On track to file New Drug Application for Renazorb, the first proprietary nanoparticle-based phosphate binder for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, by end of 2023
Signed first global partnership for rights to Renazorb in China with Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Ltd. to further advance global commercial strategy for product with a differentiated profile and ease of administration for CKD patients
Expects to file regulatory submission to initiate a Phase 1 healthy volunteer study in 2H’22 with UNI-494, a novel proprietary drug targeting the SUR2 subunit of the mitochondrial KATP channel activator
LOS ALTOS, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNCY), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapies for patients with kidney disease, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and provided a business update.
Management Commentary
“We made considerable progress executing our strategy throughout the first half of the year. Toward that end, we were delighted to initiate our pivotal bioequivalence trial of Renazorb®, which keeps us on track to complete the study around year end and to file a New Drug Application (NDA) in 2023. In addition, we signed our first global partnership for the marketing and commercialization of Renazorb in China with Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited (HKEX: 0950). This agreement provides Unicycive with non-dilutive funding, including a $1.0 million upfront payment received in August, which underscores the potential for Renazorb as a best-in-class phosphate binder worldwide.”
“We continue to develop and build compelling scientific knowledge in support of UNI-494’s unique mechanism of action to restore mitochondrial function in a variety of diseases that are affected by mitochondrial dysfunction and look forward to regulatory filing to initiate the first-in-humans clinical program for UNI-494 in the second half of the year,” said Shalabh Gupta, M.D., Chief Executive Officer.
“We are adequately funded into 2023, which is expected to allow us to advance Renazorb to NDA filing and to initiate the clinical trial for UNI-494. We continue to execute according to our plan and remain excited about the opportunities ahead for Unicycive as we advance our clinical studies, expand access to Renazorb around the world and further elucidate the potential of UNI-494’s novel mechanism for the improvement of mitochondrial function to treat a variety of diseases with large unmet medical needs and substantial market opportunities,” concluded Dr. Gupta.
Program Updates
Renazorb (lanthanum dioxycarbonate)
Renazorb is a next-generation lanthanum-based phosphate binding agent utilizing proprietary nanoparticle technology being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Its potential best-in-class profile may have meaningful patient adherence benefits over currently available treatment options as it requires smaller and fewer number of pills per dose and is swallowed instead of chewed.
- During the second quarter, Unicycive initiated a bioequivalence (BE) study in healthy volunteers to demonstrate the comparability of Renazorb to the reference listed drug, Fosrenol®. The design for the BE study was agreed upon with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and upon successful completion, will satisfy the requirements for the filing of a 505(b)(2) NDA.
- Entered into an agreement granting exclusive rights to develop, market and commercialize Renazorb to Lee's Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited, in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and certain other Asian markets. This agreement expands and accelerates the Renazorb opportunity in one of the largest and most important markets for patients with hyperphosphatemia through a local partner who has deep domain expertise. The Company received $1.0 million in upfront fees and is eligible for royalties on sales and other milestone payments.
- Reported results from a market research study of 100 U.S. nephrologists that estimated that they will prescribe Renazorb (pending FDA approval) for a market-leading 34% of their dialysis patients requiring phosphate binder therapy. Nephrologists stated that the greatest unmet need in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia with phosphate binders is lower pill burden and better patient compliance.
- Announced key findings from independent Renal Dietitian survey that ranked hyperphosphatemia as the area of greatest unmet need in their kidney disease patients and indicated a high level of interest in the Renazorb product profile given its appealing benefits of efficacy/potency and lower pill burden. Renal dietitians also report that their highest degree of influence is on phosphate binder choice compared with other drug categories.
- Unicycive’s strategy to bring the benefits of Renazorb to patients around the world is to partner with market leaders in a variety of geographies outside of the U.S. Toward that end, the Company continues its discussions with potential partners in Asia and Europe. Unicycive has global intellectual property protection with over 40 granted and filed patents.
- Unicycive presented preclinical data in support of Renazorb’s best-in-class potential in a poster and oral presentations at the European Renal Association Congress that took place in May in Paris. Those presentations can be accessed here.
UNI-494
UNI-494 is a novel proprietary drug targeting the SUR2 subunit of the mitochondrial KATP channel activator that reduces oxidative stress and restores mitochondrial function. UNI-494 is cleaved by esterase enzymes to form nicorandil which is the active metabolite. Nicorandil has extensive safety and efficacy data from multiple clinical trials including a 5,000-patient randomized controlled trial (IONA Study) and there is a consensus in the literature that the activation of KATP channel is the biological basis for the observed cardio-protection and reno-protection in multiple clinical trials.
In preclinical studies, UNI-494 showed improvement on the pharmacokinetic profile resulting in substantially higher exposure of nicorandil that may allow for less frequent and lower dosing.
Unicycive completed pharmacokinetic, safety pharmacology, genetic toxicity and ADME studies. Repeat dose toxicity studies in two species are on track to be completed in the third quarter. The Company is on track to file a regulatory submission to initiate the Phase I healthy volunteer study in the second half of 2022.
While Unicycive’s initial focus is on acute kidney injury (AKI), UNI-494’s novel mechanism of action may also hold promise for indications in which mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated such as chronic kidney disease, liver disease (alcoholic hepatitis, hepatic encephalopathy) and ophthalmic disease (dry AMD, macular degeneration etc).
UNI-494 is patent protected by issued patent(s) in the US and Europe and a wide range of patent applications worldwide.
Financial Results for Second Quarter Ended 2022
- Research and development expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 were $1.9 million, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to increased costs associated with the Company’s Renazorb and UN1-494 drug development programs.
- General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 were $1.8 million, compared to $0.3 million for the same quarter in 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to costs associated with increased director and officer insurance as well as increased professional services and consulting expenses.
- Net loss for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 was $3.6 million, or $0.24 per share of common stock, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.13 per share of common stock, for the same three-month period in 2021.
- As June 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents totaled $10.6 million.
Fosrenol is a registered trademark of Shire Pharmaceutical Group plc (now Takeda Pharmaceutical Company).
About Unicycive Therapeutics
Unicycive Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for kidney diseases. Unicycive’s lead drug, Renazorb, is a novel phosphate binding agent being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. UNI-494 is a patent-protected new chemical entity in late preclinical development for the treatment of acute kidney injury. For more information, please visit www.unicycive.com.
Forward-looking statement
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated" and "intend" or other similar terms or expressions that concern Unicycive's expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on Unicycive's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are several factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our product candidates; risks related to business interruptions, including the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs and expenses; dependence on key personnel; substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and other factors described more fully in the section entitled ‘Risk Factors’ in Unicycive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Unicycive specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contact:
ir@unicycive.com
(650) 900-5470
Anne Marie Fields
Stern Investor Relations
annemarie.fields@sternir.com
212-362-1200
SOURCE: Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc.
-Tables to Follow-
| Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. | ||||||||
| Balance Sheets | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| As of | As of | |||||||
| December 31, | June 30, | |||||||
| 2021 | 2022 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 16,579 | $ | 10,573 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,832 | 1,987 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 18,411 | 12,560 | ||||||
| Right of use asset, net | 305 | 230 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 28 | 26 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 18,744 | $ | 12,816 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 742 | $ | 747 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | 1,212 | 1,927 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability - current | 151 | 160 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,105 | 2,834 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability - long term | 155 | 72 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,260 | 2,906 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ (deficit) equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock: $0.001 par value per share—10,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value per share – 200,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022; 14,996,534 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021, and 15,044,498 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2022 | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 32,408 | 33,007 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (15,939 | ) | (23,112 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity | 16,484 | 9,910 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | 18,744 | $ | 12,816 | ||||
| Unicycive Therapeutics, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||
| Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 493 | $ | 1,860 | $ | 942 | $ | 3,793 | |||||||||
| General and administrative | 286 | 1,776 | 568 | 3,380 | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 779 | 3,636 | 1,510 | 7,173 | |||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (779 | ) | (3,636 | ) | (1,510 | ) | (7,173 | ) | |||||||||
| Other expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (321 | ) | - | (573 | ) | - | |||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | - | - | 19 | - | |||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | (321 | ) | - | (554 | ) | - | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (1,100 | ) | $ | (3,636 | ) | $ | (2,064 | ) | $ | (7,173 | ) | |||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | $ | (0.48 | ) | |||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted | 8,771,290 | 15,028,689 | 8,677,497 | 15,024,581 | |||||||||||||
