Paulness
3 weeks ago
NEWS -- Theriva™ Biologics Announces U.S. FDA Guidance on Design of Phase 3 Study of VCN-01 for the Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced the outcomes of a recent Type D meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain guidance on the design of a Phase 3 clinical study of lead clinical candidate VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The Company recently announced the completion of target enrollment into the multinational VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical study evaluating intravenous VCN-01 in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel as a first line therapy for PDAC patients.
Type D meetings are focused on a narrow set of issues that are used to discuss issues at key decision points to provide timely feedback critical to moving a drug development program forward. The FDA advised that the on-going VIRAGE Phase 2b study should not be expanded into a Phase 3 study; rather, the optimal path forward for the VCN-01 PDAC program is to conduct a stand-alone Phase 3 study of VCN-01 with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. The FDA provided general agreement with Theriva’s proposed design for a Phase 3 clinical study and indicated that inclusion of additional standard-of-care chemotherapy for PDAC was not necessary as it would complicate the study design and analysis. The FDA meeting also highlighted the FDA’s preferences regarding certain statistical elements of confirmatory clinical studies, including methods for sample size estimation and the study population(s) used for data analysis.
“The FDA’s advice on key elements of a potential confirmatory Phase 3 study evaluating VCN-01 plus gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for metastatic PDAC patients is critical as the VIRAGE study has entered final patient follow-up and we are actively planning the next steps in VCN-01 development,” said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. “The feedback from the FDA and European regulatory agencies will facilitate the design of a Phase 3 study protocol that is expected to maximize our ability to provide a new therapeutic option to patients suffering this terrible disease.”
An additional meeting with the FDA will be requested after the completion of the VIRAGE study to discuss the details of the proposed confirmatory Phase 3 study protocol.
About Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Cancer of the pancreas consists of two main histological types: cancer that arises from the ductal (exocrine) cells of the pancreas or, much less often, cancers may arise from the endocrine compartment of the pancreas. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (“PDAC”) accounts for more than 90% of all pancreatic tumors. It can be located either in the head of the pancreas or in the body/tail. Pancreatic cancer usually metastasizes to the liver and peritoneum. Other less common metastatic sites are the lungs, brain, kidney, and bone. In its early stages, pancreatic cancer does not typically result in any characteristic symptoms. In many instances, progressive abdominal pain is the first symptom. Therefore, in most cases, pancreatic cancer is diagnosed in its late stages (locally advanced non-metastatic or metastatic stage of the disease) when surgical resection and possibly curative treatment is not possible. It is generally assumed that only 10% of cases are resectable at presentation, whereas 30-40% of patients are diagnosed at local advanced/unresectable stage and 50-60% present with distant metastases.
About VCN-01
VCN-01 is a systemically administered oncolytic adenovirus designed to selectively and aggressively replicate within tumor cells and degrade the tumor stroma that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment. This unique mode-of-action enables VCN-01 to exert multiple antitumor effects by (i) selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells; (ii) enhancing the access and perfusion of co-administered chemotherapy products; and (iii) increasing tumor immunogenicity and exposing the tumor to the patient’s immune system and co-administered immunotherapy products. Systemic administration enables VCN-01 to exert its actions on both the primary tumor and metastases. VCN-01 has been administered to 142 patients to date in Company- and investigator-sponsored clinical trials of different cancers, including PDAC (in combination with chemotherapy), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (with an immune checkpoint inhibitor), ovarian cancer (with CAR-T cell therapy), colorectal cancer, and retinoblastoma (by intravitreal injection). More information on these clinical trials is available at Clinicaltrials.gov.
About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.
Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding the feedback from the FDA and European regulatory agencies facilitating the design of a Phase 3 study protocol; the protocol maximizing the Company’s ability to provide a new therapeutic option to patients suffering pancreatic cancer. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to effectively design the Phase 3 study protocol; the Company’s and VCN’s ability to reach clinical milestones when anticipated, including the ability to continue to enroll patients as planned, generating positive clinical data that establishes VCN-01 may lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients with PDAC and other solid cancers; the Company’s and VCN’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results; the ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s and VCN’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of the Company’s and VCN’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s and VCN’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s and VCN’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed, and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Source: Theriva Biologics, Inc.
Paulness
2 months ago
NEWS -- Theriva Biologics Selected as Finalist in International Competition for Merck KGaA's EMEA Advance Biotech Grant
Winner to be Presented at BIO-Europe 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced selection as one of five finalists for Merck KGaA's EMEA Advance Biotech Grant. Finalists for the grant will present to a six-judge panel from Merck’s Emerging Biotech group during BIO Europe 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Manel Cascalló, PhD., General Director - EU Subsidiary, Theriva Biologics, will present an overview of VCN-01, currently being studied in a Phase 2b clinical trial in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy. Dr Cascalló will highlight VCN-01’s novel mechanisms of action and Theriva’s internal capabilities to develop its manufacturing process in his presentation on Monday, November 4, 2024 from 15:20-16:40 CET/CEST (GMT+2).
Merck KGaA’s EMEA Advance Biotech Grant Program celebrates standout emerging biotech companies, and winners receive financial support and guidance on navigating their path to commercialization, including consultation with M Ventures. After multiple rounds of dynamic competition involving diverse biotech companies and technologies, the five selected finalists, will pitch their breakthroughs to Merck KGaA representatives and the overall BIO-Europe audience. The winner will be announced following the five presentations.
About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.
Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding presenting an overview of VCN-01to a six-judge panel from Merck’s Emerging Biotech group during BIO Europe 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden and highlighting VCN-01’s novel mechanisms of action and Theriva’s internal capabilities to develop its manufacturing process. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to reach clinical milestones when anticipated, the Company’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results, the Company’s ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits, continuing clinical trial enrollment as expected; the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of the Company’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
subslover
2 months ago
Theriva Biologics Selected as Finalist in International Competition for Merck KGaA's EMEA Advance Biotech Grant
Winner to be Presented at BIO-Europe 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced selection as one of five finalists for Merck KGaA's EMEA Advance Biotech Grant. Finalists for the grant will present to a six-judge panel from Merck’s Emerging Biotech group during BIO Europe 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Manel Cascalló, PhD., General Director - EU Subsidiary, Theriva Biologics, will present an overview of VCN-01, currently being studied in a Phase 2b clinical trial in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy. Dr Cascalló will highlight VCN-01’s novel mechanisms of action and Theriva’s internal capabilities to develop its manufacturing process in his presentation on Monday, November 4, 2024 from 15:20-16:40 CET/CEST (GMT+2).
Merck KGaA’s EMEA Advance Biotech Grant Program celebrates standout emerging biotech companies, and winners receive financial support and guidance on navigating their path to commercialization, including consultation with M Ventures. After multiple rounds of dynamic competition involving diverse biotech companies and technologies, the five selected finalists, will pitch their breakthroughs to Merck KGaA representatives and the overall BIO-Europe audience. The winner will be announced following the five presentations.
About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.
Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Paulness
2 months ago
NEWS -- Theriva Biologics Announces Orphan Medicinal Product Designation Granted by the European Commission to VCN-01 for the Treatment of Retinoblastoma
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), (“Theriva” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced that the European Commission has adopted the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommendation to grant orphan medicinal product designation to lead clinical candidate VCN-01, Theriva’s systemic, selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus, for the treatment of retinoblastoma. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has previously granted orphan drug designation and rare pediatric disease designation to VCN-01 for the treatment of retinoblastoma.
“We are very pleased with the European Commission’s grant of orphan medicinal product designation to VCN-01, emphasizing the urgent need for new treatment options for retinoblastoma,” said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. “We have previously reported encouraging results from an investigator sponsored Phase 1 trial evaluating the safety and activity of intravitreal VCN-01 in pediatric patients with refractory retinoblastoma, and we are working closely with leading physicians and regulatory agencies worldwide to refine our clinical strategy for VCN-01 as an adjunct to chemotherapy in children with this challenging disease.”
The EMA recommends orphan designation for products intended to treat, prevent or diagnose a disease that is life-threatening or chronically debilitating and either the prevalence of the condition in the European Union (EU) does not exceed 5 in 10,000 or it is unlikely that marketing of the product would generate sufficient returns to justify the investment needed for its development. Additionally, there should be no authorizable method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment of the condition, or, if such a method exists, the medicine must be of significant benefit to those affected by the condition. Orphan designation is designed to provide drug developers with various benefits to support the development of novel therapies, including 10-years of market exclusivity once they receive marketing authorization in the EU, protocol assistance, administrative and procedural assistance, and reduced fees for regulatory activities.
About Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a tumor that originates in the retina and is the most common type of eye cancer in children. It occurs in approximately 1/14,000 - 1/18,000 live newborns and accounts for 15% of the tumors in the pediatric population < 1 year old. The average age of pediatric patients at diagnosis is 2, and it rarely occurs in children older than 6. In Europe, retinoblastoma has an estimated incidence rate of 1 per 13,844 live births (14.1 per million children under the age of 5) with approximately 300 children diagnosed per year (Stacey et al. 2021). Preserving life and preventing the loss of an eye, blindness and other serious effects of treatment that reduce the patient’s life span or the quality of life, remains a challenge. In addition, children with retinoblastoma have been more likely to lose their eye and die of metastatic disease in low-resource countries.
About VCN-01
VCN-01 is a systemically administered oncolytic adenovirus designed to selectively and aggressively replicate within tumor cells and degrade the tumor stroma that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment. This unique mode-of-action enables VCN-01 to exert multiple antitumor effects by (i) selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells; (ii) enhancing the access and perfusion of co-administered chemotherapy products; and (iii) increasing tumor immunogenicity and exposing the tumor to the patient’s immune system and co-administered immunotherapy products. Systemic administration enables VCN-01 to exert its actions on both the primary tumor and metastases. VCN-01 has been administered to over 140 patients to date in clinical trials of different cancers, including PDAC (in combination with chemotherapy), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (with an immune checkpoint inhibitor), ovarian cancer (with CAR-T cell therapy), colorectal cancer, and retinoblastoma (by intravitreal injection). More information on these clinical trials is available at Clinicaltrials.gov.
About Theriva Biologics, Inc.
Theriva Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company’s wholly-owned Spanish subsidiary Theriva Biologics, S.L., has been developing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. In addition to VCN-01, the Company’s clinical-stage candidates include (1) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients); and (2) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding continuing to work closely with leading physicians and regulatory agencies to refine the Company’s clinical strategy for VCN-01 as an adjunct to chemotherapy in pediatric patients with advanced retinoblastoma and the potential benefits achievable from the grant of orphan drug designation. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to address the unmet medical needs for treatment of pediatric retinoblastoma, the Company’s ability to take advantage of the potential benefits of orphan drug designation, the Company’s ability to reach clinical milestones when anticipated, the Company’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results; the ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits, continuing clinical trial enrollment as expected; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of the Company’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Source: Theriva Biologics, Inc.
Paulness
3 months ago
NEWS -- Theriva™ Biologics Announces Positive Outcome of Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) Review in Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients
DSMC has reviewed the safety and pharmacokinetic data from Cohort 2 and recommended that the study proceed to enroll patients into Cohort 3
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), (“Theriva” or the “Company”), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced a positive outcome from the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) review of results from the second Cohort of its Phase 1b/2a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD).
Cohort 2 enrolled 19 patients who received at least 1 dose of study drug (SYN-004 or Placebo randomized 2:1). Eighteen (18) patients received at least one dose of intravenous (IV) piperacillin/tazobactam and 12 of these patients completed sufficient doses of IV piperacillin/tazobactam to be evaluable towards the study endpoints. The study is ongoing and remains blinded; however, key findings from blinded data for Cohort 2 are included below:
Adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) observed in Cohort 2 were typical of those observed in allo-HCT patients and no AEs or SAEs were determined by the investigators to be related to study drug treatment.A total of 15 SAEs were reported among 10 patients, with the most common SAE being infections and infestations, including sepsis.
No patients died within the 30-day follow-up period after the last dose of study drug; 1 patient died 95 days and another 211 days after the last dose of study drug due to cancer relapse and pneumonia respectively (not related to study drug).Consistent with the findings from Cohort 1 and previous studies of SYN-004 in healthy volunteers, no patient blood samples were positive for SYN-004 at any timepoint.The pharmacokinetics of piperacillin, which can be metabolized by SYN-004, were as expected for this patient population.Based on a review of the safety and pharmacokinetic data, the DSMC has recommended that the study proceed to enroll Cohort 3, in which study drug (SYN-004 or placebo) will be administered in combination with the IV beta-lactam antibiotic cefepime.
Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics, commented, “These encouraging data support the clinical advancement of SYN-004 and build on the growing data that underscore its therapeutic potential. The first 2 cohorts have shown that active SYN-004 is not found in the blood of allo-HCT patients after repeated oral doses, in part alleviating the concern that SYN-004 might be absorbed in patients with poor intestinal barrier function and potentially interfere with IV antibiotics. We are very grateful for the tremendous support from Dr. Dubberke and his team at Washington University as we pursue additional funding to enable the conduct of the third cohort and continue with the goal of improving standard treatment for these highly susceptible patients by overcoming existing limitations of broad-spectrum IV beta-lactam antibiotics.”
About the Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial
The ongoing randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 1b/2a clinical trial is being conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and potential absorption of oral SYN-004 (150 mg QID for a maximum of 28 days) into the systemic circulation of allogeneic HCT recipients who receive an IV antibiotic. To mitigate risk, Cohort 1 of the study administered meropenem as the study-assigned antibiotic. Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that is not metabolized by SYN-004. Patients in Cohorts 2 were administered piperacillin/tazobactam and Patients in Cohort 3 will be administered cefepime. Both piperacillin and cefepime can be metabolized by SYN-004. The trial is also designed to evaluate potential protective effects of SYN-004 on the gut microbiome as well as generate preliminary information on potential therapeutic benefits and patient outcomes of SYN-004 in allogeneic HCT recipients. The trial is expected to enroll up to 36 participants with three sequential cohorts, each evaluating a different study-assigned IV beta-lactam antibiotic. Safety and pharmacokinetic data for each Cohort will be reviewed by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee that will make a recommendation on whether to proceed to the next IV antibiotic. More information on the study is available here (NCT04692181).
About SYN-004 (ribaxamase)
SYN-004 (ribaxamase) is an oral prophylactic therapy designed to degrade certain IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the GI tract and maintain the natural balance of the gut microbiome for the prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), overgrowth of pathogenic organisms, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Allogeneic HCT recipients routinely receive long courses of IV beta-lactam antibiotics to treat infection following conditioning therapy. Antibiotic-mediated damage of the gut microbiome in allogeneic HCT recipients may lead to adverse outcomes including CDI, VRE colonization and potentially fatal bacteremia and aGVHD. A previously completed placebo-controlled Phase 2b clinical trial of 412 patients demonstrated SYN-004 protected the gut microbiome from antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis. Patients who received SYN-004 also demonstrated significantly better maintenance and recovery of the gut microbiome as well as lower incidences of new colonization by opportunistic and potentially pathogenic microorganisms such as VRE.
About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.
Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding the encouraging data supporting the clinical advancement of SYN-004 and building on the growing data that underscore its therapeutic potential, SYN-004 improving standard treatment for the highly susceptible patients by overcoming existing limitations of broad-spectrum IV beta-lactam antibiotics, the potential protective effects of SYN-004 on the gut microbiome and generating preliminary information on potential therapeutic benefits and patient outcomes of SYN-004 in allogeneic HCT recipients, the Company’s ability to find additional funding to support Cohort 3, and the trial enrolling up to 36 participants with three sequential cohorts, each evaluating a different study-assigned IV beta-lactam antibiotic. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the ability of SYN-004 to improve standard treatment for the highly susceptible patients by overcoming existing limitations of broad-spectrum IV beta-lactam antibiotics, the ability to enroll the anticipated number of patients in the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial, the Company’s ability to reach clinical milestones when anticipated, the Company’s ability to find additional funding to support Cohort 3, as well as results that are consistent with prior results; the ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits, continuing clinical trial enrollment as expected; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of Synthetic Biologics' and VCN's products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed, and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Source: Theriva Biologics, Inc.
tw0122
3 months ago
Pump it !!ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), (“Theriva” or the “Company”), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced a positive outcome from the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) review of results from the second Cohort of its Phase 1b/2a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD).
Cohort 2 enrolled 19 patients who received at least 1 dose of study drug (SYN-004 or Placebo randomized 2:1). Eighteen (18) patients received at least one dose of intravenous (IV) piperacillin/tazobactam and 12 of these patients completed sufficient doses of IV piperacillin/tazobactam to be evaluable towards the study endpoints. The study is ongoing and remains blinded; however, key findings from blinded data for Cohort 2 are included below:
Adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) observed in Cohort 2 were typical of those observed in allo-HCT patients and no AEs or SAEs were determined by the investigators to be related to study drug treatment.
A total of 15 SAEs were reported among 10 patients, with the most common SAE being infections and infestations, including sepsis.
No patients died within the 30-day follow-up period after the last dose of study drug; 1 patient died 95 days and another 211 days after the last dose of study drug due to cancer relapse and pneumonia respectively (not related to study drug).
Consistent with the findings from Cohort 1 and previous studies of SYN-004 in healthy volunteers, no patient blood samples were positive for SYN-004 at any timepoint.
The pharmacokinetics of piperacillin, which can be metabolized by SYN-004, were as expected for this patient population.
Based on a review of the safety and pharmacokinetic data, the DSMC has recommended that the study proceed to enroll Cohort 3, in which study drug (SYN-004 or placebo) will be administered in combination with the IV beta-lactam antibiotic cefepime.
Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics, commented, “These encouraging data support the clinical advancement of SYN-004 and build on the growing data that underscore its therapeutic potential. The first 2 cohorts have shown that active SYN-004 is not found in the blood of allo-HCT patients after repeated oral doses, in part alleviating the concern that SYN-004 might be absorbed in patients with poor intestinal barrier function and potentially interfere with IV antibiotics. We are very grateful for the tremendous support from Dr. Dubberke and his team at Washington University as we pursue additional funding to enable the conduct of the third cohort and continue with the goal of improving standard treatment for these highly susceptible patients by overcoming existing limitations of broad-spectrum IV beta-lactam antibiotics.”
About the Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial
The ongoing randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 1b/2a clinical trial is being conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and potential absorption of oral SYN-004 (150 mg QID for a maximum of 28 days) into the systemic circulation of allogeneic HCT recipients who receive an IV antibiotic. To mitigate risk, Cohort 1 of the study administered meropenem as the study-assigned antibiotic. Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic that is not metabolized by SYN-004. Patients in Cohorts 2 were administered piperacillin/tazobactam and Patients in Cohort 3 will be administered cefepime. Both piperacillin and cefepime can be metabolized by SYN-004. The trial is also designed to evaluate potential protective effects of SYN-004 on the gut microbiome as well as generate preliminary information on potential therapeutic benefits and patient outcomes of SYN-004 in allogeneic HCT recipients. The trial is expected to enroll up to 36 participants with three sequential cohorts, each evaluating a different study-assigned IV beta-lactam antibiotic. Safety and pharmacokinetic data for each Cohort will be reviewed by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee that will make a recommendation on whether to proceed to the next IV antibiotic. More information on the study is available here (NCT04692181).
About SYN-004 (ribaxamase)
Paulness
3 months ago
NEWS -- Theriva Biologics Announces Pricing of $2.5 Million Public Offering
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX) (“Theriva” or the “Company”), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced the pricing of its “reasonable best efforts” public offering for the purchase and sale of up to 1,428,600 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) and warrants to purchase up to 1,428,600 shares of common stock at a combined offering price of $1.75 per share and accompanying warrant (the “Offering”). The Company expects to receive aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses, and assuming no exercise of the warrants. The warrants will have an exercise price of $2.00 per share, will be exercisable immediately and will expire five years from the issuance date.
The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about September 27, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this Offering primarily for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for research and development and manufacturing scale-up. The Company may also use a portion of the net proceeds to invest in or acquire other products, businesses or technologies, although it currently has no commitments or agreements with respect to any such investments or acquisitions.
A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as the sole placement agent for the Offering.
The securities described above are being offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282024) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 10, 2024, as amended, which became effective on September 25, 2024. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Copies of the preliminary prospectus and, when available, copies of the final prospectus, relating to the Offering may be obtained on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained, when available, from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at mailto://prospectus@allianceg.com.
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.
About Theriva Biologics, Inc.
Theriva Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the completion of theOffering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the Offering and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the preliminary prospectus related to the Offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption “Risk Factors.” You should also carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed by the Company with the SEC on March 25, 2024 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC, including the Company’s Forms 10-Q filed with the SEC. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Paulness
3 months ago
NEWS -- Theriva™ Biologics Achieves Target Patient Enrollment in the VIRAGE Phase 2b Trial of VCN-01 with Gemcitabine/nab-Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Target of 92 evaluable patients (46 in each of the control and VCN-01 treatment arms) enrolled across 15 sites in Spain and the USA within 21 monthsROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), (“Theriva” or the “Company”), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced that it has achieved their target patient enrollment in the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating the Company’s lead product candidate VCN-01 plus standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) as a first line therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). VCN-01 is a systemically-administered, tumor selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus that has been granted Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of PDAC.
“We are delighted to have achieved target enrollment for our VIRAGE Phase 2b trial in metastatic PDAC,” said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. “Rapid progress in the VIRAGE trial is a testament to physician interest in VCN-01 and the significant unmet need for an effective treatment for this deadly disease. We are currently planning regulatory engagements to discuss next steps in VCN-01 clinical development, including the potential for an interim data analysis.”
About Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Cancer of the pancreas consists of two main histological types: cancer that arises from the ductal (exocrine) cells of the pancreas or, much less often, cancers may arise from the endocrine compartment of the pancreas. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (“PDAC”) accounts for more than 90% of all pancreatic tumors. It can be located either in the head of the pancreas or in the body/tail. Pancreatic cancer usually metastasizes to the liver and peritoneum. Other less common metastatic sites are the lungs, brain, kidney and bone. In its early stages, pancreatic cancer does not typically result in any characteristic symptoms, so in most cases it is diagnosed in its late stages (locally advanced non-metastatic or metastatic disease) when surgical resection and possibly curative treatment is not possible. It is generally assumed that only 10% of cases are resectable at presentation, whereas 30-40% of patients are diagnosed at local advanced/unresectable stage and 50-60% present with distant metastases.
About VCN-01
VCN-01 is a systemically administered oncolytic adenovirus designed to selectively and aggressively replicate within tumor cells and degrade the tumor stroma that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment. This unique mode-of-action enables VCN-01 to exert multiple antitumor effects by (i) selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells; (ii) enhancing the access and perfusion of co-administered chemotherapy products; and (iii) increasing tumor immunogenicity and exposing the tumor to the patient’s immune system and co-administered immunotherapy products. Systemic administration enables VCN-01 to exert its actions on both the primary tumor and metastases. In addition to the VIRAGE Phase 2b trial, VCN-01 has been administered to over 80 patients in Phase 1 and investigator-sponsored clinical studies of different cancers, including PDAC (in combination with chemotherapy), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (with an immune checkpoint inhibitor), ovarian cancer (with CAR-T cell therapy), colorectal cancer, and retinoblastoma (by intravitreal injection). More information on these clinical trials is available at https://Clinicaltrials.gov.
About VIRAGE
VIRAGE is a two-arm Phase 2b open-label, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial in patients with histologically confirmed, newly-diagnosed metastatic PDAC. The study is being conducted at 16 sites across the US and Europe with a target enrollment of 92 evaluable patients; 46 in each of the control and treatment arms. In both the control and treatment arms, patients are treated with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel standard of care chemotherapy in 28-day cycles. In the treatment arm only, patients also receive single doses of intravenous VCN-01 administered seven-days prior to the first and fourth cycles of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel treatment. Primary endpoints for the trial are overall survival and VCN-01 safety/tolerability. Additional endpoints include progression free survival, objective response rate, and measures of biodistribution, VCN-01 replication, and immune response. More information about the trial is available on Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05673811), through the Spanish Clinical Trials Registry and European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT Number: 2022-000897-24).
About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.
Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding planning regulatory engagements to discuss next steps in VCN-01 clinical development, including the potential for an interim data analysis. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the ability to generate clinical data that establishes VCN-01 may lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients with PDAC and other solid cancers; the Company’s and VCN’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results; the ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s and VCN’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of the Company’s and VCN’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s and VCN’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s and VCN’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Source: Theriva Biologics, Inc.
Paulness
3 months ago
NEWS -- Theriva™ Biologics Awarded Manufacturing Funding from the Spanish Government’s National Knowledge Transfer Program
Theriva Biologics and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona to receive a total of €2.28 Million to support the THERICEL project, a suspension cell platform for manufacturing viral-based therapies
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), (“Theriva” or the “Company”) a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced that the THERICEL project has been awarded funding of €2.28 million from the National Knowledge Transfer Program of the Spanish government’s Ministry of Science, Innovation & Universities to support a collaboration between the Company and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) to advance the Company’s suspension cell platform for the clinical manufacture of adenovirus- and adeno-associated virus (AAV) therapies. Under the award, Theriva will receive a loan of €1.33 million as a lump sum payment in Q4 2024 which shall be repaid over 7 years commencing three years from the date of award and UAB will receive a grant of €0.95 million dedicated to the THERICEL project and paid in annual installments over the next 3 years.
The THERICEL project is intended to establish the viability of using proprietary Theriva’s A549 suspension cell platform for the clinical manufacture of adenoviral and AAV therapies. Suspension cell manufacture is expected to dramatically increase efficiency and decrease the cost of manufacturing compared to currently used adherent cell platforms. Theriva efforts under the award will focus on scaling-up the manufacture of VCN-01, the Company’s lead oncolytic virus product candidate currently undergoing Phase 2b clinical evaluation in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). UAB researchers will evaluate the potential utility of the suspension cell line for the manufacture of AAV products for use in gene therapy.
“We are honored to receive this funding award, which provides additional capital and external validation of our therapeutic approach,” said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. “This award will accelerate the start-up for our innovative suspension cell platform, which we believe will further position Theriva at the forefront of oncolytic virus development and may provide collaborative opportunities in product manufacture. Together with our collaborators at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, we look forward to working towards our shared mission of addressing the high unmet needs of patients.”
The Ministry of Science, Innovation & Universities funding was obtained through a competitive review process under a State scientific and technical innovation plan to support public-private collaborative projects (Proyectos en colaboración público-privada 2023). Funding for Theriva is awarded in the form of an unsecured loan at an interest rate of 4.015%, with a fixed 3-year grace period before the first repayment is due along with accrued interest. After the grace period, the maximum repayment period is 7 years.
About Theriva™ Biologics, Inc.
Theriva™ Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), is a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need. The Company is advancing a new oncolytic adenovirus platform designed for intravenous (IV), intravitreal and antitumoral delivery to trigger tumor cell death, improve access of co-administered cancer therapies to the tumor, and promote a robust and sustained anti-tumor response by the patient’s immune system. The Company’s lead candidates are: (1) VCN-01, an oncolytic adenovirus designed to replicate selectively and aggressively within tumor cells, and to degrade the tumor stroma barrier that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment; (2) SYN-004 (ribaxamase) which is designed to degrade certain commonly used IV beta-lactam antibiotics within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to prevent microbiome damage, thereby limiting overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococci) and reducing the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients; and (3) SYN-020, a recombinant oral formulation of the enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) produced under cGMP conditions and intended to treat both local GI and systemic diseases. For more information, please visit Theriva Biologics’ website at https://www.therivabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, and include statements regarding the potential of Theriva’s suspension cell platform to dramatically increase efficiency and decrease the cost of manufacturing of virus and AAV therapies, Theriva receiving a loan of €1.33 million as a lump sum payment in Q4 2024 and UAB receiving a total of €0.95 million paid in annual installments over the next 3 years; the THERICEL project establishing the viability of using proprietary Theriva’s A549 suspension cell platform for the clinical manufacture of adenoviral and AAV therapies; suspension cell manufacture dramatically increasing efficiency and decreasing the cost of manufacturing compared to currently used adherent cell platforms; the award accelerating the start-up for the Company’s innovative suspension cell platform; the award further positioning Theriva at the forefront of oncolytic virus development and providing collaborative opportunities in product manufacture; and working with collaborators at UAB towards the shared mission of addressing the high unmet needs of patients. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Company’s ability to accelerate the start-up for its innovative suspension cell platform; the Company’s ability to utilize the award funding successfully; the Company’s and VCN’s ability to reach clinical milestones when anticipated, including the ability of the suspension cell platform to manufacture virus and AAV products at appropriate the required quality and scale for clinical use, generating clinical data that establishes VCN-01 may lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients with PDAC and other solid cancers; the Company’s and VCN’s product candidates demonstrating safety and effectiveness, as well as results that are consistent with prior results; the ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve the desired results and benefits; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to the Company’s and VCN’s ability to promote or commercialize their product candidates for the specific indications, acceptance of product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of the Company’s and VCN’s products, developments by competitors that render such products obsolete or non-competitive, the Company’s and VCN’s ability to maintain license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of the Company’s and VCN’s patent estate, the ability to continue to remain well financed, and other factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its other filings with the SEC, including subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Theriva Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations:
Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
mailto://ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608
Source: Theriva Biologics, Inc.
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