Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Completes Clinical Stage of Phase 2 PREVENTION Study of TNX-1900 for the Prevention of Migraine Headaches in Chronic Migraineurs

Research News and Market Data on TNXP

October 26, 2023 7:00am EDTDownload as PDF

Topline results expected early December 2023

Novel formulation of intranasal oxytocin contains magnesium (Mg2+), shown to potentiate the analgesic
effects of oxytocin on the oxytocin receptor in animal models

TNX-1900 blocks release of CGRP, a key peptide in the pathogenesis of migraine, from trigeminal ganglia
neurons while limiting systemic exposure

CHATHAM, N.J., Oct. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP), a biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, today announced the completion of the clinical phase of the Phase 2 proof-of-concept, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled PREVENTION1 study of TNX-19002 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) as a potential treatment for the prevention of migraine headaches in chronic migraineurs. A total of 88 patients were enrolled in this multi-site study in the U.S. Topline results are expected in early December 2023.

TNX-1900 is a proprietary formulation of oxytocin that contains magnesium, which Tonix has shown in animal models potentiates the action of oxytocin at oxytocin receptors and potentially improves the consistency of treatment by reducing paradoxical high-dose inhibition. Its unique, multimodal mechanism of action includes an ability to inhibit the release of the trigeminal neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in blood vessels within the brain, its lining and the brainstem, and to suppress signaling in pain neurons. Tonix believes that by engaging and activating oxytocin receptors in the trigeminal ganglia, TNX-1900 has the potential to help those suffering from chronic migraine.

“TNX-1900 is being developed as a novel, non-CGRP antagonist approach to treatment for chronic migraineurs,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “There are an estimated four million individuals in the U.S. suffering from this debilitating condition, and despite several classes of migraine preventives available, there remains an unmet need for novel approaches.”

“With the last patient now treated, we look forward to analysis of the results of this proof-of-concept study, which will help to inform our plans as we discuss next steps with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Gregory Sullivan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “We would like to thank the participants, their families, and all the investigators and researchers who have been an important part of this journey so far.”

1Clinical Trials.gov I.D. NCT05679908
2TNX-1900 is an investigational new drug and is not approved for any indication.

About the Phase 2 PREVENTION Study
The Phase 2 PREVENTION study is a double-blind, randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TNX-1900 taken prophylactically on a daily basis to prevent chronic migraine. There are three arms: two treatment regimens of TNX-1900 and one placebo in a 1:1:1 ratio in a total of 88 participants across approximately 26 U.S. sites. After a four-week Run-In phase to confirm chronic migraine criteria are met, there are 12-weeks of a double-blind Treatment phase with study drug, followed by a 2-week safety Follow-Up phase. The primary efficacy endpoint is mean change in the number of migraine headache days between the 28-day Run-In phase and the last 28-days of the Treatment phase. Key secondary efficacy endpoints include proportion of patients experiencing a ≥ 50% reduction in the number of migraine headache days, mean change in the number of days using migraine abortive medications, and mean change in a migraine-specific quality of life measure.

For more information, see ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05679908.

About Migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition that typically manifests in a throbbing moderate to severe headache which lasts at least four hours, often on one side of the head and aggravated by routine physical activity. It can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, and sensitivity to bright light and loud noises1. Epidemiological studies indicate that globally, approximately 1.2 billion individuals suffer from migraines annually2. In the U.S., approximately 39 million Americans suffer from migraines and among these individuals, approximately four million experience chronic migraines (15 or more headache days per month, at least eight of which are migraines)2. The current FDA approved drugs for migraine prevention in chronic migraine include Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), and the anti-CGRP/CGRP-R monoclonal antibodies Aimovig® (erenumab), Vyepti® (eptinezumab), Ajovy® (fremanezumab) and Emgality® (galcanezumab).

1The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition. Cephalalgia. 2018. 38(1):1-211.

2Burch et al., Migraine: Epidemiology, Burden, and Comorbidity. Neurol Clin. 2019. 631–649.

About TNX-1900
TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) is a proprietary formulation of oxytocin in development as a candidate for prevention in chronic migraine and other conditions. In 2020, TNX-1900 was acquired from Trigemina, Inc. who had licensed the technology underlying the composition and method from Stanford University. TNX-1900 is a drug-device combination product, based on an intranasal actuator device that delivers oxytocin into the nasal cavity. Oxytocin is a naturally occurring human peptide hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Oxytocin has no recognized addiction potential. It has been observed that low oxytocin levels in the body are associated with increases in migraine headache frequency, and that increased oxytocin levels are associated with fewer migraine headaches. Certain other chronic pain conditions are also associated with decreased oxytocin levels. Migraine attacks are caused, in part, by the activity of pain-sensing trigeminal neurons which, when activated, release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) which binds to receptors on other nerve cells and starts a cascade of events that is believed to result in headache. Oxytocin, when delivered via the nasal route, concentrates in the trigeminal system1 resulting in binding of oxytocin to receptors on neurons in the trigeminal system, inhibiting the release of CGRP and transmission of pain signals returning from the site of CGRP release2. Blocking CGRP release is a distinct mechanism compared with CGRP antagonist and anti-CGRP antibody drugs, which block the binding of CGRP to its receptor. With TNX-1900, the addition of magnesium to the oxytocin formulation enhances oxytocin receptor binding3 as well as its inhibitory effects on trigeminal neurons and resultant craniofacial analgesic effects, as demonstrated in animal models4. Intranasal oxytocin has been shown to be well tolerated in several clinical trials in both adults and children5. Targeted nasal delivery results in low systemic exposure and lower risk of non-nervous system, off-target effects, which could potentially occur with systemic CGRP antagonists such as anti-CGRP antibodies6. For example, CGRP has roles in dilating blood vessels in response to ischemia, including in the heart. The Company believes nasally targeted delivery of oxytocin could translate into selective blockade of CGRP release from neurons in the trigeminal ganglion and not throughout the body, which could be a potential safety advantage over systemic CGRP inhibition. In addition, daily dosing is more rapidly reversible, in contrast to monthly or quarterly dosing, as is the case with anti-CGRP antibodies, giving physicians and their patients greater control. In addition to chronic migraine, TNX-1900 will be developed for treatment of episodic migraine, binge eating disorder, craniofacial pain conditions, and insulin resistance. Tonix also has a license with the University of Geneva to use TNX-1900 for the treatment of insulin resistance and related conditions.

1Yeomans DC, et al. Transl Psychiatry. 2021. 11(1):388.

2Tzabazis A, et al. Cephalalgia. 2016. 36(10):943-50.

3Antoni FA and Chadio SE. Biochem J. 1989. 257(2):611-4.

4Cai Q, et al., Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2018. 72(3):140-151.

5Yeomans, DC et al. 2017. US patent US2017368095.

6MaassenVanDenBrink A, et al. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2016. 37(9):779-788.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing, developing, discovering and licensing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg under a transition services agreement with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC from whom the products were acquired on June 30, 2023. Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are each indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. Tonix’s development portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS development portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. Tonix’s lead development CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia, having completed enrollment of a potentially confirmatory Phase 3 study in the third quarter of 2023, with topline data expected in late December 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat fibromyalgia-type Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. Enrollment in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study has been completed, and topline results were reported in the third quarter of 2023. TNX-601 ER (tianeptine hemioxalate extended-release tablets) is a once-daily oral formulation being developed as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), that completed enrollment in a Phase 2 study in the third quarter of 2023, with topline results expected in early November of 2023. TNX-4300 (estianeptine) is a single isomer version of TNX-601, a small molecule oral therapeutic in preclinical development to treat MDD, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Relative to tianeptine, estianeptine lacks activity on the mu-opioid receptor while maintaining activity and the ability to activate PPAR-β/δ and neuroplasticity in tissue culture. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), is in development as a preventive treatment in chronic migraine, and the clinical phase of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study is now completed with topline data expected in early December 2023. TNX-1900 is also being studied in binge eating disorder, pediatric obesity and social anxiety disorder by academic collaborators under investigator-initiated INDs. TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. A Phase 2 study of TNX-1300 is expected to be initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023. Tonix’s rare disease development portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 was initiated in the third quarter of 2023. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline includes TNX-801, a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and mpox. TNX-801 also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine platform for other infectious diseases, including TNX-1800, in development as a vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The infectious disease development portfolio also includes TNX-3900 and TNX-4000, which are classes of broad-spectrum small molecule oral antivirals.

*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. Intravail is a registered trademark of Aegis Therapeutics, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Neurelis, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

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

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, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 13, 2023, 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
Ben Shannon
ICR Westwicke
ben.shannon@westwicke.com
443-213-0495

Source: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Released October 26, 2023

Eledon Pharmaceuticals (ELDN) – C-Suite Interview With Eledon CEO Available On ChannelChek


Thursday, October 26, 2023

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.

Our Discussion Included Eledon’s Science, Markets, and Company Strategy.  We recently spoke with the Eledon CEO, Dr. DA Gros, as part of our C-Suite Interview Series. Our interview included the scientific principles on which tegoprubart is based, the unmet need in kidney transplantation, and the current clinical trials. Dr. Gros also discussed additional tegoprubart indications, company finances, and future milestones.

Eledon Is Pursuing An Unmet Need In Kidney Transplantation. Dr. Gros described how tegoprubart blocks a step in the immune response that has applications in many immune disorders. The first application in development is for prevention of kidney transplant rejection, where the current standard of care drugs are effective but have toxic side effects that lead to organ failure after 10 to 12 years. Tegoprubart is currently in two clinical trials for this indication.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*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 – ZyVersa Therapeutics Announces Research Published in the Peer-Reviewed Journal Diabetes Reinforcing IC 100’s Rationale for Inhibiting ASC to Attenuate Damaging Inflammation Associated with Serious Conditions Such as Obesity-related Heart Disease

Research News and Market Data on ZVSA

Oct 25, 2023

PDF Version

  • Paper reports that obesity exacerbates scarring of the heart’s muscular tissue (myocardial fibrosis) through recruitment of inflammasome ASC to the heart’s mitochondria, facilitating NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation leading to damaging inflammation
  • Obesity, which affects over 650 million adults, is a known risk factor for myocardial fibrosis which is associated with almost all heart diseases
  • ZyVersa is developing Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100, designed to inhibit formation of multiple types of inflammasomes and their associated ASC specks to attenuate initiation and perpetuation of damaging inflammation

WESTON, Fla., Oct. 25, 2023 (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 a publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Diabetes, demonstrating the role of ASC in myocardial fibrosis induced by obesity. ASC is an inflammasome adaptor protein that has a critical role in inflammasome activation.

In the paper titled, “Obesity enables NLRP3 activation and induces myocardial fibrosis via hyperacetylation of HADHa,” the authors performed MRIs on obese and lean people and evaluated their plasma. They also studied an animal model of obesity, with and without induced myocardial injury. Data indicate that:

  • Activated NLRP3 inflammasomes leading to increased levels of proinflammatory IL-1β and IL-18 contribute to obesity-related myocardial fibrosis in obese humans and mice.
  • Inflammasome ASC localized in the heart’s mitochondria participates in NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation based on mouse data.
  • Inhibition of NLRP3 activation or removal of IL-1β and IL-18 abated the adverse effects on cardiac fibrosis and function in mice.

The authors concluded that these results provide new evidence for the involvement of mitochondria-localized ASC in obesity-induced cardiac fibrosis. To read the article, Click Here.

“Obesity, a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has reached pandemic proportions, and may affect up to two-thirds of the adult population in developed countries,” stated Stephen C. Glover, ZyVersa’s Co-founder, Chairman, CEO and President. “The research published in Diabetes demonstrates that ASC in the heart’s mitochondria facilitates NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation leading to damaging inflammation and myocardial fibrosis associated with obesity. This provides support for Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100 as a potential therapeutic option. By inhibiting ASC, IC 100 blocks formation of NLRP3 and other types of inflammasomes to block initiation of the inflammatory cascade. Likewise, IC 100 uniquely inhibits ASC specks to attenuate perpetuation of damaging inflammation.” To review a white paper summarizing the mechanism of action and preclinical data for IC 100, Click Here.

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, 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.

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 renal and inflammatory diseases who have significant unmet medical needs. The Company is currently advancing a therapeutic development pipeline with multiple programs built around its two proprietary technologies – Cholesterol Efflux Mediator™ VAR 200 for treatment of kidney diseases, and Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100, targeting damaging inflammation associated with numerous CNS and other inflammatory diseases. 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 and IR Contact:
Karen Cashmere
Chief Commercial Officer
kcashmere@zyversa.com
786-251-9641

Media Contacts
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Casey McDonald
cmcdonald@tiberend.com
646-577-8520

Dave Schemelia
dschemelia@tiberend.com
609-468-9325

MAIA Biotechnology (MAIA) – THIO-101 Data Update Shows Improved Disease Control Rates


Wednesday, October 25, 2023

MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is THIO, a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.

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.

ESMO Data Shows Unusually High Survival Rates. MAIA Biotechnology presented preliminary data from the THIO-101 trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference. The disease control rate (DCR) reached 100% in second line patients compared with about 53% to 64%  for standard of care therapies. DCR for third line patients reached 88%, compared with about 30% expected. We see these results as extremely strong, and believe DCR could correlate with overall survival (OS), a primary endpoint of the trial.

Preliminary Data Shows Strong Response. The results showed a disease control rate (DCR, consisting of complete responses, partial responses, or stable disease) of 100% or 19 out of 19 patients in second line therapy and 88% or 14 out of 16 patients in third line. Published data from 74 clinical trials with standard of care therapies show 53% to 64% DCR in second line and about 30% in third line. We see this as a substantial improvement over results from standard of care therapies.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*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. 

AMN Healthcare Expands Its Footprint with Acquisition of MSDR

AMN Healthcare (NYSE: AMN), a prominent player in total talent solutions for healthcare organizations across the United States, has announced its plans to acquire MSDR, marking a significant move in the healthcare staffing sector. The definitive agreement, with a purchase price of $300 million, encompasses two healthcare staffing companies, Medical Search International (MSI) and DRW Healthcare Staffing (DRW), both of which specialize in locum tenens and advanced practices.

Meet the Companies:

MSI, established in 2002, is renowned for its services in placing high-quality healthcare professionals specializing in psychiatry, anesthesia, radiology, and surgery, serving healthcare systems throughout the United States. DRW, founded in 2011, boasts expertise in psychiatry, anesthesia, and surgery placements, making it a valued leader in the locum tenens industry. Notably, Chris Wang, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of DRW, will continue to contribute as the President of MSDR.

Growth Prospects and Financials:

This strategic acquisition positions AMN Healthcare for substantial revenue growth within the locum tenens sector. In 2022, MSDR generated $104 million in revenue, and the annualized revenue for 2023 stands at approximately $155 million. AMN anticipates the deal to be modestly accretive to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) within the first 12 months of integration.

The acquisition is slated to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, contingent on regulatory approvals and closing conditions. It will be treated as an asset purchase, creating a step-up in the tax basis for the intangible assets acquired.

Expanding Solutions and Expertise:

With the integration of MSDR, AMN Healthcare’s extensive portfolio of solutions is set to expand significantly. Clients will gain access to a larger and more diverse candidate pool, including healthcare professionals specializing in some of the most sought-after and in-demand services.

Moreover, the acquisition brings the wealth of expertise and knowledge of the MSDR team in recruitment, placement, and operations, coupled with candidate matching technology tailored for locum tenens. This move underscores AMN Healthcare’s commitment to delivering high-quality, tailored workforce solutions.

Commentary from Leadership:

AMN Healthcare President and Chief Executive Officer Cary Grace expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are very excited to welcome the MSDR team into the AMN Healthcare family and expand the workforce solutions available to our clients across the country.” The move signifies a strategic growth opportunity that positions AMN Healthcare as a stronger and more comprehensive player in the healthcare staffing industry, ultimately benefitting both healthcare organizations and the dedicated professionals they serve.

Explore more healthcare and biotechnology stocks covered by Noble Senior Analysts Gregory Aurand and Robert LeBoyer

Release – GeoVax Update: Clinical and Operational Progress Toward Transformative Opportunities

Research News and Market Data on GOVX

ATLANTA, GA, October 24, 2023 – GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, today announced an update on key strategic initiatives.

“The third quarter marked advancements in our next-generation COVID-19 vaccine clinical programs and our cancer therapy program, along with advanced manufacturing developments, and new patents issued for our Ebola, Marburg, Malaria, and HIV vaccines. I look forward to sharing more details about these developments during our upcoming investor/analyst earnings call on November 8,” said David Dodd, GeoVax’s Chairman and CEO.

“We believe this is a defining moment for the Company, as we expand the full potential of a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine (GEO-CM04S1) currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials and the broad application of Gedeptin® against solid tumors. We are gearing up to announce initial data readouts from two of these trials, along with updates from our Gedeptin clinical trial against advanced head and neck cancer as well as other important corporate developments. We believe that these upcoming catalysts will have a profound impact on patients in need and all our stakeholders.”

Recent Company Highlights

GEO-CM04S1

  • Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial Begins, Randomized Observer-Blinded Phase 2 Trial of COVID-19 Booster with GEO-CM04S1 or Pfizer-BioNtech Bivalent Vaccine in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.”

    • Trial is rapidly enrolling patients, progressing towards an interim data review.
  • Enrollment Target Completed for Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating GEO-CM04S1 as a Booster for Healthy Patients Who Have Previously Received the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA Vaccine.
    • Initial data readout is expected soon.
  • GeoVax Next-Generation COVID-19 Vaccine (GEO-CM04S1) Demonstrated Potent Antibody and Cellular Immunity in Immunocompromised Patients.
    • The journal, Vaccines, publishes data (GEO-CM04S1 Publication) from GeoVax’s Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of GEO-CM04S1 next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, compared to either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna mRNA-based vaccine in patients who have previously received an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant, an autologous hematopoietic cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy.
  • GeoVax Universal COVID-19 Vaccine Data Presented at Keystone Symposia Conference.
    • Abstract Title: MVA-vector multi-antigen COVID-19 vaccines induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants spanning Alpha to Omicron in preclinical animal modes.
    • Data revealed: GEO-CM02 vaccine induced immune responses that were efficacious against the original Wuhan strain and BA.1 Omicron variant with a single dose.

Gedeptin®

  • Gedeptin® Clinical Data presented at the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference
    • Abstract Title: Phase 1/2 study of Ad/PNB with Fludarabine for the Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).
    • Data revealed: FDA-funded study reveals that administration of Gedeptin® is safe and feasible.

Advanced Vaccine Manufacturing Process

  • GeoVax and ProBioGen announced the signing of a landmark commercial license agreement for ProBioGen’s groundbreaking AGE1.CR.pIX® suspension cell line. The agreement empowers GeoVax to enhance the manufacturing capabilities of its entire Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-based vaccine portfolio.

Intellectual Property Developments

  • GeoVax announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for Patent Application No. 17/584,231 titled patent titled “Replication Deficient Modified Vaccina Ankara (MVA) Expressing Marburg Virus Glycoprotein (GP) and Matrix Protein (VP40).”
  • GeoVax announced that the U.S Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for Patent Application No. 17/409,574 titled “Multivalent HIV Vaccine Boost Compositions and Methods of Use.”
  • GeoVax announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for Patent Application No. 17/726,254 titled “Compositions and Methods for Generating an Immune Response to Treat or Prevent Malaria.”
  • GeoVax announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent No. 11,701,418 B2 to GeoVax, pursuant to the Company’s patent application No. 15/543,139 titled “Replication-Deficient Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) and Matrix Protein (VP40).”

About GeoVax

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. For more information, visit our website: www.geovax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding GeoVax’s business plans. The words “believe,” “look forward to,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax is able to obtain acceptable results from ongoing or future clinical trials of its investigational products, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines can provoke the desired responses, and those products or vaccines can be used effectively, GeoVax’s viral vector technology adequately amplifies immune responses to cancer antigens, GeoVax can develop and manufacture its immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax’s vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax’s products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control.

Further information on our risk factors is contained in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K that we have filed and will file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. 

Company Contact:        Investor Relations Contact:        Media Contact:
info@geovax.com paige.kelly@sternir.com sr@roberts-communications.com
678-384-7220 212-698-8699 202-779-0929

Release – Onconova Expands Leadership Team With Two Key Appointments

Research News and Market Data on ONTX

Oct 24, 2023

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Dr. Victor Moyo named Chief Medical Officer
Meena Arora joins as Vice President Global Medical Affairs and R&D

NEWTOWN, Pa., Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONTX), (“Onconova”, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer, today announced that the Company expanded its leadership team with the naming of Dr. Victor Moyo as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and the addition of Meena Arora as Vice President, Global Medical Affairs and Research and Development (R&D).

“We are delighted to have Dr. Moyo and Ms. Arora as integral members of our team at Onconova as we prepare to enter the next phase of development for narazaciclib and rigosertib, our novel and proprietary cell pathway inhibitors for oncology,” said Dr. Steven Fruchtman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Both are accomplished experts in their fields and bring significant and wide expertise in drug development. I believe Victor’s extensive track record as a clinical researcher and drug developer in oncology and Meena’s unique medical affairs expertise in rare diseases and oncology will be instrumental to the Company’s success as we advance the clinical plan and regulatory strategy for each program.”

Victor Moyo commented, “I am very pleased to be named as Onconova’s Chief Medical Officer. Working with the team over the last quarter has given me the opportunity to appreciate the potential for Onconova’s product pipeline, especially the excellent work that the Company has done differentiating narazaciclib from other CDK4/6 inhibitors. I believe narazaciclib holds the promise of prolonging progression in patients with endometrial and other gynecological cancers as well as hematologic malignancies in indications where there is still an unmet medical need. I look forward to working with my colleagues at Onconova and our clinical collaborators to contribute to our mission of bringing narazaciclib and rigosertib to patients with cancer.

Meena Arora shared, “I am excited to join Onconova’s talented and experienced group of professionals and look forward to beginning my tenure as Vice President Global Medical Affairs and Research and Development to execute on Onconova’s vision. I joined the Company because I believe that our oncology programs are based on impressive science and preliminary clinical results and are focused on important indications where there is a need for improved clinical outcomes. I am excited to couple my expertise in rare disease and oncology with my dedicated experience in medical and regulatory affairs and research and development strategy to help advance Onconova’s potential priority therapies for people with cancer.”

Dr. Moyo is a highly experienced physician researcher and drug developer, with extensive clinical research pharmaceutical industry experience. He has held a variety of senior leadership positions with responsibility for a number of clinical development plans, IND filings, NDA filings, post-market development plans, notably including his work on such programs as Onivyde® for metastatic pancreatic cancer, epoetin alpha trial in myelodysplastic syndrome, and the Doxil® trial in advanced ovarian cancer. He is also a named inventor on numerous granted patents and patent applications.

Dr. Moyo joined Onconova as Consulting Chief Medical Officer in August, 2023. He has also held various leadership roles as Vice President of Clinical Investigations at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and the Centocor Ortho Biotech Services, LLC division of Johnson & Johnson.

Dr. Moyo earned his M.D. from the University of Zimbabwe. Following his move to the U.S., he went on to complete his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences and his fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Meena Arora is a highly credentialed executive with experience in both pharmaceutical and emerging biotechnology companies, working in roles of increasing responsibility in medical affairs, regulatory strategy and scientific leadership in oncology, rare disease immunology, and inflammation. Over the course of her career, she has worked on development programs for notable products including Filsuvez®, Revlimid®, Imnovid®, Abraxane®, Vidaza® and CAR-T cell therapy (Breyanzi® and Abecma®).

Most recently, Ms. Arora served as Vice President/Head of Global Medical Affairs – Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) for Amryt Pharma. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles as Medical Director or Associate Medical Director, as well as roles in Investigator Research and Medical Affairs at Celgene International. Ms. Arora has also held multiple advancing roles in medical and commercial development at GlaxoSmithKline and SmithKline Beecham.

Ms Arora earned degrees in Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmaceutical Medicine and Biomedical Science with a Master of Science in Drug Development Science with studies in Biotechnology and Advanced Therapeutics from Kings College London and a Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine/Clinical Research from the University of Surrey. Ms. Arora received a Chartered Institute of Marketing Advanced Diploma from Cambridge Marketing College and earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science from the Nottingham Trent University. Ms Arora is the recipient of multiple industry awards and publication co-author.

About Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.

Onconova Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer. The Company’s product candidates, narazaciclib and rigosertib, are proprietary targeted anti-cancer agents designed to disrupt specific cellular pathways that are important for cancer cell proliferation.

Narazaciclib, Onconova’s novel, multi-kinase inhibitor (formerly ON 123300), is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 combination trial with the estrogen blocker letrozole, in advanced endometrial cancer (NCT05705505). Based on preclinical and clinical studies of CDK 4/6 inhibitors, Onconova believes narazaciclib has broad potential and is also evaluating opportunities for combination studies with narazaciclib and letrozole in additional indications, including breast cancer.

Rigosertib is being studied in an investigator-sponsored trial strategy to evaluate the product candidate in multiple indications, including a dose-escalation and expansion Phase 1/2a study of oral rigosertib in combination with nivolumab in patients with KRAS+ non-small cell lung cancer (NCT04263090), a Phase 2 program evaluating oral or IV rigosertib monotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma complicating recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB-associated SCC) (NCT03786237NCT04177498), and a Phase 2 trial evaluating rigosertib in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic melanoma (NCT05764395).

For more information, please visit www.onconova.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to Onconova’s expectations regarding its clinical development and trials, its product candidates, its business and financial position. Onconova has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “preliminary,” “encouraging,” “approximately” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Although Onconova believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including the success and timing of Onconova’s clinical trials, investigator-initiated trials and regulatory agency and institutional review board approvals of protocols, Onconova’s collaborations, market conditions and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Onconova’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. Onconova undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Company Contact:
Mark Guerin
Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.
267-759-3680
ir@onconova.us
https://www.onconova.com/contact/

Investor Contact:
Bruce Mackle
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646-889-1200
bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com

Release – PDS Biotech Announces Preliminary Biomarker Study Results in Subset of Advanced HPV-Positive Head and Neck Cancer Patients at ESMO

Research News and Market Data on PDSB

  • Combination of PDS0101 and KEYTRUDA® appears to lead to changes towards a TH1 predominant cytokine profile reported to be associated with improved killer T cell activity
  • Lowered CD8 T cells in peripheral blood after treatment align with previously reported CD8 T cell targeting and accumulation in tumors1

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) (PDS Biotech or the Company), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of targeted cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines based on the Company’s proprietary T cell activating platforms, today announced immune response data from a preliminary analysis of a subset of patients in VERSATILE-002, the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of PDS0101 in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)16-positive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The data presented during the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023 (ESMO Congress 2023) provided preliminary insight to the pre-existing immune responses in advanced HPV-positive HNSCC patients and potential changes to the immune profile after treatment.

“Generation of multifunctional, anti-tumor T cells with the relevant cytokine and chemokine profiles are necessary for effective long-term control of tumor growth and clinical outcomes. This initial study focused on understanding the immunological profile of advanced head and cancer patients in the blood,” said Kevin Harrington, PhD, Professor of Biological Cancer Therapies, The Royal Marsden. “This preliminary study suggests that PDS0101 may promote a TH1 predominant cytokine profile as well as induction of important T cell activating chemokines. Such studies could be helpful in providing further insight into how PDS0101 in combination with KEYTRUDA® alters T cell cytokine and chemokine profiles to promote improved clinical outcomes.”

The data presented at ESMO 2023 included 18 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 46-83) and all had confirmed HPV16-positive tumors. The immunological profiles were assessed at three timepoints: pre-treatment,12 (cycle 5), and 36 weeks (cycle 13) following four and five cycles of combination therapy, respectively.

Highlights of the analysis include:

  • Combination of PDS0101 and KEYTRUDA® appears to lead to changes towards a TH1 predominant cytokine profile reported to be associated with improved killer T cell activity
  • Combination of PDS0101 and KEYTRUDA® resulted in increased polyfunctionality reflected in T cells expressing 5 or more cytokines. Increased polyfunctionality is typically associated with enhanced killing function and anti-tumor activity

“This analysis provides preliminary insights into how PDS0101 in combination with KEYTRUDA® may be impacting specific cytokines and chemokines in CD8 and CD4 T cell populations,” said Lauren V. Wood, MD, Chief Medical Officer of PDS Biotech. “The investigational combination appears to be promoting a predominant TH1 immunologic profile that is associated with decreases in CD8 T cells in peripheral blood. We are encouraged that these observations align with other Phase 2 studies reporting PDS0101-induced polyfunctional CD8 T cells traffic to tumors and we look forward to continued investigation in our VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 study.”

1 Klopp A, et al. 2022. IMMUNOCERV, an ongoing Phase II trial combining PDS0101, an HPV-specific T cell immunotherapy, with chemotherapy and radiation for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancers. Presented at: Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer; November 8-12, 2022. Boston, MA. Abstract: 674.

About PDS0101
PDS0101, PDS Biotech’s lead candidate, is a novel investigational human papillomavirus (HPV)-targeted immunotherapy that stimulates a potent targeted T cell attack against HPV-positive cancers. PDS0101 is given by subcutaneous injection alone or in combination with other immunotherapies and cancer treatments. In a Phase 1 study of PDS0101 in monotherapy, the treatment demonstrated the ability to generate multifunctional HPV16-targeted CD8 and CD4 T cells with minimal toxicity. Interim data suggests PDS0101 generates clinically active immune responses and the combination of PDS0101 with other treatments can demonstrate significant disease control by reducing or shrinking tumors, delaying disease progression, and/or prolonging survival. The combination of PDS0101 with other treatments does not appear to compound the toxicity of other agents.

About VERSATILE-002
VERSATILE-002 is a single-arm Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of PDS0101, an HPV16-targeted investigational T cell-activating immunotherapy that leverages PDS Biotech’s proprietary Versamune® technology, in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab). The combination is being evaluated in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-naïve and ICI-refractory patients with recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and was granted Fast Track designation by the Food and Drug Administration in June 2022.

About PDS Biotechnology
PDS Biotech is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a growing pipeline of targeted cancer and infectious disease immunotherapies based on our proprietary Versamune®, Versamune® plus PDS0301, and Infectimune® T cell-activating platforms. We believe our targeted immunotherapies have the potential to overcome the limitations of current immunotherapy approaches through the activation of the right type, quantity and potency of T cells. To date, our lead Versamune® clinical candidate, PDS0101, has demonstrated the ability to reduce and shrink tumors and stabilize disease in combination with approved and investigational therapeutics in patients with a broad range of HPV16-associated cancers in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials and will be advancing into a Phase 3 clinical trial in combination with KEYTRUDA® for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer in 2023. Our Infectimune® based vaccines have also demonstrated the potential to induce not only robust and durable neutralizing antibody responses, but also powerful T cell responses, including long-lasting memory T cell responses in pre-clinical studies to date. To learn more, please visit www.pdsbiotech.com or follow us on Twitter at @PDSBiotech.

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 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 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; 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. KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp and Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA.

Investor Contact:
Rich Cockrell
CG Capital
Phone: +1 (404) 736-3838
Email: pdsb@cg.capital

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

Release – Eledon Pharmaceuticals Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Eliezer Katz, M.D., FACS as Chief Medical Officer

Research News and Market Data on ELDN

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eledon”) (NASDAQ: ELDN) today announced the appointment of Eliezer Katz, M.D., FACS as Chief Medical Officer with responsibility for leading the company’s clinical development programs.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Katz to the Eledon team,” said David-Alexandre C. Gros, M.D., Eledon Chief Executive Officer. “Dr. Katz brings a wealth of knowledge in the surgical transplantation field together with extensive experience designing and overseeing clinical trials for immunosuppressive treatments. We look forward to his leadership and contributions as we continue to advance tegoprubart for the prevention of rejection in patients undergoing transplantation procedures.”

Dr. Katz is an experienced transplant surgeon with significant clinical development experience. Most recently, he was Chief Medical Officer at eGenesis where he helped lead the clinical development of eGenesis’ xenotransplantation programs. Prior to eGenesis, Dr. Katz was Vice President of Clinical Development first at Viela Bio and then at Horizon Therapeutics following its acquisition of Vielo Bio. At Horizon and Viela Bio, Dr. Katz led the clinical development of inebilizumab in multiple autoimmune indications and oversaw the regulatory submission and approval of UPLIZNA®(inebilizumab) to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in adults.

Prior to Viela Bio, Dr. Katz served as Senior Director of Clinical Development at MedImmune Inc. where he oversaw the clinical development of three different biologics. Prior to MedImmune, Dr. Katz served as Senior Director of Transplantation with the Medicine Development Group at Pfizer. At Pfizer, he oversaw multiple research programs with rapamycin, an anti-rejection drug, and was instrumental in the regulatory submission and FDA approval of rapamycin as a treatment for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare and fatal lung disease.

Before joining industry, Dr. Katz spent two decades as a transplant surgeon. He was director of the abdominal transplantation division at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, and an associate professor of surgery and the director of the liver transplantation division at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA. Dr. Katz spearheaded liver transplantation advances at these institutions and was actively involved with policy making in organ donation and allocation. Dr. Katz earned his M.D. at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical School in Jerusalem.

“With tegoprubart, Eledon is well positioned to meet the critical need for innovative transplantation immunosuppressant therapies,” said Dr. Katz. “I’m excited to join Eledon as the company continues to realize its vision to significantly improve the functional life of transplanted organs and address the side effects of current immunosuppressive treatments.”

About Eledon Pharmaceuticals and tegoprubart

Eledon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biotechnology company with immunology expertise that is developing therapies to protect and prevent rejection of transplanted organs, as well as to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Company’s lead compound in development is tegoprubart, an anti-CD40L antibody with high affinity for CD40 Ligand, a well-validated biological target with broad therapeutic potential. Eledon is headquartered in Irvine, California. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.eledon.com.

Follow Eledon Pharmaceuticals on social media: LinkedInTwitter

Investor Contact:

Stephen Jasper
Gilmartin Group
(858) 525 2047
stephen@gilmartinir.com

Media Contact:

Jenna Urban
Berry & Company Public Relations
(212) 253 8881
jurban@berrypr.com

Source: Eledon Pharmaceuticals

Release – Schwazze Announces Launch of Standing Akimbo Hotspot, A New Store Within A Store Concept In Fort Collins

Research News and Market Data on SHWZ

October 20, 2023

PDF Version

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Oct. 20, 2023 /CNW/ – Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., operating as Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) (“Schwazze” or the “Company”), today announced a first of its kind store-within-a-store model in Fort Collins, combining a Star Buds neighborhood dispensary with a Standing Akimbo Hotspot, bringing together two innovative retailers that operate within the trusted Schwazze house of brands.

   

Star Buds, established in 2013, has a standing reputation for the widest selection, top quality products, and stellar service. Star Buds’ treasure chest of offerings along with the Gratify Rewards Program allows shoppers to save on every purchase across a huge selection of recreational products.

Standing Akimbo, established in 2015, is Colorado’s most recognized medical cannabis dispensary. Located in Denver and Colorado Springs, its team of passionate customer service representatives celebrate Colorado’s medical marijuana market through a warehouse service model with value prices.

Now, Standing Akimbo has partnered with Star Buds in Fort Collins to operate Colorado’s first store-within-a-store model.

Collin Lodge, President of Retail for Schwazze, believes the dual banner strategy introduces a new level of convenience that the cannabis market has not seen. “Star Buds and Standing Akimbo are two trusted brands. When we surveyed our Northern Colorado customers, they wanted both Star Buds and Standing Akimbo. Our new Fort Collins store-within-a-store model is just a lesson in listening to our customer base. This new dispensary concept is all about meeting the customer where they want us to be.”

Star Buds Fort Collins is open from 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM seven days a week. Stop by Star Buds with the new Standing Akimbo Hotspot in Fort Collins, at 5740 S College Ave UNIT A, Fort Collins, CO 80525 or visit www.starbudscolorado.com and standingakimbo.com for more information.

About Schwazze

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale.

Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector.

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze’s former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. To learn more about Schwazze, visit www.schwazze.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “plan,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “predicts,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates; (vi) our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy in Colorado and outside the state, (vii) our ability to consummate the acquisition described in this press release or to identify and consummate future acquisitions that meet our criteria, (viii) our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including the acquisition described in this press release, and realize synergies therefrom, (ix) the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, * the timing and extent of governmental stimulus programs, and (xi) the uncertainty in the application of federal, state and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website 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 except as required by law.

   

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SOURCE Schwazze

INVO Bioscience and NAYA Biosciences Announce Definitive Merger Agreement

INVO Bioscience (NASDAQ: INVO) and NAYA Biosciences have unveiled a definitive merger agreement. The primary objective of this union is to establish a robust, publicly traded life science conglomerate with a shared mission: to enhance patient access to life-altering treatments in the fields of oncology, fertility, and regenerative medicine.

The newly formed entity, to be known as “NAYA Biosciences,” will bring together the unique strengths and capabilities of both organizations, representing a significant leap forward in the healthcare landscape. NAYA Biosciences intends to chart a course that includes expanding revenue streams in the fertility sector, forging revenue-generating pharmaceutical partnerships for therapeutic initiatives, and strategically acquiring complementary technologies and companies.

Merger Details and Leadership Transition:

Under the terms of the agreement, INVO will acquire NAYA Biosciences in an all-stock transaction. Shareholders of NAYA Biosciences will receive 7.3333 shares of INVO for each share of NAYA Biosciences at the time of closing. This arrangement equates to approximately 18,150,000 shares of INVO. Dr. Daniel Teper, the current Chairman & CEO of NAYA Biosciences, will assume the position of Chairman & CEO of the combined company.

The merger is contingent on several closing conditions, including shareholder approval, an estimated $5 million or more (at NAYA’s discretion) in interim private financing in INVO at a premium relative to INVO’s market price at the time of financing (“Interim PIPE”), and a private offering by the combined company at a target price of $5.00 per share.

Valuation and Ownership Structure:

The merger values INVO at $12,373,780 and NAYA at $90,750,000. Subject to the successful execution of the Interim PIPE, post-transaction and prior to the private offering, INVO and NAYA shareholders will have ownership stakes of approximately 12% and 88%, respectively, in the combined company. This carefully structured deal is a testament to the alignment of interests and strategic vision.

A New Era for NAYA Biosciences:

Upon completion of the merger, NAYA Biosciences aims to operate as a NASDAQ-listed consortium comprising agile, disruptive, high-growth companies dedicated to expanding patient access to transformative treatments in three core areas:

  • NAYA Oncology: Focused on pioneering solutions in the field of oncology, NAYA Oncology aims to revolutionize cancer treatments.
  • NAYA Fertility: Committed to advancing fertility care, NAYA Fertility seeks to make assisted reproductive technology (ART) more accessible and inclusive for people worldwide.
  • NAYA Regenerative Medicine: This division is at the forefront of regenerative medicine, with a mission to develop breakthrough treatments that can transform lives.

NAYA Biosciences brings together a unique set of capabilities, including expertise in biology, cell and gene therapy, and artificial intelligence (AI). This expertise, combined with INVO’s established network of fertility clinics (INVO Centers) and the innovative INVOcell® medical device for intravaginal culture, sets the stage for accelerated clinical development and the commercialization of groundbreaking treatments.

About NAYA Biosciences:

NAYA Biosciences is poised to become a leader in the life sciences arena, fostering a cluster of high-growth companies dedicated to advancing oncology, fertility, and regenerative medicine. Leveraging its proficiency in biology, cell and gene therapy, and AI, NAYA Biosciences is on a mission to redefine the landscape of healthcare.

About INVO Bioscience:

INVO Bioscience is a healthcare services fertility company committed to broadening access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) worldwide. The company’s strategy centers on the establishment of dedicated “INVO Centers” offering the INVOcell® and intravaginal culture procedure, acquisition of U.S.-based profitable in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics, and the distribution of its proprietary technology into existing fertility clinics. INVOcell® represents a pioneering approach to fertilization and early embryo development within the woman’s body, offering a promising alternative to traditional IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments.

The merger between INVO Bioscience and NAYA Biosciences represents a major milestone in the life sciences industry, poised to drive innovation and bring transformative treatments to patients worldwide.

Release – Promising Preclinical Narazaciclib Data Presented At MCL Meeting

Research News and Market Data on ONTX

Oct 19, 2023

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Data for Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) presented in Ireland on Oct. 7, 2023
Additional studies support broad potential, especially in cyclin-dependent cancers

NEWTOWN, Pa., Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONTX), (“Onconova”, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer, today announced that one of the Company’s scientific collaborators, Gaël Roué, Ph.D., from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Spain, made a podium presentation during the European MCL Network Annual Meeting in Dublin, Ireland on October 7, 2023 regarding promising ongoing preclinical studies of narazaciclib, in combination with ibrutinib and other targeted therapies used in the treatment for mantle cell lymphoma.

“Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive and devastating disease, marked by frequent relapses and poor prognosis. The biology of MCL is very interesting to Onconova because of the link to cyclin D1 (CD1) overexpression. Onconova’s proprietary multi-kinase inhibitor, narazaciclib, has nanomolar potency across a range of targets including CD1. We believe this molecular feature could make MCL amenable to treatment combinations that include narazaciclib,” said Steven Fruchtman, M.D., President and CEO of Onconova. “Dr. Roué’s recent work expands the dataset regarding the potential use of narazaciclib in combination with ibrutinib and other targeted therapies in sensitive and resistant MCL cell lines. Together, these data provide a foundation of support for using narazaciclib in MCL and other cyclin-dependent indications. We look forward to incorporating these important findings into the development plan for narazaciclib as we advance the clinical program, led by the Phase 1/2a study in patients with LGEEC.”

Onconova plans to provide an update on the Phase 1/2a clinical program with narazaciclib in patients with low grade endometriod endometrial cancer (LGEEC), including topline safety, pharmacology data, and selection of a recommended Phase 2 dose, in Q4 2023.

Data featured in the presentation in Dublin and in a prior presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in April of 2023 outlined promising results from preclinical studies that compared combinations of narazaciclib and other approved CDK4/6 inhibitors with ibrutinib and other next-generation BTK inhibitors to assess potential treatment synergies. Data from the combination of narazaciclib and ibrutinib showed significant synergistic anti-tumor activity in both sensitive and ibrutinib-resistant MCL models.

About Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.

Onconova Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer. The Company’s product candidates, narazaciclib and rigosertib, are proprietary targeted anti-cancer agents designed to disrupt specific cellular pathways that are important for cancer cell proliferation.

Narazaciclib, Onconova’s novel, multi-kinase inhibitor (formerly ON 123300), is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 combination trial with the estrogen blocker letrozole, in advanced endometrial cancer (NCT05705505). Based on preclinical and clinical studies of CDK 4/6 inhibitors, Onconova believes narazaciclib has broad potential and is also evaluating opportunities for combination studies with narazaciclib and letrozole in additional indications, including breast cancer.

Rigosertib is being studied in an investigator-sponsored trial strategy to evaluate the product candidate in multiple indications, including a dose-escalation and expansion Phase 1/2a study of oral rigosertib in combination with nivolumab in patients with KRAS+ non-small cell lung cancer (NCT04263090), a Phase 2 program evaluating oral or IV rigosertib monotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma complicating recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB-associated SCC) (NCT03786237NCT04177498), and a Phase 2 trial evaluating rigosertib in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic melanoma (NCT05764395).

For more information, please visit www.onconova.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to Onconova’s expectations regarding its clinical development and trials, its product candidates, its business and financial position. Onconova has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “preliminary,” “encouraging,” “approximately” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Although Onconova believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including the success and timing of Onconova’s clinical trials, investigator-initiated trials and regulatory agency and institutional review board approvals of protocols, Onconova’s collaborations, market conditions and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Onconova’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. Onconova undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Company Contact:
Mark Guerin
Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.
267-759-3680
ir@onconova.us
https://www.onconova.com/contact/

Investor Contact:
Bruce Mackle
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646-889-1200
bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com

Release – Tonix Pharmaceuticals Presents Data from its Horsepox-Based Vaccine Development Platform at the World Vaccine Congress Europe

Research News and Market Data on TNXP

October 19, 2023 7:00am EDTDownload as PDF

Preclinical Data Demonstrate Attenuation of TNX‐801 (horsepox live virus vaccine) Compared to Modern Vaccinia Vaccines

TNX-801 is in Preclinical Development as a Novel Vaccine to Protect Against Smallpox and Mpox

CHATHAM, N.J., Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP), a biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, presented data on its horsepox-based live virus vaccine platform in an oral presentation at the World Vaccine Congress Europe being held in Barcelona, Spain, October 16-19, 2023. A copy of the Company’s presentation is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com.

“Tonix’s horsepox-based live virus vaccine platform is designed to help protect against emerging infectious diseases by engaging T cell responses, which have the potential to provide durable protection and block forward transmission,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “In addition, we believe horsepox-based vaccines can be widely deployed without the need for sterile injection or ultra-cold shipping and storage. Our lead vaccine candidate, TNX-8011, is in development to protect against Mpox (monkeypox) and smallpox. Tonix’s TNX-801 is based on the sequence of a natural field isolate.2,3 Molecular analysis suggests that TNX-801 is closer than modern smallpox vaccines to the vaccine discovered and disseminated by Dr. Edward Jenner in 17984-6. Archaic smallpox vaccines based on horsepox were used in the U.S. and Europe to successfully control smallpox in the Nineteenth Century.”4,7-9

The presentation, titled, “A Novel Mpox Vaccine (Horsepox virus) to Enhance Preparedness and Vaccine Equity,” includes recent preclinical data that indicate that the TNX-801 platform is naturally attenuated and potentially safer than the vaccines utilized to eradicate smallpox.

“TNX-801 was found to be up to 100-fold more attenuated than modern vaccinia vaccine viruses in primary human cell lines derived from dermal and respiratory tract cells, which are the two main poxvirus routes of entry and transmission,” said Zeil Rosenberg, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Vice President, Medical. “TNX-801 was also found to be more than 1,000-fold attenuated relative to modern vaccinia vaccine viruses (“VACV”) in an immunocompromised murine model with targeted knock-outs of the IFN- and/or IFN- receptors. In these mice, TNX-801 did not cause any observable clinical disease, and in most measured parameters (disease score, body temperature, weight loss, and survival), the TNX-801 infected mice were indistinguishable from the uninfected mice. Together, these data suggest that TNX-801 potentially should be a safer vaccine in immunocompromised populations than many VACV-based vaccines.”

Dr. Rosenberg added, “A new attenuated live-virus smallpox and Mpox vaccine has the potential to enhance vaccine equity and preparedness in the event of a global emergency.”

About TNX-801

TNX-801 is a live virus vaccine based on horsepox2,3. Tonix is developing TNX-801 for percutaneous administration as a vaccine to protect against Mpox and smallpox. Tonix’s TNX-801 is based on the sequence of the 1976 natural isolate Mongolian horsepox clone MNR-76.2,3 Molecular analysis of DNA sequences suggests that TNX-801 is closer than modern smallpox vaccines to the vaccine discovered and disseminated by Dr. Edward Jenner in 17984-6. For example, recent studies7,8 have shown approximately 99.7% colinear identity between TNX-801 and the circa 1860 U.S. smallpox vaccine VK05.9 The small plaque size in the culture of TNX-801 appears identical to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control publication of the natural isolate10. Relative to vaccinia, horsepox has substantially decreased virulence in mice2. Dr. Edward Jenner invented vaccination in 1798 and the procedure was called “vaccination” because ‘cow’ is ‘vacca’ in Latin and the inoculum material was initially obtained from lesions on the udders of cows affected by a mild disease known as cowpox. However, Dr. Jenner suspected that cowpox originated from horses6. Subsequently, Dr. Jenner and others immunized against smallpox using material directly obtained from horses. The use of vaccines from horses was sometimes called ‘equination’ from the Latin ‘equus’ which means ‘horse’11. Equination and vaccination were practiced side-by-side in Europe11,12. Tonix received an official written response from a Type B pre-Investigational New Drug Application (IND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop TNX-801 as a potential vaccine to protect against Mpox disease and smallpox. Tonix believes the FDA feedback provides a path to agreement on the design of a Phase 1/2 study and the overall clinical development plan. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial will assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of TNX-801, following the submission and clearance of an IND.

About the Recombinant Pox Virus (RPV) Platform

Horsepox virus and vaccines based on its use as a vector are live replicating viruses that elicit strong immune responses. Live replicating orthopoxviruses, like vaccinia or horsepox, can be engineered to express foreign genes and have been exploited 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) manufacturable at scale, and (7) ability to provide direct antigen presentation. Horsepox-based vaccines are designed to be single-dose, vial-sparing vaccines, that can be manufactured using conventional cell culture systems, with the potential for mass-scale production and packaging in multi-dose vials. Tonix’s TNX-801 and RPV vaccine candidates are administered percutaneously using a two-pronged, or “bifurcated” needle, and are amendable to microneedle technology. The major cutaneous reaction or “take” to the vaccinia vaccine was described by Dr. Edward Jenner in 1796 and has been used since then as a biomarker for protective immunity to smallpox, including in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) accelerated smallpox eradication program that successfully eradicated smallpox in the 1960’s. The “take” is a measure of functional T cell immunity validated by the eradication of smallpox, a respiratory-transmitted disease caused by variola.

About Mpox and Smallpox

Mpox13 and smallpox14 are diseases in humans caused by the Mpox and smallpox (or variola) viruses, respectively. Mpox and variola are closely related orthopox viruses. Vaccination against smallpox with live virus vaccines based on horsepox or vaccinia protects against Mpox. After routine smallpox vaccination was stopped in about 1970, Mpox has become a growing problem in Africa. Since May of 2022, approximately 30,000 cases have been identified in the United States15,16. There are two distinct clades of the Mpox virus: the central African (Congo Basin) clade, and the West African clade which is associated with the recent outbreak. Historically, the Congo Basin clade has caused more severe disease than the West African clade. In recent times, the case fatality ratio for the virus is about 3–6%17. In November 2022, the WHO began using a new preferred term “Mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox18. Smallpox is considered eradicated, but there are concerns about malicious reintroduction.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Tonix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing, developing, discovering and licensing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg under a transition services agreement with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC from whom the products were acquired on June 30, 2023. Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are each indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. Tonix’s development portfolio19 is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology, and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix’s CNS development portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric, and addiction conditions. Tonix’s lead development CNS candidate, TNX-102 SL (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablet), is in mid-Phase 3 development for the management of fibromyalgia, having completed enrollment of a potentially confirmatory Phase 3 study in the third quarter of 2023, with topline data expected in late December 2023. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat fibromyalgia-type Long COVID, a chronic post-acute COVID-19 condition. Enrollment in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study has been completed, and topline results were reported in the third quarter of 2023. TNX-601 ER (tianeptine hemioxalate extended-release tablets) is a once-daily oral formulation being developed as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), that completed enrollment in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in the third quarter of 2023, with topline results expected in early November of 2023. TNX-4300 (estianeptine) is a single isomer version of TNX-601, a small molecule oral therapeutic in preclinical development to treat MDD, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Relative to tianeptine, estianeptine lacks activity on the µ-opioid receptor while maintaining activity in the rat Novel Object Recognition test in vivo and the ability to activate PPAR-β/δ and neuroplasticity in tissue culture. TNX-1900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin), is in development for preventing headaches in chronic migraine, and has completed enrollment in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study with topline data expected in early December 2023. TNX-1900 is also being studied in binge eating disorder, pediatric obesity, and social anxiety disorder by academic collaborators under investigator-initiated INDs. TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase) is a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. A Phase 2 study of TNX-1300 is expected to be initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023. Tonix’s rare disease development portfolio includes TNX-2900 (intranasal potentiated oxytocin) for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome. TNX-2900 has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft rejection and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A Phase 1 study of TNX-1500 was initiated in the third quarter of 2023. Tonix’s infectious disease pipeline includes TNX-801, a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and Mpox. TNX-801 also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine platform for other infectious diseases. The infectious disease development portfolio also includes TNX-3900 and TNX-4000, which are classes of broad-spectrum small-molecule oral antivirals.

Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. Intravail is a registered trademark of Aegis Therapeutics, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neurelis, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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

1TNX-801 is an investigational new drug and has not been approved for any indication.
2Noyce RS, et al. (2018) PLoS One. 13(1):e0188453
3Tulman ER, et al. (2006) J Virol. 80(18):9244-58.PMID:16940536
4Schrick L et al. (2017) N Engl J Med. 377:1491.
5Qin et al. (2015) J. Virol. 89:1809.
6Jenner E. “An Inquiry Into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae: A Disease Discovered in Some of the Western Counties of England, Particularly Gloucestershire, and Known by the Name of the Cow Pox.” London: Sampson Low, 1798.
7Brinkmann A et al, Genome Biology (2020) 21:286.
8Duggan A et al. Genome Biology (2020) 21:175.
9Tonix press release. Dec 4, 2020 https://ir.tonixpharma.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1236/vaccine-genome-researchers-report-99-7-colinear-identity
10Trindale GS et al. (2016) Viruses (12). Pii: E328. PMID:27973399
11Esparza E, et al (2017) Vaccine. 35(52):7222-7230.
12Esparza J et al. (2020) Vaccine.; 38(30):4773-4779.
13www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about.html
14www.cdc.gov/smallpox/research/
15Mandavilli, A. The New York Times. May 26, 2020. “Who is protected against monkeypox”
16www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html – Accessed October 18, 2023
17https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20distinct%20genetic,thought%20to%20be%20more%20transmissible – Accessed October 18, 2023
18https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2022-who-recommends-new-name-for-monkeypox-disease – Accessed October 18, 2023
19Tonix’s product candidates in development are investigational new drugs and have not been approved for any indication

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; delays and uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic; 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, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 13, 2023, 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

Ben Shannon
ICR Westwicke
ben.shannon@westwicke.com
(919) 360-3039

Source: Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.

Released October 19, 2023