LOS ALTOS, Calif., Nov. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with kidney disease, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Shalabh Gupta, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, stated, "With our addition to the Russell Microcap Index and conference participation, we made meaningful corporate progress to expand the interest and visibility of Unicycive within the investment community last quarter. We are also pleased to have biopharmaceutical executive Douglas Jermasek on our team whose broad experience working with kidney disease treatments has already made a huge impact."

"In chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperphosphatemia is caused by a chronic dysregulation of phosphates and occurs in at least 70% of patients with Stage 5 CKD. Current treatments for hyperphosphatemia come with a very high pill burden that can result in poor patient adherence.  Our lead program, Renazorb, combines one of the most potent phosphate lowering agents with a smaller, easier swallowed pill to potentially improve the treatment outcomes for patients.  We are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on our regulatory pathway for Renazorb and expect to receive confirmatory guidance in Q4 2021," added Dr. Gupta.

Key Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

• Biopharmaceutical executive Douglas Jermasek appointed as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy
• Unicycive added to the Russell Microcap Index as part of the 2021 Russell indexes reconstitution
• Presented at H.C. Wainwright 23^rd Annual Global Investment Conference
• Upcoming presentation at the Benchmark Discovery One on One Investor Conference
• Expect to receive confirmatory guidance on Renazorb regulatory pathway from the FDA in Q4 2021
• Planned completion of pre-clinical studies with UNI-494 in the first half of 2022

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $3.8 million, compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to a one-time $2.2 million increase in non-cash expense from the issuance of common stock pursuant to the anti-dilution clause in the purchase of in process research and development technology to the Renazorb licensor. This represents the final anti-dilution share issuance to the licensor.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $0.9 million, compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.3 million in insurance expense for directors and officers.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2021 was $5.2 million, or $0.37 per share of common stock, compared to a net loss of $0.7 million, or $0.08 per share of common stock, for the third quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to non-cash stock issuance expense in the current period.

As of September 30, 2021, cash and cash equivalents totaled $18 million.

About Unicycive

Unicycive is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive's lead drug, Renazorb, is a novel phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. UNI-494 is a patent protected new chemical entity in late preclinical development for the treatment of acute kidney injury. For more information, please visit www.unicycive.com.

Forward-looking statement

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated" and "intend" or other similar terms or expressions that concern Unicycive's expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Unicycive's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our pre-clinical studies may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidates; risks related to business interruptions, including the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; dependence on key personnel; limited experience in marketing and sales; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. There are no guarantees that any of our technology or product candidates will be utilized or prove to be commercially successful. Additionally, there are no guarantees that future clinical trials will be completed or successful or that any therapeutics will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and in our registration statement on Form S-1 and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Unicycive does not undertake any obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. 

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SOURCE Unicycive Therapeutics Inc.