promissory notes payable		-				30,000
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 0 outstanding		-				-
Common stock, $0.00033 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 5,172,938 shares and 3,417,187 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and  December 31, 2018, respectively		1,707				1,128
Additional paid-in capital		38,642,411				19,311,529
Accumulated deficit		(14,196,476	)			(21,013,174	)
Total stockholders' equity		24,447,642				(1,700,517	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	31,045,738			$	344,323

PDS BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019				2018
Operating expenses:
Research and development expenses	$	1,030,003			$	201,138
General and administrative expenses		3,905,877				535,801
Total operating expenses		4,935,880				736,939
Loss from operations		(4,935,880	)			(736,939	)
Other income (expense):
Gain on bargain purchase		11,729,882				-
Interest income		23,302				6
Interest expense		(606	)			(959	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	6,816,698			$	(737,892	)
Per share information:
Net income (loss) per share, basic	$	1.82			$	(0.24	)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted	$	1.47			$	(0.24	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		3,748,325				3,099,311
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted		4,625,295				3,099,311