Check-Cap Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

ISFIYA, Israel and BOSTON, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Check-Cap Ltd. (the "Company" or "Check-Cap") (NASDAQ: CHEK; CHEKW), a clinical-stage medical diagnostics company engaged in the development of C-Scan®, an ingestible capsule for preparation-free, colorectal cancer screening, today provided a corporate update and announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2017.

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"During the recent quarter, we continued to advance our ongoing clinical program and are on track to submit C-Scan(®) for CE Marking this summer," said Bill Densel, CEO of Check-Cap. "Following the achievement of the initial milestone of our ongoing collaboration, Check-Cap, along with our collaborator GE Healthcare, has received approval of a conditional grant to support a joint development project for C-Scan(®) from the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation. This project aims to develop a high volume manufacturing and distribution process of C-Scan(®) to the U.S. market."

Recent Highlights:

    --  Check-Cap and GE Healthcare received approval of a $1 million
        conditional grant from the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research
        and Development Foundation (BIRD). The grant will support development of
        a high-volume manufacturing process for the C-Scan(®) system's X-ray
        source and capsule assembly, and establishing a unique product
        distribution process for a pilot clinical trial in the U.S. The award of
        the grant is conditioned, among other things, on submission of an
        application for CE Marking of the C-Scan(®) system.
    --  On June 2, 2017 the Company closed a registered direct offering of
        ordinary shares and a concurrent private placement with gross proceeds
        of $2.69 million with a single health-care focused institutional
        investor.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2017

Research and development expenses, net were $2.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.1 million in the same period in 2016. The increase is primarily attributable to (1) $561,000 grant received from the Israel Innovation Authority (the "IIA") which was credited to research and development expenses, net during the second quarter of 2016 and (2) $355,000 related primarily to the Company's clinical trial to support CE Marking for the C-Scan(®) system.

General and administrative expenses were $0.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $0.9 million in the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a $190,000 decrease in share-based compensation, which was offset primarily by an increase in payroll related expenses ($103,000).

Operating loss was $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $2.0 million in the same period in 2016.

Finance expenses, net were $20,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $15,000 in the same period in 2016.

Net loss was $2.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $2.0 million in the same period in 2016.

Non-GAAP net loss was $2.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.6 million in the same period in 2016.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposit totaled $9.2 million at June 30, 2017, compared to $9.4 million at March 31, 2017. Check-Cap's cash balance as of June 30, 2017 includes the net proceeds from the June 2, 2017 registered direct offering and concurrent private placement.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

Research and development expenses, net were $3.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $2.9 million in the same period in 2016. The increase is primarily attributable to (1) $651,000 grant received from the IIA which was credited to research and development expenses, net during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and (2) $428,000 related primarily to the Company's clinical trial to support CE Marking for the C-Scan(®) system. This increase was partially offset by a $88,000 decrease in share-based compensation.

General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $2.0 million in the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a $360,000 decrease in share-based compensation, which was offset primarily by an increase in payroll related expenses ($69,000).

Operating loss was $5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $4.9 million in the same period in 2016.

Finance income, net was $90,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $143,000 in the same period in 2016.

Net loss was $5.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $4.7 million in the same period in 2016.

Non-GAAP net loss was $5.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $4.0 million in the same period in 2016.

Net cash used in operating activities was $5.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $4.8 million in the same period in 2016.

A reconciliation of GAAP results to non-GAAP results is provided below.

The number of outstanding ordinary shares as of June 30, 2017, was 16,979,845, this number includes the 1,349,500 ordinary shares that were issued in the June 2, 2017 registered direct offering.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results

In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company's financial results release contains Non-GAAP financial measures of net loss for the period that exclude the effects of share-based compensation and changes in royalties provision. The Company's management believes the Non-GAAP financial information provided in this release is useful to investors' understanding and assessment of the Company's on-going operations. Management also uses both GAAP and Non-GAAP information in evaluating and operating business internally and as such deemed it important to provide all this information to investors. The Non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations to those financial statements should be carefully evaluated. Reconciliations between GAAP measures and Non-GAAP measures are provided later in this press release.

About Check-Cap

Check-Cap is a clinical-stage medical diagnostics company developing C-Scan(®), the first capsule-based system for preparation-free colorectal cancer screening.

Utilizing innovative ultra-low dose X-ray and wireless communication technologies, the capsule generates information on the contours of the inside of the colon as it passes naturally. This information is used to create a 3D map of the colon, which allows physicians to look for polyps and other abnormalities. Designed to improve the patient experience and increase the willingness of individuals to participate in recommended colorectal cancer screening, C-Scan(®) removes many frequently-cited barriers, such as laxative bowel preparation, invasiveness and sedation. The C-Scan® system is currently not cleared for marketing in any jurisdiction.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, often signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information that the Company has when those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these and other risks that could cause such differences and that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements, please refer to the "Special Note On Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Financial Tables to Follow


                                                        CHECK CAP LTD
                                                        -------------

                                            CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS
                                            -------------------------------------

                                 (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


                                                        June 30,                            December 31,
                                                        --------                            ------------

                                                             2017                                    2016
                                                             ----                                    ----

    Assets
    ------

    Current assets

    Cash and cash equivalents                                           9,152                                11,639

    Prepaid expenses and other
     current assets                                                       424                                   242
                                                                          ---                                   ---

    Total current assets                                                9,576                                11,881
                                                                        -----                                ------


    Non-current assets

    Property and equipment, net                                           526                                   414
                                                                          ---                                   ---

    Total non-current assets                                              526                                   414
                                                                          ---                                   ---

    Total assets                                                       10,102                                12,295
                                                                       ======                                ======


    Liabilities and shareholders'
     equity
    -----------------------------

    Current liabilities

    Accounts payable and accruals

      Trade                                                               549                                   393

      Other                                                               389                                   235

    Other current liabilities                                              11                                    11

    Employees and payroll accruals                                        951                                   728
                                                                          ---                                   ---

    Total current liabilities                                           1,900                                 1,367
                                                                        -----                                 -----


    Non-current liabilities

    Royalties provision                                                   570                                   521
                                                                          ---                                   ---

    Total non-current liabilities                                         570                                   521
                                                                          ---                                   ---


    Shareholders' equity
    --------------------

    Share capital                                                         861                                   771

    Additional paid-in capital                                         55,198                                52,577

    Accumulated deficit                                              (48,427)                             (42,941)
                                                                      -------                               -------

    Total shareholders' equity                                          7,632                                10,407
                                                                        -----                                ------


    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity                                              10,102                                12,295
                                                                       ======                                ======


                                                                                   CHECK CAP LTD
                                                                                   -------------

                                                                  CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                                  -----------------------------------------------

                                                           (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


                                                                                       Six months ended June 30,                    Three months ended June 30,
                                                                                    -------------------------                ---------------------------

                                                                                        2017                            2016                       2017            2016
                                                                                        ----                            ----                       ----            ----


    Research and development expenses, net                                                        3,874                              2,883                       1,997   1,081

    General and administrative expenses                                                           1,696                              1,992                         810     894
                                                                                                  -----                              -----                         ---     ---

    Operating loss                                                                                5,570                              4,875                       2,807   1,975
                                                                                                  -----                              -----                       -----   -----


    Finance income (expenses), net                                                                   90                                143                        (20)   (15)
                                                                                                    ---                                ---                         ---     ---

    Loss before tax                                                                               5,480                              4,732                       2,827   1,990

    Taxes on income                                                                                   6                                  -                          3       -
                                                                                                    ---                                ---                        ---     ---

    Net loss for the period                                                                       5,486                              4,732                       2,830   1,990
                                                                                                  -----                              -----                       -----   -----


    Net loss per ordinary share basic and diluted                                                  0.33                               0.36                        0.17    0.15
                                                                                                   ====                               ====                        ====    ====


    Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding                                       16,635                             13,277                      16,840  13,274
      - basic and diluted (in thousands)


                                                                                               CHECK-CAP LTD.
                                                                                               --------------

                                                                              CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                              -----------------------------------------------

                                                                             (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)


                                                                                                                                   Six months ended

                                                                                                                                     June 30,
                                                                                                                                     --------

                                                                                                                                2017                2016
                                                                                                                                ----                ----

                                                   CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    Net loss for the period                                                                                                             (5,486)          (4,732)

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                            73                63

    Share-based compensation                                                                                                                347               794

    Financial income, net                                                                                                                 (158)             (64)

    Changes in assets and liabilities items:

    Decrease in prepaid and other current assets and non-current assets                                                                   (182)            (219)

    Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable, accruals and other current liabilities                                                   107              (93)

    Increase (decrease) in employees and payroll accruals                                                                                   223             (535)

    Increase (decrease) in royalties provision                                                                                               49              (13)
                                                                                                                                            ---               ---

    Net cash used in operating activities                                                                                               (5,027)          (4,799)
                                                                                                                                         ======            ======


    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    Purchase of property and equipment                                                                                                     (81)             (79)

    Decrease in restricted deposit                                                                                                            -               46

    Proceeds from short-term investments                                                                                                      -            3,811
                                                                                                                                            ---            -----

    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                                                                    (81)            3,778
                                                                                                                                            ===             =====


    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    Exercise of warrants into ordinary shares                                                                                                82                 5

    Issuance of ordinary shares in RD 2017, net of issuance                                                                               2,380                 -
      expenses in an amount of $349


    Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                                             2,462                 5
                                                                                                                                          =====               ===


    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                                            159                61

    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                           (2,487)            (955)

    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period                                                                             11,639             9,392
                                                                                                                                         ------             -----

    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                                                                                    9,152             8,437
                                                                                                                                          =====             =====


                                                                CHECK-CAP LTD.
                                                                --------------

                                           SUPPLEMENTAL RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS
                                           -------------------------------------------------------

                                                         (U.S. dollars in thousands)


                                                                          Six months ended June 30,     Three months ended June 30,
                                                                          -------------------------    ---------------------------

                                                                               2017               2016             2017                     2016
                                                                               ----               ----             ----                     ----


    GAAP net loss for the period                                                       (5,486)            (4,732)                   (2,830)      (1,990)

    Share-based compensation (1)                                                           347                 794                        133           358

    Changes in royalties                                                                    49                (13)                        25            11
                                                                                           ---                 ---                        ---           ---

    Non-GAAP net loss for the period                                                   (5,090)            (3,951)                   (2,672)      (1,621)
                                                                                        ------              ------                     ------        ------


    (1) Share-based compensation:

    Research and development expenses, net                                                  75                 162                         31            66

    General and administrative expenses                                                    272                 632                        102           292
                                                                                           ===                 ===                        ===           ===

                                                                                           347                 794                        133           358
                                                                                           ===                 ===                        ===           ===

CONTACT:

Investors
David Carey
Lazar Partners Ltd.
212-867-1768
dcarey@lazarpartners.com

Vivian Cervantes
PCG Advisory
212-554-5482
vivian@pcgadvisory.com

Media
Erich Sandoval or Rob Sawyer
Lazar Partners Ltd.
213-908-6226 or 212-843-0209
esandoval@lazarpartners.com
rsawyer@lazarpartners.com

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SOURCE Check-Cap Ltd.