Category: Health

Release – Ocugen Provides Business Update with Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

News Research and Market Data on OCGN

August 8, 2024

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Conference Call and Webcast Today at 8:30 a.m. ET

  • Actively dosing patients in OCU400 Phase 3 liMeliGhT clinical trial
  • OCU410 preliminary safety and efficacy data expected later this year
  • Expanded access program approved for OCU400
  • $32.6 million net cash from underwritten public offering of common stock

MALVERN, Pa., Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines, today reported second quarter 2024 financial results along with a business update.

“The first half of 2024 has been marked with significant accomplishments for our modifier gene therapy platform—including dosing patients in the OCU400 Phase 3 clinical trial for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and progressing into Phase 2 of the OCU410 ArMaDa clinical trial for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA),” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. “These meaningful milestones bring us closer to providing a potential one-time therapy for life for patients living with RP (300,000 in the U.S. and Europe) and GA (2-3 million in the U.S. and Europe) who desperately need effective treatment options. Thanks to our Ocugen team for their tireless efforts to keep these and all our clinical trials on track.”

The OCU400 Phase 3 trial has a sample size of 150 participants: one arm has 75 participants with RHO gene mutations, and the other arm has 75 participants with mutations in any of several other genes associated with RP. The Luminance Dependent Navigation Assessment (LDNA) is the primary endpoint for the study. In this assessment, a participant navigates an obstacle course that constitutes a more sensitive and specific measurement of visual function than the mobility measurement used in previous Phase 3 clinical trials. The Phase 3 liMeliGhT trial will focus on the proportion of responders, in treated and untreated groups, who achieve an improvement of at least 2 Lux (light) levels from baseline in the study eyes. More than 60% of the intent-to-treat patients from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial, including patients with the RHO mutation, meet the responder criteria established for Phase 3. The Phase 3 mobility test responder rate for the only FDA-approved product to treat one mutation in RP was 52%. The Phase 3 trial is powered greater than 95% assuming a 50% responder rate.  

Recently, the FDA approved the OCU400 expanded access program (EAP) for the treatment of adult patients, aged 18 and older, with RP. This is the first ever gene therapy candidate to treat patients with RP, regardless of mutation, approved for an EAP and the EAP further supports the gene-agnostic mechanism of action for this novel modifier gene therapy.

Novel modifier gene therapy has the potential to address multiple inherited retinal diseases as well as multifactorial causes of blindness that affect millions of patients, like dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). OCU410 and OCU410ST aim to treat geographic atrophy secondary to dAMD and Stargardt disease, respectively. These modifier gene therapies leverage a nuclear hormone receptor gene called RORA (RAR-related orphan receptor A) as a potential one-time therapy for life with a single sub-retinal injection.

OCU410 is specifically designed to address multiple pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of dAMD and offers a distinct advantage over current treatment options that target only one pathway—the complement system—and require frequent intravitreal injections (about 6-12 doses per year), accompanied by various safety concerns, such as roughly 12% of patients progressing to wet AMD. OCU410 has the potential to regulate all four pathways related to disease progression—lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the complement system—with a one-time sub-retinal injection.

OCU410ST has received an Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for the treatment of Stargardt disease, which has no approved treatment and affects approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. and Europe combined. The third cohort of the clinical trial is currently receiving the high dose. OCU410ST has the potential to be the first one-time gene therapy for Stargardt disease.

Ocugen continues to pursue strategic partnerships that will drive long-term strategy, and most importantly, will help patients access these novel modifier gene therapies globally. During the 2024 BIO International Convention, Ocugen engaged with potential partners and pharmaceutical executives to explore opportunities for the Company’s dynamic pipeline.

“Ocugen’s inclusion in the Russell Index in June further bolsters the value of our pipeline and recognizes the Company’s robust growth strategy,” said Dr. Musunuri. “This ranking supports our efforts to enable long-term shareholder value, garner significant visibility for Ocugen within the investment community, and broaden our shareholder base. I look forward to the second half of 2024 as we continue to solidify Ocugen’s position as a biotechnology leader.”

Subsequent to June 30, 2024, the Company closed a public offering of common stock with net proceeds of $32.6 million—extending its expected cash runway into the third quarter of 2025. The offering was led by a large premier mutual fund, along with participation from leading life sciences investors.

Ophthalmic Gene Therapies—First-in-Class

OCU400 – Ocugen is actively dosing subjects in the OCU400 Phase 3 liMeliGhT trial for the treatment of RP. With dosing of the Phase 3 trial underway, OCU400 remains on track for the 2026 BLA and MAA approval targets.

OCU410 – In July 2024, Ocugen announced the completion of dosing in the third cohort of the OCU410 Phase 1/2 ArMaDa clinical trial for the treatment of GA. To date, nine patients with GA have been dosed in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial (with low, medium, and high doses). Phase 2 of the clinical trial has been initiated and will assess the safety and efficacy of OCU410 in a larger group of patients who will be randomized into either of two treatment groups (medium or high dose) or a control group.

OCU410ST – Currently dosing the high dose of OCU410ST in the dose-escalation phase of the study.

Regenerative Cell Therapies—First-in-class

NeoCart® – Ocugen intends to initiate the Phase 3 trial contingent on the availability of adequate funding.
Vaccines Portfolio—First-in-class

Inhaled Mucosal Vaccine Platform – NIAID plans to submit an IND to initiate the OCU500 (COVID-19) Phase 1 clinical trial this year. Ocugen is continuing discussions with relevant government agencies as well as strategic partners regarding funding for the development of the OCU510 and OCU520 platforms.

Ophthalmic Biologic Product

OCU200 – Ocugen continues to work with the FDA to lift the clinical hold.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

  • Received $32.6 million net cash from underwritten public offering of common stock that closed on August 2, 2024.
  • The Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $16.0 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $39.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company had 257.4 million shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
  • Total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $16.6 million and included research and development expenses of $8.9 million and general and administrative expenses of $7.7 million. This compares to total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2023 of $24.0 million that included research and development expenses of $14.5 million and general and administrative expenses of $9.5 million.
  • Ocugen reported a $0.04 net loss per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to a $0.10 net loss per common share for the three months ended June 30, 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Ocugen has scheduled a conference call and webcast for 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss the financial results and recent business highlights. Ocugen’s senior management team will host the call, which will be open to all listeners. There also will be a question-and-answer session following the prepared remarks.

Attendees are invited to participate on the call or webcast:

Dial-in Numbers: (800) 715-9871 for U.S. callers and (646) 307-1963 for international callers
Conference ID: 7453742
Webcast: Available on the events section of the Ocugen investor site

A replay of the call and archived webcast will be available for approximately 45 days following the event on the Ocugen investor site.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies, biologics, and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patients’ lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, strategy, business plans and objectives for Ocugen’s clinical programs, plans and timelines for the preclinical and clinical development of Ocugen’s product candidates, including the therapeutic potential, clinical benefits and safety thereof, expectations regarding timing, success and data announcements of current ongoing preclinical and clinical trials, the ability to initiate new clinical programs; Ocugen’s financial condition and expected cash runway into the third quarter of 2025, statements regarding qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our annual and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
AVP, Head of Communications
Tiffany.Hamilton@ocugen.com 

View full release HERE.

Cadrenal Therapeutics (CVKD) – 2Q24 Financial Report Confirms Discussions With Abbott For Tecarfarin Development

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, August 08, 2024

Robert LeBoyer, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Biotechnology, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

LVAD Development Takes The Spotlight Cadrenal reported 2Q24 loss of $2.4 million or $(0.15) per share. Tecarfarin development in ESRD with AFib continues, and the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for tecarfarin in implanted circulatory support devices, such as LVADs. The company also confirmed that it was in discussions with Abbott (ABT, Not Rated) to develop tecarfarin as an anticoagulant for LVAD patients. We believe this disclosure could lead to a development agreement between the two companies.

Discussions With Abbott Confirmed. Abbott makes the HeartMate 3 LVAD device and has presented data from its ARES-HM3 study highlighting the need for an improved anticoagulant in LVAD patients. This presentation was discussed in our Research Note on June 5. While a collaboration has not been announced, confirmation of discussions for a pivotal trial testing tecarfarin in LVAD patients is good news.


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Release – Cadrenal Therapeutics Provides Second Quarter 2024 Corporate Update

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on CVKD

PONTE VEDRA, Fla., Aug. 7, 2024 — Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: CVKD), a biopharmaceutical company developing tecarfarin, a late-stage, next-generation Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) oral and reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) designed to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients with implanted cardiac devices and those with rare cardiovascular conditions, today provided a corporate update coinciding with the filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing tecarfarin, a clinical-stage novel cardiorenal therapy with orphan drug designation. (PRNewsfoto/Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.)


Recent Highlights

  • Cadrenal and Abbott initiated a collaborative effort to advance tecarfarin for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The only LVAD available in the U.S. is the HeartMate 3™, manufactured by Abbott, which has been shown to be superior to all prior LVADs.
  • In April 2024, tecarfarin received FDA Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to prevent blood clots and strokes in patients with LVADs and other implanted mechanical circulatory support devices.
  • At the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation 44th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions in April 2024, Dr. Mandeep Mehra made a groundbreaking presentation of a secondary data analysis from the ARIES-HM3 study sponsored by Abbott that underscored the deficiencies of warfarin and the need for a new VKA therapy for patients with rare cardiovascular conditions. Dr. Mehra commented, “Tecarfarin could potentially be an important therapy for patients with LVADs who all require chronic anticoagulation since it does not get affected by drug-drug interactions or changes in kidney function like warfarin and deserves further study.”
  • Engaged pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organizations to supply active pharmaceutical ingredients and clinical trial materials.
  • Q2 2024 operating expenses (excluding non-cash items) totaled $2.3 million.
  • Cash used in operating activities totaled $1.5 million during Q2 2024.
  • As of June 30, 2024, cash balances were $5.0 million.

“We have made significant progress with advancing our planned pivotal trial to evaluate tecarfarin’s effectiveness for LVAD patients, including collaborative efforts with Abbott,” commented Quang Pham, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “Following the receipt of tecarfarin’s orphan drug designation to prevent blood clots and strokes in patients with LVADs and other implanted mechanical circulatory support devices in April 2024, we expanded conversations with Abbott, the leading global manufacturer of LVADs, to determine the next steps in accelerating tecarfarin development. Our team is developing an LVAD study protocol and is eager to move ahead with Phase 3 trials to evaluate tecarfarin’s superiority to warfarin in LVAD patients and potentially bring our better anticoagulation solution to those in need.”

Tecarfarin, the only oral anticoagulant in development worldwide for patients with implanted cardiac devices and other rare cardiovascular conditions, has been uniquely designed to overcome many of the challenges patients experience with warfarin. If approved, tecarfarin has the potential to be the only on-label drug for LVAD patients in the U.S.

In addition, tecarfarin may prove valuable for other patients where warfarin is not providing recommended anticoagulation because of genetic warfarin resistance or renal impairment making warfarin metabolism difficult. These include individuals with end-stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation or those with mechanical heart valves and hard-to-control International Normalized Ratio, which measures how long it takes the blood to clot.

Upcoming Conference Presentations

The Company will be presenting at the following investment conferences:

  • Sidoti Micro Cap Conference – August 14-15, 2024
  • Summer 2024 Investor Summit – August 20, 2024
  • Emerging Growth Conference – August 21, 2024
  • H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference – September 9-11, 2024

ABOUT CADRENAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Cadrenal Therapeutics is developing tecarfarin for unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy. Tecarfarin is a late-stage novel oral and reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients with implanted cardiac devices and those with rare cardiovascular conditions. Tecarfarin has orphan drug designation for the prevention of thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs). Tecarfarin also has orphan drug and fast-track designations from the FDA for the prevention of systemic thromboembolism (blood clots) of cardiac origin in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and atrial fibrillation (AFib). Cadrenal is also pursuing additional regulatory strategies for unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy for patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Tecarfarin is specifically designed to leverage a different metabolism pathway than the oldest and most commonly prescribed Vitamin K Antagonist (warfarin). Tecarfarin has been evaluated in eleven (11) human clinical trials and more than 1,000 individuals. In Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 2/3 clinical trials, tecarfarin has generally been well-tolerated in both healthy adult subjects and patients with chronic kidney disease. For more information, please visit: www.cadrenal.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements contained in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements include statements regarding our planned pivotal trial to evaluate tecarfarin’s effectiveness for LVAD patients, including collaborative efforts with Abbott, tecarfarin potentially being an important therapy for patients with LVADs who all require chronic anticoagulation, trials to evaluate tecarfarin’s superiority to warfarin in LVAD patients and potentially bring the Company’s better anticoagulation solution to those in need, tecarfarin proving valuable for other patients where warfarin is not providing recommended anticoagulation because of genetic warfarin resistance or renal impairment making warfarin metabolism difficult and tecarfarin having the potential to be the only on-label drug for LVAD patients in the U.S. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the ability of tecarfarin to improve anticoagulation treatment in patients, the ability of the Company to advance tecarfarin with patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs),the collaborative efforts with Abbott being successful and those with AFib and ESKD, the collaboration with Abbott being successful and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:

Cadrenal Therapeutics:
Matthew Szot, CFO
858-337-0766
press@cadrenal.com

Investors:
Lytham Partners, LLC
Robert Blum, Managing Partner
602-889-9700
CVKD@lythampartners.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadrenal-therapeutics-provides-second-quarter-2024-corporate-update-302217094.html

SOURCE Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.

Release – PDS Biotech to Announce Second Quarter Financial Results on August 13, 2024

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on PDSB

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) (“PDS Biotech” or the “Company”), a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers and the development of infectious disease vaccines, today announced that the Company will report financial results for the second quarter of 2024 and provide a business update on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, before the market opens. The press release will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.pdsbiotech.com.

About PDS Biotechnology
PDS Biotechnology is a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers and the development of infectious disease vaccines. The Company plans to initiate a pivotal clinical trial in 2024 to advance its lead program in advanced HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell cancers. PDS Biotech’s lead investigational targeted immunotherapy Versamune® HPV is being developed in combination with a standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitor, and also in a triple combination including PDS01ADC, an IL-12 fused antibody drug conjugate (ADC), and a standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitor.

For more information, 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,” “forecast,” “guidance”, “outlook” and other similar expressions among others. 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 Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the Company’s anticipated cash runway and the Company’s current expectations regarding its plans for future equity financings; the Company’s dependence on additional financing to fund its operations and complete the development and commercialization of its product candidates, and the risks that raising such additional capital may restrict the Company’s operations or require the Company to relinquish rights to the Company’s technologies or product candidates; the Company’s limited operating history in the Company’s current line of business, which makes it difficult to evaluate the Company’s prospects, the Company’s business plan or the likelihood of the Company’s successful implementation of such business plan; the timing for the Company or its partners to initiate the planned clinical trials for PDS01ADC, PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune® based product candidates; the future success of such trials; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations, including any collaboration studies concerning PDS01ADC, PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune® based product candidates and the Company’s interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whether such results are sufficient to support the future success of the Company’s product candidates; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund its disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to the Company’s currently projected expenses), futility analyses, presentations at conferences and data reported in an abstract, and receipt of interim or preliminary results (including, without limitation, any preclinical results or data), which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials; any Company statements about its understanding of product candidates mechanisms of action and interpretation of preclinical and early clinical results from its clinical development programs and any collaboration studies; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; 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 other risks, uncertainties, and other factors described under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in the documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.  

Versamune® and Infectimune® are registered trademarks of PDS Biotechnology Corporation.

Investor Contact:
Mike Moyer
LifeSci Advisors
Phone +1 (617) 308-4306
Email: mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact:
Gina Mangiaracina
6 Degrees
Phone +1 (917) 797-7904
Email: gmangiaracina@6degreespr.com

Release – ZyVersa Therapeutics Announces Published Data Supporting the Rationale for Inhibiting Inflammasome ASC with IC 100 to Control Chronic Inflammation

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on ZVSA

Aug 7, 2024

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  • Data demonstrate that extracellular ASC specks, independent of IL-1β, govern the pathogenesis and extent of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, which is characterized by deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils in tissues and organs disrupting their structure and function.
  • Extracellular ASC interacts with serum amyloid A (SAA) released by the liver during inflammation, forming a scaffold that accelerates SAA aggregation into amyloid fibrils, which are deposited in tissues and organs.
  • Amyloid A amyloidosis occurs in a heterogeneous spectrum of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
  • ZyVersa is developing Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100, which inhibits intra- and extracellular ASC and specks associated with multiple types of inflammasomes to attenuate damaging inflammation and its perpetuation and spread to surrounding tissues.

WESTON, Fla., Aug. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZVSA, or “ZyVersa”), a clinical stage specialty biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class drugs for treatment of inflammatory and renal diseases, announces data published in the peer-reviewed journal, EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrating that extracellular ASC has a crucial role in aggregation and deposition of amyloid A fibrils leading to associated chronic inflammatory conditions.

“This research highlighting the role of extracellular ASC specks, independent of IL-1β, in the pathogenesis of chronic conditions associated with amyloid A amyloidosis reinforces our selection of ASC as a target for our inflammasome inhibitor IC 100,” stated Stephen C. Glover, ZyVersa’s Co-founder, Chairman, CEO, and President. “This paper provides one more piece of evidence that inhibiting extracellular ASC specks associated with multiple types of inflammasomes has potential to control damaging inflammation associated with a broad range of inflammatory diseases.”

The paper titled, The ASC inflammasome adapter governs SAA-derived protein aggregation in inflammatory amyloidosis, summarizes data from in vitro and in vivo research investigating the role of ASC in inflammation-associated amyloidosis. Following is a summary of key findings:

  • ASC colocalized tightly with SAA in human AA amyloidosis.
  • ASC specks accelerated SAA fibril formation.
  • Splenic amyloid load was decreased in a Pycard knock-out mouse model of AA Amyloidosis which lacks ASC.
  • Treatment with anti-ASCPYD antibodies decreased amyloid loads in wild-type mice suffering from AA amyloidosis.

“Our findings might have therapeutic implications that advance the fields of protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) and chronic inflammatory diseases in general as ASC could be a target of disease-modifying therapies that aim to reduce amyloid deposition and pathology in various proteinopathies,” concluded the authors.

About Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100

IC 100 is a novel humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC. IC 100 was designed to attenuate both initiation and perpetuation of the inflammatory response. It does so by binding to a specific region of the ASC component of multiple types of inflammasomes, including NLRP1, NLRP2, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, and Pyrin. Intracellularly, IC 100 binds to ASC monomers, inhibiting inflammasome formation, thereby blocking activation of IL-1β early in the inflammatory cascade. IC 100 also binds to ASC in ASC Specks, both intracellularly and extracellularly, further blocking activation of IL-1β and the perpetuation of the inflammatory response that is pathogenic in inflammatory diseases. Because active cytokines amplify adaptive immunity through various mechanisms, IC 100, by attenuating cytokine activation, also attenuates the adaptive immune response. The lead indication for IC 100 is obesity and its associated metabolic complications. To review a white paper summarizing the mechanism of action and preclinical data for IC 100, Click Here.

About ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc.

ZyVersa (Nasdaq: ZVSA) is a clinical stage specialty biopharmaceutical company leveraging advanced proprietary technologies to develop first-in-class drugs for patients with inflammatory or kidney diseases with high unmet medical needs. We are well positioned in the rapidly emerging inflammasome space with a highly differentiated monoclonal antibody, Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100, and in kidney disease with phase 2 Cholesterol Efflux MediatorTM VAR 200. The lead indication for IC 100 is obesity and its associated metabolic complications, and for VAR 200, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Each therapeutic area offers a “pipeline within a product,” with potential for numerous indications. The total accessible market is over $100 billion. For more information, please visit www.zyversa.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding management’s intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations, or forecasts for the future, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc (“ZyVersa”) uses words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “guidance,” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements that are intended to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions. Such forward-looking statements are based on ZyVersa’s expectations and involve risks and uncertainties; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements due to a number of factors, including ZyVersa’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the timing of initiation of ZyVersa’s planned preclinical and clinical trials; the timing of the availability of data from ZyVersa’s preclinical and clinical trials; the timing of any planned investigational new drug application or new drug application; ZyVersa’s plans to research, develop, and commercialize its current and future product candidates; the clinical utility, potential benefits and market acceptance of ZyVersa’s product candidates; ZyVersa’s commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; ZyVersa’s ability to protect its intellectual property position; and ZyVersa’s estimates regarding future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and need for additional financing.

New factors emerge from time-to-time, and it is not possible for ZyVersa to predict all such factors, nor can ZyVersa assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to ZyVersa as of the date of this press release. ZyVersa disclaims any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Corporate, Media, and IR Contact:
Karen Cashmere
Chief Commercial Officer
kcashmere@zyversa.com
786-251-9641

GeoVax Labs (GOVX) – GeoVax Highlights Trial Progress In 2Q24 Report

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Wednesday, August 07, 2024

GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies and vaccines for solid tumor cancers and many of the world’s most threatening infectious diseases. The company’s lead program in oncology is a novel oncolytic solid tumor gene-directed therapy, Gedeptin®, presently in a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. GeoVax’s lead infectious disease candidate is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine targeting high-risk immunocompromised patient populations. Currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials, GEO-CM04S1 is being evaluated as a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from hematologic cancers and other patient populations for whom the current authorized COVID-19 vaccines are insufficient, and as a booster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In addition, GEO-CM04S1 is in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the vaccine as a more robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who previously received the mRNA vaccines. GeoVax has a leadership team who have driven significant value creation across multiple life science companies over the past several decades.

Robert LeBoyer, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Biotechnology, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

GeoVax Made Significant Advances In 2Q24. GeoVax reported a 2Q24 loss of $5.1 million or $(1.99) per share. The company reviewed the progress made during the quarter, including the DARPA grant for the Phase 2 CM04S1 trial, two CM04S1 trials in immunocompromised cancer patients, and announcement of the Phase 2 Gedeptin trial design.

Financial Results Reflect First Grant Revenues. During 2Q, GeoVax recognized $0.3 million in revenues from work related to the Phase 2 CM04S1 trial. Revenue is recognized as the work is completed on a cost-reimbursement basis, with billings recorded as receivables. The company had $1.6 million in cash on June 30 and plans to raise capital in the near future.


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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – Cadrenal Therapeutics and Abbott Initiate Collaborative Effort to Advance Novel Anticoagulant Tecarfarin for Patients with LVADs

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on CVKD

PONTE VEDRA, Fla., Aug. 6, 2024 — Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: CVKD), a biopharmaceutical company developing tecarfarin, a late-stage, new-generation Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) oral and reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) designed to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients with implanted cardiac devices and those with rare cardiovascular conditions, announced today that it has been in discussions with Abbott (NYSE: ABT) about Cadrenal’s planned pivotal study of tecarfarin in patients with recently implanted LVADs. All patients with LVADs require lifelong anticoagulation (AC) to protect against thromboembolic events.

Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing tecarfarin, a clinical-stage novel cardiorenal therapy with orphan drug designation. (PRNewsfoto/Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.)


In April 2024, tecarfarin received FDA Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to prevent blood clots and strokes in patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support devices such as LVADs.

Currently, the only LVAD available in the United States is the HeartMate 3™, manufactured by Abbott, which has been shown to be superior to all prior LVADs.

A recent secondary analysis of the ARIES-HM3 study conducted by Abbott on the necessity of aspirin therapy demonstrated that maintaining high-quality AC can result in further improvement of outcomes with the HeartMate 3 LVAD.

“We are pleased that Abbott has initiated a collaborative effort with us for this trial, which we believe is very important to LVAD patients,” said Quang Pham, Chairman and Chief Executive of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “We believe that tecarfarin has the potential to further improve AC treatment for HeartMate 3 patients.”

Prior clinical studies provide evidence that tecarfarin yields improved AC quality, particularly in patients on multiple medications and those with impaired renal function, both of which are common in LVAD patients.

ABOUT CADRENAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Cadrenal Therapeutics is developing tecarfarin for unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy. Tecarfarin is a new-generation Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) oral and reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients with implanted cardiac devices and those with rare cardiovascular conditions. Tecarfarin has orphan drug designation from the FDA for the prevention of thrombosis and thromboembolism (blood clots) in patients with an implanted mechanical circulatory support device, which includes the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Tecarfarin also has orphan drug and fast-track designations from the FDA for the prevention of systemic thromboembolism of cardiac origin in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and atrial fibrillation (AFib). Tecarfarin is specifically designed to use a different metabolism pathway than the oldest and most commonly prescribed VKA warfarin. Tecarfarin has been evaluated in eleven (11) human clinical trials in more than 1,000 individuals. In Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 2/3 clinical trials, tecarfarin has generally been well-tolerated in both healthy adult subjects and patients with chronic kidney disease. For more information, please visit www.cadrenal.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements contained in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements include statements regarding Cadrenal’s planned pivotal study of tecarfarin in patients with recently implanted LVADs, maintaining high-quality AC resulting in further improvement of outcomes with the HeartMate 3 LVAD, the collaborative effort with Abbott for the trial being very important to LVAD patients and tecarfarin having the potential to further improve AC treatment for HeartMate 3 patients. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the ability of tecarfarin to improve outcomes in patients with a HeartMate 3, the ability of the Company to advance tecarfarin with patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), and those with AFib and ESKD, the collaboration with Abbott being successful and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:

Cadrenal Therapeutics:
Matthew Szot, CFO
858-337-0766
press@cadrenal.com

Investors:
Lytham Partners, LLC
Robert Blum, Managing Partner
602-889-9700
CVKD@lythampartners.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadrenal-therapeutics-and-abbott-initiate-collaborative-effort-to-advance-novel-anticoagulant-tecarfarin-for-patients-with-lvads-302214878.html

SOURCE Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc.

Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication in Microorganisms of Technology that Expands Company’s Capabilities in Generating Potential Therapeutic Fully Human Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Pathogens

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on TNXP

August 06, 2024 8:00am EDT

High-throughput, high-content imaging-based assay developed to screen convalescent sera for neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Study highlights Tonix’s internal R&D capabilities in infectious disease that include a COVID-19 vaccine selected by NIH for Project NextGen and a host-directed anti-viral program awarded a DoD/DTRA contract for up to $34 million

CHATHAM, N.J., Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, today announced the publication of a research paper in Microorganisms, a scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal of microbiology. The article titled, “High-Throughput Screening Assay for Convalescent Sera in COVID-19: Efficacy, Donor Selection, and Variant Neutralization,” by Kota, et al.1, highlights proprietary high-throughput, high-content imaging technology to screen convalescent sera for generating neutralizing, fully-human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 variants and potentially other pathogens.

“This article highlights Tonix’s capabilities in developing fully human mAbs against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “Our phenotypic imaging system can be used to identify antibodies to counter SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and potentially other infectious agents.”

“COVID-19 rates are on the rise again, and there is growing concern that the short-term protection provided by mRNA vaccines may not be sufficient to control COVID-19 as a public health threat,” continued Dr. Lederman. “Our new publication highlights the capabilities of Tonix’s screening and therapeutic discovery and development technologies.”

In addition to this technology, Tonix has several other research and development programs to prevent and treat viral illnesses. Tonix is developing TNX-801, a live-virus vaccine based on horsepox to protect against mpox and smallpox. TNX-801 is also the vector underlying our Recombinant Pox Virus (RPV) platform technology and to engineer vaccines to protect against other viruses. TNX-1800, which uses the RPV technology, is a potential vaccine against COVID-19 that was selected by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for inclusion in clinical trials as part of its Project NextGen for prevention of COVID-19. Tonix also is developing TNX-4200, an orally available CD45 antagonist with broad-spectrum efficacy against a range of viral families. Tonix recently was awarded a $34 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), to establish physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and safety attributes to support an Investigational New Drug submission and to fund a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study using TNX-4200.

In support of our infectious disease programs, Tonix’s experienced team utilizes state-of-the-art research laboratory capabilities, including a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab and an Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) facility at our research and development center (RDC) located in Frederick, Md. The RDC is located in Maryland’s “I-270 biotech corridor” and is close to the center of the U.S. biodefense research community.

About TNX-4200*
The TNX-4200 program aims to develop an orally available CD45 antagonist, with broad-spectrum efficacy against a range of viral families through preclinical evaluation. The program is expected to establish physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and safety attributes to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission and to fund a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study. Through our agreement with DTRA, our broad-spectrum antiviral research program will address the DoD’s goal of protecting U.S. Joint Forces in the event biological weapons are introduced onto the battlefield. The $34 million five-year contract will help fund and accelerate the development of the Company’s broad-spectrum antiviral program, which has the potential to reduce viral load and allow the adaptive immune system to alert the other arms of the immune system to mount a protective response. Tonix plans to leverage previous research on phosphatase inhibitors, specifically compounds that target CD45, to optimize lead compounds for therapeutic intervention of biothreat agents and provide the government with a complete and cost-effective solution for a broad-spectrum medical countermeasure. Tonix’s premise is that partial inhibition of CD45 will provide optimal antiviral protection while requiring lower plasma drug concentrations, a lower dose, and a better safety profile.

About Project NextGen
Project NextGen is a $5 billion initiative to develop the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics to combat COVID-19. Based at the HHS and led by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the NIH’s NIAID, Project NextGen was stood up to coordinate across the federal government and the private sector to advance the pipeline of new, innovative vaccines and therapeutics into clinical trials and potential review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for authorization or approval, and commercial availability for the American people. The program will focus on several areas, including mucosal vaccines, vaccines that provide broader protection against variants of concern and a longer duration of protection, pan-coronavirus vaccines, and new and more durable monoclonal antibodies.

About TNX-801* and Tonix’s RPV Platform
TNX-801 (recombinant horsepox virus) is a live virus vaccine for percutaneous administration that is being developed to target smallpox, and mpox (monkeypox). TNX-801 is also the basis of the RPV platform based on a horsepox vector, which is being adapted as a COVID-19 vaccine, term TNX-1800*. Horsepox is a live replicating, attenuated virus that has been shown to be >1,000-fold more attenuated than modern vaccinia (VACV) strains in immunocompromised mice.2 Horsepox and the vaccinia vaccine viruses are closely related orthopoxviruses that are believed to share a common ancestor. Molecular analysis shows that horsepox is closer than modern vaccinia vaccines in DNA sequence to the vaccine discovered and disseminated by Dr. Edward Jenner. Live replicating orthopoxviruses, like vaccinia or horsepox, can be engineered to express foreign genes and have been explored as platforms for vaccine development because they possess; (1) large packaging capacity for exogenous DNA inserts, (2) precise virus-specific control of exogenous gene insert expression, (3) lack of persistence or genomic integration in the host, (4) strong immunogenicity as a vaccine, (5) ability to rapidly generate vector/insert constructs, (6) readily manufacturable at scale, and (7) ability to provide direct antigen presentation. Relative to vaccinia, horsepox has substantially decreased virulence in mice. The current formulation is a frozen liquid, but we believe that future lyophilized versions can be stored and shipped at standard refrigeration. Horsepox-based vaccines are designed to be single dose, vial-sparing vaccines that can be administered without sterile injection, manufactured using conventional cell culture systems with the potential for mass scale production, and packaged in multi-dose vials.

About TNX-1800*
TNX-1800 (recombinant horsepox virus) is a live virus vaccine for percutaneous administration that is designed to express the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to elicit a predominant T cell response. Moreover, we believe the low dose of TNX-1800 makes this technology amenable for future implementation in microneedle delivery systems. NIAID will cover the full cost of Phase 1 clinical trials, while Tonix will supply the vaccine candidate. The intent is to provide durable protection against severe disease and prevent forward transmission, primarily by eliciting a T-cell immune response. TNX-1800 expresses the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, was immunogenic, well tolerated3 and showed promise in protecting animals from challenge with SARS-CoV-2 delivered directly into the lungs.4

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2024 for TNX-102 SL*, a product candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL was awarded Fast Track designation from the FDA. Tonix expects a decision on marketing approval from the FDA in 2025. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is an Fc-modified humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.

*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.

Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.

  1. Kota, K.P. et al. (2024) Microorganisms July 23, 2024.https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms1208150
  2. Trefry, SV et al., BioRxiv 2023.10.25.564033; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.25.564033
  3. Awasthi M, et al. Viruses. 2023. 15(10):2131. doi: 10.3390/v15102131.
  4. Awasthi M et al Vaccines (Basel). 2023. 11(11):1682. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11111682.PMID: 38006014

Forward Looking Statements
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 forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’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, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.

Investor Contact
Jessica Morris
Tonix Pharmaceuticals
investor.relations@tonixpharma.com
(862) 904-8182

Peter Vozzo
ICR Westwicke
peter.vozzo@westwicke.com
(443) 213-0505

Media Contact
Katie Dodge
LaVoieHealthScience
kdodge@lavoiehealthscience.com
(978) 360-3151

Primary Logo

Source: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Released August 6, 2024

New Hope for Rare Disease Patients: FDA Panel Backs Zevra’s Drug

Posted on by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com
Key Points:
– FDA advisory panel recommends approval of arimoclomol for Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC).
– If approved, arimoclomol would be the first FDA-approved treatment for NPC in the US.
– Final FDA decision expected by September 21, 2024.

In a significant development for patients with a rare and devastating brain disease, an FDA advisory panel has recommended approving arimoclomol, a drug developed by Zevra Therapeutics. This decision marks a potential turning point in the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC), a condition that currently lacks FDA-approved therapies in the United States.

NPC is a serious genetic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to process and transport fats, leading to their accumulation in various organs, including the brain. This buildup causes progressive neurological damage, severely impacting patients’ quality of life. The disease is caused by mutations in either the NPC1 or NPC2 genes, which are responsible for producing proteins involved in cellular cholesterol transport.

Arimoclomol’s journey to potential approval has been marked by setbacks and perseverance. In 2021, the FDA initially rejected the drug, requesting additional evidence of its efficacy. However, under the new ownership of Zevra Therapeutics (formerly KemPharma), arimoclomol has found new life. The company submitted a reinforced New Drug Application (NDA) with additional long-term data, which seems to have addressed the FDA’s previous concerns.

The FDA’s Genetic Metabolic Diseases Advisory Committee (GeMDAC) voted 11 to 5 in favor of approving arimoclomol. This recommendation is based on a comprehensive review of clinical data, including results from a pivotal trial and a four-year open-label extension study. These studies demonstrated a decrease in the NPC Clinical Severity Scale (NPCCSS) score compared to placebo, indicating a meaningful clinical benefit for patients.

Arimoclomol works by inducing the heat shock response in cells, which helps to correct the protein misfolding that contributes to NPC. This novel approach has earned the drug several FDA designations, including orphan drug, fast track, breakthrough therapy, and rare pediatric disease status, underscoring its potential significance in treating this devastating condition.

If approved, arimoclomol would become the first FDA-approved treatment for NPC in the United States. Currently, US patients rely on off-label use of miglustat (Zavesca), which is approved for NPC in some European countries. The FDA’s final decision on arimoclomol is expected by September 21, 2024, the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date for the NDA.

The market implications of arimoclomol’s potential approval are substantial. GlobalData forecasts that the NPC drug market could reach $220 million by 2031 across the US, Germany, and the UK. This represents a significant opportunity for Zevra Therapeutics and, more importantly, a beacon of hope for NPC patients and their families.

Zevra’s CEO, Neil McFarlane, expressed confidence in arimoclomol’s clinical benefit and optimism about its path to approval. The company’s persistence in addressing the FDA’s initial concerns and providing robust long-term data has seemingly paid off, potentially bringing a much-needed treatment option to a patient population with limited choices.

This story underscores the complex and often challenging path of drug development for rare diseases. It highlights the importance of persistence and comprehensive clinical data in addressing regulatory concerns and ultimately bringing innovative treatments to patients in need. If approved, arimoclomol could significantly improve the lives of people with NPC, offering hope to a community that has long awaited an effective treatment option.

Release – FDA Recognizes Fibromyalgia as a ‘Serious Condition’ And Fast-Tracks New Drug Candidate

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on TNXP

August 01, 2024 7:45am EDT Download as PDF

This post was written and published as a collaboration between the in-house editorial team at Benzinga and Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. with financial support from Tonix. The two organizations work to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate as of the date hereof to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

CHATHAM, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / August 1, 2024 / When it comes to chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia is among the most common, afflicting more than ten million people in the United States. Globally, 3-6% of the world’s population suffers from this chronic disease that has no cure. While it is more prevalent in women, men and children across every race can also be afflicted with fibromyalgia.

With so many people suffering from a disease that brings widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive issues, it’s no wonder the market for symptom treatment has seen steady growth over the years and is poised for more. By 2031, the fibromyalgia treatment market is projected to reach $3.86 billion growing at a CAGR of 3.3% between now and then.

Fibromyalgia is a Serious Disease

This form of chronic pain has become such a problem in the United States that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers the disease to be a serious condition, which means it is a disease associated with morbidity that has a substantial impact on day-to-day functioning. After all, 70% of sufferers have difficulty with daily activities, 90% report poor sleep quality and 20% file disability claims.

Most treatments on the market today are a combination of medication and self-care focused on reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life. Unfortunately, due to dissatisfaction with the available treatment options, many patients (at the direction of their medical providers) turn to opioids to relieve their pain. As it stands, more people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are prescribed opioids than the bestselling FDA-approved drug duloxetine (generic Cymbalta). That’s concerning, given opioids can be addictive and with time, life-threatening.

Of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain, 21% to 29% misuse them while an average of 8% to 12% develop opioid use disorder. A U.S. policy to address opioid use, which killed more than 100,000 Americans in 2022, is aimed at curtailing imports of fentanyl and synthetics. Many experts believe a concurrent and perhaps more effective strategy is to provide pain sufferers relief with non-addictive products.

Fast Track Granted to TNX-102 SL*

The FDA has granted Tonix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TNXP) a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company Fast Track designation for TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets), its drug candidate for the management of fibromyalgia. Tonix says the designation validates that fibromyalgia is a serious condition and that TNX-102 SL, which has no known addictive properties, has the potential to address this unmet medical need.

The FDA’s Fast Track process is designed to facilitate development and expedite the review of therapies intended to treat serious conditions and address unmet medical needs to potentially get new treatments to patients sooner. Companies whose programs are granted Fast Track designation are eligible for more frequent interactions with the FDA during clinical development.

“The designation underscores the importance of addressing the unmet needs of fibromyalgia patients, who report dissatisfaction with current treatment options,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., CEO of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “If approved by the FDA, we expect TNX-102 SL to become the first new pharmacotherapy for fibromyalgia in over 15 years.”

TNX-102 SL is a sublingual formulation of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride designed to improve sleep quality rather than quantity, setting it apart from existing treatments, which fail to manage sleep disturbances that exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms, the company says.

In recent Phase 3 trials, TNX-102 SL showed a statistically significant improvement in fibromyalgia pain with a p-value of 0.00005. Tonix reports that significant results were also seen in improving sleep quality, reducing fatigue and improving overall fibromyalgia symptoms and function. TNX-102 SL was well tolerated and the most common adverse events were transient sensations in the mouth corresponding with the disintegration of the tablet under the tongue.

New Drug Application Coming Soon

In addition to receiving Fast Track status, Tonix announced it is making progress on its new drug application (NDA), which it plans to submit to the FDA in the second half of this year. Coming out of pre-NDA meetings, Tonix said it is aligned with the FDA regarding the application for TNX-102 SL.

Tonix plans to request Priority Review designation for TNX-102 SL, and if granted, the FDA may accelerate the review of the new drug application.

“The NDA being prepared supports TNX-102 SL’s potential position as a first-line non-addictive therapy for fibromyalgia, indicated for long-term daily use at bedtime,” said Lederman.

*TNX-102 SL is an investigational new drug and has not been approved for any indication.

Featured photo by B-Me on Pixabay

Click here for more information on Tonix Pharmaceuticals:
https://redingtonvirtual.com/tnxp-aw-2408/

Investor Contact
Jessica Morris
Tonix Pharmaceuticals
investor.relations@tonixpharma.com
(862) 904-8182

SOURCE: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Release – PDS Biotech Aligns with FDA on Phase 3 Trial in HPV16-Positive First-Line Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research News and Market Data on PDSB

Company to initiate Phase 3 VERSATILE-003 trial in Q4 2024

Conference Call Today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) (“PDS Biotech” or the “Company”), a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers and the development of infectious disease vaccines, today announced that it has received the official minutes from its meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regarding next steps in its planned Phase 3 clinical trial of its Versamune® based investigational immunotherapy designed to stimulate a targeted T cell attack against HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (“HNSCC”). The Company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss details of the anticipated Phase 3 clinical trial of Versamune® HPV (formerly PDS0101) in this indication.

PDS Biotech presented the FDA with recent data from both the VERSATILE-002 study of Versamune® HPV + pembrolizumab, and the triple combination of Versamune® HPV + PDS01ADC + bintrafusp alfa. The Company also provided an updated design of the Phase 3 VERSATILE-003 trial of Versamune® HPV + pembrolizumab which included updated statistical endpoints based on recent and more mature survival data. PDS Biotech proposed the addition of a third arm to the study which would be a triple combination of Versamune® HPV + PDS01ADC + pembrolizumab. The first part of the study would therefore involve a dose optimization of PDS01ADC in the novel combination.

The FDA supported the strategy and development of the double and triple combinations. Also, the FDA requested additional safety analysis in the lead-in PDS01ADC dose optimization part of the study. To avoid potential delays in initiating the randomized trial, the FDA agreed that the dose optimization should be done separately and the registrational trial of the revised 2-arm double combination trial, VERSATILE-003, should proceed. The Versamune® HPV + pembrolizumab combination has received Fast Track designation.

“We appreciate the FDA’s support in the development of both the double and triple Versamune® HPV-based combinations. We are also pleased to have aligned on initiating the updated VERSATILE-003 study,” said Frank Bedu-Addo, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotech. “The VERSATILE-002 results have matured significantly and positively over the last year, allowing us to revise the statistical endpoints of the study to provide additional robustness to the study design. We continue to believe that the combination, based on encouraging survival, disease control response rates and safety has the potential to significantly advance the treatment of HPV16-positive HNSCC. Our goal now is to investigate Versamune® HPV + pembrolizumab’s potential as the first targeted immunotherapy for HPV16-positive HNSCC. The addition of PDS01ADC in the future has the potential to provide further clinical benefit to an effective targeted immunotherapy.”

Kirk Shepard, MD, Chief Medical Officer, continued, “We have contracted with a clinical research organization and the preparatory work is advancing to begin enrollment in the VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 clinical trial in first-line treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HPV16-positive HNSCC, with overall survival as the study’s primary endpoint. Our VERSATILE-003 trial has significant key opinion leader support, including from the investigators involved in VERSATILE-002, and we have lined up a significant number of the target sites that have indicated strong interest in participating in the trial.”

Conference Call Details
Date: August 1, 2024
Time: 8:00 a.m. ET
Dial-in: 1-877-704-4453 or 1-201-389-0920

Webcast Registration: Click Here
Call MeTM Registration: Click Here (Available 15 minutes prior to call)

About PDS Biotechnology

PDS Biotechnology is a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers and the development of infectious disease vaccines. The Company plans to initiate a pivotal clinical trial in 2024 to advance its lead program in advanced HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell cancers. PDS Biotech’s lead investigational targeted immunotherapy Versamune® HPV is being developed in combination with a standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitor, and also in a triple combination including PDS01ADC, an IL-12 fused antibody drug conjugate (ADC), and a standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitor.

For more information, 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,” “forecast,” “guidance”, “outlook” and other similar expressions among others. 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 Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the Company’s anticipated cash runway and the Company’s current expectations regarding its plans for future equity financings; the Company’s dependence on additional financing to fund its operations and complete the development and commercialization of its product candidates, and the risks that raising such additional capital may restrict the Company’s operations or require the Company to relinquish rights to the Company’s technologies or product candidates; the Company’s limited operating history in the Company’s current line of business, which makes it difficult to evaluate the Company’s prospects, the Company’s business plan or the likelihood of the Company’s successful implementation of such business plan; the timing for the Company or its partners to initiate the planned clinical trials for PDS01ADC, PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune® based product candidates; the future success of such trials; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations, including any collaboration studies concerning PDS01ADC, PDS0101, PDS0203 and other Versamune® and Infectimune® based product candidates and the Company’s interpretation of the results and findings of such programs and collaborations and whether such results are sufficient to support the future success of the Company’s product candidates; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund its disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to the Company’s currently projected expenses), futility analyses, presentations at conferences and data reported in an abstract, and receipt of interim or preliminary results (including, without limitation, any preclinical results or data), which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials; any Company statements about its understanding of product candidates mechanisms of action and interpretation of preclinical and early clinical results from its clinical development programs and any collaboration studies; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; 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 other risks, uncertainties, and other factors described under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in the documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

Versamune® and Infectimune® are registered trademarks of PDS Biotechnology Corporation.

Investor Contact:
Mike Moyer
LifeSci Advisors
Phone +1 (617) 308-4306
Email: mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact:
Gina Mangiaracina
6 Degrees
Phone +1 (917) 797-7904
Email: gmangiaracina@6degreespr.com

Release – Ocugen, Inc. Announces Pricing of $35 Million Public Offering of Common Stock

Posted on by aweinsoff@channelchek.com

Research news and Market Data on OCGN

July 31, 2024

PDF Version

MALVERN, Pa., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, today announced the pricing of its underwritten public offering of 30,434,783 shares of its common stock at an offering price of $1.15 per share of common stock for gross proceeds of $35 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by Ocugen. In addition, Ocugen has granted to the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to 4,565,217 additional shares of its common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is expected to close on or about August 2, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Ocugen intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, capital expenditures, working capital, and general and administrative expenses.

Titan Partners Group, a division of American Capital Partners, is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering.

The offering is being made by Ocugen pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-278774) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 18, 2024, which became effective on May 1, 2024. The securities may be offered only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement that form a part of the registration statement. A preliminary prospectus supplement was filed with the SEC on July 31, 2024. The final prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and when available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relating to the offering, may be obtained by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by contacting Titan Partners Group, LLC, a division of American Capital Partners, LLC, 4 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007, by phone at (929) 833-1246 or by email at prospectus@titanpartnersgrp.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Ocugen, Inc.

Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements within this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding Ocugen’s expectations regarding the timing of the completion of the offering and the anticipated use of proceeds. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, such as market and other conditions. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the SEC, including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Ocugen Contact:Titan Partners Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton(929) 833-1246
Head of Communicationsprospectus@titanpartnersgrp.com
Tiffany.Hamilton@Ocugen.com 

MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGROF) – Tack On Another Approval

Posted on by cpereira@noblefcm.com


Thursday, August 01, 2024

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Another State. MustGrow announced the Company has received the Idaho State Department of Agriculture approval for TerraSante, allowing the product to commence sales in the state. The state follows the existing Organic OMRI Listed certifications in Oregon and Washington. Idaho now joins the list of states to authorize product sales, including the aforementioned Oregon and Washington and California.

Market Size. Idaho provided approximately $1.3 billion in crop production from potatoes in 2023, an increase from $1.2 billion in 2022, as potatoes are the state’s top crop. Other commodities the state provides includes barley, alfalfa hay, peppermint oil, and food trout. Overall, the state’s crop production was $3.3 billion in 2021.


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