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Abeona Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Concludes Type A Meeting with FDA to Align on Upcoming Pz-cel BLA Resubmission

Globe Newswire 12-Aug-2024 7:30 AM

Significant progress addressing CMC items noted in CRL

BLA resubmission remains on track for 2H 2024

CLEVELAND, Aug. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABEO) today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2024 and recent corporate progress.

"Having completed data generation for nearly all of the Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls deliverables outlined in the Complete Response Letter that we received in April 2024, we are on track to resubmit our Biologics License Application for pz-cel this year and, if approved, bring a treatment option to patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa," said Vish Seshadri, Chief Executive Officer of Abeona.

Second Quarter and Recent Progress

Pz-cel for RDEB

  • On August 8, 2024, Abeona completed a Type A meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss Abeona's forthcoming resubmission of its Biologics License Application (BLA) for prademagene zamikeracel (pz-cel), its investigational first-in-class, autologous cell-based gene therapy currently in development for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). In pre-meeting communications and during the Type A meeting, Abeona shared data and reports addressing nearly all of the deficiencies noted in the Complete Response Letter (CRL) and gained the FDA's preliminary alignment pending formal review. For two remaining outstanding items related to sterility assays and identity assays, validation is currently ongoing under protocols that incorporate FDA feedback. Abeona continues to expect to resubmit the BLA in the second half of 2024. Upon acceptance of the BLA, Abeona expects the FDA to set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date six months from the date of submission.
  • In April 2024, Abeona received a CRL from the FDA based on the need for additional Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) information. In the CRL, the FDA noted that certain additional information needed to satisfy CMC requirements must be resolved before the application can be approved. The CRL did not identify any deficiencies related to the clinical efficacy or clinical safety data in the BLA, and the FDA did not request any new clinical trials or clinical data to support the approval of pz-cel.
  • In May 2024, new pz-cel long-term safety data with up to 11 years of follow-up were presented during a late-breaker session at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting. In July 2024, data on wound healing at various anatomical sites after pz-cel treatment were presented at the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) Annual Meeting.

U.S. commercial launch preparations for pz-cel

  • Abeona continues to make progress on key commercial activities in preparation for a potential U.S. launch for pz-cel, including onboarding discussions with epidermolysis bullosa treatment sites, conducting medical and payer engagement, and building supply chain and enterprise capabilities to support the Company's transition to a commercial stage company.

Pipeline programs

  • In July 2024, Abeona announced a non-exclusive agreement with Beacon Therapeutics, under which Beacon Therapeutics will evaluate Abeona's patented AAV204 capsid for its potential use in AAV gene therapies for select ophthalmology indications.

Corporate highlights

  • In May 2024, Abeona closed a $75 million underwritten securities offering with participation from both new and existing investors.

Second Quarter Financial Results and Cash Runway Guidance

Cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash totaled $123.0 million as of June 30, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash totaled $62.7 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $12.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Abeona estimates that its current cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash, as well as its $50 million credit facility, are sufficient resources to fund operations into 2026, before accounting for any potential revenue from commercial sales of pz-cel, if approved, or proceeds from the sale of a Priority Review Voucher (PRV), if awarded by the FDA.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 were $9.2 million, compared to $8.5 million for the same period of 2023. General and administrative expenses were $8.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.0 million for the same period of 2023. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to commercial and launch preparation costs. Net income for the second quarter of 2024 was $7.4 million, including a $24.9 million gain resulting from the quarterly remeasurement of the fair value of warrant liabilities. In the second quarter of 2023, net loss was $16.7 million, including an $8.6 million loss resulting from the quarterly remeasurement of the fair value of warrant liabilities.

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET, to discuss the quarter results. To access the call, dial 888-506-0062 (U.S. toll-free) or 973-528-0011 (international) and Entry Code: 678762 five minutes prior to the start of the call. A live, listen-only webcast and archived replay of the call can be accessed on the Investors & Media section of Abeona's website at https://investors.abeonatherapeutics.com/events. The archived webcast replay will be available for 30 days following the call.

About Abeona Therapeutics
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for serious diseases. Prademagene zamikeracel (pz-cel) is Abeona's investigational first-in-class, autologous cell-based gene therapy currently in development for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The Company's fully integrated cell and gene therapy cGMP manufacturing facility served as the manufacturing site for pz-cel used in its Phase 3 VIITAL™ trial, and is capable of supporting commercial production of pz-cel upon FDA approval. The Company's development portfolio also features AAV-based gene therapies for ophthalmic diseases with high unmet medical need. Abeona's novel, next-generation AAV capsids are being evaluated to improve tropism profiles for a variety of devastating diseases. For more information, visit www.abeonatherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by such terminology as "may," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "potential," and similar words and expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances), which constitute and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the timing and results of ongoing testing and other corrective actions being performed in response to the FDA's identified deficiencies, which could delay the Company's BLA resubmission; the timing and outcome of the FDA's review of our resubmission; the FDA's grant of a Priority Review Voucher upon approval; continued interest in our rare disease portfolio; our ability to enroll patients in clinical trials; the outcome of future meetings with the FDA or other regulatory agencies, including those relating to preclinical programs; the ability to achieve or obtain necessary regulatory approvals; the impact of any changes in the financial markets and global economic conditions; risks associated with data analysis and reporting; and other risks disclosed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.

 
ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
  For the three months ended
June 30,
 For the six months ended
June 30,
   2024  2023  2024  2023
         
Revenues:        
License and other revenues $  $3,500  $  $3,500 
         
Expenses:        
Royalties     1,575      1,575 
Research and development  9,218   8,523   16,425   16,564 
General and administrative  8,646   5,021   15,769   9,018 
Gain on operating lease right-of-use assets     (1,065)     (1,065)
Total expenses  17,864   14,054   32,194   26,092 
         
Loss from operations  (17,864)  (10,554)  (32,194)  (22,592)
         
Interest income  1,191   417   2,034   781 
Interest expense  (1,072)  (103)  (2,024)  (204)
Change in fair value of warrant and derivative liabilities  24,927   (8,629)  7,626   (6,364)
Other income  224   2,215   386   2,618 
Net Income (loss) $7,406  $(16,654) $(24,172) $(25,761)
         
Basic income (loss) per common share $0.19  $(0.92) $(0.72) $(1.48)
Dilutive loss per common share $    (0.26) $(0.92) $(0.72) $(1.48)
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:        
Basic  40,010,481   18,017,874   33,662,908   17,464,026 
Dilutive  51,226,715   18,017,874   33,662,908   17,464,026 
         
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Change in unrealized gains (losses) related to available-for-sale debt securities  50   (30)  (68)  34 
Comprehensive income (loss) $                    7,456  $                 (16,684) $                 (24,240) $                 (25,727)
         
         


ABEONA THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
    
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$34,426  $14,473 
Short-term investments 88,282   37,753 
Restricted cash 338   338 
Other receivables 1,640   2,444 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,218   729 
Total current assets 125,904   55,737 
Property and equipment, net 3,975   3,533 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 4,024   4,455 
Other assets 100   277 
Total assets$134,003  $64,002 
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$3,099  $1,858 
Accrued expenses 4,924   5,985 
Current portion of long-term debt 2,222    
Current portion of operating lease liability 1,792   998 
Current portion payable to licensor 4,805   4,580 
Other current liabilities 1   1 
Total current liabilities 16,843   13,422 
Long-term operating lease liabilities 3,018   4,402 
Long-term debt 16,133    
Derivative liabilities 668    
Warrant liabilities 24,100   31,352 
Total liabilities 60,762   49,176 
Commitments and contingencies   
Stockholders' equity:   
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares; No shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively     
Common stock - $0.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares; 41,661,993 and 26,523,878 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 417   265 
Additional paid-in capital 846,654   764,151 
Accumulated deficit (773,696)  (749,524)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (134)  (66)
Total stockholders' equity 73,241   14,826 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$134,003  $64,002 
    

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

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Investor and Media Contact:
Greg Gin
VP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Abeona Therapeutics
ir@abeonatherapeutics.com

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