CHATHAM, N.J., June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (“Tonix” or the “Company”), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company, today announced it has entered into a placement agency agreement for the purchase and sale of approximately 7,060,918 shares of its common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at an offering price of $0.57 per share (or $0.569 per pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof). The closing of the public offering is expected to take place on or about June 28, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The gross proceeds of the offering will be approximately $4.0 million before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the preparation of the new drug application relating to its Tonmya™ product candidate in patients with fibromyalgia, and the satisfaction of any portion of its existing indebtedness.
Dawson James Securities, Inc. is acting as the sole placement agent for the offering.
This offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-266982) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus, as may be further supplemented by any free writing prospectus and/or pricing supplement that Tonix may file with the SEC. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering have been filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement may be obtained from Dawson James Securities, Inc., 101 North Federal Highway, Suite 600, Boca Raton, FL 33432 or by telephone at (561) 391-5555, or by email at investmentbanking@dawsonjames.com. Before investing in this offering, interested parties should read in their entirety the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the other documents that Tonix has filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in such prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which provide more information about Tonix and such offering.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya1, a product candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction as well as fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is 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. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.
1Tonmya™ is conditionally accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the tradename for TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia. Tonmya has not been approved for any indication.
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including those relating to the completion of the public offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the intended use of proceeds from the public offering and other statements that are predictive in nature. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
Tonix’s live virus vaccine TNX-801 is designed to provide long-term protection from mpox and smallpox with one dose
TNX-801 vaccination demonstrated efficacy in protecting animals from lethal challenge with intratracheal monkeypox
Clade II mpox is now endemic in the U.S. with >30,000 cases reported since May 20221 and Clade I mpox is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo2
Tonix’s vaccine platform has been selected by NIH’s Project NextGen for clinical testing
CHATHAM, N.J., June 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, today announced data presented at an oral Keynote Talk at the Vaccine Congress 2024 held June 24-25, 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. A copy of the Company’s presentation is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com.
The presentation titled, “A New Live Virus, One Dose Vaccine Platform for Mpox, Smallpox and COVID-19”, detailed the Company’s vaccine platform, including TNX-801 (horsepox, live virus) vaccine for preventing mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) and smallpox and TNX-1800 (horsepox expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein) for protecting against COVID-19. TNX-801 and TNX-1800 are live replicating attenuated vaccines based on horsepox that are believed to provide immune protection with better tolerability than modern vaccinia viruses. In the presentation, Tonix highlighted positive preclinical efficacy data, demonstrating that TNX-801 protected non-human primates against lethal challenge with intratracheal Clade 1 monkeypox virus3. After a single dose vaccination, TNX-801 prevented clinical disease and lesions and also decreased shedding in the mouth and lungs of non-human primates. These findings are consistent with mucosal immunity and suggest the ability to block forward transmission, similar to Dr. Edward Jenner’s vaccinia vaccine, which eradicated smallpox and kept mpox out of the human population.
“We are excited for the prospects of our live virus vaccine platform and look forward to advancing development for our vaccine candidates to prevent mpox, smallpox, COVID and other infectious diseases,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix. “TNX-801 combines immune protection with improved tolerability compared to other vaccines based on orthopoxviruses. TNX-801 is administered with a single dose which has advantages over two-dose regimens. We believe TNX-801 can be rapidly scaled up for manufacturing and can be distributed and stored without a costly and cumbersome ultra-cold supply chain. TNX-801 also has the potential to be used as a viral vector platform, for which recombinant versions can be developed to protect against other infectious diseases. Tonix developed TNX-1800 as a vaccine to protect against COVID-19. We are excited that TNX-1800 was selected for the U.S. National Institute of Health’s (NIH’s) Project NextGen and we look forward to providing updates on the program.”
The presentation noted that the global mpox outbreak, which commenced in 2022, has affected over 90,000 persons in countries where mpox had previously not been endemic, including Europe and the US. The spread of Clade IIb strain mpox in 2022 underscores the pandemic potential of mpox. Unlike Clade IIb mpox, the Clade I strain of mpox remains restricted to several Central African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is currently endemic. Clade I mpox is typically associated with higher case fatality rates than Clade IIb mpox. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other experts, there is a significant risk that the deadlier Clade I strain may appear in the U.S.1,4.
Further, the presentation noted that the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense recently highlighted the renewed dual threats of both a more virulent mpox epidemic as well as smallpox re-introduction from lab accidents or bad actors, while the National Academies of Science, in its review of smallpox preparedness, highlighted the need for new single dose vaccines against smallpox5,6.
The keynote presentation also included preclinical data for TNX-1800, demonstrating immunity and tolerability7,8. TNX-1800 was selected by the NIH’s Project NextGen for inclusion in clinical trials as part of a select group of next generation COVID-19 vaccine candidates with the intent to identify promising vaccine platforms. NIH plans to conduct a Phase 1 trial and cover the full cost, while Tonix provides the vaccine candidate.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya**, a product candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction as well as fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is 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. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.
**Tonmya™ is conditionally accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the tradename for TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia. Tonmya has not been approved for any indication.
1McQuiston JH, et al. U.S. Preparedness and Response to Increasing Clade I Mpox Cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2024, MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep: United States. p. 435-440 2CDC. 2022-2023 Mpox: US Map and Case Count. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/response/2022/us-map.html 3Noyce RS, et al. Viruses. 2023 Jan 26;15(2):356. doi: 10.3390/v15020356. PMID: 36851570; PMCID: PMC9965234 4World Health OrganizationSAGE meeting highlights on updated mpox vaccine recommendations. 2024, March 5Bipartisan Commission on Biofence. Box the Pox: Redicing the risk of Smallpox and Other Orthopoxviruses, Washington:2024 6U.S. National Academies of Science. Future State of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures. Washington:2024 7Awasthi M, et al. Viruses. 2023 Oct 21;15(10):2131. doi: 10.3390/v15102131. PMID: 37896908; PMCID: PMC10612059. 8Awashti AM et al Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Nov 2;11(11):1682. doi:10.3390/vaccines11111682.PMID: 38006014
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
Gap in non-oral prescriptions relative to AHS guidelines represents an opportunity to increase awareness of Tonix’s two FDA-approved non-oral treatments for acute migraine
Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) are indicated for the treatment of acute migraine in adults
CHATHAM, N.J., June 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, presented data from a poster presentation at the 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society (AHS), held June 13-16, 2024. A copy of the Company’s poster presentation is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com.
In the poster presentation titled, “American Headache Society Consensus Statement and Other Recommendations: How Many Practitioners Comply With the Recommendations?,” a retrospective review of real-world data compares real world usage of non-oral migraine products with the most recent AHS consensus statement. The data reaffirms several past recommendations from the AHS and stresses the need for customizing treatment of migraine headaches to the needs of patients, as well as using the most appropriate route of administration for any given acute attack based on the clinical presentation. So far, real world data show that compliance with the guidelines and the consensus statement have yet to be achieved but has the potential to be increased. Specifically, the data show the use of non-oral drugs for treating an acute migraine attack was only 7% in 2012 and has decreased to below 4% in 2023, when the potential need for such drugs is anticipated to be a significant percentage of patients based on epidemiological data.
“We believe personalizing therapy for migraine is the future and it is hoped that non-oral medicines will address some of the persistent dissatisfaction patients experience with their migraine treatments,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “We hope that educating prescribers about the importance of customized treatments will lead to enhanced satisfaction and improve the quality of life of migraine patients. This represents an opportunity for growth in non-oral first-line therapeutics such Tonix’s Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra.”
“Inconsistent and incomplete response to traditional or emerging oral acute migraine medications continue to be a burden for individuals living with migraines. We believe that both Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra, due to their rapid-onset and route of administration are well suited to address this unmet need,” said James Hunter, Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations at Tonix Pharmaceuticals and President of Tonix Medicines.
Zembrace SymTouch is the only actively promoted brand of sumatriptan autoinjector in the U.S. (other sumatriptan autoinjector products on the market are Imitrex® and generics to Imitrex®). It has a unique low dose and has demonstrated onset of migraine pain relief in as few as 10 minutes (17% of patients vs. 5% for placebo)1. Zembrace SymTouch also demonstrated migraine pain freedom for 46% of patients (vs 27% for placebo) at 2 hours in a single-attack, double-blind study (N=230)2. Tosymra employs Intravail® permeation enhancer technology and is pharmacokinetically equivalent to 4 mg subcutaneous sumatriptan.3,4, Tosymra delivers migraine pain relief in as little as 10 minutes with just one spray for some patients (13% vs. 5% for placebo).1,4,5
About Migraine
Nearly 40 million people in the United States suffer from migraine6 and it has been recognized as the second leading cause of disability in the world7. Migraine is characterized by debilitating attacks lasting four to 72 hours with multiple symptoms, including pulsating headaches of moderate to severe pain intensity often associated with nausea or vomiting, and/or sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) and sensitivity to light (photophobia)8.
1Mathew NT, et al. Dose ranging efficacy and safety of subcutaneous sumatriptan in the acute treatment of migraine. US Sumatriptan Research Group. Arch Neurol. 1992;49(12):1271-1276.
2Landy, S. et al. Efficacy and safety of DFN-11 (sumatriptan injection, 3 mg) in adults with episodic migraine: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Headache Pain. 19, 69 (2018).
3Brand-Schieber E, Munjal S, Kumar R, et al. Human factors validation study of 3 mg sumatriptan autoinjector, for migraine patients. Med Devices (Auckl). 2016;9:131-137.
4Tosymra [package insert]. Maple Grove, MN: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC: Feb 2021.
5Wendt J, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and tolerability of a 4-mg dose of subcutaneous sumatriptan for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in adults. Clinical Therapeutics. 2006;28(4):517-526.
6IQVIA 2022 retail sales from the National Sales Perspectives (NSP) audit within the SMART database estimates Zembrace sales of ~$19.6 M and Tosymra sales of ~$3.5 M
7GBD 2016 Headache Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of migraine and tension-type headache, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet Neurol 2018;17(11):954-976.
8Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The international classification of headache disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya1, a product candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction as well as fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation and is in Phase 2 development supported by a grant from the National institute of Drug Abuse. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of 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. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.
1Tonmya™ is conditionally accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the tradename for TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia. Tonmya has not been approved for any indication.
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan Injection): IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Zembrace SymTouch (Zembrace) can cause serious side effects, including heart attack and other heart problems, which may lead to death. Stop use and get emergency help if you have any signs of a heart attack:
discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
breaking out in a cold sweat
nausea or vomiting
feeling lightheaded
Zembrace is not for people with risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking, overweight, diabetes, family history of heart disease) unless a heart exam shows no problem.
Do not use Zembrace if you have:
history of heart problems
narrowing of blood vessels to your legs, arms, stomach, or kidney (peripheral vascular disease)
uncontrolled high blood pressure
hemiplegic or basilar migraines. If you are not sure if you have these, ask your provider.
had a stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or problems with blood circulation
severe liver problems
taken any of the following medicines in the last 24 hours: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, ergotamines, dihydroergotamine.
are taking certain antidepressants, known as monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A inhibitors or it has been 2 weeks or less since you stopped taking a MAO-A inhibitor. Ask your provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
an allergy to sumatriptan or any of the components of Zembrace
Tell your provider about all of your medical conditions and medicines you take, including vitamins and supplements.
Zembrace can cause dizziness, weakness, or drowsiness. If so, do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything where you need to be alert.
Zembrace may cause serious side effects including:
changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes
sudden or severe stomach pain, stomach pain after meals, weight loss, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever
cramping and pain in your legs or hips; feeling of heaviness or tightness in your leg muscles; burning or aching pain in your feet or toes while resting; numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs; cold feeling or color changes in one or both legs or feet
increased blood pressure including a sudden severe increase even if you have no history of high blood pressure
medication overuse headaches from using migraine medicine for 10 or more days each month. If your headaches get worse, call your provider.
serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious problem that can happen in people using Zembrace, especially when used with anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs or SNRIs. Call your provider right away if you have: mental changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma; fast heartbeat; changes in blood pressure; high body temperature; tight muscles; or trouble walking.
hives (itchy bumps); swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
seizures even in people who have never had seizures before
The most common side effects of Zembrace include: pain and redness at injection site; tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes; dizziness; warm, hot, burning feeling to your face (flushing); discomfort or stiffness in your neck; feeling weak, drowsy, or tired.
Tell your provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Zembrace. For more information, ask your provider.
This is the most important information to know about Zembrace but is not comprehensive. For more information, talk to your provider and read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use. You can also visit www.tonixpharma.com or call 1-888-650-3789.
You are encouraged to report adverse effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
INDICATION AND USAGE
Zembrace is a prescription medicine used to treat acute migraine headaches with or without aura in adults who have been diagnosed with migraine.
Zembrace is not used to prevent migraines. It is not known if it is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Tosymra can cause serious side effects, including heart attack and other heart problems, which may lead to death. Stop Tosymra and get emergency medical help if you have any signs of heart attack:
discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
breaking out in a cold sweat
nausea or vomiting
feeling lightheaded
Tosymra is not for people with risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking, overweight, diabetes, family history of heart disease) unless a heart exam is done and shows no problem.
Do not use Tosymra if you have:
history of heart problems
narrowing of blood vessels to your legs, arms, stomach, or kidney (peripheral vascular disease)
uncontrolled high blood pressure
severe liver problems
hemiplegic or basilar migraines. If you are not sure if you have these, ask your healthcare provider.
had a stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or problems with blood circulation
taken any of the following medicines in the last 24 hours: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, ergotamines, or dihydroergotamine. Ask your provider if you are not sure if your medicine is listed above.
are taking certain antidepressants, known as monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A inhibitors or it has been 2 weeks or less since you stopped taking a MAO-A inhibitor. Ask your provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
an allergy to sumatriptan or any ingredient in Tosymra
Tell your provider about all of your medical conditions and medicines you take, including vitamins and supplements.
Tosymra can cause dizziness, weakness, or drowsiness. If so, do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything where you need to be alert.
Tosymra may cause serious side effects including:
changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes
sudden or severe stomach pain, stomach pain after meals, weight loss, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever
cramping and pain in your legs or hips, feeling of heaviness or tightness in your leg muscles, burning or aching pain in your feet or toes while resting, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs, cold feeling or color changes in one or both legs or feet
increased blood pressure including a sudden severe increase even if you have no history of high blood pressure
medication overuse headaches from using migraine medicine for 10 or more days each month. If your headaches get worse, call your provider.
serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious problem that can happen in people using Tosymra, especially when used with anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs or SNRIs. Call your provider right away if you have: mental changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma; fast heartbeat; changes in blood pressure; high body temperature; tight muscles; or trouble walking.
hives (itchy bumps); swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
seizures even in people who have never had seizures before
The most common side effects of Tosymra include: tingling, dizziness, feeling warm or hot, burning feeling, feeling of heaviness, feeling of pressure, flushing, feeling of tightness, numbness, application site (nasal) reactions, abnormal taste, and throat irritation.
Tell your provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Tosymra. For more information, ask your provider.
This is the most important information to know about Tosymra but is not comprehensive. For more information, talk to your provider and read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use. You can also visit www.tonixpharma.com or call 1-888-650-3789.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
INDICATION AND USAGE Tosymra is a prescription medicine used to treat acute migraine headaches with or without aura in adults.
Tosymra is not used to treat other types of headaches such as hemiplegic or basilar migraines or cluster headaches.
Tosymra is not used to prevent migraines. It is not known if Tosymra is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
The medtech deal landscape just got a major shake-up with medical technology giant KARL STORZ announcing it will acquire surgical robotics company Asensus Surgical for $0.35 per share in cash. The $775 million transaction represents a significant premium for Asensus shareholders and will create a new leader in robotic surgery systems within KARL STORZ’s vast product portfolio.
The acquisition highlights the intense interest and competition around next-generation surgical robotics platforms. KARL STORZ is doubling down on the space by bringing Asensus and its augmented intelligence technologies in-house to enhance its robotic surgery offerings, particularly the promising LUNA system Asensus had in development.
For the medtech sector and investors, this high-profile deal carries several implications:
Robotic Surgery Becomes Key Priority KARL STORZ’s major bet on Asensus signals just how strategically important robotic-assisted surgery has become for medtech companies. The ability to market cutting-edge robotic platforms that improve precision and outcomes is now table stakes in many areas of surgery.
Medtechs involved in supporting technologies like visualization, data integration, and procedural automation should see increased interest and investment from larger players looking to beef up their surgical robotics capabilities. KARL STORZ’s acquisition also puts increased pressure on peers like Intuitive Surgical and Stryker to stay ahead of the innovation curve.
More Consolidation Could Follow Billion-dollar acquisitions often beget more deals as competitors look to keep pace and buttress their own product portfolios. This could kick off another wave of M&A in the surgical robotics space specifically, with smaller innovative companies becoming prime targets for medtech incumbents.
But beyond just robotics, KARL STORZ’s aggressive move may spur more consolidation across the broader medtech landscape. Major strategic buyers have been a bit apprehensive on M&A recently. This deal could provide a catalyzing force for other medtechs, pharmaceuticals, and life science companies to start getting more acquisitive, especially with several cutting-edge names trading at more attractive valuations.
Public Listing Exits Will Continue By taking Asensus private, KARL STORZ adds another data point to the growing trend of medtech companies going private or getting acquired by larger players. With the IPO markets effectively shuttered and sustaining a public listing increasingly difficult for many small-to-mid-sized medtechs, a lucrative exit via acquisition could become the preferred route.
Investors may need to adjust expectations and position accordingly. Rather than holding out for the “next big IPO,” top-performing private medtech holdings may deliver the biggest windfall by positioning to get scooped up via M&A premium valuations down the road.
Capital Allocation Will Be Key The KARL STORZ-Asensus transaction underscores how critically important prudent capital allocation and portfolio management will be for medtech investors. The 67% premium paid by the German firm highlights the potential upside for backing innovative, promising names before they get acquired.
But it also serves as a reminder of the downside risks – making the wrong medtech bets can lead to significant impairment if firms struggle to remain viable acquisition targets or get their technologies to market successfully. Having robust processes to separate the wheat from the chaff across the medtech universe will be paramount moving forward.
KARL STORZ’s acquisition of Asensus represents both an ambitious strategic move for the medical device titan and an intriguing data point for medtech investors to digest. As the broader life science space continues rapidly evolving, this landmark M&A deal provides some insight into the developing landscape that savvy medtech investors will need to navigate adeptly.
Cycle Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company laser-focused on rare diseases, has set its sights on acquiring Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VNDA) for $8.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valuing Vanda at $466 million.
The unsolicited proposal, disclosed publicly on June 6th, represents an attractive 98% premium to Vanda’s share price prior to an earlier $4.05 per share acquisition offer from Future Pak LLC announced in April. Cycle’s $8.00 bid also represents a 58% premium to Vanda’s closing price on June 5th.
Vanda, which has been publicly traded since 2006, currently markets therapies for sleep disorders, jet lag, and schizophrenia, with additional pipeline candidates in development. The company’s shares have struggled over the past year, trading as low as $3.30 before the Future Pak offer surfaced.
Cycle was founded in 2012 with the sole mission of developing and commercializing treatments for underserved rare disease patients. The company has quickly built an arsenal of six approved drugs, including recent U.S. launches of TASCENSO ODT for multiple sclerosis in 2023 and TIOPRONIN for a rare metabolic disorder in 2024.
In disclosing its proposal publicly, Cycle cited its “extensive U.S. operational footprint and distribution,” stating this makes it “a strong strategic fit” to maximize the value of Vanda’s commercial products and pipeline. Cycle reported $109 million in 2023 net sales and $40 million in operating profits.
The proposal represents “immediate, compelling and certain cash value” for Vanda shareholders according to Cycle. Its $8.00 per share cash bid exceeds the cash component of Future Pak’s most recent $23 per share revised offer on May 7th, which included stock and contingent value rights.
Cycle stated it has substantial cash reserves on hand and is highly confident it can secure committed debt financing for the transaction after limited due diligence. The firm is aiming to complete diligence within 2-3 weeks and finalize a definitive merger agreement shortly thereafter.
While Cycle stated a preference to reach an agreement privately with Vanda’s board, it has gone public with its proposal “for the benefit of Vanda shareholders” to encourage them to voice support for the premium cash bid.
The rare disease focus of both companies could make this an intriguing strategic fit, while Cycle’s bold premium cash offer puts the onus on Vanda’s board to either embrace this higher-valued bid or make a compelling case that greater long-term value could be unlocked by rejecting it. Regardless, this acquisition play instantly ratchets up the stakes in Vanda’s strategic review process.
TNX-1500 displays potential as a monotherapy or combination therapy to prevent rejection in organ transplantation in allograft and xenograft animal models
Research Directed by Faculty of the Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital
Transplantation is also believed to be a model for treating autoimmunity
CHATHAM, N.J., June 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, announces two oral presentations and a poster presentation at the American Transplant Congress 2024, held June 1-5, 2024 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pa. A copy of the oral and poster presentation is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com.
“We remain encouraged by the potential of our TNX-1500, Fc-modified humanized anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody therapy for the prevention of rejection in solid organ transplantation,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. “Despite advancements in the field of solid organ transplantation, there remains a significant need for new treatments with improved activity and tolerability. Several lines of research indicate that anti-CD40L therapy may improve outcomes for allograft acceptance, and that anti-CD40L therapy may be required for long term xenograft acceptance. We are excited about the broad potential of TNX-1500, on the prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection and also for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s Syndrome.”
In the oral presentation titled, “Combined Blockade of the CD154 and CD28 Co-Stimulation Pathways Attenuates Pathogenic Alloimmunity and Prolongs Survival in Cynomolgus Cardiac Allografts”, by Kinoshita, K. et al., data demonstrated that the combined use of TNX-1500 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody, VEL-101 is associated with durable protection and graft survival and function in a nonhuman primate model.
In the oral presentation titled, “Extended Survival of 9- and 10-Gene-Edited Pig Heart Xenografts with Ischemia Minimization and CD154 Costimulation Blockade-Based Immunosuppression”, Sanatkar, A. et al., data demonstrated that TNX-1500 has promise to prevent rejection of 9-, or 10-gene-edited (GE) pig hearts.1,2
The poster presentation titled, “Experience with a Novel Delayed Immune Tolerance Protocol in Nonhuman Primates Based on Anti-CD154, Anti-CD2, and Anti-CD28”, by Ileka, I. evaluated whether a modified protocol based on targeting CD28 and CD2 promotes expansion of peripheral regulatory T-cells and is sufficient to promote heart allograft acceptance.
In February 2024, Tonix announced completion of the clinical stage of its Phase 1 single ascending dose study of TNX-1500 in healthy volunteers. The primary objectives of the study are to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous TNX-1500. This first-in-human study is intended to support dosing in a planned Phase 2 trial in kidney transplant recipients.
About TNX-1500
TNX-1500 (Fc-modified humanized anti-CD40L mAb) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds and blocks the CD40-ligand (CD40L), also known as CD154. TNX-1500 is being developed for the prevention of allograft and xenograft rejection, for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. A first-in-human Phase 1 trial of TNX-1500 has completed the clinical phase. The primary objective of the Phase 1 trial is to assess the safety, tolerability, PK, and pharmacodynamics of intravenous (i.v.) TNX-1500. Eligible participants enrolled in the Phase 1 trial were distributed across three dosing cohorts (3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg, respectively) and evaluated regularly over a 120-day period after dosing. The Phase 1 trial is intended to support dosing in a planned Phase 2 trial in kidney transplant recipients. Two published articles in the American Journal of Transplantation demonstrate TNX-1500 prevents rejection, prolongs survival and preserves graft function as a single agent or in combination with other drugs in non-human primate renal and heart allografts. 3,4
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya1, a product candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction as well as fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is 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. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.
1Tonmya™ is conditionally accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the tradename for TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia. Tonmya has not been approved for any indication.
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
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.
Data From Phase 1b Trial Updated. Eledon presented data from the Phase 1b trial testing tegoprubart, its drug for prevention of kidney transplant rejection, at the American Transplant Congress. We found the data to continue to show improved kidney function during the first year after transplantation, a strong indicator of organ survival, with continued safety and tolerability.
Kidney Function Measures Continue To Show Improvements Over Tacrolimus. The Phase 1b data included 13 patients who had reached 30-day post-transplant evaluation. Their mean eGFR was above 60 mL/min/1.73m² at each reported time point. The overall mean eGFR after day 30 reached 70.5 mL/min/1.73m². This is an improvement over standard-of-care immunosuppressive regimens that have eGFR rates around the 50ml/min/1.73m² level during the first year after the transplant.
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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.
Tecarfarin, which recently received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for the prevention of thromboembolism and thrombosis in patients with an implanted mechanical circulatory support device, has the potential to improve the time in therapeutic range a factor correlated in the ARIES-HM3 trial with better patient outcomes
PONTE VEDRA, Fla., June 3, 2024 — Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: CVKD), a biopharmaceutical company developing tecarfarin, a late-stage novel oral and reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) designed to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients with rare cardiovascular conditions, today highlighted a groundbreaking presentation at the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) 44th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions.
These new findings from secondary analyses of the ARIES-HM3 trial were released in a presentation titled, “Impact of Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) Therapy On Outcomes In a Randomized Controlled Trial of Aspirin Removal In Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Patients – A Pre-Specified Analysis From the Aspirin and Hemocompatibility Events With a Left Ventricular Assist Device in Advanced Heart Failure, or the ARIES-HM3, Randomized Clinical Trial.”
The ARIES-HM3 trial data demonstrated that lower time in therapeutic range, or TTR, translated directly to excessive bleeding events. The “average” patient in the ARIES-HM3 study had a 30% rate of serious bleeding events even after aspirin was eliminated as part of the antithrombotic regimen, and persistent bleeding was inversely correlated with TTR.
The ARIES-HM3 clinical study was sponsored by Abbott (NYSE: ABT), which evaluated a new clinical approach to patient management that included removal of aspirin as part of the antithrombotic regimen warfarin. The data is currently under review by the FDA. Labeling changes related to the antithrombotic regimen have not been approved by the FDA at this time.
Dr. Mandeep Mehra, who chaired the ARIES-HM3 study, holds the William Harvey Distinguished Chair in Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine and is Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Heart Disease at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, commented, “This comprehensive analysis identifies adequacy of VKA use (as measured by TTR) as a significant risk marker for bleeding events and provides new clinical direction for further mitigation of bleeding to enhance hemocompatibility with the HeartMate 3 LVAD.” Mehra continued, “Each incremental improvement of 10% above the median of 56% TTR trends in a significant further reduction in bleeding rate. Tecarfarin could potentially be an important therapy for patients with LVADs who all require chronic anti-coagulation since it does not get affected by drug-drug interactions or changes in kidney function like warfarin and deserves further study.”
“The ARIES-HM3 trial data underscores the deficiencies of warfarin and the need for a new VKA therapy for patients with LVADs. We believe our drug candidate, the next-generation VKA tecarfarin, with its unique retrometabolic design that provides for more stable anticoagulation than warfarin, is the much-needed replacement therapy. We intend to pursue a pivotal trial evaluating tecarfarin effectiveness for LVAD patients,” said Quang Pham, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cadrenal Therapeutics. “Cadrenal commends Abbott’s commitment to LVAD patients in sponsoring this important trial and analyses.”
On April 9, 2024, Cardenal Therapeutics announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted tecarfarin Orphan Drug Designation for the prevention of thromboembolism and thrombosis in patients with an implanted mechanical circulatory support device, which includes the left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
The current market-leading direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as Eliquis, are not indicated for patients with LVADs due to a lack of evidence of benefit, while the level of anticoagulation achieved with warfarin was achieved in the target range only 56% of the time in the ARIES-HM3 trial. Patients whose level of anticoagulation was in the therapeutic range > 56% had better outcomes than those with lower levels. This highlights the potential role for investigating new VKA agents in improving clinical outcomes in LVAD patients.
VKA anticoagulation is prescribed for the prevention of LVAD-related clotting. However, the only available VKA is warfarin, which was approved for human use in 1954. Tecarfarin has been shown to improve TTR, particularly in patients taking multiple medications, and be more stable in patients with renal dysfunction which is common in LVAD patients.
ABOUT CADRENAL THERAPEUTICS, INC. Cadrenal Therapeutics is developing tecarfarin for unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy. Tecarfarin is a late-stage novel oral and reversible anticoagulant (blood thinner) to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to blood clots in patients with rare cardiovascular conditions. Tecarfarin has orphan drug and fast-track designations from the FDA for the prevention of systemic thromboembolism (blood clots) of cardiac origin in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and atrial fibrillation (AFib) and just received orphan drug designation for the prevention of thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs). Cadrenal is also pursuing additional regulatory strategies for unmet needs in anticoagulation therapy for patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Tecarfarin is a next-generation Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) specifically designed to use a different metabolism pathway than the oldest and most commonly prescribed VKA warfarin. Tecarfarin has been evaluated in eleven (11) human clinical trials and more than 1,000 individuals. In Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 2/3 clinical trials, tecarfarin has generally been well-tolerated in both healthy adult subjects and patients with chronic kidney disease. For more information, please visit: www.cadrenal.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Any statements contained in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements include statements regarding tecarfarin having the potential to improve the time in therapeutic range which analysis of the ARIES-HM3 trial reveals is associated with better patient outcomes. TTRs as predicting increased risk for bleeding events, the VKA tecarfarin, filling the market void for a next-generation VKA, the Company pursuing a pivotal trial evaluating tecarfarin effectiveness for LVAD patients. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the ability of tecarfarin to improve the time in therapeutic range, the ability of the Company to advance tecarfarin with patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), thrombotic APS, and those with AFib and ESKD and the other risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by federal securities laws, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
For more information, please contact:
Cadrenal Therapeutics: Matthew Szot, CFO 858-337-0766 press@cadrenal.com
Investors: Lytham Partners, LLC Robert Blum, Managing Partner 602-889-9700 CVKD@lythampartners.com
Tonmya treatment was associated with improvement in depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II
In addition, post-hoc analyses showed improvement in depression, anxiety, memory and energy items on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised
New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the FDA on track for the second half of 2024
CHATHAM, N.J., June 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, presented new data from the Phase 3 RESILIENT trial of Tonmya (TNX-102 SL, cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets) for the management of fibromyalgia in an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Annual Meeting on May 29, 2024 in Miami Beach, Fla. A copy of the presentation is available under the Scientific Presentations tab of the Tonix website at www.tonixpharma.com.
In the oral presentation titled, “Effects of Bedtime TNX-102 SL (Sublingual Cyclobenzaprine HCl) on Mood and Anxiety Symptoms in Fibromyalgia: Results of the Phase 3 RESILIENT Trial,” Seth Lederman, MD, Chief Executive Officer, presented new data suggesting activity for improvement in depressive symptoms with Tonmya.
Depression was frequent among patients enrolled in the RESILIENT trial: ~47% reported experiencing depression within the past 6 months upon fibromyalgia diagnosis and ~25% of the intent-to-treat (ITT) population had experienced a lifetime major depressive episode (MDE). The effect of Tonmya on depressive symptoms was studied using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Patients started with a baseline mean (standard deviation) for placebo of 10.0 (6.72) and Tonmya of 9.6 (6.32). The BDI-II score separated at Week 2 with a nominal p-value of <0.01. By Week 14, the total BDI-II score in the TNX-102 SL group improved over placebo with a nominal p-value of 0.005 and an effect size of 0.27.
Dr. Lederman said, “Although pain is the prototypic symptom in fibromyalgia and the validated FDA endpoint for the approval of a new drug, depression severity is also a prominent factor in the quality of life for fibromyalgia sufferers. In one study, depressive symptoms had a higher correlation with impaired quality of life than any other symptom, including pain frequency and intensity.2 The improvement in depression observed in the Phase 3 RESILIENT was particularly striking since the mean entry score of 10 reflects mild depression. Others have struggled to show benefits of traditional antidepressants in mild depression and consequently many antidepressants have been studied in moderate or severely depressed patients and the benefits of such drugs for patients with mild depression have been inferred.”
Dr. Lederman continued, “In addition to the BDI-II score, in post hoc analyses several individual items on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR) also improved in the Tonmya-treated group, including : depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), sensitivity (p = 0.020), memory problems (p = 0.001) and energy (p < 0.001), for which these p-values were not corrected for multiplicity. Together these findings indicate that Tonmya has broad-spectrum activity against fibromyalgia symptoms and may improve fibromyalgia at the syndromal level.”
In the RESILIENT trial, as previously reported, Tonmya improved overall daily pain (p=0.00005), the pre-specified primary endpoint, making it the second Phase 3 study of Tonmya in the management of fibromyalgia to reach statistical significance on the pre-specified primary endpoint. Tonmya also demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful results in all six pre-specified key secondary endpoints including those related to improving sleep quality, reducing fatigue, and improving patient global ratings and overall fibromyalgia symptoms and function.”
In the RESILIENT trial, there were no new safety signals, low rates of systemic adverse events, and a favorable tolerability profile.
Tonix remains on track to submit an NDA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya for the management of fibromyalgia and has scheduled a Type B pre-NDA meeting with FDA for the second quarter of 2024.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate suffering. Tonix’s development portfolio is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2024 for Tonmya1, a product candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute stress reaction as well as fibromyalgia-type Long COVID. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is 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. Tonix also has product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
*Tonix’s product development candidates are investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved for any indication.
1Tonmya™ is conditionally accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the tradename for TNX-102 SL for the management of fibromyalgia. Tonmya has not been approved for any indication.
2Offenbaecher M, et al. Pain is not the major determinant of quality of life in fibromyalgia. Rheumatology International 2021; 41:1995–2006
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
This press release and further information about Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to successfully market any of our products; risks related to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Tonix’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
MALVERN, Pa., May 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, today announced its expected upcoming inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index, according to preliminary Russell reconstruction information posted on the FTSE Russell website. The newly reconstructed index will take effect after the market closes on June 28, 2024.
“Inclusion of Ocugen to the Russell 3000® Index is our latest milestone, adding to what has already been a transformational year for the Company with three of our game-changing modifier gene therapies targeting blindness diseases—both rare and those affecting millions—in clinical trials,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of Ocugen. “This ranking signifies the value of our pipeline, including the recently initiated Phase 3 liMeliGhT clinical trial of OCU400 for broad retinitis pigmentosa, and robust growth strategy, supporting our efforts to enable long-term shareholder value, garner significant visibility of Ocugen within the investment community, and broaden our shareholder base.”
The annual Russell 3000® Index reconstitution measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 96% of the investable U.S. equity market as of Tuesday, April 30.
Membership in the U.S. Russell 3000® remains in place for one year and means automatic inclusion in the appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings, and style attributes.
Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. Russell’s U.S. indexes serve as the benchmark for about $10.5 trillion in assets as of the close of December 2023. Russell indexes are part of FTSE Russell, a leading global index provider.
About FTSE Russell: FTSE Russell is a leading global provider of benchmarking, analytics, and data solutions for investors, giving them a precise view of the market relevant to their investment process. A comprehensive range of reliable and accurate indexes provides investors worldwide with the tools they require to measure and benchmark markets across asset classes, styles, or strategies.
FTSE Russell index expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. For over 30 years, leading asset owners, asset managers, ETF providers and investment banks have chosen FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create ETFs, structured products, and index-based derivatives.
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About Ocugen, Inc. Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expected inclusion in the Russell 3000 ® Index, qualitative assessments of available data, potential benefits, expectations for ongoing clinical trials, anticipated regulatory filings and anticipated development timelines, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations, including, but not limited to, the risks that changes may be made to the preliminary Russell reconstruction lists prior to finalization, that preliminary, interim and top-line clinical trial results may not be indicative of, and may differ from, final clinical data; that unfavorable new clinical trial data may emerge in ongoing clinical trials or through further analyses of existing clinical trial data; that earlier non-clinical and clinical data and testing of may not be predictive of the results or success of later clinical trials; and that that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including by regulatory authorities. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.
GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — YS Biopharma Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: YS) (“YS Biopharma” or the “Company”), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering new generations of vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer, today announced it is changing its legal name from “YS Biopharma Co., Ltd.” to “LakeShore Biopharma Co., Ltd”.
Dr. David Shao, Director, President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Business Officer of the Company, commented, “We have decided to change our company name to LakeShore Biopharma to align with our global market positioning and international brand image. This change marks one of the first steps for us to expand our market reach, and we are eager to move forward and drive success under our new company name.”
The name change and trading symbol change will not affect any rights of shareholders or the Company’s operations and financial position. The Company’s ordinary shares and warrants will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq. Effective with the opening of the trading day on May 28, 2024, the ticker symbol of the Company’s ordinary shares and warrants will change from “YS” to “LSB” and from “YSBPW” to “LSBPW”, respectively. There is no action required by the Company’s current shareholders with respect to the company name or ticker symbol changes. The Company’s CUSIP will not change in connection with the name change.
About LakeShore Biopharma (formerly known as YS Biopharma)
LakeShore Biopharma, previously known as YS Biopharma, is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering new generations of vaccines and therapeutic biologics for infectious diseases and cancer. It has developed a proprietary PIKA® immunomodulating technology platform and a new generation of preventive and therapeutic biologics targeting Rabies, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Shingles, and other virus infections. The Company operates in China, the United States, Singapore, and the Philippines, and is led by a management team that combines rich local expertise and global experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. For more information, please visit investor.ysbiopharma.com.
For biotech investors scouring for the next big opportunity, the massive manufacturing expansions underway at pharma giant Eli Lilly (LLY) are worth a close look. The company just announced another staggering $5.3 billion investment into a key production facility in Indiana to crank up supply of its blockbuster obesity and diabetes drugs.
This commitment brings Lilly’s total investment at the Lebanon, Indiana site to an incredible $9 billion – representing the firm’s largest-ever manufacturing bet in its nearly 150-year history. It highlights the huge demand that Lilly’s game-changing medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound are facing from physicians and patients alike.
For small biotech firms developing the next generation of weight loss, diabetes and metabolism therapies, Lilly’s supply chain moves send an important signal – this market is headed for explosive growth in the coming years. Companies sitting on promising pipeline candidates could emerge as attractive buyout targets.
At the heart of Lilly’s expansion plans are its incretin drugs, which mimic gut hormones to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. Mounjaro, approved for diabetes, and Zepbound, greenlit for chronic weight management, both contain the active ingredient tirzepatide.
Since their launches, demand for these effective and convenient once-weekly injectable treatments has far outstripped supply. Shortages have been widespread in the U.S. as Lilly raced to build out its production infrastructure.
The new $9 billion Indiana campus will be instrumental in increasing Lilly’s capacity to manufacture tirzepatide at scale. When fully operational in 2028, it will employ around 900 skilled workers including scientists, engineers and technicians.
But this plant is just one piece of Lilly’s supply chain mobilization for incretin drugs. Since 2020, the company has plowed over $18 billion into building, acquiring and expanding manufacturing sites in the U.S. and Europe. New facilities are also coming online in North Carolina, Ireland and Germany through 2026.
These investments are already paying dividends. On its latest earnings call, Lilly hiked its 2023 revenue guidance by $2 billion, citing greater visibility into ramping up production of Mounjaro, Zepbound and its incretin pipeline over the remainder of the year.
For small biotechs, the supply chain frenzy at Lilly underscores the commercial opportunity in obesity, diabetes and metabolism. With over 40% of U.S. adults classified as obese, safe and effective chronic weight management regimens like Lilly’s incretin franchise could disrupt a massive global market worth billions annually.
The manufacturing expansions suggest appetite for these therapies will continue to surge, fueling demand for the next generation of medications offering better efficacy, tolerability and dosing schedules. Smaller drug developers operating in this space could become prime M&A candidates as deep-pocketed pharmas look to build out their obesity and diabetes portfolios.
Case in point: Lilly itself acquired Zepbound through its $8 billion buyout of Protunor Biopharma in 2022. Several major deals have already reshaped the incretin drug landscape in recent years, including Pfizer’s $6.7 billion purchase of Akero Therapeutics for its NASH/diabetes pipeline.
With its bold investments, Lilly is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to obesity and metabolic disease. For lean biotechs advancing the next wave of therapies in this booming treatment category, that could spell opportunity knocking in the form of lucrative buyout offers or partnerships down the line.
Keep an eye on this space as Lilly’s supply chain moves underscore that the fight against fat is only just beginning for the pharmaceutical industry.
Differentiated resistance profile positions Traws’ program as a potential class leader
NEWTOWN, Pa., May 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Traws Pharma, Inc. (“Traws” or “Traws Pharma”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral small molecules for respiratory viral diseases and cancer, today announced presentation of a poster at the annual International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR2024) which is being held from May 20th to May 24th in Gold Coast, Australia. The poster highlights positive results of preclinical experiments using patient isolates of COVID19 virus to define the resistance profile of ratutrelvir, formerly known as travatrelvir or TRX01, Traws’ ritonavir-free Mpro protease inhibitor for COVID19, currently in Phase 1 single and multiple ascending dose (SAD/MAD) escalation studies.
“We are very pleased to present the results of resistance studies for ratutrelvir at ICAR2024. Resistance studies are an important part of establishing a differentiation profile for an antiviral agent. Our initial data indicate that ratutrelvir has superior activity compared to nirmatrelvir against a range of omicron variants, based on a comparison of EC50. We believe the results presented at ICAR provide additional positive data to indicate that ratutrelvir has a differentiated resistance profile compared to nirmatrelvir,” said Werner Cautreels, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Traws Pharma.
Dr. Cautreels continued, “Some resistance mutations are common to both drugs but a large part of resistance to nirmatrelvir was not seen with ratutrelvir. Together, ratutrelvir’s differentiated resistance profile, promising pharmacokinetic effects, potential to be used without ritonavir and the accelerated pace of Phase 1 enrollment put the compound on track to advance to Phase 2 studies in H2 2024 and position ratutrelvir as a potential class-leading therapy for COVID- 19.”
C. David Pauza, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Virology at Traws Pharma said, “Understanding the patterns of resistance mutations gives us the ability to identify circulating viruses that may already be resistant to individual antiviral agents; selecting the right drug can be guided by this information. The resistance studies presented at ICAR compared ratutrelvir to nirmatrelvir, the only Mpro inhibitor approved in the U.S. Our data suggest that ratutrelvir exhibited greater activity compared to nirmatrelvir against wild type Mpro, and remained active against Mpro variants with specific mutations that are associated with nirmatrelvir resistance.”
Dr. Pauza added, “An important finding was that critical mutations accounting for much of the resistance to nirmatrelvir were not found using ratutrelvir, indicating important differences between the two compounds. These differences were most apparent when the nirmatrelvir-resistant mutants P252L or T304I were involved in drug resistance, as these mutations were not observed after ratutrelvir selection.
The data were reported in a poster entitled, “Travatrelvir, an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease now in Phase 1 Clinical Trials: in vitro Drug Resistance Compared to Nirmatrelvir” (Abstract 356V) presented at ICAR by Bhargava Teja Sallapalli, Master of Veterinary Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia-Maryland School of Veterinary Medicine, College Park Maryland et al. The poster can be found on the Scientific Presentations section of the Traws Investor Relations web page.
About Ratutrelvir, the Phase 1 Program and Planned Next Steps
Ratutrelvir (also previously known as 83-0060) was designed as an inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (3CL protease). It has demonstrated in vitro activity against the original strain of the virus as well as the delta and omicron variants and is more active than nirmatrelvir (PAXLOVID®, Pfizer’s Mpro inhibitor) in preclinical studies. Also in preclinical studies, ratutrelvir did not require co-administration with a human cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitor, such as ritonavir, and so it is expected to avoid associated drug:drug interactions, potentially permitting wider patient use. The drug candidate’s pharmacokinetic (PK) profile may enable a once daily, treatment regimen and reduce the likelihood of viral rebound.
The Phase 1 study will evaluate single and multiple ascending doses of ratutrelvir in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Subjects will be randomized 3:1 in five fasted and one fed single ascending dosing (SAD) cohorts and two multiple ascending dosing (MAD) cohorts. Topline data from the study, which is being conducted in Australia (NCT06402136), and the initiation of an international Phase 2 study in subjects with moderate to severe COVID19, are expected to take place in H2 2024.
About Traws Pharma, Inc.
Traws Pharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral small molecule therapies for the treatment of respiratory viral diseases and cancer. The viral respiratory disease program includes an oral inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (3CL protease), ratutrelvir, and tivoxavir marboxil, a new oral antiviral drug candidate for influenza which targets the influenza cap-dependent endonuclease and has shown activity in cell-based assays against drug resistant viruses as well as against avian flu.
In the cancer program, Traws is developing the novel, proprietary multi-kinase CDK4-plus inhibitor narazaciclib for refractory endometrial cancer and potentially other cancers. Narazaciclib targets pathways involved in the development of resistance to CDK inhibitors.
Traws Pharma is committed to delivering novel compounds for unmet medical needs using state-of-the-art drug development technology. With a focus on product safety and a commitment to patients in need or that are specifically vulnerable, we build solutions for important medical challenges, aiming to alleviate the burden of viral infections and cancer.
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 including statements regarding preclinical studies to evaluate the resistance profile of ratutrelvir, the Phase 1 study of ratutrelvir in Australia and its design, timing and potential results and the timing of a planned Phase 2 study. Traws 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 Traws 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 Traws’ clinical trials, collaborations, market conditions and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Traws’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. Traws 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.
Traws Pharma, Inc. Contact: Mark Guerin Traws Pharma, Inc. 267-759-3680 www.trawspharma.com
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