Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Reports Q1 2024 Financial Results and
New Data Reinforcing Strategic Focus in Kidney Disease
Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Reports Q1
2024 Financial Results and New Data Reinforcing Strategic Focus in
Kidney Disease
- Additional kidney function analyses
strongly support Vivoryon’s shift in strategic focus to
inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, and are a further step towards
securing Company’s future
- Varoglutamstat`s beneficial effect of improving kidney
function, as demonstrated by an increase of estimated glomerular
filtration rate (eGFR), confirmed by various sensitivity and
subgroup analyses
- A significant and dose dependent reduction of the
pyroglutamated version of CCL2 (pE-CCL2) in serum demonstrates
effectiveness of varoglutamstat in inhibiting systemic
intracellular QPCT/L and strongly supports an anti-inflammatory
effect
- Alzheimer’s disease: No consistent effect on cognition could be
shown in a subgroup of VIVIAD participants with higher drug
exposure; VIVA-MIND topline results available end 2024 to inform
next steps in AD
Halle (Saale) / Munich, Germany,
May 23, 2024 - Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.
(Euronext Amsterdam: VVY; NL00150002Q7)
(Vivoryon), a clinical stage company focused on
the discovery and development of small molecule medicines to
modulate the activity and stability of pathologically altered
proteins, today announced financial results for the first quarter
of 2024, ending March 31, 2024, and provides a corporate
update.
“Vivoryon has now achieved proof of concept for
varoglutamstat and validated the mechanism of action of QPCT/L
inhibition. While the results in early AD were not what we had
hoped for, we are excited about the promising effect of
varoglutamstat on the pre-specified endpoint of kidney function
given the established role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
peptides in driving the progression of kidney disease. In the past
weeks, our team, which remains highly dedicated to driving our
strategic shift and transformation, has continued to delve into the
data on kidney function and we are pleased to see consistent
results. We have observed robust and meaningful improvements in
eGFR in patients treated with varoglutamstat compared to placebo
across a range of different methods assessing eGFR. Effect sizes in
favor of varoglutamstat were confirmed in patients with risk
factors for CKD including diabetes and hypertension and were
observed consistently across the range of eGFR baseline impairment
levels in the study. We are now working on crystallizing our
strategy and positioning in the kidney disease market and
establishing potential clinical development plans for
varoglutamstat in both large indications, such as CKD, and in
certain rare diseases that impact kidney function,” said Frank
Weber, MD, CEO of Vivoryon.
Q1 2024 and Post-Period
Updates
Strategic shift towards a focus on
inflammatory and fibrotic diseases:
- Following the announcement on March
4, 2024, that the VIVIAD Phase 2b study did not achieve its primary
and key secondary endpoints in early AD and the subsequent results
showing a significant positive effect of varoglutamstat on kidney
function, Vivoryon announced on April 24, 2024, a strategic shift
towards a focus on inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Key
priorities now include: exploring varoglutamstat’s potential in
inflammatory and fibrotic disorders, including of the kidney;
concluding VIVIAD Phase 2b clinical study program and in-depth
analysis; discontinuing VIVA-MIND clinical Phase 2 study with
varoglutamstat in the U.S. in early AD in the second half of 2024;
leveraging the data from VIVA-MIND to inform next steps in AD; and
continuing to actively pursue potential business development and
financing opportunities.
Varoglutamstat – kidney
disease:
- QPCT/L
inhibition has shown robust evidence of benefits in animal models
of inflammatory and fibrotic disorders such as glomerulonephritis
and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The VIVIAD protocol
prospectively specified measurement of kidney function by estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a primary endpoint in many
development programs of kidney disorders, and additional
biomarkers, in order to further investigate this potential
activity.
- Varoglutamstat
600mg BID increased eGFR over the treatment period up to 96 weeks
in patients with early AD, indicating a potential benefit of
varoglutamstat on kidney function.
- Further
sensitivity and subgroup analysis has shown this effect is observed
across the range of eGFR levels at baseline in the study, and when
assessed using a set of diverse and validated methods for
calculating kidney function.
- Additionally,
the Company has explored the effect of varoglutamstat on levels of
pyroglu-CCL2 (pE-CCL2), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Persistent,
low grade inflammation is considered a hallmark feature of chronic
kidney disease (CKD). Results showed a significant and
dose-dependent reduction in pE-CCL2 in the serum of VIVIAD patients
following treatment with varoglutamstat. This demonstrates the
effectiveness of varoglutamstat in inhibiting systemic
intracellular QPCT/L and strongly supports an anti-inflammatory
effect.
- Vivoryon is evaluating a clinical
development path, as well as business development and financing
opportunities, to further explore the potential of varoglutamstat
and QPCT/L inhibitors in kidney disease in both large indications,
such as CKD, and in certain rare diseases that impact kidney
function, such as Alport Syndrome.
Primary analysis of change of estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, slope analysis including all
measurement timepoints during treatment):
|
Annualized change of eGFR* |
P-Value |
Annualized Change of eGFR* |
P-Value |
Formula (creatinine) |
MDRD |
CKD-EPI 2021 |
Placebo |
-1.51 |
|
-0.75 |
|
Varoglutamstat |
+1.92 |
|
+1.44 |
|
Treatment Effect (Δ) |
3.43 |
p=0.0002 |
2.19 |
p=0.0015 |
* mL/min/1.73m2/year
Sensitivity analysis of estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR)
rate using Cystatin C and Creatinine (remeasured on Atellica®
platform) CKD-EPI 2021 formula at baseline, week 24 and week
48:
|
Cystatin C |
Cystatin C and Creatinine |
Creatinine |
|
Week 24 |
Week 48 |
Week 24 |
Week 48 |
Week 24 |
Week 48 |
Placebo(eGFR mL/min) |
73.88 |
71.39 |
84.15 |
82.07 |
89.74 |
88.74 |
Varoglutamstat(eGFR mL/min) |
78.15 |
80.88 |
88.91 |
91.21 |
93.33 |
93.98 |
Treatment Effect* (Δ) |
4.27 |
9.49 |
4.76 |
9.14 |
3.59 |
5.24 |
P-Value |
0.0186 |
<0.0001 |
0.0041 |
<0.0001 |
0.0019 |
0.0003 |
* Baseline Adjusted LSMean Estimates
Varoglutamstat – early Alzheimer’s
disease (AD):
- In recent weeks Vivoryon has
continued its in-depth analysis of the VIVIAD data, following the
March 4, 2024, and April 24, 2024, disclosures. While these
analyses remain ongoing, findings to date continue to confirm there
is no consistent effect of varoglutamstat up to 600mg BID on
cognition and function, including in high exposure patients. Data
from VIVA-MIND, anticipated by the end of 2024, is expected to
contribute to the overall dataset informing varoglutamstat’s
development strategy in AD.
Early-Stage Pipeline
- Vivoryon’s main focus is on its clinical-stage activities,
however it will continue to explore pre-clinical QPCT/L inhibitors
for use in inflammatory and fibrotic disorders and other
indications such as oncology and CNS as well as pre-clinical meprin
inhibitors, in particular for fibrotic disorders, and QPCT/L
inhibitors with good blood brain barrier penetration. The Company’s
antibody program, PBD-C06, will remain active as a candidate for
further potential partnering opportunities.
Corporate Development
Updates
- In March 2024, Kugan
Sathiyanandarajah and Professor Dr. Morten Asser Karsdal stepped
down from Vivoryon’s Board of Directors. They had been appointed as
Non-Executive Directors in June 2023.
- In March 2024, Anne Doering, CFA, assumed the role of Chief
Financial Officer (CFO) of Vivoryon, following her previous
position as Chief Strategy & Investor Relations Officer.
- In May 2024, Vivoryon announced it will hold its 2024 Annual
General Meeting on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (CEST) in
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The full agenda and all relevant
documents are available on the Company’s website
(https://www.vivoryon.com/2024-annual-general-meeting/).
Financial Results for the First Quarter
of 2024
Revenues were zero in the three
months ended March 31, 2024, as well as in the three months ended
March 31, 2023.
Research and development
expenses increased by EUR 4.3 million to EUR 7.4 million
in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to EUR 3.1
million in the three months ended March 31, 2023. This increase was
largely attributable to the increase in clinical development costs
from the VIVIAD and VIVA-MIND studies.
General and administrative
expenses were EUR 2.1 million in the three months
ended March 31, 2024, compared to EUR 1.9 million in the three
months ended March 31, 2023. The increase of EUR 0.2 million
was largely attributable to higher expenses for share-based
payments as well as legal and consulting fees.
Net loss for
the three months ended March 31, 2024, was EUR 9.3 million,
compared to EUR 5.1 million for the three months ended March
31, 2023.
The Company held EUR 22.0 million in
cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024,
compared to EUR 28.6 million, which includes cash and cash
equivalents and financial assets, as of December 31, 2023.
Outlook & Financial
Guidance
As published on April 24, 2024, the Company
expects, on the basis of its most recent financial and business
plan, that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be
sufficient to fund its operating plans, excluding any additional
financings, into the second quarter of 2025.
This cash runway guidance reflects the shift in
focus of research and development resources towards inflammatory
and fibrotic disorders, such as of the kidney, and an overall
reduction in cash utilization including the ramp down of spending
on VIVIAD as it approaches its conclusion, the discontinuation of
VIVA-MIND, the discontinuation of VIVALONG preparation activities
given the developments of VIVIAD and VIVA-MIND, as well as the
streamlining of manufacturing costs and programs for API
development.
The viability of the Company beyond the second
quarter of 2025 is dependent on its ability to raise additional
funds to finance its operations which also depends on the success
of its research and development activities such as those focusing
on exploring opportunities in kidney disease.
Conference Call and
WebcastVivoryon will host a conference call and webcast
today, May 23, 2024, at 3:00 pm CEST (9:00 am EDT). A Q&A
session will follow the presentation of the first quarter results.A
live webcast and slides will be made available at:
www.vivoryon.com/investors-news/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/
To join the conference call via phone,
participants may pre-register and will receive dedicated dial-in
details to easily and quickly access the call via the following
website:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI9aadfa99e014435493eca917a11150f1
It is suggested participants dial into the
conference call 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to
avoid any delays in attendance.
Approximately one day after the call, a
slide-synchronized audio replay of the conference will be available
on:
www.vivoryon.com/investors-news/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/
###
About Vivoryon Therapeutics
N.V.Vivoryon is a clinical stage biotechnology company
focused on developing innovative small molecule-based medicines.
Driven by its passion for ground-breaking science and innovation,
the Company strives to change the lives of patients in need
suffering from severe diseases. The Company leverages its in-depth
expertise in understanding post-translational modifications to
develop medicines that modulate the activity and stability of
proteins which are altered in disease settings. The Company has
established a pipeline of orally available small molecule
inhibitors for various indications including Alzheimer’s disease,
inflammatory and fibrotic disorders, including of the kidney, and
cancer. www.vivoryon.com.
Vivoryon Forward Looking
StatementsThis press release includes forward-looking
statements, including, without limitation, those regarding the
business strategy, management plans and objectives for future
operations of Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (the “Company”), estimates
and projections with respect to the market for the Company’s
products and forecasts and statements as to when the Company’s
products may be available. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,”
“project,” “predict,” “should” and “will” and similar expressions
as they relate to the Company are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance; rather they are based on the
Management’s current expectations and assumptions about future
events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The
forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown
risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and other
factors could materially adversely affect the outcome and financial
effects of the plans and events described herein. The Company’s
results of operations, cash needs, financial condition, liquidity,
prospects, future transactions, strategies or events may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking
statements and from expectations. As a result, no undue reliance
should be placed on such forward-looking statements. This press
release does not contain risk factors. Certain risk factors that
may affect the Company’s future financial results are discussed in
the published annual financial statements of the Company. This
press release, including any forward-looking statements, speaks
only as of the date of this press release. The Company does not
assume any obligation to update any information or forward-looking
statements contained herein, save for any information required to
be disclosed by law.
For more information, please contact:
Investor ContactVivoryon Therapeutics N.V.Dr.
Manuela Bader, Director IR & CommunicationTel: +49 (0)345 555
99 30Email: IR@vivoryon.com
Media ContactTrophic CommunicationsValeria
FisherTel: +49 175 8041816Email: vivoryon@trophic.eu
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