Chemomab Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in CM-101 Phase 2 Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Trial and Moves Up Expected Topline Readout to Midyear 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CMMB) announced the early completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial assessing CM-101 as a treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The company expects to report topline data from the PSC clinical trial by midyear 2024, rather than in the second half of 2024 as previously projected. CM-101 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody with dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity, and it has Orphan Drug designation for PSC in the U.S. and the European Union (EU), as well as Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Medical Research Analyst

The accelerated completion of patient enrollment in Chemomab's Phase 2 clinical trial and the subsequent advancement of the expected topline data readout for CM-101 in the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) could significantly influence the company's trajectory. CM-101's dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties address a critical gap in PSC treatment, a disease with high morbidity and mortality rates and no current FDA-approved therapies. The market potential for CM-101 is underscored by its Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations, which could facilitate a more streamlined regulatory process and provide market exclusivity benefits upon approval.

In the context of drug development, the completion of patient enrollment ahead of schedule is often indicative of strong interest and need within the medical community and can reduce the time to market for potential therapies. Moreover, if the Phase 2 trial outcomes are positive, it could catalyze further investment in Chemomab and increase confidence among stakeholders. The implications for the company's valuation and stock performance hinge on the trial results, which are now anticipated sooner than previously expected. Given that PSC can lead to liver transplant or death, the successful development of CM-101 could also have profound implications for patient outcomes and healthcare costs associated with the disease.

Biotech Financial Analyst

The announcement of the early completion of patient enrollment in Chemomab's SPRING trial represents a pivotal moment for investors monitoring the biotech sector. The expedited timeline for reporting topline data may lead to a reevaluation of the company's risk profile and potential revenue streams. Chemomab's focus on fibro-inflammatory diseases, a therapeutic area with substantial unmet medical needs, positions the company within a niche but potentially lucrative market. The dual mechanism of action of CM-101 could also provide a competitive advantage over other treatments in development.

Investors will be closely analyzing the upcoming topline data for indicators of efficacy and safety that could impact the likelihood of regulatory approval and commercial success. Key metrics such as changes in liver biomarkers and liver stiffness measurements will be scrutinized to assess CM-101's therapeutic potential. Positive results could lead to a surge in investor confidence and a positive market reaction, while any setbacks could have the opposite effect. Long-term, the success of CM-101 could pave the way for Chemomab to explore additional indications for the drug, expanding the company's potential market reach.

Pharmaceutical Market Research Analyst

The landscape for PSC treatments is currently barren, with no FDA-approved options, which positions CM-101 as a potential first-mover in the market. The drug's disease-modifying potential, as suggested by preclinical and early clinical studies, taps into the growing demand for treatments that go beyond symptom management to alter the disease course. The Orphan Drug designation not only reflects the drug's potential to address a significant unmet need but also provides Chemomab with certain financial incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing.

An analysis of the market size for PSC treatments must consider the prevalence of the disease, the competitive landscape and the pricing potential for orphan drugs, which typically command higher prices due to their specialized nature. The Fast Track designation by the FDA is a critical factor that may reduce the time to market and can be a significant driver of investor interest. This designation indicates an expedited review process for drugs that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need, potentially leading to earlier drug availability and a quicker path to revenue generation for Chemomab.

—Expected Topline Data Readout Accelerated to Midyear 2024 Following Early Completion of Patient Enrollment in Phase 2 Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) SPRING Trial—

—CM-101's Unique Dual Anti-Fibrotic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity Has Disease Modifying Potential in PSC, Which Often Results in Liver Transplant or Death and Lacks Any FDA-Approved Treatments—

TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CMMB) (Chemomab), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need, today announced early completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial assessing CM-101 as a treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The company also announced that it expects to report topline data from the PSC clinical trial by midyear 2024, rather than in the second half of 2024 as previously projected.

"We are delighted we were able to accelerate our expected topline PSC clinical data milestone to midyear 2024 as a result of early completion of patient enrollment in this critical Phase 2 trial," said Adi Mor, PhD, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Chemomab. "We believe that CM-101 has the potential for disease-modifying activity in PSC, a severe fibro-inflammatory liver disease that has no FDA-approved therapies. We anticipate that positive data from this 68-patient clinical trial would be a major catalyst for Chemomab and allow us to move towards a registrational trial in PSC. Positive data would also set the stage for advancing CM-101 in other fibro-inflammatory diseases such as systemic sclerosis, where we have an open U.S. IND to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial."

CM-101 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the soluble protein CCL24, which in preclinical and clinical studies has been associated with key pathways underlying PSC pathophysiology. CM-101's dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity has demonstrated disease modifying potential in PSC and other fibro-inflammatory disorders. CM-101 has Orphan Drug designation for PSC in the U.S. and the European Union (EU) and was recently awarded Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Chemomab Chief Medical Officer Matt Frankel, MD, added, "We appreciate the diligent work of our clinical and medical teams and our collaborators at medical centers around the world who completed enrollment in the PSC trial ahead of projections, as well as the commitment of the many patients and advocacy organizations who contributed to the success of the study to date. We are gratified at the high level of interest the SPRING trial has generated among patients and physicians, highlighting the urgent need for effective PSC therapies."

Chemomab's Phase 2 SPRING trial (NCT04595825) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose study assessing the safety and tolerability of CM-101 administered to PSC patients with established large duct disease. The trial has completed enrollment of the planned 68 patients in the U.S., EU and Israel. Enrolled patients receive either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of CM-101 or placebo via an intravenous infusion every three weeks over 15 weeks. The SPRING trial includes an open label extension available to all study participants, who receive infusions of either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of CM-101 every three weeks for an additional 33 weeks. In addition to safety, the trial is measuring a wide range of secondary outcomes including serum biomarkers and physiological parameters. These include well-validated liver biomarkers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ELF and PRO-C3, as well as FibroScan assessments of liver stiffness.

About CM-101
CM-101 is a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes CCL24, a soluble protein that helps drive the inflammatory and fibrotic pathways central to many fibro-inflammatory diseases. CCL24's role as a therapeutic target has been validated in extensive preclinical studies and Chemomab researchers have demonstrated preclinical proof-of-concept for CM-101 in multiple animal and patient sample studies. CM-101 was safe and well tolerated in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials to date. In a Phase 1b study it improved liver biomarkers, decreased liver stiffness and demonstrated a favorable PK and target engagement profile in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data from a completed Phase 2a liver fibrosis trial in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients (NCT05824156) reported in 2023 showed consistent, positive improvements in key inflammatory and fibrogenesis-related biomarkers, including several that may serve as a potential bridge to activity in PSC. CM-101 has received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA and the EU's EMA, along with FDA Fast Track status.

About Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
PSC is a rare, progressive liver disease, characterized by inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) of the bile ducts. Eventually, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure. PSC also increases the risk of various cancers, which account for about half of PSC deaths. PSC affects an estimated 30,000 patients in the U.S. and about 80,000 worldwide. The disease can occur in all ages, genders and races, but is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in patients in their 40s. The underlying cause of PSC is unknown, but about 75% of individuals with PSC also have inflammatory bowel disease. Currently there are no FDA or EMA-approved therapies for patients with PSC. Liver transplantation is common in advanced cases, but even then, PSC re-occurs in about 20% of transplanted patients. There is a high unmet need for therapeutic options to address the symptoms and modify the progression of this devastating illness.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the clinical development pathway for CM-101; the expectation that Chemomab will report topline data from the PSC clinical trial by mid-year 2024; the length, duration and impact of the war in Israel on Chemomab's business and operations; the future operations of Chemomab and its ability to successfully initiate and complete clinical trials and achieve regulatory milestones; the nature, strategy and focus of Chemomab; the development and commercial potential and potential benefits of any product candidates of Chemomab; and that the product candidates have the potential to address high unmet needs of patients with serious fibrosis-related diseases and conditions. Any statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Chemomab's current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Chemomab's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Chemomab could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this presentation, including those found under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Chemomab's filings and reports with the SEC. Chemomab expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Chemomab's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as required by law.

About Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd.
Chemomab is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need. Based on the unique and pivotal role of CCL24 in promoting fibrosis and inflammation, Chemomab developed CM-101, a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes CCL24 activity. In preclinical and clinical studies, CM-101 appears safe, with the potential to treat multiple severe and life-threatening fibro-inflammatory diseases. Chemomab has reported encouraging results from three clinical trials of CM-101 in patients, including a Phase 1b trial in NAFLD patients, a Phase 2a liver fibrosis trial in NASH patients and an investigator-initiated study in patients with severe lung injury. The CM-101 program for the treatment of systemic sclerosis is Phase 2-ready with an open U.S. IND. A Phase 2 trial in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients has completed patient enrollment, with topline data expected in midyear 2024. For more information about Chemomab, visit chemomab.com.

Contacts:

Media and Investors:
Barbara Lindheim
Consulting Vice President, Investor & Public Relations, Strategic Communications
Phone: +1 917-355-9234
barbara.lindheim@chemomab.com
IR@chemomab.com 

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SOURCE Chemomab Therapeutics, Ltd.

What is the company name and ticker symbol of the clinical stage biotechnology company that announced the early completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?

The company is Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. and its ticker symbol is CMMB.

What is the expected timeline for the topline data readout from the PSC clinical trial?

The topline data readout is expected to be accelerated to midyear 2024, earlier than previously projected.

What is CM-101 and what are its designations and designations from regulatory bodies?

CM-101 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody with dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity. It has Orphan Drug designation for PSC in the U.S. and the European Union (EU), as well as Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

What is the Phase 2 SPRING trial (NCT04595825) assessing?

The Phase 2 SPRING trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose study assessing the safety and tolerability of CM-101 administered to PSC patients with established large duct disease.

What are some of the secondary outcomes being measured in the SPRING trial?

Secondary outcomes being measured include serum biomarkers and physiological parameters, such as well-validated liver biomarkers and FibroScan assessments of liver stiffness.