NanoCell Therapeutics Wins EU Funding for Breakthrough CAR-T Cancer Therapy Development

On August 14, 2025 NanoCell Therapeutics, Inc. ("NanoCell"), a biotechnology company developing a non-viral, DNA-based in vivo gene therapy platform, reported it has been awarded a Eurostars Grant from the European Union (EU) through the Horizon Europe program and the Eureka Network (Press release, NanoCell Therapeutics, AUG 14, 2025, View Source [SID1234655310]). The grant will fund NanoCell’s QUIET-CAR project, which is focused on the development of targeted lipid nanoparticles containing novel immune-quiet DNA constructs for in vivo CAR-T therapy.

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"This funding validates our innovative approach to non-viral gene therapy and will accelerate our QUIET-CAR project toward delivering safer, more accessible CAR-T treatments for patients with cancer and autoimmune disease," said Dr. Maurits Geerlings, CEO and President of NanoCell Therapeutics. "Being selected and top ranked among over 120 submissions in Europe’s most competitive SME funding program demonstrates the transformative potential of our technology platform."

The QUIET-CAR project is a collaboration between NanoCell and CPTx, a biotech company developing advanced medicine using AI-supported molecular design and programmable single-stranded DNA fabrication supported by gxstrands. Eurostars, part of the European Partnership on Innovative SMEs and supported by Horizon Europe, is a premier funding initiative designed to accelerate transnational innovation. With participation from 37 countries, the program rigorously selects only the most promising technological breakthroughs, evaluated by independent experts.

NanoCell acknowledges the support of Amsterdam-based Catalyze for the successful preparation of this grant.

MacroGenics Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Highlights Key Strategic Priorities

On August 14, 2025 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and highlighted recent corporate progress (Press release, MacroGenics, AUG 14, 2025, View Source [SID1234655309]).

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"Over the past several years, MacroGenics has established itself as a pioneer in the field of antibody-based therapeutics for patients battling cancer. Today, we have a promising portfolio spanning antibody drug conjugates and multi-specifics that we believe has the potential to generate significant value for both patients and shareholders alike," said Eric Risser, President and CEO of MacroGenics. "As we look ahead to the remainder of 2025 and beyond, we intend to drive MacroGenics to become an even more focused and capital-efficient biotechnology company as we advance our pipeline. In the coming quarters, we look forward to providing updates on our key strategic priorities related to pipeline and Company progress."

Key Strategic Priorities for 2025 and 2026

Determine development path for lorigerlimab based on data from the ongoing LORIKEET and LINNET studies.
Advance MGC026 and MGC028 programs to assess clinical proof-of-concept.
Submit Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MGC030.
Initiate IND-enabling studies for two new product candidates.
Forge partnerships and collaborations to accelerate development of the Company’s proprietary product candidates and technology platforms.
Improve MacroGenics’ financial position through a combination of enhanced operational efficiency, collaboration revenue, and monetization of assets.

Corporate Updates

Eric Risser named President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Risser previously served as Chief Operating Officer at MacroGenics, overseeing several key company functions and has led the Company’s corporate development efforts, which have generated over $550 million in non-dilutive capital over the past three years. Mr. Risser succeeds Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D. who has stepped down after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer for the past 24 years.

Wholly Owned Programs

Lorigerlimab is a bispecific, tetravalent PD-1 × CTLA-4 DART molecule designed to enhance CTLA-4 blockade on dual-expressing, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes compared to a PD-1/CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) combination therapy, while maintaining maximal PD-1 blockade on all PD-1-expressing cells.

The ongoing Phase 2 LORIKEET study is a 150-patient randomized study evaluating lorigerlimab in combination with docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone in second-line, chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The study was fully enrolled in late 2024 and the Company expects to provide a clinical update in the second half of 2025.
The ongoing Phase 2 LINNET study is a 60-patient monotherapy study evaluating lorigerlimab in patients with either platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or clear cell gynecologic cancer.

Emerging ADC Pipeline. MacroGenics is developing three antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that each incorporate a novel, glycan-linked topoisomerase I inhibitor (TOP1i)-based payload developed by the Company’s collaboration partner, Synaffix (a Lonza company).

MGC026 targets B7-H3, an antigen with broad expression across multiple solid tumors and a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. MGC026 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors, with dose expansion in selected indications expected to initiate in the second half of 2025.
MGC028 targets ADAM9, a member of the ADAM family of multifunctional type 1 transmembrane proteins that play a role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression and is overexpressed in multiple cancers. MGC028 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors.
MGC030 is a preclinical ADC that targets an undisclosed antigen expressed across several solid tumors. An IND application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MGC030 is planned for 2026.

Partnered Programs

MGD024 is a next-generation CD123 × CD3 DART molecule. Under an October 2022 exclusive option and collaboration agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead), MacroGenics continues to enroll patients in a Phase 1 dose escalation study of MGD024 in patients with CD123-positive neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. MacroGenics remains eligible to receive up to $1.7 billion in target nomination, option exercise and milestone payments related to MGD024 and two additional research programs under this agreement.
ZYNYZ (retifanlimab-dlwr) is a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1 that the Company licensed to Incyte Corporation (Incyte) in 2017. In June 2025, MacroGenics and Sagard Healthcare Partners entered into a royalty purchase agreement in exchange for capped royalty interest on future global net sales of ZYNYZ. MacroGenics retains its other economic interests related to ZYNYZ including future potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones. MacroGenics will also continue to support a portion of global commercial manufacturing needs for ZYNYZ. MacroGenics remains eligible to receive up to $540.0 million in additional development, regulatory and commercial milestones.
TZIELD (teplizumab-mzwv) is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD3 that the Company sold in 2018 to a partner that was subsequently acquired by Sanofi S.A. (Sanofi). In November 2022, TZIELD was approved by U.S. FDA to delay the onset of Stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adult and pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with Stage 2 T1D. In July 2025, Sanofi disclosed that they anticipate TZIELD-related regulatory decisions in the E.U. and China in the second half of 2025. MacroGenics remains eligible to receive up to $379.5 million in additional development, regulatory and commercial milestones.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of June 30, 2025, was $176.5 million, compared to $201.7 million as of December 31, 2024.
Revenue: Total revenue was $22.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $10.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Total revenue included contract manufacturing revenue of $15.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $2.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, reflecting higher manufacturing volume on behalf of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) clients. Collaboration revenue was $6.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $2.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, with this increase primarily due to deferred revenue recognition under the Company’s collaboration agreements. Total revenue reflected a decrease in net product sales resulting from the sale of MARGENZA to TerSera Therapeutics, LLC in November 2024.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $40.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $51.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to decreased costs related to vobramitamab duocarmazine development and decreased manufacturing and IND-enabling costs related to MGC028, offset by increased costs related to MGC030 development.
Cost of Manufacturing Services: Cost of manufacturing services was $8.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $2.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in manufacturing volume on behalf of CDMO clients.
SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $9.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $14.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower stock-based compensation expense and reduced professional fees. The reduction in professional fees was largely driven by the cessation of commercialization activities for MARGENZA.
Net Loss: Net loss was $36.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to net loss of $55.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
Shares Outstanding: Shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 were 63,205,703.
Cash Runway Guidance: MacroGenics anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance of $176.5 million as of June 30, 2025, in addition to projected and anticipated future payments from partners and anticipated savings from the Company’s ongoing cost-reduction initiatives, is expected to support its cash runway through the first half of 2027.

MACROGENICS, INC.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(Amounts in thousands)

June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024
(unaudited)
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 176,486 $ 201,667
Total assets 245,416 261,655
Deferred revenue 63,617 71,822
Total stockholders’ equity 46,618 116,057

MACROGENICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2025 2024 2025 2024
Revenues:
Collaborative and other agreements $ 6,869 $ 2,163 $ 13,911 $ 3,772
Product sales, net — 5,248 — 10,109
Contract manufacturing 15,372 2,893 21,523 5,169
Government agreements — 493 — 851
Total revenues 22,241 10,797 35,434 19,901
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product sales — 176 — 446
Cost of manufacturing services 8,906 2,647 14,306 4,493
Research and development 40,791 51,732 80,489 97,760
Selling, general and administrative 9,302 14,423 20,020 29,133
Total costs and expenses 58,999 68,978 114,815 131,832
Loss from operations (36,758 ) (58,181 ) (79,381 ) (111,931 )
Interest and other income 1,414 2,523 3,093 5,216
Interest and other expense (802 ) (6 ) (894 ) (1,139 )
Loss before income taxes (36,146 ) (55,664 ) (77,182 ) (107,854 )
Income tax provision 105 — 105 —
Net loss (36,251 ) (55,664 ) (77,287 ) (107,854 )
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments (6 ) 11 (12 ) (18 )
Comprehensive loss $ (36,257 ) $ (55,653 ) $ (77,299 ) $ (107,872 )

Basic and diluted net loss per common share $ (0.57 ) $ (0.89 ) $ (1.23 ) $ (1.73 )
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 63,136,057 62,663,677 63,051,207 62,477,108

Leap Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

On August 14, 2025 Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:LPTX), a biotechnology company focused on developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, reported financial results for the second quarter of 2025 (Press release, Leap Therapeutics, AUG 14, 2025, View Source [SID1234655306]).

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Leap Highlights:

· Board of Directors initiated process of exploring strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value
· Strategic restructuring to prioritize corporate development resulting in a further 75% reduction in workforce
· Reported updated data from the randomized, controlled Part B of the Phase 2 DeFianCe study of sirexatamab (DKN-01) plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy in second-line colorectal cancer (CRC)

"This past quarter, we undertook a strategic realignment to focus our resources on corporate development opportunities for sirexatamab and FL-501," said Douglas E. Onsi, President and CEO of Leap Therapeutics. "As part of this effort, we completed patient treatment in the DeFianCe trial, further reduced internal expenses, and initiated a review of strategic alternatives to maximize value for our shareholders. We intend to provide a further update in the coming weeks. We are grateful to all of our team members, and we thank them for their important contributions to Leap and their commitment to developing new therapies for cancer patients."

DKN-01 Development Update

· Reported updated clinical data from Part B of the DeFianCe study of sirexatamab plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy in CRC patients. In the updated analysis as of May 22, 2025, sirexatamab demonstrated a statistically significant benefit on overall response rate (ORR), by investigator assessment and blinded independent central review, and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with high levels of DKK1, no prior exposure to anti-VEGF therapy, or liver metastasis, along with a positive trend on ORR and PFS in the full intent-to-treat population. The final data from the study is being prepared for presentation at a future medical conference.

Business Updates

· Exploring strategic alternatives to preserve and maximize shareholder value. The Board of Directors initiated a process to explore strategic alternatives to preserve and maximize shareholder value, including leveraging its cash balance and exploring potential sale or partnership opportunities for sirexatamab and FL-501. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved the engagement of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. to serve as exclusive financial advisor to assist in the strategic evaluation process.

· Taking additional steps to reduce spending and preserve capital. The Company implemented an additional workforce reduction of approximately 75%. The total costs related to this reduction in force, including severance payments, are estimated to be approximately $4.5 million. The majority of these costs will be recognized in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

Selected Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Net Loss was $16.6 million for the second quarter 2025, compared to $20.4 million for the second quarter 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in research and development and general and administrative expenses, offset in part by a restructuring charge associated with the reduction in force.

Research and development expenses were $10.5 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $17.9 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease of $7.4 million was primarily due to decreases of $3.9 million in clinical trial costs, $1.7 million in payroll and other headcount related expenses, $1.4 million in manufacturing costs, and $0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense.

General and administrative expenses were $1.8 million for the second quarter 2025, compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease of $1.6 million was primarily due to decreases of $1.4 million in payroll and other incentive based compensation expense and a $0.2 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense.

During the second quarter of 2025, we incurred $4.5 million of restructuring charges associated with our workforce reduction, consisting primarily of one-time employee severance and benefit costs.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $18.1 million on June 30, 2025.

IO Biotech Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Business Highlights

On August 14, 2025 IO Biotech (Nasdaq: IOBT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulatory, off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccines, reported financial results and business highlights for the second quarter of 2025 (Press release, IO Biotech, AUG 14, 2025, View Source [SID1234655304]).

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"In the second quarter, we achieved a significant milestone advancing our pipeline of novel cancer therapies with the readout of the topline results of the Phase 3 trial for Cylembio, our potentially first-in-class, immune-modulatory, off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccine, being investigated in advanced melanoma," said Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, President and CEO of IO Biotech. "With the notable safety profile and clinical improvement observed in this trial, we are focused on discussing the results with the FDA and determining the next steps for a potential submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) for the treatment of advanced melanoma."

Recent Business Highlights


The company announced topline results of its Phase 3 pivotal trial (IOB-013/KN-D18) evaluating the company’s lead investigational vaccine, Cylembio (imsapepimut and etimupepimut, adjuvanted), in combination with Merck’s (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The trial evaluated Cylembio in combination with pembrolizumab vs. pembrolizumab alone as a first-line treatment in 407 patients with unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma. In the study, Cylembio plus pembrolizumab demonstrated clinical improvement in progression free survival (PFS) compared to pembrolizumab alone, but statistical significance was narrowly missed on the PFS primary endpoint. Based on these results, IO Biotech plans to meet with the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this fall to discuss the totality of data and determine next steps for a potential submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) for the treatment of advanced melanoma.


The company continues to expect initial data from the perioperative Phase 2 solid tumor basket trial (IOB-032/PN-E40), studying treatment with Cylembio in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and melanoma that completed enrollment in January, as well as longer-term data from the company’s other ongoing Phase 2 basket trial, IOB-022/KN-D38, in patients with advanced SCCHN or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to be available in the second half of 2025 and presented at a medical meeting in 2026.

Upcoming Investor Conferences Participation


Morgan Stanley 23rd Annual Global Healthcare Conference: Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, President and CEO, Amy Sullivan, CFO, and Qasim Ahmad, MD, CMO, will participate in a fireside chat beginning at 7:45 AM ET on September 9, 2025.


H.C. Wainwright 27th Annual Global Investment Conference: Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, President and CEO, will give a company presentation beginning at 8:00 AM ET on September 10, 2025.

The webcasts for these two upcoming conferences will be available from the Investors section of the company’s website at View Source

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results


Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2025, was $26.2 million, compared to $20.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.


Research and development expenses were $16.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $15.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The company recognized $0.6 million in research and development equity-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.


General and administrative expenses were $6.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The company recognized $1.0 million in general and administrative equity-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.


Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2025 were $28.1 million, compared to $60.0 million at December 31, 2024. During the three months ended June 30, 2025, the company used cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $9.0 million. The company has drawn down on the Tranche A and Tranche B loan facility in principal amount of €10.0 million and €12.5 million, respectively, on May 6, 2025 and July 4, 2025, each before payment of certain fees and transaction related expense. With the funds received from the second tranche of the EIB loan facility on July 4th, the company expects that it will have sufficient cash to run the company into the first quarter of 2026.

About Cylembio

Cylembio (imsapepimut and etimupepimut, adjuvanted) is an investigational, immune-modulatory, off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate designed to kill both tumor cells and immune-suppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by stimulating activation and expansion of T cells against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) positive and/or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive cells. The company is currently conducting a pivotal Phase 3 trial (IOB-013/KN-D18; NCT05155254) investigating Cylembio in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) versus pembrolizumab alone in patients with advanced melanoma, a Phase 2 basket trial (IOB-022/KN-D38; NCT05077709) investigating Cylembio in combination with pembrolizumab as first line treatment in patients with advanced solid tumors, and a Phase 2 basket trial (IOB-032/PN-E40; NCT05280314) investigating Cylembio in combination with pembrolizumab as neo-adjuvant/adjuvant treatment of patients with solid tumors. Enrollment in the Phase 3 trial was completed rapidly by December 2023 with topline results from this trial reported in the third quarter of 2025. Enrollment in the two ongoing company-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trials is now complete.

The clinical trials are sponsored by IO Biotech and conducted in collaboration with Merck, which is supplying pembrolizumab. IO Biotech maintains global commercial rights to Cylembio.

Cylembio is a registered trademark of IO Biotech ApS, a subsidiary of IO Biotech.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada).

About the IOB-013/KN-D18 Pivotal Phase 3 Clinical Trial

IOB-013/KN-D18 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05155254) is an open label, randomized Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial evaluating Cylembio in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) versus pembrolizumab alone in patients with previously untreated, unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma. Enrollment in the trial was completed by December 2023 with a total of 407 patients enrolled from more than 100 centers across the United States, Europe, Australia, Turkey, Israel and South Africa. The primary endpoint of the study was progression free survival. Secondary endpoints include overall response rate, overall survival, durable objective response rate, complete response rate, duration of response, time to complete response, disease control rate, and incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events (safety and tolerability). Biomarkers in the blood and tumor tissue will also be assessed as exploratory endpoints. The company reported topline results from this trial in the third quarter of 2025. IO Biotech is sponsoring the Phase 3 trial and Merck is supplying pembrolizumab.

About IOB-022/KN-D38 Phase 2 Solid Tumor Basket Trial

IOB-022/KN-D38 (NCT05077709) is a non-comparative, open label trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of Cylembio in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in the first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) at sites in the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom. IO Biotech is sponsoring the Phase 2 trial and Merck is supplying pembrolizumab.

About IOB-032/PN-E40 Phase 2 Solid Tumor Basket Trial

IOB-032/PN-E40 (NCT05280314) is a multicenter Phase 2 basket trial investigating Cylembio in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) as neo-adjuvant/adjuvant treatment of patients with solid tumors at sites in Australia, the United States, France, Germany, Spain, and Denmark. The study completed enrollment in all cohorts: 18 patients with melanoma in cohort A and 16 patients with SCCHN in cohort B, both as single arm cohorts receiving combination of Cylembio with pembrolizumab. In cohort C, 61 melanoma patients were randomized 1:1 to either the combination of Cylembio with pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone. In the neo-adjuvant period, for all cohorts, treatment is every 3 weeks (Q3W) for 3 cycles (melanoma) or 2-3 cycles (SCCHN). Patients entering the study will be scheduled for surgery and begin neoadjuvant treatment 4-9 weeks prior. Surgery will be followed by adjuvant treatment with the same regimen for 15 cycles. Cohort C patients with poor pathological response to pembrolizumab alone in the neo-adjuvant phase (>10% residual viable tumor) may cross over to combination treatment post-surgery. The primary endpoint is major pathological response at surgery (≤10% residual viable tumor; central assessment). IO Biotech is sponsoring the Phase 2 trial and Merck is supplying pembrolizumab.

Inhibikase Therapeutics Announces Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Highlights Recent Activity

On August 14, 2025 Inhibikase Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: IKT) ("Inhibikase" or "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics to modify the course of cardiopulmonary diseases namely, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ("PAH"), reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 and highlighted recent developments (Press release, Inhibikase Therapeutics, AUG 14, 2025, View Source [SID1234655303]).

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"During our second quarter of 2025, we continued to position the Company to advance IKT-001 toward a late-stage clinical trial in PAH," said Mark Iwicki, Chief Executive Officer of Inhibikase. "We have now finalized our study protocol, and we expect to initiate our Phase 2b clinical study of IKT-001, our re-engineered prodrug of imatinib mesylate, in PAH in the second half of 2025."

Multiple studies including both Phase 2 and the Phase 3 IMPRES study previously demonstrated that imatinib mesylate ("imatinib"), an anti-proliferative tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was highly efficacious in PAH. Notably in the IMPRES study, patients that maintained 400 mg of imatinib for greater than 50% of the treatment period showed a placebo adjusted 45-meter improvement in 6-minute walk distance ("6MWD") which represents best-in-class improvements for patients afflicted by PAH. More recently, a contemporary study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine demonstrated that higher exposures of imatinib were associated with a larger improvement in total pulmonary resistance ("TPR"). The 400 mg dose of imatinib exhibited the greatest impact on TPR and, even though the majority of patients completed the study at 200 mg or less, the magnitude of the hemodynamic change for the study was noted to compare favorably with recent studies of novel therapies added to background treatment. The Company believes this supports its thesis that IKT-001 has the potential to minimize GI side effects while maximizing the highly efficacious outcomes observed at 400 mg across multiple studies.

Recent Developments:

Advancement of IKT-001 as a therapy in PAH:
During the first half of 2025, the Company evaluated potential study designs and obtained feedback from various key opinion leaders before finalizing a clinical study protocol for its forthcoming Phase 2b study, known as IMPROVE-PAH.
IMPROVE-PAH is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of approximately 150 PAH participants. Participants under IMPROVE-PAH will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive 300 mg IKT-001, 500 mg IKT-001, or placebo once daily for 26 weeks, in addition to stable background PAH therapy. The Company’s bioequivalence studies previously confirmed that 500 mg of IKT-001 has comparable exposure in humans to 380 mg of imatinib. The primary efficacy endpoint is change in pulmonary vascular resistance at Week 26. Secondary endpoints include 6MWD, World Health Organization functional class, and pharmacokinetics. The study protocol also includes an interim safety review for study continuance by the Data Safety Monitoring Board with at least 50 patients at 12-weeks of follow-up.
The Company expects to initiate IMPROVE-PAH in the second half of 2025.
Financial Results

Cash Position: As of June 30, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $87.7 million as compared to $97.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

Net Loss: Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, was $9.9 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.0 million, or $0.66 per share in the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $23.6 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to a net loss of $9.6 million, or $1.38 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $5.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $3.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Research and development expenses were $15.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, which includes a non-cash write-off of in-process research and development of $7.4 million and $1.0 million of stock-based compensation expense, both associated with the Company’s acquisition of CorHepta in February 2025, compared to $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 were $5.9 million, compared to $2.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2025 were $11.2 million, which includes $1.0 million of severance expenses resulting from the transition of senior executives in the Company during the year, compared to $4.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.