Azitra Announces First Patient Screened and Scheduled to Enroll in Phase 1b Trial of ATR-12 for Netherton Syndrome

Rhea-AI Summary

Azitra (NYSE American: AZTR) has screened the first patient for its Phase 1b clinical trial of ATR-12, a potential treatment for Netherton syndrome. The trial aims to enroll 12 adult patients for a 14-day treatment period. Interim safety data is expected in early 2025, with full results anticipated in the second half of 2025.

ATR-12 is a proprietary strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis engineered to express therapeutic levels of an active LEKTI protein subunit. The trial's primary endpoints focus on safety and tolerability, while secondary endpoints assess efficacy signals and biomarkers. Recent preclinical data showed ATR-12's potential to reduce IL-36γ by 93% and significantly decrease protease activity in skin samples.

Positive

• First patient screened for Phase 1b trial of ATR-12 for Netherton syndrome
• Interim safety data expected in early 2025, full results in second half of 2025
• Preclinical data showed 93% reduction in IL-36γ and significant decrease in protease activity
• ATR-12 produced higher amounts of LEKTI subunit compared to topical application of LEKTI protein alone

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

This Phase 1b trial for ATR-12 in Netherton syndrome represents a significant step forward in addressing an unmet medical need. The trial's design, focusing on safety, tolerability and efficacy signals, is important for this novel therapeutic approach. The use of a contralateral design (treatment vs. control on opposite sides of the body) is particularly clever, allowing for direct comparison within each patient.

The preclinical data presented at ASGCT 2024 is promising, showing ATR-12's potential to reduce inflammatory markers and protease activity, key factors in Netherton syndrome pathology. The 93% reduction in IL-36γ and significantly reduced protease activity are impressive results. Moreover, the enhanced LEKTI subunit delivery compared to topical LEKTI protein application suggests ATR-12 could offer superior therapeutic efficacy.

However, investors should note that early-stage trials often face challenges in translating preclinical success to human subjects. The small sample size (12 patients) and short duration (14 days) of this trial may limit its ability to detect rare adverse events or long-term efficacy. The expected timeline for results (interim data in early 2025, full results in H2 2025) indicates a relatively long wait for investors to gauge the treatment's potential.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, Azitra's progress with ATR-12 is encouraging for investors. Netherton syndrome, while rare, represents a potentially lucrative market due to the lack of effective treatments. If successful, ATR-12 could become a first-in-class therapy, potentially commanding premium pricing.

However, investors should be aware of the long timeline to potential commercialization. With full Phase 1b results not expected until H2 2025 and likely need for Phase 2 and 3 trials, revenue generation is still years away. This extended timeline means Azitra will likely need additional funding rounds, potentially diluting current shareholders.

The company's focus on precision dermatology and its innovative approach using engineered bacteria could attract partnership interest from larger pharmaceutical companies, potentially providing non-dilutive funding or acquisition opportunities. However, this is speculative and depends on positive clinical results.

Investors should closely monitor cash burn rate and pipeline progress in the coming quarters, as these will be critical factors in Azitra's ability to bring ATR-12 to market without excessive dilution.

08/20/2024 - 04:15 PM

BRANFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Azitra, Inc. (NYSE American: AZTR), a precision dermatology company announced that it has successfully screened the first patient in its Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating ATR-12 for the treatment of Netherton syndrome. The patient is scheduled to initiate treatment by the end of the month. The study is designed to enroll approximately 12 adult patients with twice-daily treatment for 14 days, with primary endpoints focusing on safety and tolerability, and secondary and exploratory endpoints assessing efficacy signals and biomarkers. Azitra expects to report interim safety data from the Phase 1b trial in early 2025 with full results anticipated in the second half of 2025.

ATR-12 is Azitra's lead candidate, a proprietary strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis engineered to express therapeutic levels of an active subunit of the LEKTI protein to treat Netherton syndrome, a chronic genetic skin disease that can be life threatening.

"Enrolling the first patient in our Phase 1b trial of ATR-12 will mark a significant milestone for Azitra and, more importantly, for patients suffering from Netherton syndrome, who currently have limited treatment options," said Travis Whitfill, founder and COO of Azitra. "Our recent preclinical data demonstrate ATR-12's potential to effectively deliver an active LEKTI subunit into the skin and address the underlying mechanisms of Netherton syndrome."

Mary Spellman MD, Azitra’s acting CMO, added, “We are thrilled to begin this clinical trial of ATR-12 in Netherton syndrome patients. These patients suffer from poor quality of life and often debilitating disease, and this trial will inform future studies for the treatment of Netherton syndrome in pediatric patients and for longer treatment durations.”

The Phase 1b trial (NCT06137157) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in approximately 12 adult patients with Netherton syndrome. Patients will be treated with 10⁹ CFU / g twice daily with ATR-12 or its vehicle control on the contralateral side of the body twice daily for 14 days. The primary objective is to assess the safety and tolerability of topical ATR-12 application. Secondary objectives include evaluating efficacy signals (e.g., investigator and patient global assessments) and skin pharmacokinetics of the LEKTI subunit. Additional exploratory objectives include evaluating pharmacodynamic parameters, biomarkers, anti-LEKTI response, and cytokine responses.

The trial design is supported by compelling preclinical data recently presented at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 2024 Annual Meeting. Key findings included:

• Topical application of ATR-12 in preclinical models reduced IL-36γ by 93% compared to skin extracts induced to overexpress IL-36γ
• ATR-12 significantly reduced protease activity in skin samples compared to a Netherton syndrome model skin (p<0.01)
• ATR-12 produced higher amounts of LEKTI subunit compared to topical application of LEKTI protein alone (6.0 µg vs. 2.3 µg, respectively, p<0.01) after 24 hours and resulted in deeper skin penetration of LEKTI

About ATR-12

ATR-12 (also known as ATR12-351) is an engineered strain of S. epidermidis that expresses an active subunit of human lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) protein, which is missing in patients with Netherton syndrome, a chronic and sometimes fatal disease of the skin estimated to affect approximately one to nine in every 100,000. ATR-12 has been engineered to deliver missing LEKTI protein when applied topically to Netherton syndrome patients. Azitra has an open IND for a Phase 1b clinical trial in adult patients (NCT06137157). Azitra has secured clinical sites and identified Netherton syndrome patients for enrollment in its 12-patient, Phase 1b clinical trial, which will assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy endpoints. Azitra expects to announce initial safety data before year end.

About Azitra, Inc.

Azitra, Inc. is an early-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for precision dermatology using engineered proteins and topical live biotherapeutic products. The Company has built a proprietary platform that includes a microbial library comprised of approximately 1,500 unique bacterial strains that can be screened for unique therapeutic characteristics. The platform is augmented by artificial intelligence and machine learning technology that analyzes, predicts, and helps screen the Company's library of strains for drug like molecules. The Company's initial focus is on the development of genetically engineered strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, or S. epidermidis, which the Company considers to be an optimal therapeutic candidate species for engineering of dermatologic therapies. For more information, please visit https://azitrainc.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "intends," "may," "plans," "possible," "potential," "seeks," "will," and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the expected timing of the presentation of data from the Phase 1b study of ATR-12 and statements about our clinical and preclinical programs, and corporate and clinical/preclinical strategies.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to that we may fail to successfully complete our Phase 1b trial for ATR-12 and preclinical studies of other product candidates and obtain required approval before commercialization; our product candidates may not be effective; there may be delays in regulatory approval or changes in regulatory framework that are out of our control; our estimation of addressable markets of our product candidates may be inaccurate; we may fail to timely raise additional required funding; more efficient competitors or more effective competing treatment may emerge; we may be involved in disputes surrounding the use of our intellectual property crucial to our success; we may not be able to attract and retain key employees and qualified personnel; earlier study results may not be predictive of later stage study outcomes; and we are dependent on third-parties for some or all aspects of our product manufacturing, research and preclinical and clinical testing. Additional risks are described in our Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 12, 2024. Azitra explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240821927788/en/

Investor Relations Contact:

Norman Staskey

Chief Financial Officer

staskey@azitrainc.com

Hayden IR

James Carbonara

(646) 755-7412

james@haydenir.com

Source: Azitra, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Azitra's Phase 1b trial for ATR-12 (AZTR)?

The Phase 1b trial aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of ATR-12 for the treatment of Netherton syndrome, a chronic genetic skin disease.

How many patients will be enrolled in Azitra's ATR-12 (AZTR) Phase 1b trial?

The trial is designed to enroll approximately 12 adult patients with Netherton syndrome.

When does Azitra (AZTR) expect to report results from the ATR-12 Phase 1b trial?

Azitra expects to report interim safety data in early 2025, with full results anticipated in the second half of 2025.

What were the key findings from ATR-12's preclinical studies presented at ASGCT 2024?

Preclinical studies showed that ATR-12 reduced IL-36γ by 93%, significantly reduced protease activity, and produced higher amounts of LEKTI subunit compared to topical LEKTI protein application.