Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMER: MTNB), a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the intracellular delivery of critical therapeutics through its paradigm-changing lipid nanocrystal (LNC) delivery platform, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020, along with a corporate update.
“2020 was a year of significant progress and timely execution for Matinas, despite the ongoing global pandemic. The completion of the head-to-head ENHANCE-IT trial of LYPDISO vs. Vascepa(R) and the results which support the potential for LYPDISO to demonstrate a superior cardioprotective effect to Vascepa(R), have positioned us to identify and potentially secure a global partner for the continued development of this promising, next-generation drug,” commented Jerome D. Jabbour, Chief Executive Officer of Matinas. “This process provides us the opportunity, as we move forward, to re-focus our internal expertise and financial resources on our LNC platform delivery technology. We believe that the unique capability of our LNC formulations to mimic enveloped viruses and efficiently deliver small and large molecules intracellularly without causing adverse immune responses or damage to cellular membranes, differentiates our technology from any other available intracellular delivery technology being applied today.”
Mr. Jabbour continued, “There are three key areas which highlight tangible progress with the LNC platform. First, DSMB review and cohort progression in the EnACT study of MAT2203 in cryptococcal meningitis is anticipated in the third quarter of 2021 and provides a near-term opportunity to further validate the LNC platform and highlight its ability to facilitate oral bioavailability and then carry molecules effectively across the blood-brain barrier in combating deadly invasive fungal infections. Second, with the support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we are rapidly advancing our second LNC platform drug, MAT2501 (oral amikacin), into preclinical toxicology and efficacy studies with the ultimate goal of developing the first oral aminoglycoside for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, as well as gram negative bacterial infections. Finally, we continue to make important progress in expanding the utilization of the LNC platform through our collaborations with Genentech and with NIAID in creating an oral formulation of Gilead’s remdesivir. We are also evaluating additional opportunities to expand application of our LNC platform in other innovative areas, such as mRNA and gene therapy. 2021 will be an exciting and potentially transformational year for our Company, and we look forward to continuing to execute on our corporate strategy and keeping investors informed as to our progress.”
MAT2203 Program Update (orally bioavailable amphotericin B, with targeted delivery, under development for the treatment and prevention of invasive fungal infections, including cryptococcal meningitis)
— Data from the Phase 1 portion of the EnACT study were published in the
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, (ACC), a journal of the American
Society of Microbiology, in a manuscript entitled “Safety and
tolerability of a novel oral formulation of amphotericin B: Phase I EnACT
trial”. In the published manuscript, trial investigators concluded that
MAT2203 was well-tolerated when administered in 4-6 divided daily doses
without the toxicities commonly seen with IV amphotericin B, with nearly
100% of patients expressing a preference for oral MAT2203 relative to
amphotericin B delivered intravenously.
— In October 2020, the Company announced that the independent DSMB of the
EnACT study completed a pre-specified review of the first cohort and
unanimously recommended progression to the second cohort.
— We have recently reached 50 percent of patient enrollment (28/56) in
Cohort Two of the EnACT study (Encochleated Oral Amphotericin for
Cryptococcal Meningitis Trial); DSMB evaluation of full safety and
efficacy data from Cohort Two is anticipated in the third quarter of
2021.
— As previously reported, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
designated MAT2203 as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) with
Fast Track status for four indications, specifically, the prevention of
invasive fungal infections due to immunosuppressive therapy, and the
treatment of invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillus and cryptococcal
meningitis. In addition, the FDA has granted orphan drug designation to
MAT2203 for the treatment of cryptococcosis. If MAT2203 is ultimately
approved by the FDA, the seven-year period of marketing exclusivity from
orphan designation combined with the additional five years of marketing
exclusivity provided by the QIDP designation, provides for a potential
total of 12 years of marketing exclusivity.
EnACT is a Phase 2 prospective, randomized, open-label, sequential cohort study, financially supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MAT2203 in approximately 140 HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis. MAT2203 utilizes the Company’s LNC platform delivery technology to orally deliver the traditionally IV-only fungicidal drug, amphotericin B. In total, the trial includes four cohorts of patients, with each cohort increasing the treatment duration of MAT2203 vs. IV amphotericin B. The primary efficacy endpoint includes a measure of reduction in fungal count in the cerebral spinal fluid. A control arm, which includes standard of care IV amphotericin B, is included with each cohort.
MAT2501 Program Update (orally bioavailable amikacin, with targeted delivery, under development for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, including infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF))
— In November 2020, the Company received a commitment for $3.75 million of
funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) to support preclinical
development of MAT2501 toward an indication to treat NTM lung disease,
including infections in patients with CF.
— The Company is progressing development of MAT2501 through preclinical
toxicology and efficacy studies in 2021, with the goal of completing a
Phase 1 single ascending dose pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers
by the end of 2021.
— MAT2501 has been designated as a QIDP and as an Orphan Drug for the
treatment of NTM by the FDA. If MAT2501 is ultimately approved by the FDA,
the seven-year period of marketing exclusivity from orphan designation
combined with the additional five years of marketing exclusivity provided
by the QIDP designation, provides for a potential total of 12 years of
marketing exclusivity.
LNC Platform Update
— The Company’s feasibility agreement with Genentech, which involves the
formulation of up to three different Genentech compounds, was extended
for an additional two years in November of 2020.
— In December 2020, the Company announced a collaboration with the NIAID to
evaluate oral formulations of Gilead’s antiviral remdesivir utilizing
Matinas’ LNC platform delivery technology. The Company recently prepared
and delivered several formulations to NIAID, which will commence planned
preclinical studies promptly.
LYPDISO(TM) Program Update (next generation, prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition under development for treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, including hypertriglyceridemia)
— In February 2021, the Company announced topline results from ENHANCE-IT
(Pharmacodynamic Effects of a Free-fatty Acid Formulation of Omega-3
Pentaenoic Acids to ENHANCE Efficacy in Adults with Hypertriglyceridemia),
a second head-to-head comparative study of LYPDISO vs. Vascepa(R). The
study assessed LYPDISO’s effectiveness in reducing triglyceride levels
and other important lipid markers, as well as characterizing
bioavailability and blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other
omega-3 fatty acids. While the primary endpoint of percent change in
triglycerides (TGs) from baseline to end-of-treatment did not meet
statistical significance in the pre-specified pharmacodynamic population,
analysis of the per protocol population demonstrated statistically
significant improvement and superiority of LYPDISO over Vascepa(R) in
reducing TGs, total cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol. A key secondary endpoint in ENHANCE-IT was the measurement
of EPA levels in the blood, as that has become a key surrogate marker in
determining cardiovascular risk reduction. In ENHANCE-IT, plasma EPA
concentrations were significantly higher with LYPDISO vs. Vascepa(R) (46%
2021-03-29 10:30:00 GMT Matinas BioPharma Reports Fourth Quarter and Full -2-
relative percent increase in the change from baseline EPA level vs.
Vascepa(R)), which the Company believes indicates the potential for
superior cardioprotection with LYPDISO vs. Vascepa(R).
— The Company believes that the results from ENHANCE-IT suggest potential
for LYPDISO as a best-in-class prescription-only omega-3 drug for
cardiovascular risk reduction and is pursuing a partnership to continue
further development of LYPDISO toward a cardiovascular outcomes
indication. Accordingly, the Company no longer plans to pursue an
indication for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at December 31, 2020 were approximately $58.7 million, compared to $27.8 million at December 31, 2019.
In January 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 32.3 million shares of its common stock at a price of $1.55 per share for net proceeds of approximately $46.7 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses.
In July 2020, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Sales Agreement (Sales Agreement) with BTIG, LLC (BTIG), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through BTIG, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million, subject to certain limitations on the amount of common stock that may be offered and sold by the Company set forth in the Sales Agreement. As of December 31, 2020, the Company did not sell any shares of its common stock under the Sales Agreement. During January 2021, BTIG sold approximately 3 million shares of the Company’s common stock under the Sales Agreement generating net proceeds to the Company of approximately $5.6 million.
Based on current projections, the Company believes that cash on hand, including net proceeds from issuances under the Sales Agreement in January 2021, is sufficient to fund operations into 2024.
For the fourth quarter of 2020, net loss attributable to common shareholders was $6.6 million, or a net loss of $0.03 per share (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $5.8 million, or a net loss of $0.04 per share (basic and diluted) for the same period in 2019. For the full year of 2020, net loss attributable to common shareholders was $23.2 million, or a net loss per share of $0.12 (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $18.3 million, or a net loss per share of $0.13 (basic and diluted) for the full year of 2019. The increase for both periods was due primarily to an increase in operating expenses, as more fully described below.
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $3.5 million, compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2019. For the full year of 2020, R&D expenses were $14.4 million, compared to $11.2 million for the full year of 2019. The increase for full year 2020 was due primarily to higher preclinical and clinical development expenses and employee compensation related to the development of LYPDISO, MAT2203 and MAT2501.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $3.0 million, compared to $2.3 million in the same period in 2019. For the full year of 2020, G&A expenses were $10.0 million, compared to $7.8 million for the full year of 2019. The increase was due primarily to employee related expenses and professional fees.
*Vascepa(R) is a registered trademark of the Amarin group of companies.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
The Company will host a live conference call and webcast to discuss these results on Monday, March 29, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. ET.
To participate in the call, please dial (877) 407-5976 (Toll-Free) or (412) 902-0031 (Toll) and reference conference ID 13716272. The live webcast will be accessible on the Investors section of Matinas’ website, www.matinasbiopharma.com, and archived for 90 days
About Matinas BioPharma
Matinas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the intracellular delivery of critical therapeutics through its paradigm-changing lipid nanocrystal (LNC) delivery platform. Company leadership has a deep history and knowledge of drug development and is supported by a world-class team of scientific advisors.
Matinas is developing a portfolio of products based upon its proprietary LNC drug delivery platform, which can solve complex challenges relating to the safe and effective intracellular delivery of both small and larger, more complex molecules.
MAT2203 is an oral, LNC formulation of the well-known, but highly toxic, antifungal medicine amphotericin B, primarily used to treat serious invasive fungal infections. MAT2203 is currently in a Phase 2 open-label, sequential cohort study (EnACT) in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis. EnACT is currently enrolling patients in its second cohort, with the next DSMB evaluation of safety and efficacy data anticipated to occur in the third quarter of 2021.
MAT2501 is an oral, LNC formulation of the broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic medicine amikacin, primarily used to treat chronic and acute bacterial infections. The Company has been awarded up to $3.75 million from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) to support development of MAT2501 toward an indication to treat nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, including infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).
LYPDISO(TM), the Company’s product candidate intended for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, is a prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition, comprised primarily of EPA and DPA, recently announced data from the ENHANCE-IT study, a head-to-head crossover study evaluating LYPDISO vs. Vascepa in patients with elevated triglycerides. Data demonstrating superior levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the blood with LYPDISO support the potential superior cardioprotective effect of LYPDISO vs. Vascepa. The Company has initiated a process to identity and secure a potential partner to continue development of LYPDISO toward a cardiovascular outcomes indication.
