Bone Therapeutics announces 2021 full year results
REGULATED INFORMATION
Strategic focus revised and fully focused on
achieving topline results of the ALLOB Phase IIb study in tibial
fractures.
Discussions for ALLOB global partnership still
ongoing.
Board of Directors and Management exploring all
strategic options to protect shareholder value.
Strengthening financial position with EIB
agreement and private placement in 2021 and a new bond issuance
foreseen in May 2022
Management to host conference call today at 3pm
CEST / 9am EST - details provided below
Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium,
29 April 2022, 7am CEST – BONE
THERAPEUTICS (Euronext Brussels and Paris: BOTHE), the
cell therapy company addressing unmet medical needs in orthopedics
and other diseases, today announces its business update and full
year financial results for the year ending 31 December 2021,
prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European
Union.
“Incomplete fracture healing remains a seriously
unmet medical need affecting hundreds of thousands of patients
worldwide. Despite the pandemic and subsequent seriously
geopolitical and economic global events, Bone Therapeutics still
remains on target for delivery of topline results for its Phase IIb
study of its allogeneic cell therapy product, ALLOB, in patients
with difficult tibial fractures,” said Miguel Forte, MD,
PhD, CEO of Bone Therapeutics. “We believe ALLOB could
provide difficult tibial fracture patients a convenient treatment
option with a potentially superior outcome. Having successfully
completed two clinical studies showing promising safety profile and
efficacy signals in more than 60 patients, we firmly believe that
ALLOB has the highest potential of near-term value creation and is
focused on completing the current Phase IIb study. In addition,
Bone Therapeutics has made a serious contribution for the future
into the use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) derived,
genetically engineered MSCs. Bone Therapeutics is continuing its
efforts to establish value adding business collaborations and to
strengthen its financial position.”
Clinical and operational highlights
(including post-period events)
In January 2021, Bone Therapeutics initiated the
treatment of patients in the Phase IIb study of its allogeneic cell
therapy product, ALLOB, in patients with difficult tibial
fractures. Bone Therapeutics anticipates finalizing patient
recruitment of this study in 2022. This recruitment finalization is
subject, as across the industry, to evolution of the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic and the associated containment measures. Although
early recruitment rates were very promising, the recruitment rates
have temporarily slowed in subsequent months due to
pandemic-related factors, such as reduced site activities due to
staff availability and the number of available patients due to less
occurrence of accidents. Bone Therapeutics has implemented several
mitigating measures in collaboration with the involved clinical
research organization to improve and facilitate recruitment. These
measures include site expansion, training, information, best
practices sharing and close monitoring of progress. As a result of
these measures and the improving recruitment rate, Bone
Therapeutics continues to currently expect the release of topline
data by Q1 2023.
In January 2021, Bone Therapeutics signed an
initial agreement for a process development partnership with the
mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) specialist, Rigenerand. This
collaboration focused on further developing and enhancing Bone
Therapeutics’ bone-forming platform.
In June 2021, Bone Therapeutics published the
positive results of its Phase I/IIa clinical trial with ALLOB in
patients with delayed union fractures. The results were published
in Stem Cell Research & Therapy, the international
peer-reviewed journal focusing on translational research in stem
cell therapies. ALLOB was generally well-tolerated and that all
patients met the primary endpoint.
In August 2021, Bone Therapeutics announced
topline results from the Phase III knee osteoarthritis study with
its enhanced viscosupplement JTA-004, its legacy non-MSC product.
JTA-004 had a favorable safety profile. However, the study did not
meet the primary and key secondary endpoints. No statistically
significant difference in pain reduction could be observed between
the treatment, placebo and comparator groups, with all treatment
arms showing similar efficacy.
In September 2021, Bone Therapeutics signed a
research evaluation agreement with Implant Therapeutics, the
developer of hypoimmunogenic and safe harbor engineered IPSC
derived cells. The agreement enables Bone Therapeutics to access,
evaluate and materially transfer Implant Therapeutics’ Induced
Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) derived, genetically engineered MSCs,
including lines, media, differentiation protocols and
expertise.
In November 2021, Bone Therapeutics signed a
non-binding term sheet for the global rights for ALLOB, Bone
Therapeutics’ allogeneic osteoblastic cell therapy product, with
one of its current Chinese partners, Link Health Pharma Co., Ltd
(Link Health). The negotiations for the global rights agreement are
still ongoing but take longer than expected. The envisaged
completion of a final binding agreement has been delayed and is now
contemplated over the course of Q2 2022.
Corporate highlights (including
post-period events)
In March, 2021, Bone Therapeutics appointed the
stem cell therapy industry veteran, Anthony Ting, PhD, as Chief
Scientific Officer. Dr. Ting is responsible for Bone Therapeutics’
research activities.
In July 2021, Bone Therapeutics appointed Dr.
Anne Leselbaum as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Leselbaum brings three
decades of experience in strategic international clinical
development, clinical operations and medical affairs. As CMO, she
takes responsibility for the leadership of all clinical development
and medical affairs strategies and activities across the entire
Bone Therapeutics’ pipeline and will oversee the regulatory
interactions.
In September 2021, Bone Therapeutics appointed
Lieve Creten, as interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding
Jean-Luc Vandebroek. Lieve’s extensive financial experience ensures
the continued optimal financial control, oversight and
compliance.
In October 2021, Bone Therapeutics appointed key
experts to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The members of the
SAB consist of world-recognized scientists and clinicians in the
cell and gene therapy field.
In March 2022, Bone Therapeutics announced it
was redefining its strategic priorities to concentrate specifically
on the development of its most advanced clinical asset, ALLOB. As a
result, Bone Therapeutics will focus its R&D activities to
support the clinical development of ALLOB and all activities
related to the development of the pre-clinical iMSCg platform as
well as all other non ALLOB related activities, were stopped. In
this context, some members of Bone Therapeutics' management team
will depart Bone Therapeutics in the following months in alignment
with the refocus in activity. This includes Miguel Forte (CEO),
Tony Ting (CSO), Stefanos Theoharis (CBO) and Lieve Creten (CFO).
During the transition, CEO, Miguel Forte, will remain in function.
The Scientific Advisory Board was also dissolved.
Financial highlights (including
post-period events)
In July 2021, Bone Therapeutics secured a loan
agreement of up to €16.0 million with the European Investment Bank
(EIB). The EIB loan financing will be disbursed in two tranches of
€8.0 million each, subject to conditions precedent. Following the
approval of the issuance of associated warrants by Bone
Therapeutics’ General Meetings at the end of August 2021, Bone
Therapeutics received a payment from the EIB for the first tranche
of €8.0 million and the EIB was granted 800,000 warrants approved
by the Extraordinary General Meeting.
In August 2021, Bone Therapeutics also
renegotiated 800 convertible bonds issued on May 7, 2020 (for an
amount of €2 million) to Patronale Life into a loan subject to the
same repayment terms as the agreement with the EIB, with the
issuance of 200,000 additional warrants approved by the
Extraordinary General Meeting.
In December 2021, Bone Therapeutics raised
additional €3.3 million funding through a private placement with
current and new institutional investors to advance its lead
orthopedic asset, ALLOB, through mid-stage clinical
development.
The total revenues and operating income for 2021
amounted to €2.7 million compared to €3.7 million in 2020. As a
result of the reduced clinical activities following the completion
of the Phase III JTA-004 study, and the slower pace of patient
enrollment for the ALLOB TF2 Phase IIb study due to the COVID-19
pandemic, operating loss for the period decreased to €12.0 million
from €15.0 million for the full year 2020. Consequently, cash used
for operating activities amounted to €12.8 million for the full
year 2021. Year-end cash position amount to €9.5 million compared
to €14.7 million year-end 2020.
In April 2022, Bone Therapeutics signed a
binding term sheet for a €5 million convertible bonds (CBs)
facility arranged by ABO Securities. The proceeds of the financing
will be used to advance the clinical development of Bone
Therapeutics’ lead asset, the allogeneic bone cell therapy, ALLOB.
ABO Securities, on behalf of the CB investor, commits to subscribe
to up to €5 million in CBs. Subject to the fulfillment of condition
precedents, Bone Therapeutics and ABO Securities aim to agree on
and execute the final subscription agreement for the CBs and to
issue the first tranche of CBs by the beginning of May 2022.
Outlook for the remainder of
2022
In the ongoing Phase IIb ALLOB clinical study in
difficult tibial fractures, Bone Therapeutics’ clinical team, in
partnership with its clinical research organization, is continuing
to institute measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and
will closely monitor the recruitment progress. As a result of the
initial mitigation actions and the improving recruitment rate due
to the gradual lifting of COVID-19 related measures in Europe, Bone
Therapeutics expects to report topline results as scheduled by the
first quarter of 2023. However, a delay cannot be excluded. Should
the pandemic continue to have impact on patient availability, Bone
Therapeutics may have to re-evaluate this timeline and, in that
eventuality, will communicate again to the market.
The negotiations for ALLOB, with one of Bone
Therapeutics’ current Chinese partners, for the global rights
agreement are still ongoing but are taking longer than originally
anticipated. The potential completion of a final binding agreement
has been delayed into Q2 2022.
Subsequent to some preliminary contacts, the
board of directors of Bone Therapeutics is currently examining
various opportunities to combine certain activities within Bone
Therapeutics, taking into account the interests of its shareholders
and other stakeholders. Further announcements will be made in due
course, if and when circumstances so allow or require.
Following the restructuring of the management
team announced on 12 April 2022, Bone Therapeutics has initiated
the search for a new CEO and CFO.
Disciplined cost and cash management will remain
a key priority. The operating cash burn for the full year 2022 is
expected to be in the range of €8-10 million, assuming normal
operations as the effect of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic cannot be
excluded. The situation will be actively and closely monitored. The
company anticipates having sufficient cash to carry out its
business objectives into Q1 2023, assuming, amongst other, full
issuance of the new convertible bond facility. Bone Therapeutics
refers to the going concern statement in the Annual Report 2021 for
all key assumptions taken.
Conference call
Miguel Forte, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer
will host a webcast with conference call today at 3:00 pm CEST /
9:00 am EST. To participate in webcast or the conference call,
please use the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81633950602
Or select your dial-in number from the list
below quoting the conference ID 816 3395 0602#:
Belgium: +32 2 290 9360France: +33 1 7095
0103United Kingdom: +44 208 080 6592United States: +1 646 876
9923
The presentation will be made available on the
Investors section - Presentations of the Bone Therapeutics website
shortly prior to the call.
About Bone Therapeutics
Bone Therapeutics is a leading biotech company
focused on the development of innovative products to address high
unmet needs in orthopedics and other diseases. Currently Bone
Therapeutics is concentrating specifically on the development of
its most advanced clinical asset, the allogeneic cell therapy
platform, ALLOB.
Bone Therapeutics’ core technology is based on
its cutting-edge allogeneic cell and gene therapy platform with
differentiated bone marrow sourced Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs)
which can be stored at the point of use in the hospital. Its
leading investigational medicinal product, ALLOB, represents a
unique, proprietary approach to bone regeneration, which turns
undifferentiated stromal cells from healthy donors into
bone-forming cells. These cells are produced via the Bone
Therapeutics’ scalable manufacturing process. Following the CTA
approval by regulatory authorities in Europe, the Company has
initiated patient recruitment for the Phase IIb clinical trial with
ALLOB in patients with difficult tibial fractures, using its
optimized production process. ALLOB continues to be evaluated for
other orthopedic indications including spinal fusion, osteotomy,
maxillofacial and dental.
Bone Therapeutics’ cell therapy products are
manufactured to the highest GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
standards and are protected by a broad IP (Intellectual Property)
portfolio covering ten patent families as well as knowhow. The
Company is based in the Louvain-la-Neuve Science Park in
Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium. Further information is available at
www.bonetherapeutics.com.
For further information, please
contact:
Bone Therapeutics SAMiguel
Forte, MD, PhD, Chief Executive OfficerLieve Creten, Chief
Financial Officer ad interimTel: +32 (0)71 12 10
00investorrelations@bonetherapeutics.com
For Belgian Media and Investor
Enquiries:BepublicBert BouserieTel: +32 (0)488 40
44 77bert.bouserie@bepublicgroup.be
International Media Enquiries:Image Box
CommunicationsNeil Hunter / Michelle BoxallTel: +44 (0)20
8943 4685neil.hunter@ibcomms.agency / michelle@ibcomms.agency
For French Media and Investor
Enquiries:NewCap Investor Relations & Financial
CommunicationsPierre Laurent, Louis-Victor Delouvrier and
Arthur RouilléTel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94bone@newcap.eu
Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this
press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as
appropriate, the Company directors’ current expectations and
projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These
risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the
outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described
herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to,
changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual
events, performance or results to differ significantly from any
anticipated development. Forward looking statements contained in
this press release regarding past trends or activities should not
be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will
continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or
revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release
as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events,
conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these
forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its
advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings
or any such person’s officers or employees guarantees that the
assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free
from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the
future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this
press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted
developments. You should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this
press release.
- BOTHE_PR_2022-04-29_FY 2021_EN_Final_Long
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