Riliprubart

An immunomodulatory startup called Nuvig Therapeutics announced a $161 million Series B amid rising competition to develop new and better autoimmune medicines. Nuvig, based in Menlo Park, CA, is working in the immunomodulatory pocket of the industry, hoping to develop new drugs that tamp down on unwieldy inflammatory diseases without the need for immunosuppression. The company, which is based on work out of Rockefeller University, broke cover with a $47 million Series A in May 2022. Sanofi, which has a pipeline heavily dependent on immunology, co-led the round with Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities and Norwest Venture Partners. Bristol Myers Squibb and Novo Holdings chipped in again, and Bayer’s corporate venture arm — among other investment firms — joined as a new investor. Nuvig’s financing underscores the role that companies developing new treatments for autoimmune diseases now play in business development deals and startup fundraising rounds. Nuvig aims to limit the immune response on B cells and myeloid cells by upregulating a checkpoint receptor called Fc gamma R2B, chief scientific officer Pamela Conley said in an interview. Its candidates also expand T regulatory cells. “That’s somewhat unique in contrast to just an approach to lower all your IgG levels or wipe out your B cells or even certain T cell therapy approaches,” Conley said. “We believe that broad mechanism will allow us to have good activity across a wide range of autoimmune disease.” Conley co-founded Nuvig after serving as an executive at Portola Pharmaceuticals until Alexion bought the biotech for about $1.4 billion in 2020 . She initially led Nuvig as CEO and then handed the reigns to Julie Smith in early 2023. Smith “transitioned out of the company” this year, Conley said, and Nuvig is searching for a CEO who can take the company “beyond Phase 3.” The company’s lead asset, named NVG-2089, is a recombinant, Fc fragment immunomodulator that binds to type II Fc receptors. The 18-employee biotech is expected to enter Phase 2 in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, or CIDP, “early next year,” Conley said. CIDP is a rare neurological and autoimmune disorder that impairs the sheaths that protect nerves. It impacts about five to seven people per 100,000 individuals. The company also plans to start a proof-of-concept trial in immune thrombocytopenia, or ITP, Conley said. The standard of care for CIDP and ITP is intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIg, but patients have to take a large dose. It is a burdensome experience for patients with the chronic condition, Conley said. She said preclinical studies have shown Nuvig’s molecule is 10 to 20 times more potent than IVIg. The biotech also hopes for shorter infusions that take about an hour as compared to six to eight hours, according to Conley. NVG-2089 has been “very well-tolerated” so far in Phase 1, she said, noting the company doesn’t anticipate flu-like symptoms, headaches or other side effects because of the “large protein load that the patients have to endure” with IVIg. CIDP has attracted interest from multiple drugmakers in recent years. Both Takeda and argenx received FDA approvals for CIDP therapies this year. Sanofi also has a late-stage complement inhibitor called riliprubart, while Dianthus Therapeutics and Immunovant are in the clinic with CIDP treatment candidates. “The FcRn inhibitors — argenx has shown activity in CIDP — but their approach is to reduce your circulating IgG levels by 70% to 80%, which in the long run puts patients at risk for injection, just like many of the other approaches,” Conley said. “Complement inhibitors are also immunocompromising to some extent.” Beyond its lead program, Nuvig is exploring rheumatology, dermatology and neurology, Conley said.

Initiation of a single, two-part, pivotal Phase 3 trial of DNTH103 in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) anticipated by YE’24 Phase 2 MaGic trial of DNTH103 in generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) ongoing; top-line results anticipated in 2H’25 Phase 2 MoMeNtum trial of DNTH103 in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) ongoing; top-line results anticipated in 2H’26 Approximately $343 million of cash provides runway into 2H’27 NEW YORK and WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNTH), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing the next generation of antibody complement therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune diseases, today reported financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2024 and provided an update on recent business achievements. “We are excited to expand DNTH103 beyond gMG and MMN into CIDP before year end. Like gMG and MMN, CIDP has significant unmet needs where a best-in-class, potent classical pathway inhibitor can potentially make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. We believe this single, two-part, pivotal Phase 3 trial will support BLA filing in adult patients with CIDP and we anticipate initiating the trial by year-end 2024,” said Marino Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of Dianthus Therapeutics. “We continue to be confident in the pipeline-in-a-product potential of DNTH103 across multiple autoimmune diseases, supported by our proof-of-concept in vitro data most recently presented at AANEM and ICNMD and competitor clinical data that further validate targeting the classical pathway and active C1s.” DNTH103 Clinical Development DNTH103 is an investigational, clinical-stage, potent monoclonal antibody engineered to selectively target the classical pathway by inhibiting only the active form of the C1s protein, a clinically validated complement target. DNTH103 is enhanced with YTE half-life extension technology designed to enable a more convenient subcutaneous, self-administered injection dosed as infrequently as once every two weeks. DNTH103 has the potential to be a best-in-class pipeline-in-a-product across a range of autoimmune disorders with high unmet need. Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) Phase 2 MaGic gMG trial ongoing: The MaGic trial is a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial in patients with gMG who are acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive, and it remains on track to report top-line results in 2H’25.Poster presentations at AANEM and ICNMD: Encore poster presentations at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia and at the 18th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) in Perth, Australia highlighted preclinical and in vitro data describing the potentially differentiated profile of DNTH103 in a disease model of gMG. Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) Phase 2 MoMeNtum MMN trial ongoing: The MoMeNtum trial is a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of DNTH103 in patients with MMN, and it remains on track to report top-line results in 2H’26. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) Initiation of a Phase 3 trial in CIDP anticipated by YE’24: Dianthus plans to initiate a single, two-part, randomized withdrawal Phase 3 trial of DNTH103 in CIDP by YE’24. In the open label Part A of this trial, participants will be administered a loading dose followed by 300mg DNTH103 administered every 2 weeks (Q2W) via subcutaneous (S.C.) injection for up to 13 weeks. Part A includes an interim responder analysis of a pre-defined number of participants. Only participants who respond to DNTH103 in Part A will be randomized into Part B, a double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period of up to 52 weeks, where they will be assessed for prevention of relapse, safety and tolerability, followed by an open-label extension period. The Company believes this single pivotal trial will support BLA filing in adult patients with CIDP. Additional details regarding Phase 3 trial design and timelines will be provided by YE’24.Poster presentations at AANEM and ICNMD: Encore poster presentations at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia and at the 18th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) in Perth, Australia highlighted preclinical and in vitro data describing the potentially differentiated profile of DNTH103 in a disease model of CIDP, in addition to head-to-head affinity and pharmacodynamic (PD) potency data for DNTH103 compared to riliprubart. Corporate Updates Effective September 16, 2024, Steven Romano, M.D., was appointed to the Dianthus Therapeutics Board of Directors. Dr. Romano is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 28 years of experience in drug development across a wide range of therapeutic and disease areas. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Research and Development Officer at Silence Therapeutics. Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results Cash Position - $342.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2024 is projected to provide runway into the second half of 2027.R&D Expenses - Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 were $25.5 million, inclusive of $1.7 million of stock-based compensation, compared to $8.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which included $0.4 million of stock-based compensation. This increase in R&D expenses was primarily driven by higher clinical costs, chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) costs and increased headcount to support DNTH103 Phase 2 and Phase 3 development.G&A Expenses - General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 totaled $6.5 million, inclusive of stock-based compensation of $2.2 million, compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which included $0.8 million of stock-based compensation. This decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to lower personnel costs.Net Loss - Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $25.2 million or $0.74 per share (basic and diluted) compared to $14.8 million or $3.78 per share (basic and diluted) for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. About DNTH103DNTH103 is an investigational, clinical-stage, potent monoclonal antibody engineered to selectively target the classical pathway by inhibiting only the active form of the C1s protein, a clinically validated complement target. DNTH103 is enhanced with YTE half-life extension technology designed to enable a more convenient subcutaneous, self-administered injection dosed as infrequently as once every two weeks. Additionally, selective inhibition of the classical complement pathway may lower patient risk of infection from encapsulated bacteria by preserving immune activity of the lectin and alternative pathways. As the classical pathway plays a significant role in disease pathology, DNTH103 has the potential to be a best-in-class pipeline-in-a-product across a range of autoimmune disorders with high unmet need. Dianthus is building a neuromuscular franchise with DNTH103 following the initiation of the Phase 2 MaGic trial in generalized Myasthenia Gravis in 1Q’24 and the Phase 2 MoMeNtum trial in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy in 3Q’24, and initiation of a Phase 3 trial in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy anticipated by YE’24. DNTH103 is an investigational agent that is not approved as a therapy in any indication in any jurisdiction worldwide. About Dianthus TherapeuticsDianthus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to designing and delivering novel, best-in-class monoclonal antibodies with improved selectivity and potency. Based in New York City and Waltham, Mass., Dianthus is comprised of an experienced team of biotech and pharma executives who are leading the development of next-generation antibody complement therapeutics, aiming to deliver transformative medicines for people living with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. To learn more, please visit www.dianthustx.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, express or implied statements regarding future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the expectations or plans for discovery, preclinical studies, clinical trials and research and development programs, in particular with respect to DNTH103, and any developments or results in connection therewith, including the target product profile of DNTH103; the anticipated timing of the initiation and results from those studies and trials; expectations regarding the time period over which the Company’s capital resources are expected to be sufficient to fund its anticipated operations; and expectations regarding the market and potential opportunities for complement therapies, in particular with respect to DNTH103. The words “opportunity,” “potential,” “milestones,” “runway,” “will,” “anticipate,” “achieve,” “near-term,” “catalysts,” “pursue,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “ intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would,” “aim,” “target,” “commit,” and similar expressions (including the negatives of these terms or variations of them) generally identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward looking. Actual results could differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, that preclinical testing of DNTH103 and data from clinical trials may not be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials, that the development of DNTH103 or the Company's other compounds may take longer and/or cost more than planned, that the Company may be unable to successfully complete the clinical development of the Company’s compounds, that the Company may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing its planned clinical trials, and that the Company's compounds may not receive regulatory approval or become commercially successful products. These and other risks and uncertainties are identified under the heading "Risk Factors" included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, and other filings that the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Dianthus undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact Jennifer Davis RuffDianthus Therapeuticsjdavisruff@dianthustx.com DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(in thousands, except share and per share data)(unaudited) September 30,2024 December 31,2023 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $33,671 $132,325 Short-term investments 247,452 41,393 Receivable from related party 1,390 294 Unbilled receivable from related party 1,293 184 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,683 3,255 Total current assets 287,489 177,451 Long-term investments 61,482 — Property and equipment, net 189 185 Right-of-use operating lease assets 352 615 Other assets and restricted cash 4,736 1,154 Total assets $354,248 $179,405 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $7,572 $2,610 Accrued expenses 7,727 6,504 Current portion of deferred revenue - related party 100 100 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 311 417 Total current liabilities 15,710 9,631 Deferred revenue - related party 640 736 Long-term operating lease liabilities — 168 Total liabilities 16,350 10,535 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock — — Common stock 29 15 Additional paid-in capital 483,140 258,231 Accumulated deficit (145,952) (89,423)Accumulated other comprehensive income 681 47 Total stockholders’ equity 337,898 168,870 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $354,248 $179,405 DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss(in thousands, except share and per share data)(unaudited) Three Months EndedSeptember 30, Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues: License revenue - related party $2,172 $924 $4,909 $2,369 Operating expenses: Research and development 25,544 7,960 56,692 24,060 General and administrative 6,528 8,723 18,165 13,527 Total operating expenses 32,072 16,683 74,857 37,587 Loss from operations (29,900) (15,759) (69,948) (35,218)Other income/(expense): Interest income 4,445 1,027 13,375 2,320 Gain on investment in related party 307 — 307 — Loss on currency exchange, net (48) (16) (91) (53)Other income/(expense) 22 (15) (172) (41)Total other income 4,726 996 13,419 2,226 Net loss $(25,174) $(14,763) $(56,529) $(32,992)Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $(0.74) $(3.78) $(1.73) $(17.40)Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding including shares issuable under equity classified pre-funded warrants, used in computing net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted 34,236,728 3,906,886 32,614,771 1,896,605 Comprehensive loss: Net loss $(25,174) $(14,763) $(56,529) $(32,992)Other comprehensive income: Change in unrealized gains related to available for-sale debt securities 718 15 634 157 Total other comprehensive income 718 15 634 157 Total comprehensive loss $(24,456) $(14,748) $(55,895) $(32,835)