NASDAQ:ABEO
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Business Update
BLA for Pz-cel to be Resubmitted in 2H24
Abeona Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABEO) is currently working on the resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for pz-cel (prademagene zamikeracel) for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). In April 2024, the company received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) based on the need for additional CMC information before the BLA could be approved. The information requested pertained to validation requirements for certain manufacturing and release testing methods. Importantly, the CRL did not identify any deficiencies or issues with the clinical efficacy or clinical safety data and no new clinical trials were requested. During the quarterly conference call, management noted that is has completed the matrix interference study to validate the replication competent retrovirus (RCR) assay and the container closure integrity testing for the RVV. The company is on track to have all the remaining deficiencies noted in the CRL addressed in late 2Q or early 3Q 2024 and plans to resubmit the BLA in the second half of 2024. Abeona is also planning to conduct a Type A meeting with the FDA in early 3Q 2024 to gain alignment with the agency on the sufficiency of the data to address the CMC issues raised in the CRL.
In regards to commercial preparation, the company is now focused on payer discussions such that patients can have greater and faster access upon approval. Nearly a dozen one-on-one engagements through pre-approval information exchange have taken place thus far. In addition, physician education will be another priority in order to strengthen medical awareness of pz-cel. In support of that, the company recently presented an abstract at the Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting that included long-term safety data with up to 11 years of follow-up. If approved, pz-cel would have one of the longest durations of safety follow-up for available gene therapies. The company also has an active Phase 3b study that is currently enrolling new and previously treated RDEB patients, with four patients treated to date and all of whom elected to come back as repeat pz-cel patients for their previously untreated wounds. The study also allows patients to have received or are currently receiving recently approved therapies for dystrophic EB. Lastly, the company is continuing to work with the initial network of five to seven high-volume EB centers to refine and strengthen launch readiness.
Financial Update
On May 15, 2024, Abeona announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024. The company did not report any revenue in the first quarter of 2024. R&D expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were $7.2 million compared to $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreased clinical and development work for the cell and gene therapy product candidates partially offset by increased salaries and stock compensation expenses. G&A costs in the first quarter of 2024 were $7.1 million compared to $4.0 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased salaries, pre-commercial preparation costs, non-cash stock-based compensation, and professional fees, rent, and recruiting.
Abeona exited the first quarter of 2024 with approximately $62.7 million. On May 7, 2024, the company closed an underwritten offering of 12,285,056 shares and 6,142,656 pre-funded warrants at an offering price of $4.07 per share. Net proceeds were approximately $70.2 million. We estimate the company now has sufficient capital to fund operations into 2026. As of May 10, 2024, the company had approximately 41.2 million shares outstanding and, when factoring in stock options and warrants, a fully diluted share count of approximately 59.4 million.
Conclusion
The company appears to be on track to resubmit the BLA in the second half of 2024. We anticipate an update following the Type A meeting with the FDA early in the third quarter of 2024. Assuming the BLA is submitted in the second half of 2024 that should lead to a PDUFA date in the first half of 2025. We’ve made a slight adjustment to our model following the company’s recent financing, which has reduced our valuation to $7.50.
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