NewAmsterdam Pharma Announces 2024 Strategic Priorities
- Positive results from Phase 2 trials of obicetrapib, with statistically significant LDL-lowering and moderate side effects
- Completion of six Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials and testing obicetrapib in over 800 patients
- Positioned for Phase 3 trial readouts, including topline data expected in 2024 and 2026
- Positive initial data from a Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating obicetrapib in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease
- Risk of potential delays or negative outcomes in the upcoming Phase 3 trial readouts
- Uncertainty around the impact of obicetrapib on major adverse cardiovascular events
Insights
The strategic update from NewAmsterdam Pharma Company N.V. highlights the company's ongoing commitment to advancing its cardiovascular drug pipeline, which is poised to hit several key milestones over the next few years. The completion of enrollment for the PREVAIL trial and the anticipated readouts from the BROOKLYN and BROADWAY trials are significant events that could potentially enhance the company's market position and investor confidence if the outcomes are positive. These trials are critical in determining the efficacy and safety of obicetrapib, a CETP inhibitor, which could disrupt the current CVD treatment landscape.
From a financial perspective, the company's assertion of sufficient cash to support operations through key trial readouts mitigates short-term liquidity concerns and provides a runway for continued development without the immediate need for additional capital raises. This is a crucial factor for investors, as dilution risk is minimized and the focus can remain on trial outcomes. However, investors should closely monitor the company's burn rate and any changes in the projected cash runway, as delays or increased costs could alter the financial landscape.
Should the trials prove successful, NewAmsterdam could capture a significant share of the CVD treatment market, especially considering the high prevalence of LDL-C related health issues and the limitations of current therapies. The market potential of obicetrapib, particularly as a preferred LDL-C lowering therapy adjunct to statins, could be substantial, with an impact on both the company's revenue growth and stock valuation. It is important to note, however, that the success of clinical trials is uncertain and positive Phase 2 results do not always translate into Phase 3 success or regulatory approval.
Obicetrapib's development as a CETP inhibitor is noteworthy within the context of cardiovascular therapies, particularly given the mixed historical success of drugs in this class. CETP inhibitors have been scrutinized due to past failures to demonstrate clinical benefit, but obicetrapib's promising Phase 2 results suggest potential differentiators that could lead to a successful Phase 3 outcome. The drug's once-daily, low-dose oral administration could improve patient compliance compared to existing therapies and a favorable safety profile would be a significant advantage.
Moreover, the LDL-C reduction observed in Phase 2 trials is clinically meaningful. Statistically significant lowering of LDL-C and other lipid parameters, such as non-HDL-C, ApoB and Lp(a), are key indicators of potential cardiovascular risk reduction. The ability to offer multiple treatment options, including a fixed-dose combination with ezetimibe, may address individual patient needs more effectively. This could lead to a paradigm shift in how high-risk CVD patients are managed, especially for those who are statin-intolerant or have not achieved their LDL-C goals with current therapies.
The focus on heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the Phase 3 trials targets populations with significant unmet medical needs, potentially positioning obicetrapib as a first-line therapy in these subsets. The PREVAIL CVOT will be particularly scrutinized, as it assesses the impact on major adverse cardiovascular events, a gold standard for demonstrating clinical benefit in CVD drug trials. Positive results here could solidify obicetrapib's role in CVD risk reduction strategies.
The progression of NewAmsterdam's clinical trials has broader economic implications, particularly in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. The development of effective treatments for CVD, which remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs associated with long-term management of heart disease. Should obicetrapib demonstrate a reduction in major adverse cardiac events, it could lead to decreased hospitalizations and medical interventions, thereby alleviating economic burdens on both healthcare systems and patients.
Additionally, the success of obicetrapib could stimulate further investment in the biopharmaceutical sector, particularly in novel oral therapies for chronic conditions. Positive clinical trial outcomes often lead to increased investor confidence, which can translate into more funding for research and development. This could have a multiplier effect, fostering innovation and potentially leading to breakthroughs in other therapeutic areas.
Finally, the global launch of a successful drug like obicetrapib could contribute to trade balance improvements for countries that export pharmaceuticals. It could also influence job creation within the sector, ranging from manufacturing to commercial roles. However, it is crucial to consider the competitive dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry, where market entry is challenging and dependent on numerous factors, including regulatory hurdles, market access, pricing and reimbursement policies.
-- Positioned for three Phase 3 trial readouts over the next 18 months --
-- Topline data expected from Phase 3 BROOKLYN trial in HeFH in 3Q 2024 and BROADWAY trial in ASCVD in 4Q 2024 --
-- Plan to initiate TANDEM, a pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating obicetrapib and ezetimibe fixed-dose combination, in 1Q 2024; topline data expected in 1Q 2025 --
-- On-track to complete enrollment in Phase 3 PREVAIL CVOT in 1Q 2024; topline data expected in 2026 --
-- Well-capitalized with cash to support operations through BROADWAY, BROOKLYN, and PREVAIL readouts --
NAARDEN, the Netherlands and MIAMI, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewAmsterdam Pharma Company N.V. (Nasdaq: NAMS or “NewAmsterdam” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral, non-statin medicines for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease (“CVD”) with residual elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“LDL-C”), for whom existing therapies are not sufficiently effective or well-tolerated, today provided an update on its clinical development programs and outlined its strategic priorities for 2024.
“NewAmsterdam is entering 2024 on the precipice of a major transformation, with the potential to deliver significant benefit to patients globally and create value for our shareholders,” said Michael Davidson, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of NewAmsterdam. “In the year ahead, we are on track to report topline results from our first two pivotal Phase 3 trials of obicetrapib, BROOKLYN and BROADWAY. We are optimistic that these data will build on our prior Phase 2 trials, where we observed a robust impact on lipid and lipoprotein parameters believed to be predictive of CVD risk. We continue to believe that our oral small molecule, low-dose, once-daily CETP inhibitor, if approved, has the potential to become the preferred LDL-C lowering therapy for the millions of dyslipidemia patients who are underserved by existing therapies.”
Dr. Davidson continued, “In addition, in the first quarter, we expect to complete enrollment in PREVAIL, our cardiovascular outcomes trial, and initiate a fourth pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating a fixed-dose combination of obicetrapib and ezetimibe, which was observed in our Phase 2 trial to reduce LDL-C by
Program Updates and Upcoming Milestones:
NewAmsterdam is developing obicetrapib, an oral, low-dose and once-daily cholesteryl ester transfer protein (“CETP”) inhibitor, as the preferred LDL-C lowering therapy to be used as an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy for high-risk CVD patients. In 2023, NewAmsterdam reported positive, statistically significant and clinically meaningful data from two Phase 2 clinical trials of obicetrapib: the Phase 2 ROSE2 trial, which evaluated obicetrapib in combination with ezetimibe, and a Phase 2b dose-finding trial, which evaluated obicetrapib in Japanese patients. In total, the Company has completed six Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials and tested obicetrapib in over 800 patients. Statistically significant LDL-lowering was observed in each of the Company’s completed Phase 2 clinical trials, combined with generally moderate side effects and no drug-related, treatment-emergent serious adverse events.
The Company is currently conducting three pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials of obicetrapib: BROOKLYN, BROADWAY and PREVAIL. In addition, the Company plans to initiate a fourth Phase 3 trial, TANDEM, evaluating a fixed-dose combination (“FDC”) of obicetrapib and ezetimibe.
- BROOKLYN is evaluating obicetrapib in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (“HeFH”), whose LDL-C is not adequately controlled, despite being on maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of obicetrapib on LDL-C levels. Secondary objectives include evaluating the effect of obicetrapib on non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“non-HDL-C”), apolipoprotein B (“ApoB”), and lipoprotein(a) (“Lp(a)”). The trial is also evaluating the safety and tolerability profile of obicetrapib. NewAmsterdam completed enrollment of approximately 350 patients in April 2023 and expects to report topline data in the third quarter of 2024.
- BROADWAY is evaluating obicetrapib in adult patients with HeFH and/or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (“ASCVD”), whose LDL-C is not adequately controlled, despite being on maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of obicetrapib on LDL-C levels at day 84. Secondary objectives include evaluating the effect of obicetrapib on ApoB, Lp(a), HDL-C, and non-HDL-C, at day 84, and on LDL-C levels at days 180 and 365. The trial is also evaluating the safety and tolerability of obicetrapib. NewAmsterdam completed enrollment of over 2,500 patients in July 2023 and expects to report topline data in the fourth quarter of 2024.
- PREVAIL is a cardiovascular outcomes trial (“CVOT”) evaluating obicetrapib in patients with a history of ASCVD, whose LDL-C is not adequately controlled, despite being on maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. The primarily objective is to evaluate the effect of obicetrapib on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infraction, non-fatal stroke, or non-elective coronary revascularization. Secondary objectives include evaluating the effect of obicetrapib on all-cause mortality, total cardiovascular events, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and change in LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and ApoB levels. NewAmsterdam expects to complete patient enrollment in PREVAIL in the first quarter of 2024 and to report topline data in 2026.
- TANDEM is designed as a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate obicetrapib as part of a FDC tablet with ezetimibe, a non-statin oral LDL-lowering therapy. The Company expects to initiate TANDEM in the first quarter of 2024 and to report topline data in the first quarter of 2025.
Also in 2023, NewAmsterdam reported positive initial data from a Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating obicetrapib in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease who carry at least one copy of the apolipoprotein E4 mutation. NewAmsterdam anticipates sharing the full results from this Phase 2a clinical trial in a forthcoming publication or in a presentation at a medical meeting.
Financial Guidance: Based on its current operating and development plans, NewAmsterdam believes that its existing cash will be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations through 2026, beyond the anticipated readout of its three ongoing Phase 3 trials: BROADWAY, BROOKLYN and PREVAIL.
About Obicetrapib
Obicetrapib is a novel, oral, low-dose CETP inhibitor that NewAmsterdam is developing to overcome the limitations of current LDL-lowering treatments. The Company believes that obicetrapib has the potential to be a once-daily oral CETP inhibitor for lowering LDL-C, if approved. In the Company’s Phase 2b ROSE trial, obicetrapib demonstrated a
About NewAmsterdam
Based in the Netherlands, NewAmsterdam (Nasdaq: NAMS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve patient care in populations with metabolic diseases where currently approved therapies have not been sufficiently adequate or well tolerated. We seek to fill a significant unmet need for a safe, cost-effective and convenient LDL-lowering therapy as an adjunct to statins, a class of lipid-lowering medications that are the current standard of care for high-risk CVD patients with high cholesterol. NewAmsterdam is investigating obicetrapib, an oral, low-dose and once-daily CETP inhibitor, as the preferred LDL-C lowering therapy to be used as an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy for high-risk CVD patients.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “position,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s business and strategic plans, cash runway, the therapeutic and curative potential of the Company’s product candidate, the Company’s clinical trials and the timing for enrolling patients, the timing and forums for announcing data, the achievement and timing of regulatory approvals and plans for commercialization. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this document, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to the Company; risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to the Company; risks related to the approval of the Company’s product candidate and the timing of expected regulatory and business milestones, including potential commercialization; ability to negotiate definitive contractual arrangements with potential customers; the impact of competitive product candidates; ability to obtain sufficient supply of materials; global economic and political conditions; the effects of competition on the Company’s future business; and those factors described in the Company’s public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional risks related to the Company’s business include, but are not limited to: uncertainty regarding outcomes of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials, particularly as they relate to regulatory review and potential approval for its product candidate; risks associated with the Company’s efforts to commercialize a product candidate; the Company’s ability to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements on favorable terms, if at all; the impact of competing product candidates on the Company’s business; intellectual property related claims; the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; ability to continue to source the raw materials for its product candidate. If any of these risks materialize or the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this document and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the Company’s assessments to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessment as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates undertakes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Company Contact
Matthew Philippe
P: 1-917-882-7512
matthew.philippe@newamsterdampharma.com
Media Contact
Spectrum Science on behalf of NewAmsterdam
Jen Gordon
P: 1-202-957-7795
jgordon@spectrumscience.com
Investor Contact
Stern Investor Relations on behalf of NewAmsterdam
Hannah Deresiewicz
P: 1-212-362-1200
hannah.deresiewicz@sternir.com
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