CytoDyn Submits the First of Three Main Sections of HIV BLA to FDA Under Previously Authorized Rolling Review
CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB: CYDY) has announced the initiation of its Biologics License Application (BLA) resubmission for HIV, guided by the FDA. The current phase involves submitting non-clinical and CMC sections, with the clinical section expected in Q1 2022. CEO Nader Pourhassan expressed optimism over progress, noting patients from the CD02 trial have achieved prolonged viral load suppression. The company is also preparing to file for expanded access to leronlimab for urgent cases. CytoDyn is focused on addressing previous BLA issues and exploring further clinical trials for various conditions.
- Initiation of BLA resubmission for HIV, which could lead to market approval.
- Patients in the CD02 trial are achieving prolonged viral load suppression, indicating treatment efficacy.
- Expanded access filing for leronlimab may provide urgent treatment options for patients.
- The company previously received a Refusal to File, indicating regulatory challenges.
- Clinical trials for COVID-19 did not meet primary or secondary endpoints, raising concerns about leronlimab's efficacy in that area.
Second portion out of three major portions of BLA (CMC portion) will be submitted shortly
Clinical section (last portion to complete BLA) expected to be submitted during Q1 2022
VANCOUVER, Washington, Nov. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB: CYDY) (“CytoDyn” or the “Company”), a late-stage biotechnology company developing leronlimab, a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, today announced it has initiated the resubmission of its Biologics License Application (“BLA”) for HIV under rolling review consistent with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).
Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., CytoDyn’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to begin the HIV BLA resubmission process with continued guidance from the FDA. Due to the work of our management and regulatory advisory team, we believe the application’s issues have been successfully addressed, allowing us to advance the process. The resubmission will include non-clinical and CMC sections during November, followed by submission of the clinical section in Q1 of 2022. Meanwhile, we are very excited that patients who participated in the CD02, pivotal, Phase 3 trial, who needed to continue with leronlimab, are now reaching, in some cases, 4 years with suppressed viral load in an extension arm of our CD02 trial. Therefore, CytoDyn will also file for expanded access use of leronlimab for a fee to MDR HIV patients who might need leronlimab urgently, possibly as soon as next week. CytoDyn ultimately selected a new BLA team to replace its prior contract research organization. While a difficult decision, it was in the Company’s best interest due to the revisions needed in many areas of the BLA. We would like to thank our partners who worked over the past year to get us to where we are today. This is an exciting step for CytoDyn, and we look forward to sharing continued positive developments.”
About CytoDyn
CytoDyn is a late-stage biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for multiple therapeutic indications using leronlimab, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor. CCR5 plays a critical role in the ability of HIV to enter and infect healthy T-cells and appears to be implicated in tumor metastasis and immune-mediated illnesses, such as NASH.
CytoDyn successfully completed a Phase 3 pivotal trial using leronlimab combined with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected patients who were heavily treatment-experienced individuals with limited treatment options. CytoDyn is working diligently to resubmit its BLA for this HIV combination therapy since receiving a Refusal to File in July 2020. In July 2021, CytoDyn announced that it had submitted a dose justification report to the FDA, an integral step in the resubmission process for its BLA, which it expects to complete during the first quarter of calendar 2022. CytoDyn also completed a Phase 2b/3 investigative trial with leronlimab used as a once-weekly monotherapy for HIV-infected patients. CytoDyn plans to initiate a registration-directed study of leronlimab monotherapy indication. If successful, it could support a label expansion approval. Clinical results to date from two trials have shown that leronlimab can maintain a suppressed viral load in a sub-population of R5 HIV patients who chose to switch from their daily pills regimen to once-a-week subcutaneous dose of leronlimab. Several patients on leronlimab’s Phase 2b extension arm have remained virally suppressed for almost 7 years and many patients in our Phase 2b/3 investigative trial are passing two and some four years of monotherapy with suppressed viral load.
CytoDyn recently completed a Phase 2 clinical trial with leronlimab in mTNBC and a Phase 2 basket trial in solid tumor cancers (22 different cancer indications) A Phase 2 investigative trial for post-acute sequelae of SARS COV-2, also known as COVID-19 long-hauler’s, and a Phase 2 clinical trial for NASH are continuing. CytoDyn has already completed a Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial for mild-to-moderate and severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients, respectively, for which CytoDyn did not meet its primary or secondary endpoints, except for the secondary endpoint in the critically ill subpopulation. More information is at www.cytodyn.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as “believes,” “hopes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “anticipates” and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements specifically include statements about leronlimab, its ability to provide positive health outcomes, the possible results of clinical trials, studies or other programs or ability to continue those programs, the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercial sales, and the market for actual commercial sales. The Company’s forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks and uncertainties including: (i) the regulatory determinations of leronlimab’s efficacy to treat human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) patients with multiple resistance to current standard of care, COVID-19 patients, and metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (“mTNBC”), among other indications, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and various drug regulatory agencies in other countries; (ii) the Company’s ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations; (iii) the Company’s ability to meet its debt obligations; (iv) the Company’s ability to enter into partnership or licensing arrangements with third-parties; (v) the Company’s ability to identify patients to enroll in its clinical trials in a timely fashion; (vi) the Company’s ability to achieve approval of a marketable product; (vii) the design, implementation and conduct of the Company’s clinical trials; (viii) the results of the Company’s clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results; (ix) the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved; (x) the existence or development of vaccines, drugs, or other treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to the Company’s products; (xi) regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process; (xii) legal proceedings, investigations or inquiries affecting the Company or its products; (xiii) general economic and business conditions; (xiv) changes in foreign, political, and social conditions; (xv) stockholder actions or proposals with regard to the Company, its management, or its board of directors; and (xvi) various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.
CONTACTS
Investors:
Cristina De Leon
Office: 360.980.8524
ir@cytodyn.com
OR
Mike Verrechia / Bill Dooley, 800-662-5200
Morrow Sodali
cydy@info.morrowsodali.com
OR
Melissa Carlson, 833-814-9456
Alliance Advisors
mcarlson@allianceadvisors.com
Media:
Dan Zacchei / Joe Germani
Sloane & Company
dzacchei@sloanepr.com / jgermani@sloanepr.com
FAQ
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