MeiraGTx Announces $50 Million Milestone from Janssen Pharmaceuticals
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Insights
The receipt of a $50 million milestone payment by MeiraGTx from Janssen Pharmaceuticals signifies a substantial cash inflow that can be invested in further research and development, or to bolster the company's balance sheet. The anticipation of an additional $15 million in near-term milestone payments and up to $285 million upon first commercial sales indicates a strong, staged funding structure which can mitigate financial risk and provide staged validation for the therapy. For investors, these payments represent a non-dilutive financing source that can enhance shareholder value without eroding equity. The commercial supply agreement also suggests a long-term revenue stream post-product launch, potentially increasing the company's future earnings visibility.
The initiation of the LUMEOS extension study is a critical step in the clinical development of bota-vec, a gene therapy treatment for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The progression to an extension study typically indicates preliminary positive data from earlier phases, suggesting the treatment may be closer to commercial availability. The potential market impact is significant, as XLRP is a rare genetic condition with limited treatment options and successful commercialization of bota-vec could address an unmet medical need. The partnership with Janssen Pharmaceuticals also leverages their expertise in bringing therapies to market, which could enhance the speed and efficiency of commercialization efforts.
The gene therapy market is rapidly evolving, with increased interest in treatments for rare genetic disorders. MeiraGTx's progress with bota-vec positions the company within a niche but growing sector of the biotechnology industry. The financial and strategic partnership with a pharmaceutical giant like Janssen Pharmaceuticals not only provides funding but also lends credibility to MeiraGTx's endeavors. Market reception to such news is generally positive as it de-risks the investment for shareholders and could lead to an improved stock performance in anticipation of future revenue streams from product sales and manufacturing agreements.
MeiraGTx to receive
LONDON and NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MeiraGTx Holdings plc (Nasdaq: MGTX), a vertically integrated, clinical stage gene therapy company, today announced the achievement of the first milestone under the asset purchase agreement the Company entered into with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (J&J), a Johnson & Johnson company, in December 2023 relating to bota-vec for the treatment of XLRP.
“We are very happy to announce that the LUMEOS extension study has been initiated, which triggered the
Agreements related to bota-vec:
- MeiraGTx anticipates receiving an additional
$15 million in near-term milestone payments later in 2024. - The Company will receive up to a further
$285 million upon first commercial sales of bota-vec in the U.S. and EU and for manufacturing technology transfer. - MeiraGTx also entered into a commercial supply agreement with J&J for bota-vec manufacturing, which the Company anticipates will generate additional revenue during the product launch.
About MeiraGTx
MeiraGTx (Nasdaq: MGTX) is a vertically integrated, clinical-stage gene therapy company with a broad pipeline of late stage clinical programs supported by end-to-end manufacturing capabilities. MeiraGTx has an internally developed manufacturing platform process, internal plasmid production for GMP, two GMP viral vector production facilities as well as an in-house Quality Control hub for stability and release, all fit for IND through commercial supply. MeiraGTx has core capabilities in viral vector design and optimization and a transformative Riboswitch gene regulation platform technology that allows precise, dose-responsive control of gene expression by oral small molecules. MeiraGTx is focusing the Riboswitch platform on delivery of metabolic peptides including GLP-1, GIP, Glucagon and PYY using oral small molecules, as well as cell therapy for autoimmune disease. Although initially focusing on the eye, central nervous system, and salivary gland, MeiraGTx has developed the technology to apply genetic medicine to more common diseases, increasing efficacy, addressing novel targets, and expanding access in some of the largest disease areas where the unmet need remains great.
For more information, please visit www.meiragtx.com
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our product candidate development, our ability to manufacture product candidates, potential milestone payments and the achievement of such milestones, including the receipt of the near-term milestone payments and the impact on our cash runway, and our pre-clinical data and reporting of such data and the timing of results of data, as well as statements that include the words “expect,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “anticipate” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our incurrence of significant losses; any inability to achieve or maintain profitability, raise additional capital, repay our debt obligations, identify additional and develop existing product candidates, successfully execute strategic priorities, bring product candidates to market, expansion of our manufacturing facilities and processes, successfully enroll patients in and complete clinical trials, accurately predict growth assumptions, recognize benefits of any orphan drug designations, retain key personnel or attract qualified employees, or incur expected levels of operating expenses; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the status, enrollment, timing and results of our clinical trials and on our business, results of operations and financial condition; failure of early data to predict eventual outcomes; failure to obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for product candidates within expected time frames or at all; the novel nature and impact of negative public opinion of gene therapy; failure to comply with ongoing regulatory obligations; contamination or shortage of raw materials or other manufacturing issues; changes in healthcare laws; risks associated with our international operations; significant competition in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; dependence on third parties; risks related to intellectual property; changes in tax policy or treatment; our ability to utilize our loss and tax credit carryforwards; litigation risks; and the other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, unless required by law, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. Thus, one should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Contacts
Investors:
MeiraGTx
Investors@meiragtx.com
or
Media:
Jason Braco, Ph.D.
LifeSci Communications
jbraco@lifescicomms.com
FAQ
What is the milestone amount MeiraGTx received for the Phase 3 LUMEOS trial extension study for XLRP treatment?
Who did MeiraGTx enter into an asset purchase agreement with for bota-vec?
What are the anticipated near-term milestone payments for MeiraGTx related to bota-vec?
How much additional revenue does MeiraGTx expect to generate from the commercial supply agreement with J&J for bota-vec manufacturing?
