- Upsized Initial Public Offering raises $97.6 million in gross proceeds -

- BIO89-100 continues to advance in Phase 1b/2a NASH study -

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 89bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardio-metabolic diseases, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.

"I am proud of what the 89bio team has accomplished with the successful completion of our IPO and the advancement of BIO89-100 in the Phase 1b/2a NASH study," said Rohan Palekar, Chief Executive Officer of 89bio. "With our strengthened capital position, we look forward to continuing to advance BIO89-100 through clinical development in NASH and initiating development of BIO89-100 in our planned Phase 2 study in severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) in 2020.”

Recent Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

Initiated Phase 1b/2a Trial for BIO89-100. In the third quarter of 2019, 89bio announced that it had initiated dosing in its proof of concept Phase 1b/2a clinical trial evaluating BIO89-100 in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and a high risk of NASH. Topline data from this study is expected in the second half of 2020.

Completed Upsized Initial Public Offering. 89bio completed a successful, upsized IPO on November 13, 2019 that priced at $16.00 per share. The gross proceeds of the offering were approximately $97.6 million which included the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock. The gross proceeds were calculated before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by 89bio.

Presented BIO89-100 Data at The Liver Meeting 2019. 89bio presented two posters related to BIO89-100 at The Liver Meeting 2019 in November 2019. The poster presentations included one on the results from the Phase 1a clinical trial in healthy volunteers and a second poster on preclinical data demonstrating the positive effect of BIO89-100 in reducing preference for sweetened water in obese monkeys.

Issued New Composition of Matter Patent. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued US Patent 10,407,479, entitled "Mutant FGF-21 Peptide Pegylated Conjugates and Uses Thereof" to 89bio in September 2019. The patent covers the composition of BIO89-100 as well as methods for making and using BIO89-100 for a variety of therapeutic indications including NASH or metabolic syndrome. The patent expires in 2038 not including any potential patent term extension or regulatory exclusivity that would extend this date.

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Cash Position. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $16.2 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to $11.3 million as of December 31, 2018.  Subsequent to September 30, 2019, 89bio raised gross proceeds of $97.6 million from its IPO before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses. R&D expenses were $6.7 million and $14.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $3.3 million and $10.0 million for the same periods in 2018, respectively. The increase in R&D expenses was mainly driven by increases in contract manufacturing, clinical development and personnel related expenses.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses. G&A expenses were $1.5 million and $2.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $0.5 million and $0.8 million for the same periods in 2018, respectively. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to professional services and other costs associated with preparation to become a public company and personnel related expenses

About BIO89-100
BIO89-100 is a glycoPEGylated analog of FGF21 being developed for the treatment of NASH and a trial is planned for evaluating its role in the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG). 89bio has specifically engineered BIO89-100 using a proprietary glycoPEGylation technology designed to prolong the biological activity of native FGF21. In preclinical studies, BIO89-100 demonstrated consistent beneficial effects across a range of endpoints, including hepatic steatosis, injury, and fibrosis. In 89bio’s Phase 1a clinical trial in healthy volunteers, BIO89-100 demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile and dose-proportional pharmacokinetics. BIO89-100 also demonstrated statistically significant improvements in key lipid parameters for two weeks after a single dose, which combined with results from the company’s animal studies supports the potential for weekly or once every two weeks dosing. A proof of concept Phase 1a/2b clinical trial evaluating BIO89-100 in patients with NASH or NAFLD and a high risk of NASH is currently underway.

About 89bio
89bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardio-metabolic diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, BIO89-100, is being developed for the treatment of NASH. The company also intends to develop BIO89-100 for the treatment of SHTG. BIO89-100 is a specifically engineered glycoPEGylated analog of FGF21 that is currently in a proof of concept Phase 1b/2a clinical trial in patients with NASH or NAFLD and a high risk of NASH. 89bio is headquartered in San Francisco with operations in Herzliya, Israel. Visit 89bio.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, 89bio’s expectations regarding plans for its clinical programs and clinical studies. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “design,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “develop,” “plan” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While 89bio believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, those set forth in 89bio’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)), many of which are beyond 89bio’s control and subject to change. Actual results could be materially different. Risks and uncertainties include: expectations regarding the enrollment, completion and outcome of 89bio’s proof of concept Phase 1b/2a clinical trial evaluating BIO89-100 in patients with NASH or patients with NAFLD and a high risk of NASH; expectations regarding the development of BIO89-100 for SHTG and the related Phase 2 study; the unpredictable relationship between preclinical study results and clinical study results; liquidity and capital resources; and other risks and uncertainties identified in 89bio’s filings with the SEC. 89bio expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:
Ryan Martins
Chief Financial Officer
investors@89bio.com

Media Contact:
Lori Rosen
LDR Communications
917-553-6808
lori@ldrcommunications.com