Altimmune Announces Positive Lean Mass Preservation Data for Pemvidutide and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
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Insights
The data presented by Altimmune, Inc. regarding the body composition analysis from their MOMENTUM 48-week Phase 2 obesity trial of pemvidutide is notable in the field of medical research, particularly within the context of obesity treatments. The preservation of lean mass is a significant finding, as effective obesity treatments strive to target fat loss while maintaining muscle mass. This balance is important for maintaining metabolic health and reducing the risk of sarcopenia associated with weight loss. The reported 74.5% of weight loss from adipose tissue aligns with what is considered a healthy weight loss composition.
Furthermore, the ongoing enrollment for the IMPACT Phase 2b trial in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) underscores the potential for pemvidutide to address a broader range of metabolic disorders. MASH, a component of the spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), represents a growing health concern and a market with significant unmet needs. A direct anti-fibrotic effect in liver fibrosis models suggests a promising therapeutic avenue, given the lack of approved treatments for NAFLD and its progressive forms.
From a financial perspective, Altimmune's reported cash reserves of $198.0 million as of December 31, 2023, provide the company with a runway to fund ongoing trials and research activities. This level of cash reserves is particularly important for a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, as it indicates the company's ability to sustain operations without immediate need for additional financing, which could dilute existing shareholders. Investors will be closely watching the topline 24-week data expected in Q1 2025, as positive results could significantly impact the company's valuation and stock performance.
It is also worth noting that the timing of the data release could be strategically positioned to capture maximum market attention and potential partnerships. The company's stock may see increased volatility as the data release approaches and investors may weigh the potential for pemvidutide to capture market share in the competitive obesity treatment landscape.
Considering the obesity treatment market, the emphasis on lean mass preservation could resonate well with healthcare providers and patients, potentially differentiating pemvidutide from other therapies. The obesity treatment market is crowded, with various pharmacological agents and surgical options available. However, the demand for non-invasive, effective and safe options remains high. Altimmune's positioning of pemvidutide, if supported by further clinical evidence, could capture a significant niche. The company's focus on not just weight loss, but also improvements in serum lipids and blood pressure, suggests a comprehensive approach to metabolic health, which could be appealing in a market that is increasingly focused on holistic outcomes.
Body composition study showed lean mass preservation, with only
Enrollment ongoing in IMPACT Phase 2b trial of pemvidutide in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), with topline 24-week data expected Q1 2025
Preclinical study results showed a direct anti-fibrotic effect of pemvidutide in a
non-steatotic model of liver fibrosis
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of
Webcast to be held today, March 27, 2024, at 8:30 am ET
GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, and provided a business update.
“We are extremely pleased with the results of the body composition analysis from our recently completed MOMENTUM 48-week Phase 2 obesity trial of pemvidutide. Our data show that
“Preservation of lean mass during weight loss is critical, since excessive loss of lean mass has been associated with negative outcomes, such as sarcopenia and bone fractures, especially in women and the elderly,” said Scott Harris, Chief Medical Officer, Altimmune. “There is a growing appreciation that the quality of weight loss is as important as the quantity of weight loss. Given these new body composition data, the robust reductions in serum lipids, and the class-leading reduction of hepatic fat content, we believe that pemvidutide, if approved, could stand out as an attractive option for weight loss and weight maintenance.”
Recent Highlights and Anticipated Milestones:
Pemvidutide
- Positive lean mass preservation in body composition analysis from MOMENTUM trial
- Body composition analysis from MOMENTUM showed only
25.5% of weight loss derived from lean mass, with74.5% of weight loss from adipose tissue, comparable to the effects historically associated with diet and exercise. - Complete analysis of the data to be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.
- Body composition analysis from MOMENTUM showed only
- Positive top-line data readout from MOMENTUM 48-week Phase 2 obesity trial in November 2023
- Achieved mean weight loss of
15.6% on 2.4 mg dose of pemvidutide at week 48, with weight loss continuing at the end of treatment. - Over
30% of subjects achieved20% or more weight loss on the 2.4 mg dose. - Robust reductions of triglycerides (
55.8% ), total cholesterol (20.0% ) and LDL cholesterol (17.4% ) on 2.4 mg dose in patients with elevated baseline lipids. - Up to
78.6% of subjects with excess liver fat normalized their liver fat content. - Improvements in blood pressure without imbalances in cardiac events, arrhythmias or clinically meaningful increases in heart rate.
- Achieved mean weight loss of
- Enrollment ongoing in IMPACT biopsy-driven Phase 2b MASH trial
- The FDA granted Fast Track designation to pemvidutide for the treatment of MASH.
- Approximately 190 subjects with and without diabetes are being randomized 1:2:2 to 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg pemvidutide or placebo.
- The key endpoints are MASH resolution or fibrosis improvement after 24 weeks of treatment, with subjects to be followed for an additional 24 weeks of dosing for assessment of safety and additional biomarker responses.
- Top-line results after 24 weeks of treatment are expected in the first quarter of 2025.
- Demonstration of the direct anti-fibrotic effects of pemvidutide in a preclinical model of hepatic fibrosis
- Significant improvement observed in a model of chemically-induced hepatic fibrosis after 14 days of treatment with pemvidutide.
- The model excluded the effects of liver fat reduction, providing evidence for a direct effect of pemvidutide in reducing liver fibrosis.
- Demonstration of improved cholesterol elimination in a preclinical model of dyslipidemia
- Pemvidutide stimulated reverse cholesterol transport and increased cholesterol elimination.
- These data provide evidence for a potential additional mechanism of reducing cardiovascular risk beyond the effects of pemvidutide on serum lipids and liver fat content.
HepTcell™
The Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of HepTcell in reducing virological markers in patients chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus has been completed. The overall response in the trial was deemed to be insufficient to warrant further advancement. As a result, any further development related to HepTcell has been stopped.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
- Altimmune had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling
$198.0 million at December 31, 2023. - Research and development expenses were
$16.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to$19.2 million in the same period in 2022. The expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 included$10.3 million in direct costs related to development activities for pemvidutide and$1.1 million in direct costs related to development activities for HepTcell. - General and administrative expenses were
$4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to$3.8 million in the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to$0.3 million increase in professional fees and$0.2 million increase in stock compensation. - Impairment loss on intangible asset of
$12.4 million was recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2023 related to the acquired In-Process Research and Development asset associated with HepTcell. The overall response in the Phase 2 trial was deemed to be insufficient to warrant further advancement. As a result, any further development related to HepTcell has been stopped. - Interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was
$2.0 million as compared to$1.5 million in the same period in 2022, primarily due to an increase in interest income earned on cash equivalents and short-term investments. - Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was
$31.6 million , or$0.54 net loss per share, compared to a net loss of$21.7 million , or$0.43 net loss per share, in the same period in 2022. The net loss for 2023 included the$12.4 million noncash impairment charge described above.
| Conference Call Information: | |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 27, 2024 |
| Time: | 8:30 am Eastern Time |
| Webcast: | To listen, the conference call will be webcast live on Altimmune’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.altimmune.com/investors. |
| Dial-in: | To participate or dial-in, register here to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call. |
Following the conclusion of the call, the webcast will be available for replay on the Investor Relations (IR) page of the Company’s website at www.altimmune.com. The Company has used, and intends to continue to use, the IR portion of its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
About Pemvidutide
Pemvidutide is a novel, investigational, peptide-based GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist in development for the treatment of obesity and MASH. Activation of the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors is believed to mimic the complementary effects of diet and exercise on weight loss, with GLP-1 suppressing appetite and glucagon increasing energy expenditure. Glucagon is also recognized as having direct effects on hepatic fat metabolism, leading to rapid reductions in levels of liver fat and serum lipids. In clinical trials, once-weekly pemvidutide has shown compelling weight loss, robust reductions in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, liver fat content and blood pressure with a clean safety profile to date. The U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track designation to pemvidutide for the treatment of MASH. Pemvidutide has recently completed the MOMENTUM Phase 2 obesity trial and is being studied in the IMPACT Phase 2b MASH trial.
About Altimmune
Altimmune is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative next-generation peptide-based therapeutics. The Company is developing pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity and MASH. For more information, please visit www.altimmune.com.
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Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements made in this press release relating to future financial or business performance, conditions, plans, prospects, trends, or strategies and other financial and business matters, including without limitation, the timing of key milestones for our clinical assets, and the prospects for the utility of, regulatory approval, commercializing or selling any product or drug candidates, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Altimmune, Inc. may identify forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to: delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and supply chain interruptions, access to clinical sites, enrollment, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy; the reliability of the results of studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects resulting from the administration of the Company’s product candidates; the Company’s ability to manufacture clinical trial materials on the timelines anticipated; and the success of future product advancements, including the success of future clinical trials. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect the Company's business, financial conditions and results of operations are contained in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.
Investor Contact:
Rich Eisenstadt
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 240-654-1450
reisenstadt@altimmune.com
Media Contact:
Danielle Cantey
Inizio Evoke, Biotech
Phone: 619-826-4657
Danielle.cantey@inizioevoke.com
| ALTIMMUNE, INC. | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
| (In thousands, except share and per-share amounts) | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 135,117 | $ | 111,097 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 41 | 34 | ||||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 135,158 | 111,131 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 62,698 | 73,783 | ||||||
| Accounts and other receivables | 1,111 | 173 | ||||||
| Income tax and R&D incentive receivables | 3,742 | 2,368 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,917 | 5,358 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 209,626 | 192,813 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 651 | 1,081 | ||||||
| Indefinite-lived intangible asset | — | 12,419 | ||||||
| Other assets | 363 | 615 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 210,640 | $ | 206,928 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,070 | $ | 4,804 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 10,073 | 12,250 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 12,143 | 17,054 | ||||||
| Noncurrent liabilities | 4,398 | 4,581 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 16,541 | 21,635 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock, | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 665,427 | 568,399 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (466,331 | ) | (377,884 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net | (5,004 | ) | (5,227 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 194,099 | 185,293 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 210,640 | $ | 206,928 | ||||
| ALTIMMUNE, INC. | ||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except share and per-share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 37 | $ | (110 | ) | $ | 426 | $ | (68 | ) | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 16,909 | 19,179 | 65,799 | 70,538 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 4,332 | 3,805 | 18,137 | 17,134 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on intangible asset | 12,419 | — | 12,419 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 33,660 | 22,984 | 96,355 | 87,672 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (33,623 | ) | (23,094 | ) | (95,929 | ) | (87,740 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (2 | ) | 183 | (35 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||||||
| Interest income | 1,964 | 1,468 | 7,351 | 2,870 | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 20 | (217 | ) | 166 | (32 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | 1,982 | 1,434 | 7,482 | 2,830 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss before income taxes | (31,641 | ) | (21,660 | ) | (88,447 | ) | (84,910 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | — | — | — | (197 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss | (31,641 | ) | (21,660 | ) | (88,447 | ) | (84,713 | ) | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive income — unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments | 120 | 76 | 223 | (187 | ) | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (31,521 | ) | $ | (21,584 | ) | $ | (88,224 | ) | $ | (84,900 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.54 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | (1.66 | ) | $ | (1.81 | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 58,442,779 | 50,026,686 | 53,246,937 | 46,926,349 | ||||||||||||
FAQ
What were the results of the body composition study in Altimmune's obesity trial?
What trial is Altimmune currently enrolling in for pemvidutide?
What effect did the preclinical study show for pemvidutide in a liver fibrosis model?
How much cash and short-term investments did Altimmune report at the end of December 31, 2023?
When is the webcast scheduled for Altimmune's financial results announcement?
