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Health Canada Authorizes Emergency Use of Leronlimab for Treatment of First Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patient in Canada

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CytoDyn Inc. announced that Health Canada has authorized the emergency use of leronlimab for treating metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). CEO Nader Pourhassan expressed optimism about the approval, highlighting the potential for expanded access for other mTNBC patients. The company plans to pursue similar approvals in other countries, including the U.S. CytoDyn is also looking to resubmit its Biologics License Application for HIV treatment following previous setbacks. Leronlimab targets the CCR5 receptor and has shown promise in clinical trials for various indications.

Positive
  • Health Canada authorized emergency use of leronlimab for mTNBC treatment.
  • Plans to apply for expanded access for all mTNBC patients in Canada and the U.S.
  • Potential for similar approvals in other countries.
Negative
  • Challenges related to prior regulatory setbacks in the BLA for HIV treatment.
  • Previous clinical trials for COVID-19 did not meet primary or secondary endpoints.

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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 that Health Canada authorized the emergency use of leronlimab for the treatment of a patient with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC).

Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., CytoDyn’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are encouraged by Health Canada’s emergency use approval of leronlimab, which we believe could have potential benefit as a therapeutic option for treating mTNBC. We now plan to ask Health Canada to allow expanded access use for all mTNBC patients who might have no other treatment options. We are also seeking similar approvals in other countries and look forward to providing leronlimab for mTNBC patients, as well as for treatment of other solid tumor cancers, in the future. In addition, we will be filing for expanded access use for mTNBC patients in the U.S. shortly.”

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.

Investors:

Cristina De Leon

Office: 360.980.8524

ir@cytodyn.com

Media:

Dan Zacchei / Joe Germani

Sloane & Company

dzacchei@sloanepr.com / jgermani@sloanepr.com

Source: CytoDyn Inc.

FAQ

What recent approval did CytoDyn receive for leronlimab?

CytoDyn received Health Canada's emergency use approval for leronlimab to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

What future plans does CytoDyn have for leronlimab?

CytoDyn plans to seek expanded access for all mTNBC patients and similar approvals in other countries.

What issues has CytoDyn faced with its HIV treatment application?

CytoDyn has faced regulatory setbacks with its Biologics License Application for HIV treatment, receiving a Refusal to File in July 2020.

What are the trial results of leronlimab for COVID-19?

CytoDyn's clinical trials for COVID-19 did not meet primary or secondary endpoints, except for some results in critically ill patients.

What is the significance of leronlimab's approval for CytoDyn's business?

The approval for leronlimab represents a significant potential revenue opportunity and expands CytoDyn's therapeutic applications.

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