Palvella Therapeutics Receives Initial Proceeds from FDA Orphan Products Grant to Support Phase 3 SELVA Trial of QTORIN™ Rapamycin for Microcystic Lymphatic Malformations
- Selected as only Phase 3 trial among 51 applications for FDA Orphan Products Grant funding
- Secured up to $2.6 million in non-dilutive funding
- Potential to become first FDA-approved therapy for microcystic lymphatic malformations
- Clear timeline with top-line data expected in Q1 2026
- None.
Insights
Palvella secures FDA grant funding for Phase 3 trial of QTORIN rapamycin, bolstering financial position while advancing potential first-in-class therapy.
Palvella Therapeutics has received the initial installment of an FDA Orphan Products Grant that will provide up to
The competitive nature of this funding underscores the scientific merit of Palvella's program - their application was one of only seven selected from 51 submissions, and notably the only Phase 3 trial awarded funding in fiscal year 2024. This external validation from rare disease and regulatory experts suggests confidence in both the therapeutic approach and trial design.
For context, the SELVA trial is examining QTORIN rapamycin for microcystic lymphatic malformations (microcystic LMs), a rare genetic condition with no FDA-approved treatments. The study design - a 24-week, single-arm, baseline-controlled trial enrolling approximately 40 subjects across vascular anomaly centers - appears appropriate for a rare disease indication where placebo-controlled trials present ethical and practical challenges.
Financially, this non-dilutive funding provides Palvella with additional runway without shareholder dilution, particularly valuable for clinical-stage companies. The FDA Orphan Products Grants Program has a strong track record, having supported research leading to over 85 product approvals.
With top-line data expected in Q1 2026, investors should closely monitor enrollment progress and any interim updates. If successful, QTORIN rapamycin could establish Palvella as the first-mover in this orphan indication, potentially creating a sustainable market position in this rare disease space.
FDA Orphan Products Grants are awarded based on rigorous scientific and technical review by rare disease and regulatory experts
Up to
Top-line data from SELVA expected in the first quarter of 2026
WAYNE, Pa., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PVLA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel therapies for serious, rare genetic skin diseases with no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments, today announced it has received the initial proceeds from a previously announced grant from the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development. The grant supports the Company’s ongoing Phase 3 SELVA trial of QTORIN™
Out of 51 applications received by the FDA Orphan Products Grants Program in fiscal year 2024, Palvella’s Phase 3 SELVA trial was one of only seven new clinical trials selected for funding—and the only Phase 3 trial awarded. The SELVA trial is a 24-week, Phase 3, single-arm, baseline-controlled clinical trial of QTORIN™ rapamycin administered once daily for the treatment of microcystic LMs. Approximately 40 subjects age three or older are being enrolled at leading vascular anomaly centers across the U.S. The SELVA trial remains on track to report top-line results in the first quarter of 2026.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious FDA grant and the initial non-dilutive funding,” said Wes Kaupinen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Palvella. “There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for microcystic lymphatic malformations, a rare and chronically debilitating genetic disease. QTORIN™ rapamycin has the potential to become the first approved therapy—and a transformative new standard of care—for individuals living with this disease.”
The FDA Orphan Products Grants Program provides non-dilutive funding to advance the development of promising therapies for rare diseases. Grant applications are individually reviewed and scored for scientific and technical merit by an independent ad hoc panel of rare disease and regulatory experts and may involve consultation with the relevant FDA review division to help determine whether the proposed study will provide acceptable data that could contribute to product approval. Since inception, the program has supported clinical research leading to the approval of more than 85 products.
About Microcystic Lymphatic Malformations
Microcystic LMs are a rare, chronically debilitating genetic disease caused by dysregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The disease is characterized by malformed lymphatic vessels that protrude through the skin and persistently leak lymph fluid (lymphorrhea) and bleed, often leading to recurrent serious infections and cellulitis that can cause hospitalization. The natural history of microcystic LMs is persistent and progressive without spontaneous resolution, with symptoms generally worsening during life, including increases in the number and size of malformed vessels that lead to complications and lifetime morbidity. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for the estimated more than 30,000 diagnosed patients with microcystic LMs in the United States.
About Palvella Therapeutics
Founded and led by rare disease drug development veterans, Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PVLA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies to treat patients suffering from serious, rare genetic skin diseases for which there are no FDA-approved therapies. Palvella is developing a broad pipeline of product candidates based on its patented QTORIN™ platform, with an initial focus on serious, rare genetic skin diseases, many of which are lifelong in nature. Palvella’s lead product candidate, QTORI™
QTORIN™ rapamycin is for investigational use only and has not been approved or cleared by the FDA or by any other regulatory agency for any indication.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act)). These statements may discuss goals, intentions, and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of Palvella, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the management of Palvella. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and other similar expressions or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected timing of the presentation of data from ongoing clinical trials, Palvella’s clinical development plans and related anticipated development milestones, Palvella’s cash and financial resources and expected cash runway, and the potential of, and expectations regarding, Palvella’s programs, including QTORIN™ rapamycin, and its research-stage opportunities, including its expected therapeutic potential and market opportunity. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the ability to raise additional capital to finance operations; the ability to advance product candidates through preclinical and clinical development; the ability to obtain regulatory approval for, and ultimately commercialize, Palvella’s product candidates, including QTORIN™ rapamycin; the outcome of early clinical trials for Palvella’s product candidates, including the ability of those trials to satisfy relevant governmental or regulatory requirements; the fact that data and results from clinical studies may not necessarily be indicative of future results; Palvella’s limited experience in designing clinical trials and lack of experience in conducting clinical trials; the ability to identify and pivot to other programs, product candidates, or indications that may be more profitable or successful than Palvella’s current product candidates; the substantial competition Palvella faces in discovering, developing, or commercializing products; the negative impacts of global events on operations, including ongoing and planned clinical trials and ongoing and planned preclinical studies; the ability to attract, hire, and retain skilled executive officers and employees; the ability of Palvella to protect its intellectual property and proprietary technologies; reliance on third parties, contract manufacturers, and contract research organizations; and the risks and uncertainties described in the filings made by Palvella with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the SEC and available at www.sec.gov. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties that Palvella may face. Except as required by applicable law, Palvella does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. This press release contains hyperlinks to information that is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this press release.
Contact Information
Investors
Wesley H. Kaupinen
Founder and CEO, Palvella Therapeutics
wes.kaupinen@palvellatx.com
Media
Marcy Nanus
Managing Partner, Trilon Advisors LLC
mnanus@trilonadvisors.com
FAQ
What is the potential market size for PVLA's QTORIN rapamycin treatment?
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How many applications were selected for the FDA Orphan Products Grant alongside PVLA?
