Neovacs S.A.
NEOVACS REPORTS FIRST-HALF 2015 FINANCIAL RESULTS
DGAP-News: Neovacs S.A. / Key word(s): Final Results Press Release Paris and Boston, October 2, 2015 – NEOVACS (Alternext Paris: ALNEV), a leader in active immunotherapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, today announced its results for the six months ended June 30, 2015, as approved by the Board of Directors on October 1, 2015. MAIN OPERATIONAL MILESTONES SINCE JANUARY 2015 – Initiation of Phase IIb clinical trial of IFNα-Kinoid to treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (« SLE ») or lupus, based on promising preclinical and clinical results to-date; – Extension of IFNα-Kinoid development program to include dermatomyositis, an orphan condition where a positive IFNα signature plays a decisive role, following a recommendation by Neovacs’ Scientific Advisory Board (SAB); – Formation of a Neovacs U.S. subsidiary to strengthen the Company’s presence in the country and expand clinical activity beyond the EU to the U.S. market ; – Significant strengthing of Company’s cash position following a successful capital increase subscribed by U.S. institutional investors. Cash and cash equivalents totaled EUR12.3 million as of June 30, 2015.
Anticipated increase in R&D costs with the inititation of IFN-K-002 clinical trial in SLE Operating costs were EUR5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a 25% increase compared to the period ended June 30, 2014. This increase was primarily the result of the initiation of the Phase IIb clinical trial of IFNα-Kinoid in SLE. R&D expenses were 82% of the Company’s total operating costs for the first half of 2015, totaling EUR4.7 million compared to EUR3.6 million in the same period last year. General and administrative expenditures remained under tight control while Neovacs increased focus on its emerging R&D effort. Consequently, half-year operating losses increased 24% to EUR5.6 million, in line with Company expectations. This compares to EUR4.5 million in operating losses in the first half of 2014. After taking into account EUR1 million in Research Tax Credit, the net loss for the six months ended June, 30 2015 was EUR4.8 million compared to EUR3.9 million for the same period in 2014.
To address its long term financing needs, Neovacs secured a flexible, multiyear equity financing with Kepler Cheuvreux in November 2014. As stated previously, this equity line, through which Neovacs can access up to EUR20 million is arranged in three tranches of optional equity financing, one of EUR7 million and two of EUR6.5 million each. However, Neovacs has committed not to use this equity financing until after December 31, 2015. As a result, available cash balances as of June 30, 2015 were EUR12.3 million, compared to EUR2.9 million as of June 30, 2015. Neovacs believes it has the financial resources to cover its expenditures until September 2016. To increase its cash runway, the Company reserves the possibility to utilize the 3rd tranche of optional equity financing set up with Kepler Cheuvreux.
– New members joined Neovacs’ Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to support the shift in therapeutic focus, with a greater emphasis on pathologies targeted by IFNα-Kinoid and VEGFα-Kinoid. Professor Banchereau, Ph.D., remained SAB chairman. The SAB guides Neovacs’ clinical development strategy. – Preparation of IFN-K-002, a Phase IIb trial to assess the biological efficacy and clinical response of IFNα-Kinoid in moderate to severe forms of SLE in 19 countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The Company plans to file an IND for a trial in SLE with IFNα-Kinoid (Phase IIa) in the U.S. in early 2016. – Expansion IFNα-Kinoid’s clinical program to dermatomyositis, an orphan indication in which a positive IFNα signature plays a decisive role. Neovacs plans to conduct a multi-center Phase I/IIa trial of IFNα-Kinoid in adult dermatomyositis in 30 patients in 2016. – Strengthening of U.S. presence with the formation of a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Neovacs, Inc., headquartered in Boston. The role of Neovacs, Inc. will be to raise the profile of the Company within the medical and financial communities in the U.S.. Neovacs, Inc. will work directly with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the Company prepares to initiate clinical trials in the U.S. – Collaboration agreement with Stellar Biotechnologies. The two companies entered into an expanded supply agreement to meet Neovacs’ requirements for Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH), a primary component of Neovacs’ proprietary Kinoid immunotherapy technology, for its planned clinical trials and for expected commercial manufacturing of IFNα-Kinoid.
– Initiation of Phase IIb clinical trial in SLE. Neovacs has begun enrolling patients in IFN-K-002, a Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of IFNα-Kinoid in SLE, after being granted first approvals by regulatory agencies and ethics commitees in several European countries. The first centers of the trial are now active. Results of the clinical trial are expected in the first quarter of 2017. – Presentation of extended follow-up data of IFNα-Kinoid in SLE during Lupus 2015, the 11th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), which took place from September 2-6, 2015 in Vienna, Austria1. Collected as part of the extended follow-up study of the Phase I/IIa trial of IFNα-Kinoid in lupus, this new data demonstrates that IFNα-Kinoid induces a lasting, polyclonal, neutralizing anti-IFNα response in SLE patients. [1] J. Ducreux, et Al, Lupus 2015, Poster Session P04 Treatment. For more information on Neovacs, please visit www.neovacs.fr
Investor Relations / Financial Communications – NewCap Investor Relations / Financial Communications Germany – MC Services Press / U.S. Inquiries – The Ruth Group 2015-10-02 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de |
Language: | English | |
Company: | Neovacs S.A. | |
3-5, Impasse Reille | ||
75014 Paris | ||
France | ||
Phone: | +33 (0)1 53 10 93 00 | |
Fax: | +33 (0)1 53 10 93 03 | |
E-mail: | www.neovacs.fr | |
Internet: | info@neovacs.fr | |
ISIN: | FR0004032746 | |
WKN: | A1CVKR | |
Listed: | Regulated Unofficial Market in Stuttgart; Open Market in Frankfurt | |
End of News | DGAP News Service |
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