Heat Biologics Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2015

DURHAM, N.C., May 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heat Biologics, Inc. ("Heat" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:HTBX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cancer immunotherapies, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

First Quarter 2015 Highlights & Recent Developments

• Presented positive immunological data on HS-410 (vesigenurtacel-L) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
  • At the 7th Annual Phacilitate Immunotherapy Forum, data were presented showing a strong immune response, that correlated with a clinical response, in a HS-410 treated patient, supporting the mechanism of action of ImPACT™ therapy
  • At the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting, provided an update on immune responder and non-responder phenotypes from the phase I clinical trial of HS-410 in NMIBC.
• Received US FDA "Fast-Track" designation for HS-410 in combination with BCG for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
• Presented preclinical data on a novel approach to combination immunotherapy at the Keystone Symposia on Tumor Immunology
  • Data presented demonstrate strategy for vaccine and co-stimulation in a single-cell based product
• Announced collaboration with OncoSec Medical to evaluate combination immunotherapy platforms
• Announced initiation of a new Phase 1b trial of Viagenpumatucel-L (HS-110) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  • Trial will explore combination of HS-110 with various immune checkpoint agents
• Raised net proceeds of approximately $11.1 million in an underwritten public offering

"We are pleased to report continued positive momentum with our lead clinical programs in NMIBC and NSCLC," said Jeff Wolf, Heat's CEO. "We look forward to achieving several additional clinical milestones this year, including interim immune response data from the ongoing Phase 2 trial in NSCLC and completion of enrollment in the Phase 2 trial in NMIBC. The successful public financing we completed in March of this year puts us in a stronger financial position to execute on our development activities."

Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 vs. Quarter Ended March 31, 2014

Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2015 decreased 6% compared to the first quarter of 2014. Clinical and regulatory expenses were $2.2 million compared to $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2014. The increase was attributable to increases in clinical trial execution costs, increased investigator payments, and other costs related to the manufacturing of vaccines for clinical trials.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $1.3 million compared to $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2014. The increase from the first quarter of 2014 was attributable to increases related to professional services, personnel costs as well as an increase in non-cash stock compensation.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $3.9 million, or ($0.57) per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2015. This compares to a net loss of $2.3 million, or ($0.36) per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2014.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $21.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. This balance includes the $11.1 million net proceeds from the March 2015 offering and subsequent over-allotment option.

About Heat Biologics, Inc.

Heat Biologics, Inc. (www.heatbio.com) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing its novel, "off-the-shelf" ImPACT™ therapeutic vaccines to combat a wide range of cancers. Our ImPACT™ Therapy is designed to deliver live, genetically-modified, irradiated human cells which are reprogrammed to "pump out" a broad spectrum of cancer-associated antigens together with a potent immune adjuvant called "gp96" to educate and activate a cancer patient's immune system to recognize and kill cancerous cells. Heat is conducting a Phase 2 trial of its viagenpumatucel-L (HS-110) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer as well as a Phase 2 trial with its vesigenurtacel-L (HS-410) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions. These statements are based upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and include statements regarding the continued positive momentum with the lead clinical trials, the achievement of clinical milestone, Heat's potential for impact of Heat's ImPACT™ Therapy. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict, including the ability for Heat's ImPACT™ Therapy to perform as designed, the ability to timely enroll patients and complete the clinical trial on time, the other factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our other filings with the SEC. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. 

CONTACT: Heat Biologics, Inc.
         Jeff Wolf
         Chief Executive Officer
         919-240-7133
         investorrelations@heatbio.com

         Investor Relations & Media Inquiries
         Michael Wood
         LifeSci Advisors, LLC
         646-597-6983
         mwood@LifeSciAdvisors.com

Released May 14, 2015