Barinthus Bio Reports Second Quarter 2024 Update on Corporate Developments and Financial Results

OXFORD, United Kingdom, Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc (NASDAQ: BRNS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel T cell immunotherapeutic candidates, provided an overview of the Company’s progress and announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2024.

“Following the positive VTP-300 Phase 2 data in hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the second quarter, we made the strategic decision to prioritize our HBV and celiac disease programs. These two programs have the greatest probability for success and value creation, and represent significant opportunities in therapeutic areas with substantial unmet patient need,” said Bill Enright, Chief Executive Officer of Barinthus Bio. "We are very excited as we plan to initiate our first in human clinical trial of VTP-1000 in celiac disease in the third quarter, utilizing our novel SNAP-TI platform. Celiac disease is an increasingly common autoimmune disease with no FDA or EMA-approved treatments. Towards the end of the year we look forward to sharing updated data from our HBV program as our two Phase 2 trials utilizing VTP-300, which are evaluating a potential functional cure regimen, mature further."

Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Corporate Developments

Clinical developments: VTP-300 (HBV)

In June 2024, we announced updated data from two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials in people with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2024. The presentations included updated interim data from the Phase 2b clinical trial (HBV003), as well as updated interim data from the Phase 2a clinical trial (IM-PROVE II, AB-729-202) in partnership with Arbutus Biopharma, both in people with CHB receiving ongoing standard of care nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) therapy.

Interim HBV003 data: VTP-300 and Low-dose Nivolumab

Interim data from the HBV003 trial showed;

  • Nearly 20% of participants across the groups had undetectable HBsAg and this was maintained for ≥16 weeks in the two cases who had reached that time point.
  • 76% of participants were eligible for NUC discontinuation.
  • 71% of those who did discontinue remained off NUCs at time of data cutoff on April 15, 2024.
  • 67% of participants across all groups assessed for NUC discontinuation had HBsAg <10 IU/mL at Week 24 or later.
  • Robust T cell responses were observed to all VTP-300 encoded antigens.
  • There were no Serious Adverse Events (SAEs), Grade 3 or 4 Adverse Events (AEs) related to treatment.

Interim IM-PROVE II data: imdusiran and VTP-300

Interim data from the IM-PROVE II clinical trial showed;

  • 20% of participants had undetectable HBsAg at Week 72 in the VTP-300 treatment group, compared to none in the placebo group.
  • 84% of participants in the VTP-300 treatment group were eligible for NUC discontinuation, compared to 52% in the placebo group.
  • 88% of those who did discontinue remained off NUCs, compared to 80% in the placebo group remaining off NUCs at time of data cutoff on April 12, 2024.
  • Robust reductions of HBsAg were observed during the imdusiran lead-in period with 95% of participants achieving HBsAg <100 IU/mL before undergoing dosing in the VTP-300 treatment or placebo groups at week 24. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in HBsAg levels between the VTP-300 treatment and placebo groups was recorded at Week 72.
  • Treatment with imdusiran and VTP-300 was generally well-tolerated, with no SAEs or treatment discontinuations reported.

Corporate Updates

  • On June 3, 2024, Dr. Leon Hooftman joined the Company as Chief Medical Officer. He brings significant drug development expertise across a broad array of therapeutic areas including immunology, autoimmunity, hematology, oncology and infectious diseases.
  • In June 2024, we announced a strategic pipeline prioritization following the positive interim data from VTP-300 in CHB presented at EASL. This announcement included the prioritization of the development of VTP-300 in CHB and VTP-1000 in celiac disease, and consequently a reduction in workforce.

Upcoming Milestones

  • In the third quarter of 2024, the Company expects to:
    • VTP-1000 (Celiac Disease):
      • Dose the first patient in GLU001, a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial including a controlled gluten challenge to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of VTP-1000 in adults with celiac disease.
  • In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company expects to:
    • VTP-300 (HBV):
      • Announce updated interim data from HBV003, our Phase 2b trial evaluating additional dosing of VTP-300 and timing of PD-1 inhibition, in people with CHB on NUC therapy.
      • Announce updated interim data from the Phase 2a AB-729-202 clinical trial evaluating the combination of VTP-300 and Arbutus’ imdusiran, in people with CHB on NUC therapy.

Pipeline

Barinthus Biotherapeutics Pipeline

These are estimated timelines only and our pipeline may be subject to change.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

  • Cash position: As of June 30, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $117.8 million, compared to $130.0 million as of March 31, 2024. The net cash used in operating activities was $12.0 million in the second quarter of 2024, primarily resulting from development of our pipeline and ongoing clinical trials offset by receipt of an R&D tax credit of $1.4 million. Based on current research and development plans, the Company expects its available resources to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2026.
  • Research and development expenses: Research and development expenses were $11.7 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $11.1 million in the first quarter of 2024, with the increase mainly attributable to the progression of VTP-300 (HBV) through the two ongoing Phase 2 trials, partially offset by a reduction in expense from VTP-200 (HPV) which completed in the first quarter of 2024 and for which data was presented in April 2024. The quarter-on-quarter R&D expense per program is outlined in the following table.
Period ended Three months
ended June
30, 2024
 Three months
ended March
31, 2024
 Change
   $000  $000  $000 
Direct research and development expenses by program:      
VTP-200 HPV $383 $1,253 $(870)
VTP-300 HBV  3,034  1,913  1,121 
VTP-500 MERS1  304  172  132 
VTP-600 NSCLC2  24  164  (140)
VTP-850 Prostate cancer  414  178  236 
VTP-1000 Celiac  1,371  1,374  (3)
Other and earlier stage programs  908  784  124 
Total direct research and development expenses $6,438 $5,838 $600 
Indirect research and development expenses:      
Personnel-related (including share-based compensation)  4,763  4,335  428 
Facility related  342  390  (48)
Other indirect costs  119  562  (443)
Total indirect research and development expenses  5,224  5,287  (63)
Total research and development expense $11,662 $11,125 $537 

1 The development of VTP-500 is funded pursuant to an agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

2 The VTP-600 NSCLC Phase 1/2a trial is sponsored by Cancer Research UK.

  • General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses were $7.2 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase of $1.2 million relates primarily to a loss of $0.1 million on foreign exchange in the second quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Net loss: For the second quarter of 2024, the Company generated a net loss attributable to its shareholders of $16.9 million, or $(0.43) per share on both basic and fully diluted bases, compared to a net loss attributable to its shareholders of $15.5 million, or $(0.40) per share on both basic and fully diluted bases in the first quarter of 2024.

About Barinthus Bio

Barinthus Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel T cell immunotherapeutic candidates designed to guide the immune system to overcome chronic infectious diseases and autoimmunity. Helping people living with serious diseases and their families is the guiding principle at the heart of Barinthus Bio. With a focused pipeline built around our proprietary platform technologies, Barinthus Bio is advancing product candidates in infectious disease and autoimmunity, including: VTP-300, an immunotherapeutic candidate utilizing our ChAdOx/MVA platform designed as a potential component of a functional cure for chronic HBV infection and VTP-1000, an autoimmune candidate designed to utilize the SNAP-Tolerance Immunotherapy (TI) platform to treat patients with celiac disease. Barinthus Bio also has a Phase 1 clinical trial for VTP-850, a second-generation immunotherapeutic candidate designed to treat recurrent prostate cancer. Barinthus Bio’s proven scientific expertise, diverse portfolio and focus on pipeline development uniquely positions the company to navigate towards delivering treatments for people with infectious diseases and autoimmunity that have a significant impact on their everyday lives. For more information, visit www.barinthusbio.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Barinthus Bio within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, which can generally be identified as such by use of the words “may,” “will,” “plan,” “forward,” “encouraging,” “believe,” “potential,” "expect", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding our future expectations, plans and prospects, including our product development activities and clinical trials, including timing for readouts of any preliminary, interim or final data for any of our programs, the timing for initiation of any clinical trials, including dosing of the first patient in GLU001 for VTP-1000, our anticipated regulatory filings and approvals, our cash runway, and our ability to develop and advance our current and future product candidates and programs. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to the success, cost and timing of our pipeline development activities and planned and ongoing clinical trials, including the risk that the timing for preliminary, interim or final data or initiation of our clinical trials may be delayed, the risk that interim or topline data may not reflect final data or results, our ability to execute on our strategy, regulatory developments, the risk that we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of our pipeline prioritization and corporate restructuring, our ability to fund our operations and access capital, our cash runway, including the risk that our estimate of our cash runway may be incorrect, global economic uncertainty, including disruptions in the banking industry, the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, and other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.


BARINTHUS BIOTHERAPEUTICS PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NUMBER OF SHARES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 June 30,
2024
 December 31,
2023
ASSETS   
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$117,774  $142,090 
Research and development incentives receivable 4,523   4,908 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9,582   9,907 
Total current assets 131,879   156,905 
Goodwill 12,209   12,209 
Property and equipment, net 10,962   11,821 
Intangible assets, net 23,527   25,108 
Right of use assets, net 7,286   7,581 
Other assets 886   882 
Total assets$186,749  $214,506 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable 2,556   1,601 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 10,278   9,212 
Deferred income 839    
Operating lease liability - current 1,916   1,785 
Total current liabilities 15,589   12,598 
Non-current liabilities:   
Operating lease liability - non-current 10,654   11,191 
Contingent consideration 1,888   1,823 
Other non-current liabilities 1,338   1,325 
Deferred tax liability, net 490   574 
Total liabilities$29,959  $27,511 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)   
Stockholders’ equity:   
Ordinary shares, £0.000025 nominal value; 39,184,338 shares authorized, issued and outstanding (December 31, 2023: authorized, issued and outstanding:38,643,540) 1   1 
Deferred A shares, £1 nominal value; 63,443 shares authorized, issued and outstanding (December 31, 2023: authorized, issued and outstanding:63,443) 86   86 
Additional paid-in capital 390,273   386,602 
Accumulated deficit (209,010)  (176,590)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – foreign currency translation adjustments (24,732)  (23,315)
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc shareholders 156,618   186,784 
Noncontrolling interest 172   211 
Total stockholders’ equity$156,790  $186,995 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$186,749  $214,506 
    


BARINTHUS BIOTHERAPEUTICS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NUMBER OF SHARES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 Three months ended Six months ended
 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2023
License revenue 1$  $334  $  $802 
Total revenue    334      802 
Operating expenses       
Research and development 11,662   13,543   22,787   23,357 
General and administrative 7,201   13,128   13,195   25,266 
Total operating expenses 18,863   26,671   35,982   48,623 
Other operating income 577      782    
Loss from operations (18,286)  (26,337)  (35,200)  (47,821)
Other income/(expense):       
Interest income 635   522   1,410   2,110 
Interest expense (12)  (14)  (24)  (14)
Research and development incentives 693   559   1,287   1,716 
Other income 20   310   20   310 
Total other income, net 1,336   1,377   2,693   4,122 
Loss before income tax (16,950)  (24,960)  (32,507)  (43,699)
Tax benefit 7   1,136   44   1,652 
Net loss (16,943)  (23,824)  (32,463)  (42,047)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 12   22   43   65 
Net loss attributable to Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc shareholders (16,931)  (23,802)  (32,420)  (41,982)
        
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding, basic 39,041,111   38,407,672   38,907,296   38,211,625 
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding, diluted 39,041,111   38,407,672   38,907,296   38,211,625 
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic$(0.43) $(0.62) $(0.83) $(1.10)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, diluted$(0.43) $(0.62) $(0.83) $(1.10)
        
Net loss$(16,943) $(23,824) $(32,463) $(42,047)
Other comprehensive gain/(loss) – foreign currency translation adjustments 164   5,604   (1,413)  10,184 
Comprehensive loss (16,779)  (18,220)  (33,876)  (31,863)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 11   15   39   52 
Comprehensive loss attributable to Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc shareholders$(16,768) $(18,205) $(33,837) $(31,811)

1 Includes license revenue from related parties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 of nil (three and six months ended June 30, 2023: $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively).

IR contacts:
Christopher M. Calabrese 
Managing Director 
LifeSci Advisors
+1 917-680-5608
ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com

Kevin Gardner
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
+1 617-283-2856
kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com

Media contact:
Audra Friis
Sam Brown, Inc.
+1 917-519-9577
audrafriis@sambrown.com

Company contact:
Jonothan Blackbourn
IR & PR Manager
Barinthus Bio
ir@barinthusbio.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0677b65-29bb-4869-b045-22325fa94f17


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