Conference call and webcast (English) on
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
at 8:30am ET / 2:30pm CET
- Ambitious
clinical development strategy progressing to create a global phage
therapy leader in high-value indications
- Early
access program continues to gain momentum with the treatment of
more than 90 patients suffering from severe and resistant infection
prosthetic joint infections of the hip or knee (PJI)
- Cash and
cash equivalents of €15.6 million ($16.5 million) as of September
30, 2023
Lyon (France) et Cambridge (MA, US),
November 14, 2023, at 10:05pm CET – PHAXIAM Therapeutics (Nasdaq
& Euronext: PHXM), a biopharmaceutical company developing
innovative treatments for severe and resistant bacterial
infections, today provides a business and financial update
for the third quarter of 2023.
“The third quarter of 2023 was a prolific period
during which we managed to move forward with our development
programs and benefited from the complementarities of our teams in
the context of the merger completion” stated Thibaut du
Fayet, Chief Executive Officer of PHAXIAM Therapeutics.
“Regarding our clinical plan, we obtained valuable feedback from
the FDA confirming the value of our main asset, anti-S. aureus
Phages, for a development in the United States. We plan to design a
global consolidated development plan once we get the EMA scientific
advice feedback in the coming weeks. In parallel, the enrolment of
the first patient in our Phase 1 endocarditis infections study,
expected around the end of the year, will be another major step
forward for PHAXIAM in its strategic positioning to target
indications of very high clinical value.”
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
a) Confirmed strategic focus
on Phage Therapy in high-value indicationsPHAXIAM has been
refocusing its clinical development programs in indications of high
medical needs, for patients with severe resistant infections, often
associated with high mortality and budget impact. This quarter’s
clinical progress of PHAXIAM’s key therapeutic programs,
particularly with its lead program targeting resistant S. aureus
infections, confirms the Company's advanced positioning in phage
therapy.
b) Significant progress in
the Clinical and Regulatory strategy
- S. Aureus
program
- With its lead S. aureus program,
PHAXIAM pursues the ambition to propose a therapeutic solution to
patients who failed traditional antimicrobial treatments in complex
mono-bacterial S. aureus infections in several high-value
indications, starting with Prosthetic Joint Infections and
Endocarditis Infections.
- Prosthetic Joint Infections
(PJI)
- Leveraging on promising activity
signals from real-life compassionate treatments, PHAXIAM is
preparing the initiation of a global (EU/US) study for PJI patients
having an open-surgery debridement (DAIR) in combination with
antibiotics.
- PHAXIAM received feedback from FDA
on the next steps for its clinical development plan in PJI, with
the following key points:
- Confirmation of the value of a
clinical development in this indication,
- Confirmation that PHAXIAM’s
non-clinical data and CMC capabilities support a formal clinical
development plan in the US,
- FDA provided PHAXIAM with clear
guidelines for a Phase 2 study in the US.
- A Scientific Advice meeting with
the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to take place in
January 2024 and its outcomes, combined with the recommendations
from the FDA, will be the basis to design PHAXIAM’s future global
(EU/US) clinical plan in PJI.
- Endocarditis Infections
(EI)
- PHAXIAM is preparing the launch of
a phase 1 trial (PK data) in Endocarditis Infections caused by S.
aureus, to evaluate intravenous administration of phages for EI.
The results, if positive, could allow PHAXIAM to use this
administration route for other indications.
- In October, PHAXIAM obtained
approvals from the French ANSM and South-East II-Lyon Ethics
Committee to launch the study that should enroll 12 patients
requiring replacement of an infected heart valve.
- The enrollment is targeted to start
by the end of 2023 and the first study results are expected in
mid-2024.
- Robust real-life activity data from compassionate
treatments
In June 2022, the ANSM granted PHAXIAM an AAC
(Autorisation d’Accès Compassionnel – early access program) and to
date, more than 90 patients have been treated under the
compassionate/AAC status. Data from the first 77 PJI patients
evaluated so far show promising clinical data for infection control
at 3 months, considered as a significant improvement over standard
of care in this hard-to-treat patient population with severe
resistant infections.
The Company has applied for a second AAC
regulatory validation for PJI patients, associated with P.
aeruginosa resistance.
c) Confirmed efficiency
of Phagogram, PHAXIAM’s proprietary platform to assess phage
activityPhagogram is an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test
designed to determine the in-vitro activity of PHAXIAM’s phages to
patients’ bacterial strains. It is the first CE-marked IVD test
dedicated to phage activity evaluation.
In October 2023, the Company announced that the
data obtained from Phagogram showed 98% response rate over 105
clinical S. aureus strains, showing the highest spectrum of
activity of the anti-S. aureus phages among other competing
solutions.
These data clearly demonstrate the efficiency of
PHAXIAM’s phagogram for the current and upcoming clinical
developments. It also proves how it is a unique asset for the
development of other phages in PHAXIAM’s portfolio.
d) Preclinical research
programs initiated to reinforce PHAXIAM’s phage therapy
platformPHAXIAM launched several strategic research
programs to reinforce its current clinical programs and prepare
future developments, including with the extension of the current
phage bank for E. coli and P. aeruginosa to increase resistant
infections coverage and the demonstration of a Pre-clinical POC for
Endolysins.
- On September 19, 2023, the Company
announced the extension of its portfolio to Klebsiella pneumoniae,
a new resistant aggressive bacterial target, very complementary to
the first 3 pathogens (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli)
- A strategic research program,
PhageBac, targeting Bacteremia, has been initiated. Currently at
preclinical stage, this program is aiming at controlling blood
infection and the risk of secondary infection with mono-bacterial
infection due to S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, or E. coli.
- In October 2023, PHAXIAM concluded
a strategic research partnership with Vetophage, a biotechnology
company specialized in veterinary phage therapy, to combine
expertise in the research of new phages and phage endolysins. This
agreement provides PHAXIAM with exclusive licensing options on
specified phages and endolysins from the Vetophage platform, to
further strengthen its product portfolio in human health.
Q3 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS (unaudited)
Key financial figures for the first nine months
of 2023 compared with the same period of the previous year are
summarized below. In the context of the Erytech-Pherecydes merger,
PHAXIAM’s consolidated financial statements in IFRS standards
include ex-Pherecydes financial results as from the date of the
merger, i.e. June 23, 2023. Consequently, PHAXIAM’s P&L
information for the first 9 months of 2023 include 9 months of
ex-Erytech activities and ex-Pherecydes activities since June 23,
2023.
In thousands of euros |
|
Q3 2023 ytd9
months(unaudited) |
Q3 2022 ytd9
months(unaudited) |
Revenues |
|
— |
— |
Net income
from asset sale |
|
9 |
24,351 |
Other
income |
|
475 |
1,423 |
Operating income |
|
484 |
25,774 |
Research and
development |
|
(6,756) |
(20,377) |
General and
administrative |
|
(11,875) |
(10,870) |
Operating expenses |
|
(18,631) |
(31,248) |
Operating income (loss) |
|
(18,147) |
(5,474) |
Financial
income |
|
465 |
4,031 |
Financial
expenses |
|
(417) |
(881) |
Financial income (loss) |
|
48 |
3,150 |
Income tax |
|
208 |
(3,838) |
Net loss |
|
(17,891) |
(6,163) |
Operating expenses of €18.6 million in the first
nine months of 2023 were 40% lower (i.e. a €12.6 million reduction)
than in the previous year, the decrease being driven by the 67%
reduction of R&D expenses, mostly driven by the closing of
Princeton operations and the termination of ex-Erytech clinical
development activities. PHAXIAM’s G&A expenses in the first
nine months of 2023 increased by €1.0 million (+9%) versus the
previous year, an increase related to the merger transaction and
other merger-related costs. Net loss for the first nine months of
2023 was €17.9 million, compared with a net loss of €6.2 million
for the same period of 2022, which benefited from the €24.4 million
net gain on the sale of the Princeton facility in April 2022.
As of September 30, 2023, PHAXIAM had cash and
cash equivalents totaling €15.6 million (approximately $16.5
million), compared with €38.8 million as of December 31, 2022. The
€23.2 million decrease in cash position during the first nine
months of 2023 was the result of a €20.5 million net cash
utilization in operating activities and investing activities and
€2.6 million used in financing activities, mostly related to the
reimbursement of the ‘PGE’ Covid-loan, while the variation of the
U.S. dollar against the euro led to a €0.1 million negative
currency exchange impact.
The Company believes that its current cash
position can fund its current programs and planned operating
expenses into the second quarter of 2024.
KEY NEWSFLOW AND MILESTONES EXPECTED
OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
- Regulatory feedback from the EMA on
the next clinical development in PJI (S. aureus) (Q1 2024)
- First Patient-In for Endocarditis
study (S. aureus) (around year-end 2023)
- PhagoDAIR clinical data (H2
2024)
Q3 2023 CONFERENCE CALL
DETAILS
PHAXIAM management will hold a conference call
and webcast on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 8:30am ET /
2:30pm CET on the Business and Financial Update for the
Third Quarter of 2023. Thibaut du Fayet, CEO, Eric Soyer, COO/CFO
and Pascal Birman, CMO, will deliver a brief presentation in
English, followed by a Q&A session.
The audio call is accessible via the below registering link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BIca2c4b7fdc3848098434e7ec14549455
Once registered, participants will receive a
unique access code and the call number details to join the
teleconference.
The webcast can be followed live online via the
link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/omqc7rs2
In addition, the replay of the webcast will be
available for a period of one year on this same link.
UPCOMING FINANCIAL AND SCIENTIFIC
EVENTS
- Investir Day: November 28,
2023 (Paris, France)
- Geneva MidCap Event:
December 5, 2023 (Geneva, Switzerland)
***
About PHAXIAM Therapeutics
PHAXIAM is a biopharmaceutical company
developing innovative treatments for resistant bacterial
infections, which are responsible for many serious infections. The
company is building on an innovative approach based on the use of
phages, natural bacterial-killing viruses. PHAXIAM is developing a
portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous
bacteria, which together account for more than two-thirds of
resistant hospital-acquired infections: Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
PHAXIAM is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market
in the United States (ticker: PHXM) and on the Euronext regulated
market in Paris (ISIN code: FR0011471135, ticker: PHXM). PHAXIAM is
part of the CAC Healthcare, CAC Pharma & Bio, CAC Mid &
Small, CAC All Tradable, EnterNext PEA-PME 150 and Next Biotech
indexes.
For more information, please visit www.phaxiam.com
Contacts
PHAXIAMEric SoyerCOO & CFO+33
4 78 74 44 38 investors@phaxiam.com |
NewCap Mathilde Bohin / Dušan
OrešanskýInvestor RelationsArthur
RouilléMedia Relations+33 1 44 71 94 94
phaxiam@newcap.eu |
Forward-looking information
This press release contains forward-looking
statements, forecasts and estimates with respect to the clinical
programs , development plans, business and regulatory strategy and
anticipated future performance of PHAXIAM and of the market in
which it operates. Certain of these statements, forecasts and
estimates can be recognized by the use of words such as, without
limitation, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”,
“plans”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “may”, “will” and “continue” and
similar expressions. All statements contained in this press release
other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking
statements. Such statements, forecasts and estimates are based on
various assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which were deemed reasonable when
made but may or may not prove to be correct. Actual events are
difficult to predict and may depend upon factors that are beyond
PHAXIAM's control. Therefore, actual results may turn out to be
materially different from the anticipated future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements, forecasts and estimates. Important factors that could
cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others,
the following: (1) the inability to maintain the listing of
PHAXIAM’s shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the Euronext
regulated market; (2) changes in applicable laws or regulations;
(3) the possibility that PHAXIAM may be adversely affected by other
economic, business and/or competitive factors; and (4) other risks
and uncertainties indicated from time to time in PHAXIAM’s
regulatory filings. Further description of these risks,
uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Company’s
regulatory filings with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers
(AMF), the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
filings and reports, including in the Company’s 2022 Universal
Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) filed
with the AMF on March 28, 2023 and in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023 and future
filings and reports by the Company. Given these uncertainties, no
representations are made as to the accuracy or fairness of such
forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore,
forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates only speak as
of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.
PHAXIAM disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking
statement, forecast or estimates to reflect any change in PHAXIAM’s
expectations with regard thereto, or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement, forecast
or estimate is based, except to the extent required by law.
- PR_PHAXIAM_Q3-2023_Update_EN_14-11-2023
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