Nanobiotix Announces Progress in Global NBTXR3 Development Collaboration Highlighting Robust Pipeline and Pathway to Long-Term Growth
Nanobiotix has announced significant progress in its global collaboration with Janssen to develop and commercialize its radioenhancer NBTXR3. This collaboration aims to expand the application of NBTXR3 in treating cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy. Key updates include the removal of a planned futility analysis for the ongoing Phase 3 head and neck cancer trial, with interim analysis results expected in 1H2026. Additionally, the company received FDA approval to proceed with a new Phase 2 study for lung cancer. These advancements are part of a broader strategy to leverage NBTXR3’s potential to fund the development of other nanoparticle-based therapies. Nanobiotix is also aligning with Janssen on global manufacturing and operational strategies, including a transfer of trial sponsorship to Janssen and a focus on expanding indications beyond head and neck and lung cancer.
- Transfer of Phase 3 trial sponsorship to Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson company, could enhance credibility and execution.
- Removal of futility analysis from Phase 3 head and neck cancer trial signals confidence in robust trial data.
- FDA approval for new Phase 2 study in lung cancer strengthens pipeline.
- Achieved first operational milestone in NANORAY-312, triggering a $20M payment from Janssen.
- Consolidated global rights with Janssen, including markets in China and Asia, enhancing market reach.
- Positive interim analysis expected after last patient recruitment in 1H2026, possibly accelerating regulatory approval processes.
- Robust pipeline with multiple studies across various cancers, showcasing potential for expanded indications.
- Operational progress in nanoparticle-based therapy platforms beyond NBTXR3 expected in 2H2024.
- Clinical trial timelines extended, with interim results for Phase 3 head and neck cancer trial not expected until 1H2026.
- Current cash runway only extends to 3Q2025, necessitating further funding or financing options.
- Dependence on positive trial results for Phase 3 head and neck cancer study to drive potential regulatory submissions and subsequent commercial success.
- Potential regulatory and operational risks in transitioning trial sponsorship and manufacturing responsibilities to Janssen.
Insights
Nanobiotix's progress with its lead therapeutic candidate, NBTXR3, in collaboration with Janssen is notable. The imminent Phase 3 pivotal trial for head and neck cancer is a key milestone. The removal of the futility analysis and adjustments in the interim analysis timeline indicate confidence in the trial's robustness. This strategic alignment could fast-track NBTXR3's pathway to market, potentially translating into substantial revenue streams. Investors should take note of the
Nanobiotix's diversified pipeline and collaboration with a major player like Janssen provide a dual advantage of shared risk and enhanced credibility. The company's strategy to transfer sponsorship of the head and neck cancer trial to Janssen suggests a well-thought-out approach to leverage Janssen's substantial regulatory and commercial capabilities. This partnership aims to optimize both operational efficiency and market reach.
The NBTXR3 radioenhancer shows promise in oncological treatments, particularly for patients receiving radiotherapy. The Phase 3 study focuses on elderly patients with advanced head and neck cancer, a demographic often challenging to treat due to frailty and comorbidities. The FDA's approval to proceed with the lung cancer study underscores the potential of NBTXR3 in expanding its indications. If successful, this could significantly enhance treatment options for cancers that are otherwise difficult to manage, reflecting a substantial step forward in personalized cancer therapy.
The strategic changes to the trial, including the elimination of the futility analysis, suggest strong preliminary data and confidence from both Nanobiotix and regulatory bodies. This is important as it may shorten the path to market, making effective cancer treatments available sooner to a broader patient population.
The ongoing strategic collaboration between Nanobiotix and Janssen represents a significant market development. Janssen's involvement not only brings substantial financial backing but also an extensive distribution network, which is critical for the global commercialization of NBTXR3. The collaboration and the milestone payment highlight the strategic milestones being achieved, which could positively influence market sentiment and share prices.
Nanobiotix's plans to extend its nanoparticle-based platforms beyond NBTXR3 into areas like liver cancer and recurrent NSCLC demonstrate a long-term vision. These expansions could position the company as a leader in the nanomedicine space, appealing to investors looking for growth in innovative biotechnologies. However, investors should remain cautious of the company's current cash burn rate and the need for further funding beyond Q3 2025.
- Updated Nanobiotix corporate strategy designed to enable long-term growth through execution of the global NBTXR3 collaboration and platforms beyond NBTXR3
- Alignment of intent to transfer the sponsorship of the ongoing Phase 3 pivotal trial in head and neck cancer to begin preparations for potentially positive trial results and subsequent steps
- Alignment to Phase 3 head and neck cancer study modifications designed to optimize the regulatory pathway, including intended removal of the now unnecessary futility analysis, and opting to conduct the planned interim analysis after the end of recruitment in 1H2026
- Received US FDA “Study May Proceed” letter for a new randomized Phase 2 study evaluating NBTXR3 in stage 3 lung cancer after review of the Investigational New Drug application
- Robust pipeline of ongoing and completed studies that could inform development of new indications beyond immediate priorities in head and neck cancer and lung cancer
- Operational progress update on Nanobiotix nanoparticle-based therapy platforms beyond NBTXR3 expected in 2H2024
PARIS and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANOBIOTIX (Euronext : NANO –– NASDAQ: NBTX – the ‘‘Company’’), a late-clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering nanoparticle-based therapeutic approaches to expand treatment possibilities for patients with cancer and other major diseases, today announced updates to its corporate strategy designed to enable long-term growth in view of significant progress in the Company’s collaboration for the co-development and global commercialization of lead therapeutic candidate NBTXR3.
Nanobiotix is developing three nanoparticle-based therapy platforms in sequence. The first therapeutic candidate from the first platform, potential first-in-class radioenhancer NBTXR3, is being developed and potentially commercialized in collaboration with NBTXR3 global licensee Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (“Janssen”), a Johnson & Johnson company. Nanobiotix plans to leverage the sustainable revenue it expects to come from the development and commercialization of NBTXR3 to further advance development of the two other platforms described in the conclusion of this announcement.
“Nanobiotix has long been known for the disruptive potential of NBTXR3 for patients with cancer around the world,” said Laurent Levy, chief executive officer at Nanobiotix and chairman of the executive board. “The accomplishments we have achieved throughout our 20-year history stand as a testament to the hard work of our team, the potential value the biopharmaceutical industry at-large sees in our technology, as well as the tremendous faith and confidence our investors and other financiers hold in our vision and our management. Moreover, this global licensing agreement has us well-positioned to secure the path to market for NBTXR3—and our commitment to realize the radioenhancer’s medical and economic value remains our most important goal—but the time has also come for Nanobiotix to lead the next generation of nanoparticle-based therapies in healthcare.”
Delivering Potentially Curative Outcomes for Patients with Locally Advanced and Metastatic Cancers
NBTXR3 is being evaluated as a therapeutic candidate that could integrate into the cancer treatment paradigm for the
The current NBTXR3 development program is initially focused on the completion of NANORAY-312, an ongoing pivotal phase 3 study evaluating the radioenhancer for elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (“LA-HNSCC”), and the launch of a randomized Phase 2 study evaluating NBTXR3 for patients with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) for which Janssen is fully responsible.
Preparing NANORAY-312 for Potential Regulatory Submission
In preparation for potential regulatory submission in the event of positive trial results, Nanobiotix and Janssen aligned at the collaboration’s Joint Strategy Committee (“JSC”) to transfer the global sponsorship of the Phase 3 pivotal head and neck cancer trial. Nanobiotix will continue to support Janssen in execution of NANORAY-312 during and after the sponsorship transfer is complete. Study operations will remain ongoing during the transfer.
Following discussions that began at the end of 2023, and in view of the intended transfer of the sponsorship, the JSC recently aligned to a protocol amendment that would remove the planned futility analysis in light of robust, positive final data from the expansion part of Study 102, a Phase 1 study evaluating NBTXR3 in a similar population. Given that the Study 102 results provided satisfactory support for the NANORAY-312 trial design, the futility analysis was deemed unnecessary. This amendment is subject to review and approval by health authorities in all countries where NANORAY-312 is operational as well as by the sites participating in the study. To date, the amendment has been accepted by health authorities in several major regions in the study.
Additionally, Nanobiotix and Janssen have agreed to a change in approach to the planned interim analysis such that interim data will analyzed and reported after both the requisite number of events have been observed and the last patient has been recruited in 1H2026, rather than immediately after the requisite number of events as originally planned. This revised approach helps to ensure that potentially positive trial results do not influence recruitment prior to completion of the study. As such, Nanobiotix now expects the interim analysis to be reported after the last patient is recruited in 1H2026.
“Bringing a therapeutic candidate from concept to global registration is an exciting, yet daunting proposition for any biotechnology company, even those working within well-known asset classes with well-worn development and regulatory pathways,” said Louis Kayitalire, MD, chief medical officer at Nanobiotix. “That is why our global licensing agreement with Janssen is great news for patients, for healthcare professionals, and for all other supporters of NBTXR3’s potential. We are confident that the leadership of the JSC will optimize the probability of success for NANORAY-312.”
Nanobiotix is currently vetting options for extension of the Company’s cash runway beyond the current expectation of 3Q2025.
Advancing the NBTXR3 Collaboration
Nanobiotix and Janssen have made significant progress in establishing development operations in the collaboration since execution of the global licensing agreement in July 2023.
Operational progress highlights:
- Established a JSC comprised equally of executives from both companies to drive strategic decision making for the global development program
- Activated Joint Working Teams staffed by both companies with an initial focus on manufacturing and preparing NANORAY-312 for global regulatory submission in the event of a positive interim analysis
- Began replication of Nanobiotix manufacturing processes to equip Janssen to produce NBTXR3 in parallel with ongoing production activities at Nanobiotix facilities
- Began allocation of discretionary in-kind contributions from Janssen to Nanobiotix along with payments for manufacturing technical assistance and other product development support services
- Achieved the first operational milestone in NANORAY-312, triggering a
$20M milestone payment from Janssen to Nanobiotix - Received US FDA “Study May Proceed” letter for a Janssen-led Phase 2 NSCLC study after review of the Investigational New Drug application
- Began elaboration of the overall clinical development plan for NBTXR3 including new indications beyond LA-HNSCC and stage 3 NSCLC
- Consolidated global development and commercialization rights with Janssen via the Janssen purchase of rights to China and other Asian Markets from former Nanobiotix partner LianBio
Evolving the NBTXR3 Development Pipeline
The global licensing agreement between Nanobiotix and Janssen established a framework for potential, complementary co-development of relevant indications in the near, medium, and long term. This framework includes the potential for Nanobiotix to lead new randomized Phase 2 NBTXR3 studies. The JSC will ultimately determine the next indications beyond the immediate operational priorities in LA-HNSCC and stage 3 NSCLC. Nanobiotix expects the current pipeline, as detailed below, to play an important role in the JSC decision-making process:
- Validating the safety and efficacy of RT-activated NBTXR3 for patients with LA-HNSCC and stage 3 NSCLC in the near-term
- Pivotal Phase 3 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 with or without cetuximab for Elderly and Frail Patients with LA-HNSCC who are Ineligible for Cisplatin Chemotherapy (NANORAY-312)
- Lead: Nanobiotix (Intent to transfer global sponsorship aligned)
- Status: Ongoing
- Next Step: Last patient recruited 1H2026
- Randomized Phase 2 Study Evaluating NBTXR3 + Chemoradiation + anti-PD-L1 for Patients with Inoperable, Stage 3 NSCLC
- Lead: Janssen
- Status: “Study May Proceed” letter received
- Next Step: First patient randomized
- Pivotal Phase 3 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 with or without cetuximab for Elderly and Frail Patients with LA-HNSCC who are Ineligible for Cisplatin Chemotherapy (NANORAY-312)
- Exploring the safety and efficacy of RT-activated NBTXR3 for patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC that is naïve or resistant to anti-PD-1 in the medium term
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Anti-PD-1 for Adult Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic (“R/M”) HNSCC Naïve to Anti-PD-1 (Study 1100 Cohort 1)
- Lead: Nanobiotix
- Status: Dose escalation part completed and dose expansion part ongoing
- Next Step: Presentation of first expansion part data at ASCO 2024
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Anti-PD-1 for Adult Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic R/M HNSCC Resistant to Anti-PD-1 (Study 1100 Cohort 2)
- Lead: Nanobiotix
- Status: Dose escalation part completed and dose expansion part ongoing
- Next Step: Presentation of first expansion part data at ASCO 2024
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Anti-PD-1 for Adult Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic (“R/M”) HNSCC Naïve to Anti-PD-1 (Study 1100 Cohort 1)
- Establishing potential expansion opportunities in additional settings in the medium to long term
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 for Adult Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
- Lead: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (“MD Anderson”)
- Status: Dose escalation part completed and dose expansion part ongoing
- Next Step: Presentation of updated data 2H2024
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 for Adult Patients with Inoperable, Recurrent NSCLC Amenable to Re-irradiation
- Lead: MD Anderson
- Status: Dose escalation part completed and dose expansion part ongoing
- Next Step: Presentation of first data 1H2025
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Chemotherapy for Adult Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer
- Lead: MD Anderson
- Status: Dose escalation part ongoing
- Next Step: Completion of dose escalation part in 2024, initiation of dose expansion part, and presentation of first data 2025
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Anti-PD-1 for Adult Patients with Multiple Advanced Tumors and Metastases Resistant to Anti-PD-1 (Study 1100 Cohort 3)
- Lead: Nanobiotix
- Status: Dose escalation part completed and dose expansion part ongoing
- Next Step: Completion of dose expansion part and presentation of first data 2025
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 for Adult Patients with Locally Advanced Liver Cancer and/or Liver Metastases
- Lead: Nanobiotix
- Status: Phase 1 completed with primary endpoints met
- Next Step: Potential new indication for further development in medium to long term
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Chemotherapy for Adult Patients with LA-HNSCC
- Status: Completed with primary endpoints met
- Next Step: Potential new indication for further development in medium to long term
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 + Chemotherapy for Adult Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
- Status: Phase 1 completed with primary endpoints met
- Next Step: Potential new indication for further development in medium to long term
- Phase 1 Study Evaluating RT + NBTXR3 for Adult Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Validating the safety and efficacy of RT-activated NBTXR3 by moving to global registration in LA-HNSCC remains the immediate priority of Nanobiotix and accounts for the majority of operational and financial resource allocation.
The Company expects to provide an updated global development plan for NBTXR3 after alignment at the JSC.
Updated NBTXR3 Global Development Pipeline Visualization (as of May 21, 2024)
A chart accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8084032-4d70-4caf-b152-362cb6956fce
*Janssen assumed responsibility for operations in Asia after securing global rights to NBTXR3 in China and Other Asian markets from former Nanobiotix collaborator LianBio. Nanobiotix and Janssen have also aligned to intent to transfer the global sponsorship.
Nanobiotix Beyond the NBTXR3 Collaboration
As the NBTXR3 program moves toward the ultimate goal of significantly improving outcomes for patients with cancer around the world through the execution of NANORAY-312, Nanobiotix plans to expand the impact of nanoparticle-based therapies in healthcare through continued early-stage development of Curadigm and OOcuity.
The Curadigm “Nanoprimer” platform features nanoparticles designed with specific physico-chemical properties that allow temporary occupation of the liver cells responsible for therapeutic clearance. This mechanism is intended to increase the blood bioavailability and subsequent accumulation of therapeutics in the targeted tissues, potentially providing the opportunity to increase the efficacy or decrease the toxicity of intravenously-administered medicines.
The OOcuity platform is based on the principle that nanoparticle materials can interact with and influence neuronal networks via their electrical properties, this potentially enabling the modulation of malfunctioning neuronal networks toward a “normal” state. In particular, the reduction of neuronal hyper-excitability associated with neuropathic pain in in vitro studies and in mouse models with several nanoparticle candidates.
Nanobiotix expects to provide the next update on the plan and operational progress of programs beyond NBTXR3 in 2H2024.
About NBTXR3
NBTXR3 is a novel, potentially first-in-class oncology product composed of functionalized hafnium oxide nanoparticles that is administered via one-time intratumoral injection and activated by radiotherapy. Its proof-of-concept was achieved in soft tissue sarcomas for which the product received a European CE mark in 2019. The product candidate’s physics-based mechanism of action (MoA) is designed to induce significant tumor cell death in the injected tumor when activated by radiotherapy, subsequently triggering adaptive immune response and long-term anti-cancer memory. Given the physics-based MoA, Nanobiotix believes that NBTXR3 could be scalable across any solid tumor that can be treated with radiotherapy and across any therapeutic combination, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Radiotherapy-activated NBTXR3 is being evaluated across multiple solid tumor indications as a single agent or in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, including in NANORAY-312—a global, randomized phase III study in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancers. In February 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted regulatory Fast Track designation for the investigation of NBTXR3 activated by radiation therapy, with or without cetuximab, for the treatment of patients with locally advanced HNSCC who are not eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy—the same population being evaluated in the Phase 3 study.
Given the Company’s focus areas, and balanced against the scalable potential of NBTXR3, Nanobiotix has engaged in a collaboration strategy to expand development of the product candidate in parallel with its priority development pathways. Pursuant to this strategy, in 2019 Nanobiotix entered into a broad, comprehensive clinical research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to sponsor several Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies evaluating NBTXR3 across tumor types and therapeutic combinations. In 2023 Nanobiotix announced a license agreement for the global co-development and commercialization of NBTXR3 with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson company.
About NANOBIOTIX
Nanobiotix is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company pioneering disruptive, physics-based therapeutic approaches to revolutionize treatment outcomes for millions of patients; supported by people committed to making a difference for humanity. The company’s philosophy is rooted in the concept of pushing past the boundaries of what is known to expand possibilities for human life.
Incorporated in 2003, Nanobiotix is headquartered in Paris, France. The company also has subsidiaries in Cambridge, Massachusetts (United States), France, Spain, and Germany. Nanobiotix has been listed on Euronext: Paris since 2012 and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in New York City since December 2020.
Nanobiotix is the owner of more than 30 umbrella patents associated with three (3) nanotechnology platforms with applications in 1) oncology; 2) bioavailability and biodistribution; and 3) disorders of the central nervous system. The company's resources are primarily devoted to the development of its lead product candidate–NBTXR3—which is the product of its proprietary oncology platform and has already achieved market authorization in Europe for the treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma under the brand name Hensify®.
For more information about Nanobiotix, visit us at www.nanobiotix.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter
Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the use of proceed therefrom, and the period of time through which the Company’s anticipates its financial resources will be adequate to support operations. Words such as “expects”, “intends”, “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “potential”, “should” and “will” or the negative of these and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are based on our management’s current expectations and assumptions and on information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements, including risks related to Nanobiotix’s business and financial performance, which include the risk that assumptions underlying the Company’s cash runway projections are not realized. Further information on the risk factors that may affect company business and financial performance is included in Nanobiotix’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 24, 2024 under “Item 3.D. Risk Factors”, in Nanobiotix’s 2022 universal registration document filed with the AMF on April 24, 2024 , and subsequent filings Nanobiotix makes with the SEC from time to time which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and except as required by law, Nanobiotix assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly.
Contacts
| Nanobiotix | |
| Communications Department Brandon Owens VP, Communications +1 (617) 852-4835 contact@nanobiotix.com | Investor Relations Department Craig West SVP, Investor Relations +1 (617) 583-0211 investors@nanobiotix.com |
| Media Relations | |
| FR – Ulysse Communication Laurent Wormser + 33 (0)6 13 12 04 04 lwormser@ulysse-communication.com | Global – LifeSci Advisors Kevin Gardner +1 (617) 283-2856 kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com |
Attachments
- 2024-05-21 -- NBTX -- Corporate Strategy Update -- FINAL
- Updated NBTXR3 Global Development Pipeline Visualization (as of May 21, 2024)
FAQ
What is the latest update on Nanobiotix's NBTXR3 development?
When are the interim analysis results for the Phase 3 head and neck cancer trial expected?
What is the significance of the $20M milestone payment to Nanobiotix?
How does the FDA approval impact Nanobiotix's lung cancer study?
What are the future plans for Nanobiotix beyond NBTXR3?
