Straws are discrete research notes that relate to a particular aspect of the company. Grouped under #hashtags, they are ranked by votes.
A good Straw offers a clear and concise perspective on the company and its prospects.
Please visit the forums tab for general discussion.
2024
Valuation - 25 cents. I think the current market cap of 86 mil is an incredibly low valuation for a business with a drug of pentosan's potential (in OA). That said, the track record of capital management warrants such a low valuation. I'm buggered if I know what it's worth but I think if you've held this long term you may as well see how the phase 3 trials play out. If they somehow get financing and make some progress on their phase 3 trials they could be completely re-rated and I will continue to keep an eye out.
Has taken huge amounts of capital to wade through the clinical trial mire...
2022
PAR I believe is a difficult business to value (perhaps the genre of (essentially) pre - revenue biotechs are all difficult to value and yet if I'm going to hold it I need to value it so here goes:
I hold PAR based on the applications of 'zilosul' in OA (although there are many other research trails being pursued by the compant) and I see three broad futures in this regard:
1) The drug fails its phase 3 clinical trial due to safety or efficacy concerns (I think this is unlikely given the data already published and long safety record in other indications but to me this is a scenario where the business goes to zero)
2) The drug 'succeeds' in phase 3 trials but has poor uptake for one reason or another (used by 0.1% of the target market in US as the lar
3) The drug 'succeeds' in phase 3 trials for not only pain but also for disease modification and becomes a well recognised and mainstream option for the management of OA (~1% of OA patients use zilosul on an ongoing basis in the US as the largest target market).
Clearly there is a huge number of possible futures but I consider these as a basis for forming a valuation recognising how far from the mark they may be.
Earnings in 5 years:
1) The drug fails its phase 3 clinical trial due to safety or efficacy concerns (I think this is unlikely given the data already published and long safety record in other indications but to me this is a scenario where the business goes to zero)
2) The drug 'succeeds' in phase 3 trials but has poor uptake for one reason or another (used by 0.1% of the target market each year in 5 years)
3) The drug 'succeeds' in phase 3 trials for not only pain but also for disease modification and becomes a well recognised and mainstream option for the management of OA (~1% of the targeted OA patients use zilosul each year).
Clearly there is a huge number of possible futures but I consider these as a basis for forming a valuation recognising how far from the mark they may be.
Earnings in 5 years:
1) Zero. Things have not gone well. Money gone.
2) 175 mil revenue/year based on one treatment/year. Let's assume ongoing costs similar to current costs on R&D/trials etc. ~ 50 million/year. Not a well justified assumption but gross margins for pharma referenced in the literature are 70-80% so not completely unreasonable.
Spitballing perhaps earnings of 100mil/year? Obviously a guess. Let's assume 300 million shares (currently 236 mil prior to current cap raising)
At a PE of 20 this would result in a SP of 6.67 discounting back gives 3.94 as fair value now
3) At a PE of 20 this would result in a discounted share price of @124 at the current time...
We spent a shit tonne of cash despite our focus on conserving capital all the while drawing 900k a year in salary plus incentives (looking at you Paul Rennie and Donna skerret). Increasingly pissed with this business. They are very happy to raise time after time but don’t feel the need to take a more reasonable salary despite dilution of holders.
Drug works but surely there have been options to make a deal with big pharma by now to secure non dilutive funding to see this through phase 3 trials for OA.
I still believe in the drug here but have long lost confidence in the investment case... How will they fund their phase 3 trial???
Here's the carrot being dangled by Paul Rennie at the Biomed conference this month:
The SP has rallied 20% on the news (since yesterday) but that's more a measure of how far the SP has previously fallen...
Positives are that costs have come down. Negative are that despite a 7.3 m R&D refund the business burnt 7mil in a quarter and has just 26 mil in the coffers as of 31st March.
I am stuck holding as I see the potential of the drug and catalysts are likely in the next 12 months but geez where is the money going to come from and is it going to be another epic dilution. I couldn't buy more watching the current rate of cashburn. They need to partner up I guess given they aren't funded to the conclusion of phase 3 (unless the market gets excited with the initiation of phase 3 and they are able to raise at a higher price).
Hold at best...
ASX RELEASE 30 April 2024
March 2024 Quarterly Activities Report & Appendix 4C
Key Highlights
• Type D Meeting with US FDA: Paradigm met with US FDA on the 10th of January
2024 to discuss outstanding requirements for the next stage of the Phase 3 clinical
program in Osteoarthritis. Paradigm has completed the response documents to
this meeting and filed with the US FDA for review and comment.
• Board Addition: Paradigm welcomed Mr Matthew Fry as a Non-Executive
Director.
• OARSI World Congress on OA: An abstract detailing data from the successful
phase 2 PARA_OA_008 clinical trial was selected by the OARSI panel for a
podium presentation during the 2024 conference.
• Primary Endpoint Met: The phase 2 MPS VI study met the primary endpoint of
safety and tolerance and achieved promising clinical improvements in pain and
functional assessments following iPPS administration compared to placebo.
• R&D Tax Incentive: $7.3m refund from the R&D Tax Incentive refund claim for
FY23.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:PAR) (“Paradigm” or “the
Company”) is pleased to provide its quarterly update for the three months ended
31 March 2024 to accompany its Appendix 4C cash flow report for the period.
• Cash balance as of 31 March 2024 was $26.2m (on 31 December 2023 it was
$33.5m).
• Research and development expenditure for the quarter of $13.1m was significantly
reduced compared to the previous quarter of $27.06m. This spend in Q3 FY24 was
related to continued study close-out costs, Clinical Research Organisation costs as
well as FDA meeting fees and consultant costs for the Type D meeting and
subsequent response to the US FDA. Paradigm also incurred spend relating to
clinical trial product manufacturing in preparation of the next stage of the phase 3
OA program.
• The March quarter saw an increase in spend on patent and IP related cost due to
annual renewals and fees for Paradigm’s extensive patent portfolio.
• During the period Paradigm received a $7.3m refund from the R&D Tax Incentive
refund claim for FY23.
• Net cash outflow for the quarter was $6.8m (inclusive of the $7.3m refund) which is
less than the guided $8-11m. Anticipated invoices of $1-1.5m for the March quarter
have been received post 31st March and will be paid during the June quarter.
Revised guidance for the June quarter is expected to be $7-10m cash outflow.
• Encouragingly, corporate and administration costs continued to reduce in the
quarter through Paradigm’s cost containment initiatives that were implemented in
Q3 CY23. Paradigms spend remains focused on clinical and nonclinical activities
that build value in the osteoarthritis clinical program.
• In accordance with Listing Rule 4.7C.3 and as noted in item 6 of the Appendix 4C
Cashflow Statement, payments to related parties and their associates during the
quarter ended 31 March 2023 were fees of $37K for payment of Director fees.
• The quarter also saw payments related to continuing activities described in the
below.
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES & OUTLOOK
Paradigm is pleased to provide an update on continuing activities.
Phase 3 Clinical Program
Paradigm met with US FDA on the 10th of January 2024 to discuss outstanding
requirements for the next stage of the Phase 3 clinical program in Osteoarthritis. Paradigm’s
clinical and regulatory teams have filed the response to the Type D meeting with the US
FDA containing updated nonclinical and clinical data to the Agency as well as the proposed
clinical trial protocol utilising 2mg/kg twice weekly for the next stage of the phase 3 OA
program. The response package to the US FDA was submitted as directed by the Agency,
through a request for review pathway.
The request for review pathway does not have strict Prescription Drug User Fee Act
(PDUFA) Agency response timelines. Paradigm OA clinical program has FDA granted
Fast-track designation and the feedback through this review pathway is typically received
within three months.
Paradigm Board Changes
During the December quarter Paradigm welcomed Mr Matthew Fry to the Paradigm Board
as a Non-Executive Director. Matthew joins the Paradigm board with more than 25 years
in business creation, strategy, and expansion in healthcare and medical diagnostics
globally. He is currently the CEO, Managing Director and Founder of AM Diagnostics Pty
Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of world class medical diagnostic products.
Matthew has significant experience with global regulatory agencies, in particular the
Australian TGA and US FDA. Through his role as Founder and CEO of AM Diagnostics,
Matthew drove the company’s expansion into the United States in 2009 and is a leading
biotechnology device supplier with a deep understanding of sales channels in both the US
medical wholesale market and retail market, and how to negotiate with private health
providers.
Paradigm Non-Executive Director, Helen Fisher, notified the Paradigm Board during the
quarter that she would step down from her position to focus on other endeavours.
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI
During the quarter, Paradigm reported the top-line data from the PARA_MPSVI_001 phase
2 trial. The multi-centre randomised trial conducted in Brazil successfully met the primary
endpoint and achieved positive results in several of the secondary outcome.
The primary endpoint of the study was safety and tolerability of iPPS compared to placebo.
iPPS was well-tolerated and all adverse events were mild to moderate. The majority of
adverse events were associated with injection site reactions. No adverse events led to
discontinuation of the study treatment, nor were there any serious adverse events or
adverse events of special interest. Analysis of this phase 2 study demonstrates that iPPS
is a safe adjunctive therapy to enzyme replacement therapy for the continual joint pain,
stiffness and functional disability associated with MPS VI.
Multiple clinical endpoints were explored during the phase 2 clinical trial demonstrating
positive responses following iPPS compared to placebo. These included:
• Pain Assessment: An improvement in PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes
Measurement Information System) pain interference is indicated by a lower score.
An improvement in PROMIS pain interference was greater in the iPPS-treated group
compared to placebo at 25 weeks.
• Functional Assessment: Participants receiving iPPS in the phase 2 clinical trial
demonstrated greater improvement than placebo in the 9-hole peg test from baseline
to week 25 on at least one hand.
Dr Roberto Giugliani, MD, PhD, MSc, the Principal Investigator for the phase 2 clinical trial
presented the clinical data at the 17th International Symposium on MPS and Related
Diseases in Würzburg Germany on 4-7th April. The presentation titled “Update on clinical
trials with PPS” was delivered by Dr Giugliani during the “New study approaches” session
of the conference.
Paradigm has now completed clinical studies for MPS I and VI with strong data sets and
meaningful endpoints identified to progress the clinical development of iPPS as an
adjunctive therapy with a commercial partner.
Global Conferences
Managing Director Paul Rennie and Dr Mukesh Ahuja, Paradigm’s Global Head of
Osteoarthritis attended the Annual Osteoarthritis Research Society International World
Congress in Vienna and presented data from the phase 2, randomised, double-blinded
PARA_OA_008 clinical trial exploring the disease modifying potential of iPPS in subjects
with knee OA.
Paradigm submitted a late breaking abstract to the OARSI panel following the release of
the phase 2 data late last year which was reviewed and selected for a podium presentation
during the conference. The podium presentation material delivered by Dr Ahuja to over 300
attendees during the conference is available on the Paradigm website (OARSI Podium
Presentation).
Paradigm management also conducted a sponsored theatre presentation during the
conference detailing Paradigm’s clinical development with iPPS for osteoarthritis and a
comparison between iPPS and currently available therapies for OA. The theatre
presentation can be view here, OARSI Theatre Presentation.
Company Outlook
Phase 3 OA Clinical Program
Subject to FDA clearance, Paradigm intends to promptly move forward with subject
enrolment into the phase 3 clinical trial (PARA_OA_012) in 2H CY2024. Clinical trial sites
in Australia and the US are planned to commence preparation activities during this quarter
(Q2 CY2024) to move the phase 3 program forward as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Once agreement is reached with the US FDA, Paradigm anticipates providing an overview
of the next stage of the phase 3 OA program including an overview of the clinical trial
design, dose justification and proposed participant numbers for the trial.
TGA Provisional Approval Application
Paradigm is finalising the TGA provisional approval determination application for
submission following the response to the US FDA Type D meeting. The determination
application will include information from a manuscript detailing the outcomes from the
PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial and a manuscript providing a comparison of iPPS
clinical data with other available treatments for osteoarthritis. Should the determination
application decision be positive, Paradigm will prepare a full dossier submission for TGA
provisional approval marketing authorisation.
Provisional approval offers significant benefits to both patients and manufacturers. Patients
gain access to potential life-saving treatments for life-threatening and seriously debilitating
conditions sooner, particularly for those lacking satisfactory alternatives. For
manufacturers, it provides an opportunity to bring innovative therapies to market faster,
while gathering additional clinical data to support full approval. TGA provisional marketing
approval for iPPS in Australia would expedite the pathway to revenues. Paradigm expects
to receive a decision from the TGA on whether the determination application has met the
criteria to move to a full dossier submission during Q2 CY2024.
Other Activities
The PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial results manuscript has been completed and is
expected to be submitted for peer review and publication. Paradigm has also completed a
comparison manuscript detailing the clinical trial results from the PARA_OA_008 phase 2
trial compared to currently available and pipeline OA therapies. Both manuscripts are
expected to be published during CY2024.
About Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:PAR) is a late-stage drug development company
driven by a purpose to improve patients’ health and quality of life by discovering,
developing, and delivering pharmaceutical therapies. Paradigm’s current focus is
developing iPPS for the treatment of diseases where inflammation plays a major
pathogenic role, indicating a need for the anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative
properties of PPS, such as in osteoarthritis (phase 3) and mucopolysaccharidosis (phase
2).
Forward Looking Statements
This Company announcement contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding anticipated commencement dates or completions dates of preclinical or clinical
trials, regulatory developments, and regulatory approval. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees or predictions of future performance, and involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control,
and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the
statements contained in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance
on forward-looking statements.
Authorised for release by the Paradigm Board of Directors.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Simon White
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +61 404 216 467
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.
ABN: 94 169 346 963
Level 15, 500 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AUSTRALIA
Email: [email protected]
Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 1
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities
subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
Name of entity
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Limited
ABN Quarter ended (“current quarter”)
94 169 346 963 31 March 2024
Consolidated statement of cash flows Current quarter
$A’000
Year to date (9
months)
$A’000
1. Cash flows from operating activities
- 301.1 Receipts from customers
1.2 Payments for
(13,141) (62,145)(a) research and development
(b) product manufacturing and operating
costs
- -
(c) advertising and marketing (147) (284)
(d) leased assets (24) (61)
(e) staff costs (480) (1,684)
(f) administration and corporate costs (507) (1,807)
1.3 Dividends received (see note 3) - -
1.4 Interest received 133 768
1.5 Interest and other costs of finance paid (3) (9)
1.6 Income taxes paid - -
1.7 Government grants and tax incentives 7,327 7,327
1.8 Other (provide details if material) - -
1.9 Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities
(6,842) (57,865)
2. Cash flows from investing activities
- -
2.1 Payments to acquire or for:
(a) entities
(b) businesses - -
(c) property, plant and equipment - -
(d) investments - -
(e) intellectual property - -
(f) other non-current assets - -
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 2
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Consolidated statement of cash flows Current quarter
$A’000
Year to date (9
months)
$A’000
2.2 Proceeds from disposal of:
- -(a) entities
(b) businesses - -
(c) property, plant and equipment - -
(d) investments - -
(e) intellectual property - -
(f) other non-current assets - -
2.3 Cash flows from loans to other entities - -
2.4 Dividends received (see note 3) - -
2.5 Other (provide details if material) - -
2.6 Net cash from / (used in) investing
activities
- -
3. Cash flows from financing activities
- 30,117
3.1 Proceeds from issues of equity securities
(excluding convertible debt securities)
3.2 Proceeds from issue of convertible debt
securities - -
3.3 Proceeds from exercise of options - -
3.4 Transaction costs related to issues of
equity securities or convertible debt
securities
-
-
(1,763)
-
3.5 Proceeds from borrowings - -
3.6 Repayment of borrowings (lease liabilities) (27) (78)
3.7 Transaction costs related to loans and
borrowings - -
3.8 Dividends paid - -
3.9 Other (Limited recourse loan repaid under
ESP)
- -
3.10 Net cash from / (used in) financing
activities
(27) 28,276
4. Net increase / (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents for the period
33,551 56,379
4.1 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period
4.2 Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities (item 1.9 above) (6,842) (57,865)
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 3
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Consolidated statement of cash flows Current quarter
$A’000
Year to date (9
months)
$A’000
4.3 Net cash from / (used in) investing activities
(item 2.6 above) - -
4.4 Net cash from / (used in) financing activities
(item 3.10 above)
(27) 28,276
4.5 Effect of movement in exchange rates on
cash held
(461) (569)
4.6 Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period
26,221 26,221
5. Reconciliation of cash and cash
equivalents
at the end of the quarter (as shown in the
consolidated statement of cash flows) to the
related items in the accounts
Current quarter
$A’000
Previous quarter
$A’000
5.1 Bank balances 26,221 33,551
5.2 Call deposits
5.3 Bank overdrafts
5.4 Other (provide details)
5.5 Cash and cash equivalents at end of
quarter (should equal item 4.6 above)
26,221 33,551
6. Payments to related parties of the entity and their
associates
Current quarter
$A'000
6.1 Aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their
associates included in item 1
37
6.2 Aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their
associates included in item 2
Note: if any amounts are shown in items 6.1 or 6.2, your quarterly activity report must include a description of, and an
explanation for, such payments.
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 4
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
7. Financing facilities
Note: the term “facility’ includes all forms of financing
arrangements available to the entity.
Add notes as necessary for an understanding of the
sources of finance available to the entity.
Total facility
amount at quarter
end
$A’000
Amount drawn at
quarter end
$A’000
7.1 Loan facilities - -
7.2 Credit standby arrangements - -
7.3 Other (please specify) - -
7.4 Total financing facilities - -
7.5 Unused financing facilities available at quarter end -
7.6 Include in the box below a description of each facility above, including the lender, interest
rate, maturity date and whether it is secured or unsecured. If any additional financing
facilities have been entered into or are proposed to be entered into after quarter end,
include a note providing details of those facilities as well.
8. Estimated cash available for future operating activities $A’000
8.1 Net cash from / (used in) operating activities (item 1.9) (6,842)
8.2 Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end (item 4.6) 26,221
8.3 Unused finance facilities available at quarter end (item 7.5) -
8.4 Total available funding (item 8.2 + item 8.3) 26,221
8.5 Estimated quarters of funding available (item 8.4 divided by
item 8.1) 3.83
Note: if the entity has reported positive net operating cash flows in item 1.9, answer item 8.5 as “N/A”. Otherwise, a
figure for the estimated quarters of funding available must be included in item 8.5.
8.6 If item 8.5 is less than 2 quarters, please provide answers to the following questions:
8.6.1 Does the entity expect that it will continue to have the current level of net operating
cash flows for the time being and, if not, why not?
Answer:.
8.6.2 Has the entity taken any steps, or does it propose to take any steps, to raise further
cash to fund its operations and, if so, what are those steps and how likely does it
believe that they will be successful?
Answer:
8.6.3 Does the entity expect to be able to continue its operations and to meet its business
objectives and, if so, on what basis?
Answer:
Note: where item 8.5 is less than 2 quarters, all of questions 8.6.1, 8.6.2 and 8.6.3 above must be answered.
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 5
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Compliance statement
1 This statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and policies
which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2 This statement gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Date: ..30 April 2024.................................................................................
Authorised by: ...By the board................................................................................
(Name of body or officer authorising release – see note 4)
Notes
1. This quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity report provide a basis for informing the market about the
entity’s activities for the past quarter, how they have been financed and the effect this has had on its cash position. An
entity that wishes to disclose additional information over and above the minimum required under the Listing Rules is
encouraged to do so.
2. If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions
in, and provisions of, AASB 107: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow report has been
prepared in accordance with other accounting standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the
corresponding equivalent standard applies to this report.
3. Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities,
depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
4. If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors, you can insert here: “By the board”.
If it has been authorised for release to the market by a committee of your board of directors, you can insert here: “By the
[name of board committee – eg Audit and Risk Committee]”. If it has been authorised for release to the market by a
disclosure committee, you can insert here: “By the Disclosure Committee”.
5. If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as
complying with recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and
Recommendations, the board should have received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their opinion, the financial
records of the entity have been properly maintained, that this report complies with the appropriate accounting standards
and gives a true and fair view of the cash flows of the entity, and that their opinion has been formed on the basis of a
sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively.
This is progress but also highlights the slow progress the business is making. They would have been disappointed to have had to go back and provide this evidence to the FDA but having got it together is obviously good. Unfortunately it's still a way from phase 3 trial results which is the endgame here. I'm confident from the evidence already released that the drug works but the cashburn is unbelievable and they JUST NEED TO GET THEIR PHASE 3 TRIAL DONE! argh. So frustrated.
ASX RELEASE 19 April 2024
PARADIGM CONFIRMS SUBMISSION TO THE US FDA
TO PROGRESS THE PHASE 3 OA PROGRAM
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR) (“Paradigm” or “the Company”), a
late-stage drug development company focused on delivering new therapies to address
unmet medical needs, is pleased to announce the submission of key documents to the
US Food and Drug Agency (FDA, the Agency) for review and agreement on the
progression of the phase 3 clinical program in osteoarthritis.
Paradigm has submitted to the US FDA a response to the Type D meeting held on 10
January 2024.
Paradigm’s response sets out the results of five nonclinical studies and data from the
successful phase 2 clinical trial, PARA_OA_008, as well as available clinical data from
600 participants dosed in stage 1 of PARA_OA_002. These additional data were collected
following Paradigm’s Investigational New Drug (IND) submission to the Agency in March
2021 (see ASX release), most of which have not previously been submitted nor reviewed
by the FDA. These data provide a detailed justification for the clinical development for
iPPS with the dosing regimen of 2 mg/kg twice weekly for 6 weeks of initial therapy.
Paradigm also submitted a draft of the phase 3 pivotal clinical trial protocol for agency
review and comment.
The response package to the US FDA has been submitted as directed by the Agency,
through a request for review pathway. The request for review pathway does not have
strict Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) Agency response timelines, although
feedback is typically received within three months.
The key items addressed in the Type D response submission to the FDA include:
• The minimal effective dose justification.
• Additional nonclinical studies completed to GLP standards to address previously
noted adrenal findings.
• Draft clinical trial protocol.
• Revised safety monitoring and mitigation plan.
Subject to FDA clearance, Paradigm intends to promptly move forward with subject
enrolment into the phase 3 clinical trial (PARA_OA_012) in 2H CY2024. Clinical trial sites
in Australia and the US are planned to commence preparation activities during this quarter
(Q2 CY2024) to move the phase 3 program forward as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Paradigm Managing Director, Mr Paul Rennie commented: “This is important progress
for Paradigm as we deliver a significant amount of new data to the US FDA for review to
progress to the next stage of the phase 3 OA program. Since Paradigm’s IND submission
in March 2021, we have treated close to 700 participants under a clinical trial setting with
various iPPS doses, which provides strong justification that 2 mg/kg twice weekly is the
lowest effective dose with which to move forward. We look forward to receiving the FDA’s
feedback and remain ready to answer any further questions. We look forward to updating
all our investors in the coming months on the outcome of the agency's review and planned
execution of the phase 3 clinical program. I would like to thank our investors for their
ongoing support as we strive to bring the exciting potential of iPPS to market for those
suffering with osteoarthritis.”
Next Steps
Paradigm will now finalise the TGA provisional approval determination application for
submission. The determination application will include information from a manuscript
detailing the outcomes from the PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial and a manuscript
providing a comparison of iPPS clinical data with other available treatments for
osteoarthritis. Should the determination application decision be positive, Paradigm will
prepare a full dossier submission for TGA provisional approval marketing authorisation.
Provisional approval offers significant benefits to both patients and manufacturers.
Patients gain access to potential life-saving treatments for life-threatening and seriously
debilitating conditions sooner, particularly for those lacking satisfactory alternatives. For
manufacturers, it provides an opportunity to bring innovative therapies to market faster,
while gathering additional data to support full approval. TGA provisional marketing
approval for iPPS in Australia would expedite the pathway to revenues. The completed
manuscripts are being prepared and will be submitted to separate journals for peer-review
and publication.
-Ends-
About Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:PAR) is a late-stage drug development
company driven by a purpose to improve patients’ health and quality of life by discovering,
developing, and delivering pharmaceutical therapies. Paradigm’s current focus is
developing injectable (subcutaneous) pentosan polysulfate sodium (iPPS) for the
treatment of diseases where inflammation plays a major pathogenic role, indicating a
need for the anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties of iPPS, such as in
osteoarthritis (phase 3) and mucopolysaccharidosis (phase 2).
Forward Looking Statements
This Company announcement contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding anticipated commencement dates or completions dates of nonclinical or clinical
trials, regulatory developments, and regulatory approval. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees or predictions of future performance, and involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our
control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in
the statements contained in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
To learn more please visit: https://paradigmbiopharma.com
Approved for release by the Paradigm Board of Directors.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Simon White
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +61 404 216 467
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd
ABN: 94 169 346 963
Level 15, 500 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AUSTRALIA
Email: [email protected]
Paradigm's quarterly cash activities report below:
In summary: made good progress on research/evidence base but spent a truckload of money. So much so that the market has shat itself and dumped the stock 20%. Commentary suggests ongoing costs will fall significantly but realistically it seems likely there will be another cap raise prior to commercialisation which I suppose is what the market is selling off.
For me it's more of the same do nothing. I can see the results (even interim results) are likely to be out in the next 12 month period and could be a real catalyst for improved SP which would make raising more funds less of an issue. On the downside if the SP languishes and they have to raise at an even lower SP it's pretty awful dilution even if the drug works incredibly well.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:PAR) (“Paradigm” or “the
Company”) is pleased to provide its quarterly update for the three months ended
31 December 2023 to accompany its Appendix 4C cash flow report for the period.
• Cash balance as of 31 December 2023 was $33.5m (on 30 September 2023 it was
$33.6m).
• During the period Paradigm announced a $30.1 million capital raise (before costs)
comprising a fully underwritten $18m placement and $12m accelerated non
renounceable entitlement offer.
• Paradigm has lodged its R&D Tax Incentive refund claim for FY23 and is awaiting
receipt of the $7.2m refund, expected during Q1 CY24.
• Research and development expenditure for the quarter was $27.06m compared to
the previous quarter of $21.9m. This spend in Q2 FY24 was largely related to costs
incurred during the prior quarter on the Stage 1 dose finding activities of Phase 3
clinical trial, including recruitment, screening, dosing and follow-up of the final
patients enrolled in the study. The cost also includes activities related to the close-
out of stage 1 of the PARA_OA_ 002 phase 3 clinical program. Close-out
procedures for clinical trials require all sites to be monitored by Paradigm’s clinical
research organization and Paradigm staff, to comply with the clinical trial
regulations.
• The costs of the interim analysis performed on initial 300 participants on
PARA_OA_002 are also included in the December quarter. Since completing stage
1 of the phase 3 PARA_OA_002 study in late November 2023, the December
spending for new patient activity costs has significantly reduced. It is forecast that
costs going forward will continue to decline, as study closure completes. All ongoing
and future activities will focus on delivering the next phase of the phase 3 OA trial.
• R&D spend during the December quarter also related to clinical and quantitative
MRI data analysis and completion of the PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial
activities. The spend also included end of study analysis and shut down cost for the
MPS VI phase 2 study, and an ongoing New Drug Application required nonclinical
studies relating to our OA clinical program.
• The quarter also saw payments related to continuing activities described in the
outlook below.
• In accordance with Listing Rule 4.7C.3 and as noted in item 6 of the Appendix 4C
Cashflow Statement, payments to related parties and their associates during the
quarter ended 31 December 2023 were fees of $57K, which includes $52K for
payment of Director fees, and $5K for legal fees to BioMeltzer (a company related
to Paradigm NED, Amos Meltzer).
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES & OUTLOOK
Paradigm is pleased to provide an update on continuing activities.
Phase 3 Clinical Program
Paradigm reported in October 2023 findings from an interim analysis conducted once the
first 300 participants from the PARA_OA_002 clinical trial reached day 56 of the study.
The doses (less than 2 mg/kg twice weekly) included in the dose determination part of
phase 3 trial did not meet the prespecified performance threshold, which was based on
prior outcome data produced with the 2mg/kg twice weekly dosing regimen. Following
these findings, Paradigm has prepared a new protocol for the next stage of the phase 3
clinical program using the 2mg/kg twice weekly dose regimen of iPPS which has
demonstrated consistent positive data in the PARA_OA_008, PARA_005 (previous phase
2b) studies and the TGA Special Access Scheme.
Stage 1 activities for the PARA_OA_002 phase 3 clinical trial concluded during the quarter
with the study completing the randomisation of 579 subjects demonstrating Paradigm’s
ability to enrol suitable study participants through the many recruitment initiatives
implemented for the global phase 3 study.
Paradigm remains on track for the protocol review by the US FDA to implement the 2mg/kg
twice weekly dosing regimen into the next stage of the OA phase 3 program, anticipated
in Q1 CY2024. Enrolment activities for next stage of the phase 3 OA clinical program are
expected to commence in Q2 CY 2024.
R&D Expenditure
Paradigm’s expenditure over the last three quarters has been unusually high as Paradigm
has invested heavily in the first stage of the phase 3 clinical program. The activities relating
to the spend include:
• Increased clinical trial site activations and initiatives to support subject recruitment,
• PARA_OA_002 Interim Analysis,
• Close out of stage 1 PARA_OA_002 and PARA_OA_006 studies.
Subject Recruitment
Through the second half of CY2023, Paradigm increased its target clinical trial sites from
80 to 120 clinical trial site activations to support the recruitment increased initiatives
undertaken by the Company. The Phase 3 clinical program has activated sites across
seven countries, comprising Australia, the US and Canada in North America, and the UK,
Belgium, Poland, and Czechia in the EU. The additional trial sites activated aided to
Paradigm to meet the reported 100% enrolment target of June 2023 which was reported
at the beginning of July 2023. The significant one-off upfront investment in the trial setup
costs in the stage 1 of the phase 3 trial ensures trial sites are trained and available to
commence with next stage of the phase 3 clinical program, thus streamlining the
recruitment and enrolment process.
As Paradigm reached the increased target for site activation and these clinical trial sites
became familiar with the study design, it enabled an increase in the number of participants
directed to these sites through the utilisation of several recruitment initiatives. The
implemented initiatives include the introduction of 1nHealth, SubjectWell, and Paradigm’s
partnership with NFL Alumni Health, which together increased the volume of potential
participants to study sites for screening and randomisation. Paradigm also launched a
dedicated clinical trial website www.Hope4OA.com, an ethics-approved easy-to-use public-
facing website for providing trial information and access Paradigm’s OA clinical trials. The
implementation of these recruitment initiatives in stage 1 have enabled identification of
potential participants for stage 2 of the phase 3 study.
Paradigm expects the investment in these activities upfront to enhance the efficiency of
the next stage of the phase 3 clinical trial and mitigate any potential delays.
Interim Analysis
An interim analysis was conducted ahead of schedule to determine the performance of the
three iPPS doses in stage 1 of PARA_OA_002 clinical trial against placebo. This was
conducted following reported data from the phase PARA_OA_008 clinical trial
demonstrating the once weekly iPPS dosing regimen was not providing sufficient clinical
results to that of the 2mg/kg twice weekly Paradigm has reported across multiple programs.
Costs associated with the interim analysis included Clinical Research Organisation (CRO)
and Data Monitoring Committee to analyse data on the first 300 participants who had
reached Day 56. The interim analysis provided Paradigm an earlier indication of the optimal
dose and aided the preparation of the clinical protocol for the next stage of the phase 3 OA
program ahead of schedule.
Phase 3 Stage 1 close out activities
Paradigm completed activities associated with the close out of stage 1 of PARA_OA_002
clinical trial and the PARA_OA_006 extension study. Close-out is a process to ensure all
clinical trial related activities are appropriately reconciled, recorded, and reported at the end
of a trial in accordance with the protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs) good
clinical practice (GCP), and all other applicable regulatory requirements. Close-out is
integral to the quality control of a clinical trial and is designed to ensure quality of the study
according to Sponsor requirements and to ensure that all necessary documents are in place
should it be necessary for the trial information to be retrieved or inspected, by regulatory
agencies, in the future. Paradigm required the close-out to be conducted in accordance with
the said SOPs and with GCP so that the clinical data could be used in discussion with the
US FDA regarding the minimal effective dose discussions and the revised clinical trial
protocol and at the time of Paradigm’s New Drug Application (NDA) submission.
Cost Containment Measures
As discussed during the capital raise, aggressive cost containment measures have been
implemented to ensure capital is being directed toward completion of the phase 3 OA
clinical trial. Paradigm’s financial commitment to the MPS clinical program has now
completed with a reduced headcount in the MPS clinical team implemented following the
completion of the phase 2 studies in MPS I and VI. Paradigm is actively seeking to partner
this clinical asset to progress iPPS for treatment of MPS toward commercialisation.
Ongoing overheads have been reduced throughout this cost containment phase by over
$1m per quarter which will come into effect from January 2024, with further reductions
planned over the coming months.
Forecast cash outflow for the March 2024 quarter is expected to be $8 - $11m (including
R&D refund) and the June 2024 quarter expected to be in the $6m - $8m range which is
inclusive of phase 3 stage 2 restart costs.
Paradigm has issued short term options (Nov 2024 expiry) as a part of the 2023 capital
raise exercisable at $0.65. Exercise of the outstanding options is expected to add an
additional $33m (approximate).
PARA_OA_008 Phase 2 Clinal Trial
Paradigm’s PARA_OA_008 clinical trial concluded during the December quarter with the
significant data from the 12-month clinical data and 6-month quantitative analysis reported.
The PARA_OA_008 clinical trial phase 2 trial data showing efficacy of iPPS on both
objective (MRI analysis) and subjective measures (patient reported outcomes) compared
to placebo, demonstrates that iPPS both treats the symptoms of OA and has the potential
to preserve and/or regenerate joint tissues.
OBJECTIVE DATA MEASURES Reported (Day)
Improvement in synovial fluid biomarkers associated with OA
disease progression.
56 & 168
Improvement in structural changes in the knee determined by MRI. 168
SUBJECTIVE DATA MEASURES Reported
Significant improvement in mean change from baseline in WOMAC
pain, function, and overall scores.
56, 168 & 365
Significant improvement in Patient Global Impression of Change
(PGIC)
365
During the December quarter Paradigm reported durable and significant responses in
WOMAC scores for pain (p=0.054), function (p=0.048), stiffness and overall (p=0.054)
were observed for iPPS twice weekly compared to placebo control through to Day 365.
The outstanding results for iPPS compared to placebo were strengthened through the
reporting that cumulative rescue pain medication use was over five times higher in the
placebo group compared to iPPS group at Day 365.
This data is a significant outcome for Paradigm as no OA drug has previously shown
durable and meaningful improvements in pain and function at 12 months after a single
course of treatment.
The Company also reported in October quantitative MRI analysis results at the day 168
follow-up from the phase 2 PARA_OA_008 clinical trial, demonstrated that a single 6-week
treatment of iPPS treatment at 2mg/kg twice weekly results in an increase in overall
cartilage thickness (p=0.05) and cartilage volume (p=0.07) compared to a decrease in the
placebo group. Bone marrow lesions (-17%) and synovitis (-1%) were also decreased in
the knee joint following iPPS administration to day 168 compared to small increases in the
placebo group.
The above results of the successful phase 2 clinical trial demonstrate that iPPS both treats
the symptoms of OA and preserves and/or regenerates joint tissues. This is significant from
a commercial perspective because the disease modifying effects of iPPS observed in the
PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial are expected to support a greater reimbursement
compared to that which would be expected for a therapeutic that only treat the symptoms
of OA.
OA remains the most prevalent form of joint disease, affecting up to 16% of the population in
the developed world, with more than 72 million people in the US, EU5, Canada and
Australia suffering from osteoarthritis.1 The prevalence of OA is increasing in line with the
aging population and increasing rates of obesity. By 2030 the number of people suffering
from OA in the US is predicted to increase by 86% to 67 million.2
OA has a significant impact on day-to-day functioning and, although the levels of pain and
disability may fluctuate, it has no known cure or spontaneous remission and is associated
with irreversible structural damage and progression over time. Presently there are no drugs
approved that can prevent, stop, or even restrain progression of OA. Moreover, the
available medications that claim to mitigate the pain of OA have numerous risk/benefit
considerations and market research indicates that only 19% of knee OA patients are
satisfied with currently available treatments. 2,3
There is an urgent unmet need for a new therapy for OA. This successful phase 2 clinical
trial has provided important data for Paradigm to progress with the TGA Provisional
Approval application, which would expedite the pathway to marketing approval of iPPS in
Australia.
Capital Raising
Paradigm announced on the 30th of October, a fully underwritten $30.1 million (before costs
of $1.76m) capital raising, comprising:
• a placement to institutional investors of approximately 42 million Shares at an issue
price of $0.43 per Share raising approximately $18 million;
• an accelerated non-renounceable Entitlement Offer of 1 Share for every 10 Shares
held by eligible shareholders at an issue price of $0.43 per Share raising
approximately $12.1 million; and
• 3 free-attaching Options for every 4 Shares subscribed for and issued under the
Entitlement Offer and Placement.
The proceeds from the capital raise are being utilised for the Company’s phase 3 OA
clinical program.
Paradigm Board Changes
During the December quarter Non-Executive Director, Mr John Gaffney stepped down from
the Paradigm board following 9-years of service. Non-Executive Director, Helen Fisher also
informed the Paradigm Board during the period that she will be stepping down from the
position as Non-Executive Director on the appointment of a replacement Non-Executive
Director, to focus on other commitments going forward. The Paradigm Board commenced
a search for an Independent Non-Executive Director with commercial experience and
financial expertise and an Independent Chair during the December quarter. Paradigm
expects to make an announcement on additions to the board during H1 CY2024.
Mucopolysaccharidosis VI
The MPS VI study has completed however, the MPS VI data analysis encountered an
unforeseen delay with the service provider conducting the GAG analysis for the phase 2
clinical trial. This is a highly specialised analytical technique with only a small number of
service providers available globally. Paradigm expects to release the top-line data next
week.
Global Conferences
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2023: In November Dr Mukesh
Ahuja, Paradigm Global Head of Osteoarthritis, presented a poster at the ACR
Convergence 2023 held November 10–15 at the San Diego Convention Centre in San
Diego, California. The poster detailing data from the PARA_OA_008 clinical trial on the
therapeutic effects of iPPS on clinical and disease modifying outcomes in subjects with
knee osteoarthritis.
Company Outlook
Phase 3 OA Clinical Program
Paradigm met with US FDA on the 10th of January 2024 to discuss outstanding
requirements for the next stage of the Phase 3 clinical program in Osteoarthritis. Paradigm’s
clinical and regulatory teams are preparing the documentation for submission of updated
nonclinical data to the Agency ahead of the submission of the clinical protocol to the FDA.
The program has FDA granted Fast-track designation and the timeline for the review is
expected in Q1 CY2024. Paradigm plans to proceed with the dose of 2mg/kg twice weekly
for registration studies. Enrolment activities for next stage of the phase 3 OA program are
expected to commence in Q2 CY2024.
TGA Provisional Approval Application
Paradigm is progressing with its TGA Provisional marketing approval in Australia for iPPS,
which is expected to expedite the pathway to revenues. The next stage of the TGA
Provisional Approval pathway, the determination application remains on track with the
determination application planned to be submitted to the TGA toward the end of the current
quarter (Q1 CY2024). Should this prove successful, Paradigm will prepare a full dossier for
submission to the final stage of the TGA provisional approval application process.
Business Development
Paradigm continues to progress business development activities with regional partnering
companies with the aim to have at least one regional partnering by the end of June 2024.
Discussions are ongoing with a number of potential partners. Updates will be provided when
appropriate.
Other Activities
• Paradigm’s PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical data has been selected for podium
presentations at two global orthopedic and OA conference. Dr Mukesh Ahuja,
Paradigm’s Global Head of Osteoarthritis will present data from the phase 2 clinical
trial evaluating the clinical and disease modifying outcomes of iPPS in knee OA at
the:
o Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting 2024, 2–6 February:
Paradigm submitted a late-breaking abstract to the ORS selection committee
following the release of the PARA_OA_008 12-month clinical and 6-month
quantitative MRI data. The abstract titled “The therapeutic effects of pentosan
polysulfate sodium on clinical and disease modifying outcomes in moderate
to severe knee osteoarthritis” was selected for a presentation during the late-
breaking podium session; and
o Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) 2024, 18–21 April:
Paradigm’s recent clinical and disease modifying outcome data from the
PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial was reviewed by the OARSI panel and
selected for a podium presentation during the conference.
• Paradigm has lodged the FY23 R&D Tax Incentive Scheme refund claim. The
refund of approximately $7.2m was anticipated to be received during Q4 CY2023,
however it is now expected in Q1 CY2024.
• The overall results produced in the PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial and MPS-I
study are currently being compiled into a manuscript for peer review and publication.
Both are expected to be published during CY2024.
About Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:PAR) is a late-stage drug development company
driven by a purpose to improve patients’ health and quality of life by discovering,
developing, and delivering pharmaceutical therapies. Paradigm’s current focus is
developing iPPS for the treatment of diseases where inflammation plays a major
pathogenic role, indicating a need for the anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative
properties of PPS, such as in osteoarthritis (phase 3) and mucopolysaccharidosis (phase
2).
Forward Looking Statements
This Company announcement contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding anticipated commencement dates or completions dates of preclinical or clinical
trials, regulatory developments, and regulatory approval. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees or predictions of future performance, and involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control,
and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the
statements contained in this presentation. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance
on forward-looking statements.
References
1 Global Health Data Exchange, Institute for Health and Metrics Evaluation, University of Washington. Accessed June 2021
http://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool.
2 OARSI. Osteoarthritis: A Serious Disease, Submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration December 1, 2016.
3 Matthews GL, Hunter DJ. Emerging drugs for osteoarthritis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2011;16(3):479-491.
doi:10.1517/14728214.2011.576670.
Authorised for release by the Paradigm Board of Directors.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Simon White
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +61 404 216 467
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.
ABN: 94 169 346 963
Level 15, 500 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AUSTRALIA
Email: [email protected]
Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 1
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities
subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
Name of entity
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Limited
ABN Quarter ended (“current quarter”)
94 169 346 963 31 December 2023
Consolidated statement of cash flows Current quarter
$A’000
Year to date (6
months)
$A’000
1. Cash flows from operating activities
- 301.1 Receipts from customers
1.2 Payments for
(27,064) (49,004)(a) research and development
(b) product manufacturing and operating
costs
- -
(c) advertising and marketing (137) (137)
(d) leased assets (26) (37)
(e) staff costs (641) (1,204)
(f) administration and corporate costs (772) (1,300)
1.3 Dividends received (see note 3) - -
1.4 Interest received 86 635
1.5 Interest and other costs of finance paid (3) (6)
1.6 Income taxes paid - -
1.7 Government grants and tax incentives - -
1.8 Other (provide details if material) - -
1.9 Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities
(28,557) (51,023)
2. Cash flows from investing activities
- -
2.1 Payments to acquire or for:
(a) entities
(b) businesses - -
(c) property, plant and equipment - -
(d) investments - -
(e) intellectual property - -
(f) other non-current assets - -Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20) Page 2
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Consolidated statement of cash flows Current quarter
$A’000
Year to date (6
months)
$A’000
2.2 Proceeds from disposal of:
- -(a) entities
(b) businesses - -
(c) property, plant and equipment - -
(d) investments - -
(e) intellectual property - -
(f) other non-current assets - -
2.3 Cash flows from loans to other entities - -
2.4 Dividends received (see note 3) - -
2.5 Other (provide details if material) - -
2.6 Net cash from / (used in) investing
activities
- -
3. Cash flows from financing activities
30,117 30,117
3.1 Proceeds from issues of equity securities
(excluding convertible debt securities)
3.2 Proceeds from issue of convertible debt
securities - -
3.3 Proceeds from exercise of options - -
3.4 Transaction costs related to issues of
equity securities or convertible debt
securities
(1,763)
-
(1,763)
-
3.5 Proceeds from borrowings - -
3.6 Repayment of borrowings (lease liabilities) (8) (51)
3.7 Transaction costs related to loans and
borrowings - -
3.8 Dividends paid - -
3.9 Other (Limited recourse loan repaid under
ESP)
- -
3.10 Net cash from / (used in) financing
activities
28,346 28,303
4. Net increase / (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents for the period
33,559 56,379
4.1 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period
4.2 Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities (item 1.9 above) (28,557) (51,023)
@ slomo
i read your valuation with interest My previous valuation was absurdly high and no doubt I have sunk cost in this stock which clouds my view.
im wondering now whether the greatest risk aside from an unexpected dud result is just that it gets bought out for 2-300% of the current SP. would be absolute chicken feed to big pharma and they would get potentially a blockbuster drug… I would be gutted having ridden this thing for more than 5 years
Paradigm will present at multiple international congresses. Doesn’t hurt to have some peer review and awareness but hardly market sensitive I think.
bring on interim results that might be truly market sensitive!
ASX RELEASE 30 January 2024
Paradigm’s PARA_OA_008 Clinical Data Selected for Podium Presentations at Major Orthopaedic & OA Conferences
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting 2024, 2–6 February: Abstract accepted for a late-breaking podium presentation during the conference. The abstract details the therapeutic effects of pentosan polysulfate sodium on clinical and disease modifying outcomes in moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.
• Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) 2024, 18–21 April: Paradigm’s recent clinical and disease modifying outcome data from the PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial accepted for podium presentation.
• Acceptance for podium presentations at two leading global medico-scientific conferences in the fields of orthopaedics and osteoarthritis demonstrates the strength and interest of Paradigm’s PARA_OA_008 data amongst our peers.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR) (“Paradigm” or “the Company”), a late-stage drug development company focused on delivering new therapies to address unmet medical needs, is pleased to report abstracts of recent data from the successful PARA_OA_008 phase 2 clinical trial have been accepted for oral podium presentations at the 2024 ORS Annual Meeting (California), and the 2024 OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis (Vienna, Austria). Conference material presented will be available on the Paradigm website following the conclusion of each conference.
Paradigm Managing Director, Mr Paul Rennie said: “To have our clinical and structural improvement data from the successful PARA_OA_008 phase 2 trial selected for podium presentations at two separate prestigious international scientific conferences, is a testament to the Paradigm clinical program and the impressive effects of iPPS on knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis impacts an estimated 10 percent of the world’s population over the age of 60 and represents an area of high unmet need for new
therapies which can improve patient outcomes.”
The phase 2 PARA_OA_008 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study evaluating the disease modifying potential of injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium (iPPS) in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) demonstrated not only durable and beneficial effect on pain, function, and the patient’s impression of improvement out to 12 months but also showed improvements in the underlying disease through MRI analysis as early as 6 months following a single 6-week treatment course.
It provides further validation that the data being produced by iPPS for the
treatment of knee OA patients is truly world class and is being recognised by a global
audience of our peers.
Orthopaedic Research Society 2024 Annual Meeting
Dr Mukesh Ahuja, Paradigm’s Global Head of Osteoarthritis, will be conducting an oral presentation at the ORS 2024 Annual Meeting to be held at the Long Beach Convention Centre in California, USA, from 2–4 February 2024.
Paradigm submitted a late-breaking abstract to the ORS selection committee following the release of the PARA_OA_008 12-month clinical and 6-month quantitative MRI data. The abstract titled “The therapeutic effects of pentosan polysulfate sodium on clinical and disease modifying outcomes in moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis” was selected for a presentation during the late-breaking podium session. Only those abstracts deemed to be of the highest interest and impact to congress attendees are selected for late-breaking presentations.
The ORS Annual Meeting is the largest scientific meeting in the world dedicated solely to the field of research related to the musculoskeletal system and orthopaedics. Meeting attendees include the top basic, translational, and clinical research experts in the world representing academia, industry/private sector, government, and private practice. The meeting provides a platform to share cutting-edge research findings and innovations in the field of musculoskeletal research with a diverse audience of orthopaedic experts.
2024 OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis
Dr Mukesh Ahuja, Paradigm’s Global Head of Osteoarthritis, will present data from the phase 2, randomised, double-blinded PARA_OA_008 clinical trial exploring the disease modifying potential of iPPS in subjects with knee OA. The abstract titled “Effects of pentosan polysulfate sodium on clinical outcomes and disease modifying biomarkers in moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis” was reviewed by the OARSI panel and selected for a podium presentation during the conference.
Additionally, Dr Donna Skerrett, Paradigm’s Chief Medical Officer has again
clinical updates from selected companies in clinical development. Dr. Donna Skerrett, Paradigm's Chief Medical Officer has been invited to present the iPPS technology, clinical
translation, and learnings from Paradigm's ongoing OA clinical program.
will facilitate
About Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:PAR) is a late-stage drug development company driven by a purpose to improve patients’ health and quality of life by discovering, developing, and delivering pharmaceutical therapies. Paradigm’s current focus is developing injectable (subcutaneous) pentosan polysulfate sodium (iPPS) for the treatment of diseases where inflammation plays a major pathogenic role, indicating a need for the anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties of iPPS, such as in osteoarthritis (phase 3) and mucopolysaccharidosis (phase 2).
The annual OARSI Congress is the pre-eminent multidisciplinary global forum to showcase and display cutting-edge OA research from academia and industry worldwide.
The global conference will be held in Vienna, Austria between 18–21 April 2024.
officially invited to speak at the Clinical Trials Symposium (CTS) scheduled for the day
been
prior to the commencement of the 2024 OARSI World Congress. The CTS invites
Furthermore, due to the successful reception last year, Paradigm will also again conduct
a 15-minute theatre presentation session
which provides
an additional opportunity to
expand upon Paradigm’s OA clinical development program and
further
interaction with congress attendees.
To learn more please visit: www.paradigmbiopharma.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Simon White
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +61 404 216 467
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd ABN: 94 169 346 963
Level 15, 500 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AUSTRALIA Email: [email protected]
As PAR is pre-revenue, you can't tell a lot from the reported numbers (or maybe you can?), so you need to go off the story and expected future numbers.
This is a very risky proposition. Probably the riskiest and smallest in my portfolio.
One way to assess the value of the opportunity is to look at the amounts invested (replacement cost) and how well that capital has been allocated (mgmt quality).
$131m Raised over the last 4 years ($123.7m after costs),and $75m+ before that.
$141.4 m Spent on R&D within the last 4 years.
So the salvage value to big pharma (who will probably own this if / when Phase 3 is successful anyway) is not nothing. They're building an asset here that would not likely get written to zero given the Phase 2 traction they have and mitigating risk of a repurposed drug.
$69.4m in cash @ Dec-23 to last to mid CY25 / FY25 (without additional licensing revenue).
This $69.4m in cash is vs Mkt Cap of $59.9m (@ today's closing SP$ of $0.395) after all underwritten shares issued, but excluding the attaching options (Strike @ $.065, expiring Dec-24). So you have 116% Cash backing! See my straw on #Cap Raise for context tho (burning cash fast).
This is a big bet on the Exec Chair, Founder – Paul Rennie who held > 25% prior to the Cap Raise and will hold > 13% post the raise assuming he doesn't participate.
It's targeting a $14bn Revenue opportunity and should be high margin at maturity. This could take 10 years or more to achieve. See Straw on "Bull Case" for more details.
I don't know what it's worth... but an informal probability weighted 10 bagger within 10 years vs a go to zero and fire sale for scrap due to an inability to raise more capital plus an underwritten $30m cap raise just done @ $0.43 with attaching 1 year options at $0.65 suggests overhang to persist until the next positive trial read out / partnership announcement and until then $0.65 looks like value to me for a small holding.
Disc: Held
Founder led - This is a big bet on the Exec Chair, Founder – Paul Rennie.
Could we organise a chat with him @Strawman?
Huge market – 72m Osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers in 2020, expect 120m in 2030 (5% Mkt CAGR). 81% are dissatisfied with current treatment. Targeting 10% of the market (not sure how achievable this might be). Dosage to cost US$2.5k per patient p.a. suggesting a US$14bn market opportunity.
Paradigm’s main product is a repurposed drug being trialed to address a huge unmet need - so the potential is huge but range of outcomes are wide.
As it’s repurposed, there is high confidence that the drug is safe (at a given dosage). This removes a huge potential risk at the Phase 3 trial stage.
As it’s unmet need, the "FDA has granted Fast-track designation to the OA program" – they want this to work and are happy to expedite (as long as it does).
Phase 2 trials have been positive in alleviating pain (key end point) and even improving the condition (improving cartalidge thickness).
Check out the Cap Raise Preso for more info - https://www.marketindex.com.au/asx/par/announcements/investor-presentation-30m-capital-raise-3A629518
Disc: Held (small 'research position')
long term this announcement is important as further confirmation that the drug works and will be approved (sooner or later)
short term I think this will be a catalyst for the SP to recover having been pummeled as part of the pre-revenue blow up and risk off environment.
still need to watch cashburn but hopefully the scariest times are behind
This is a little scary. The cashburn is so significant that even with nearly 60 mil in the bank they’re looking at less than 4 quarters of cash…
unfortunately I can see this leading to sag in SP which then makes the cash raise more dilutive… the question as an investor then is do you sell down some knowing there’s a raise coming? I still believe in the product and think this will be profitable long term…
only 10k but I guess it’s better than nothing
Appendix 3Y Change of Director’s Interest Notice
Rule 3.19A.2
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as soon as available. Information and documents given to ASX become ASX’s property and may be made public.
Introduced 30/09/01 Amended 01/01/11
Name of entity Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Limited ABN 94 169 346 963
We (the entity) give ASX the following information under listing rule 3.19A.2 and as agent for the director for the purposes of section 205G of the Corporations Act.
Name of Director Helen Fisher Date of last notice 26 February 2021
Part 1 - Change of director’s relevant interests in securities
In the case of a trust, this includes interests in the trust made available by the responsible entity of the trust
Note: In the case of a company, interests which come within paragraph (i) of the definition of “notifiable interest of a director” should be disclosed in this part.
Appendix 3Y Change of Director’s Interest Notice
Direct or indirect interest
Date of change
No. of securities held prior to change
Class
Number acquired Number disposed
Value/Consideration
Note: If consideration is non-cash, provide details and estimated valuation
No. of securities held after change
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms. 01/01/2011 Appendix 3Y Page 1
Direct
18 May 2023 Nil
Ordinary Shares 10,204
Not applicable $10,020
10,204 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares
Nature of indirect interest
(including registered holder)
Note: Provide details of the circumstances giving rise to the relevant interest.
Not applicable
Appendix 3Y
Change of Director’s Interest Notice
Part 2 – Change of director’s interests in contracts
Note: In the case of a company, interests which come within paragraph (ii) of the definition of “notifiable interest of a director” should be disclosed in this part.
Nature of change
Example: on-market trade, off-market trade, exercise of options, issue of securities under dividend reinvestment plan, participation in buy-back
On-market trade
Detail of contract Nature of interest
Name of registered holder (if issued securities)
Date of change
Interest acquired
Interest disposed
Value/Consideration
Note: If consideration is non-cash, provide details and an estimated valuation
Interest after change Part 3 – +Closed period
Not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable
No. and class of securities to which
interest related prior to change
Note: Details are only required for a contract in relation to which the interest has changed
Not applicable
Were the interests in the securities or contracts detailed No above traded during a +closed period where prior written
clearance was required?
If so, was prior written clearance provided to allow the trade to proceed during this period?
If prior written clearance was provided, on what date was this provided?
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms. Appendix 3Y Page 2
Not applicable Not applicable
01/01/2011
Paul Rennie who knows the business better than anybody just bought 70k shares in market.
#stillbullish
Appendix 3Y Change of Director’s Interest Notice
Rule 3.19A.2
Information or documents not available now must be given to ASX as soon as available. Information and documents given to ASX become ASX’s property and may be made public.
Introduced 30/09/01 Amended 01/01/11
Name of entity Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Limited ABN 94 169 346 963
We (the entity) give ASX the following information under listing rule 3.19A.2 and as agent for the director for the purposes of section 205G of the Corporations Act.
Name of Director Paul Rennie
Date of last notice 22 December 2022
Part 1 - Change of director’s relevant interests in securities
In the case of a trust, this includes interests in the trust made available by the responsible entity of the trust
Note: In the case of a company, interests which come within paragraph (i) of the definition of “notifiable interest of a director” should be disclosed in this part.
Direct or indirect interest Direct and indirect interest
Date of change 12 May 2023
Appendix 3Y Change of Director’s Interest Notice
Nature of indirect interest
(including registered holder)
Note: Provide details of the circumstances giving rise to the relevant interest.
Mr Paul Rennie is the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the securities in KZEE Pty Ltd.
Mr Paul Rennie is the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the securities in EAR Investments Pty Ltd.
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms. 01/01/2011 Appendix 3Y Page 1
Appendix 3Y
Change of Director’s Interest Notice
No. of securities held prior to change
Paul Rennie
– 8,426,697 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares
KZEE Pty Ltd ATF KZEE Superannuation Fund
– 10,914,902 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares registered in the name of KZEE Pty Ltd. Mr Paul Rennie is the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the securities in KZEE Pty Ltd.
EAR Investments Pty Ltd ATF EAR Investments Trust
– 1,097,355 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares registered in the name of EAR Investments Pty Ltd. Mr Paul Rennie is the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the securities in EAR Investments Pty Ltd.
Total No. of shares held after change
– 20,438,954 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares
Class
Number disposed
Ordinary Shares
Not applicable
Number acquired
Paul Rennie
– 73,851 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares
Value/Consideration
Note: If consideration is non-cash, provide details and estimated valuation
Paul Rennie
– $76,001
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms. Appendix 3Y Page 2
01/01/2011
Detail of contract Nature of interest
Name of registered holder (if issued securities)
Date of change
Interest acquired Interest disposed
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms. 01/01/2011 Appendix 3Y Page 3
Not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable Not applicable
Appendix 3Y Change of Director’s Interest Notice
No. of securities held after change
Paul Rennie
– 8,500,548 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares
KZEE Pty Ltd ATF KZEE Superannuation Fund
– 10,914,902 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares registered in the name of KZEE Pty Ltd. Mr Paul Rennie is the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the securities in KZEE Pty Ltd.
EAR Investments Pty Ltd ATF EAR Investments Trust
– 1,097,355 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares registered in the name of EAR Investments Pty Ltd. Mr Paul Rennie is the legal and beneficial owner of 100% of the securities in EAR Investments Pty Ltd.
Total No. of shares held after change
– 20,512,805 Fully Paid Ordinary Shares
Nature of change
Example: on-market trade, off-market trade, exercise of options, issue of securities under dividend reinvestment plan, participation in buy-back
On-market trade
Part 2 – Change of director’s interests in contracts
Note: In the case of a company, interests which come within paragraph (ii) of the definition of “notifiable interest of a director” should be disclosed in this part.
No. and class of securities to which interest
related prior to change
Note: Details are only required for a contract in relation to which the interest has changed
Not applicable
Appendix 3Y
Change of Director’s Interest Notice
Value/Consideration
Note: If consideration is non-cash, provide details and an estimated valuation
Interest after change Part 3 – +Closed period
Not applicable Not applicable
Were the interests in the securities or contracts detailed No above traded during a +closed period where prior written
clearance was required?
If so, was prior written clearance provided to allow the trade to proceed during this period?
If prior written clearance was provided, on what date was this provided?
Not applicable Not applicable
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms. Appendix 3Y Page 4
01/01/2011
Hard to know exact future for this share price. My base case is they will finally win FDA approval and as such the stock will be worth much more than its current price that factors in that uncertainty. That could be $4, it could be $10 or more if a big drug company wants to play in the massive knee arthritis market they address, by way of a takeover. That's basically what mgt are working towards. The likely market in the US, EU and AU is $10 billion + given the drug looks to be much more effective than current standards of care.
Management has significant skin in the game and they are currently in phase 3 trials, so well down the path. Not normally my kind of stock but safety is already proven, their ongoing clinical results for OA looking very promising and there is a lot of upside given the size of the prospective market. It's a small speculative bet with far less risk than is usually the case with drug companies, given safety is already signed off. Will need some patience as the final FDA approval process and likely take-over is probably still a year or two away.
I have little doubt that zilosul (pentosan polysulphate) has a meaningful effect on OA within the e knee…
if the business is able to transform this pharmacology into any meaningful slice of the OA analgesia market at all it will be worth many multiples of its current market cap…
the cashburn in the most recent year, however, was ~30 mil with about 70 mil sitting in the bank…
whilst I’m hoping it was a costly half because of the roll out of the pivotal trial km realistic enough to expect ongoing costs of a similar magnitude…
the way out? A big pharma buy out or partnership triggered by the release of promising results this year… or ANOTHER cap at a pretty sub optimal time with respect to macro conditions…
watch this space …
disclosure held IRL and clearly in SM
Has anyone else noted the share price run from a low of 85.5 cents at end of June to a current SP of 1.52 on essentially no news!
What a great example of the market being there to serve and not to inform!
Or am I missing something?
approval for UK and Canada recruitment to pivotal phase 3 trial given.
just expected progress but better than the alternative
ASX RELEASE 6th July 2022
Paradigm reports important global progress for the PARA_OA_002 phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Zilosul® for osteoarthritis.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Regulatory and ethics approval are in place for the UK. The first UK screening site for the phase 3 study is now active, enabling Paradigm to commence screening and enrolling participants.
• Regulatory approval for the Para_OA_002 phase 3 trial has been granted by Health Canada
is pleased to announce it has activated the first trial site in the UK. The Company has received UK regulatory and ethics approvals to proceed with the Para_OA_002 phase 3 clinical trial evaluating knee osteoarthritis (OA). Now that the first site is activated in the UK participant screening and enrolment will begin imminently. This first site is located at the University of Leeds under lead investigator Prof. Hemant Pandit. Paradigm aims to activate a total of seven sites across the UK for the phase 3 study. The remaining sites will be activated in the coming months.
Paradigm is also pleased to announce that the global PARA_OA_002 phase 3 osteoarthritis clinical trial has regulatory approval from Health Canada. An ethics submission has been made to the research ethics board in Canada, with approval pending. Once ethics approval has been granted, Paradigm will activate clinical sites to begin participant screening and enrolment for the phase 3 study. Paradigm plans to activate up to 10 sites across Canada.
Paradigm’s phase 3 trial now has regulatory approvals to proceed from the US FDA, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Health Canada, and the Australian TGA. Recruitment milestones will be announced as they are achieved.
Dr Donna Skerrett, Paradigm CMO commented: “I am pleased we are moving forward with regulatory approval within another planned jurisdiction for the global phase 3 program. The interaction with Health Canada was positive throughout the regulatory process and the Company looks forward to announcing anticipated ethics approval and subsequent participant recruitment in Canada. Equally, the achievement by the Paradigm team to activate participant recruitment in the UK highlights Paradigm's ongoing execution of activities for this global phase 3 trial in knee OA.”.
ASX RELEASE 17th March 2022
Paradigm has received regulatory and ethics approvals for the
PARA_OA_002 clinical trial in the UK.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Regulatory and ethics approval has been received from the Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom
(UK).
• Paradigm now has all the required approvals in place to commence clinical
trial site activation in the UK for PARA_OA_002.
• Paradigm was granted permission to become part of the pilot test phase
rollout of the combined regulatory and ethics applications, thereby reducing
both time and costs.
• 5 sites in the UK are planned for initiation and activation to enrol participants
with knee OA into the PARA_OA_002 study.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR) (“Paradigm” or “the Company”), a
clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focussed on repurposing existing molecules
for new indications with unmet clinical needs, is pleased to announce it has received
regulatory and ethics approval from the MHRA in the UK. Paradigm now has all the
required approvals in place to commence clinical trial activities in the UK for its global
Phase 3 PARA_OA_002 clinical trial and expects to imminently commence enrolling
participants with knee OA into the PARA_OA_002 study in 5 sites in the UK.
The recent approval of phase 3 trials by the FDA for a pivotal trial for pentosan polysulphate in OA could be the catalyst for an uptick in stock price. More importantly, I believe the trial will confirm that this is a safe and effective drug for OA. This alone would justify a massive valuation given the TAM, however the 008 trial looking at disease modification may boost the value further. The variant perception here I believe is the likelihood of success in the recently approved phase 3 trial. There is a lot of data to suggest the drug works and also basic science evidence as to the mechanism. I think the stock is more de-risked than the market gives it credit for.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR) (Paradigm or the Company), wishes to inform the market it has received a written response from the US FDA in relation to its Investigation New Drug (IND) submission for pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) to treat pain in subjects with knee Osteoarthritis.
In response to the FDA's one request, Paradigm will make an amendment to Its protocol. Response received from the US FDA. The one outstanding question regarding adrenal gland function related to a preclinical finding in the adrenal gland of rats only and was not seen in the adrenal gland of dogs. Adrenal gland malfunction has not previously been seen by Paradigm or bene pharmaChem in their ongoing pharmacovigilance. This one preclinical finding has been the focus of the ongoing US FDA review.
Paradigm, working with external endocrinologists, presented changes to the clinical trial protocol, which included a comprehensive adrenal screening protocol and clinical monitoring as part of its mitigation plan. In the written communication, the FDA requested modifications to Paradigm’s adrenal screening and mitigation plan. Paradigm plans to amend its clinical trial protocol, including all the FDA’s requests, and respond to the FDA within the next week.
Paradigm assumes the FDA may again take 30 days to respond. Mr Paul Rennie, Paradigm Chief Executive Officer: “Although we understand the agency's obligations for thorough reviews which commenced in March of this year, I am confident that the FDA and Paradigm have now attained a pathway to commence our phase 3 clinical trial in the US”.
***
Another month and another month's delay. At least the FDA didn't take the full 30 days to respond this time. Hopefully this is it though and we'll get approval to proceed in October. [Drums fingers on desk].
[Held]
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I had a patient who was a racehorse owner with terrible arthritis.
He had noticed the amazing effect it had on his animals and had somehow managed to convince the vet that looked after his racehorses to let him have " a couple of extra vials" in case they lost some.
He swore he was a new man since injecting himself with Cartrofen and was convinced there was some big pharma conspiracy as to why it wasn't available to humans!
id completely forgotten about it til now!
EDIT: This is in no way an endorsement of this drug, and absolutely not a suggestion to start injecting yourself with equine products. Furthermore anecdotes are in no way proof. This was just a funny story I thought I'd share!
26-Apr-2021: PARADIGM PROVIDES IND APPLICATION UPDATE
Not sure why CAPITAL LETTERS were required in that announcement title. Did not think it was worth shouting about. Perhaps the company secretary just had an extra couple of Weetbix this morning...
INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG (IND) APPLICATION UPDATE
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focussed on repurposing existing molecules for new indications with unmet clinical needs, reports today an update on its IND application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the proposed pivotal clinical trial treating subjects with pain associated with Knee Osteoarthritis (OA).
Paradigm previously reported it submitted its over 30,000-page IND application to the US FDA, Friday 26th March 2021, and to date Paradigm has received few questions from the FDA during the current 30-day IND review period. Those few questions were answered by Paradigm within 48 hours of receipt.
On Friday April 23, Paradigm received a verbal indication from the FDA that the FDA would be putting further questions to Paradigm outside the 30-day IND review period. The FDA was unable to provide all questions within the initial IND review period and has advised it will submit them to Paradigm within the next 30 days. Many of the questions which, as we understand from the brief discussion with the FDA, are related to newly submitted non-clinical data (as part of the IND application).
Paradigm is ready to review and answer questions when they are received. Once in receipt of Paradigm’s responses, the FDA will review within 30 days.
Paradigm is committed to keeping investors up to date with our development program and will update the timeline once we receive clarity.
--- ends ---
Summary:
FDA: Coupla questions, some now, some later...
PAR: Bring it ON!!!
About Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals LTD (ASX: PAR) is a late-stage drug development company with the mission to develop and commercialise Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) for the treatment of pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders driven by injury, inflammation, aging, degenerative disease, infection or genetic predisposition.
[I hold PAR shares. Warning: While this is indeed a "late stage" drug development company that is seeking to repurpose a drug that has already got EU approval for use as an antithrombotic medication, the FDA approval remains a binary equation. Either they will get it, or they won't. If they do, there is clearly substantial upside. If they don't there is clearly substantial downside, particularly in terms of their share price. That is why my PAR position is a very small one. Never bet more than you can afford to lose on such companies, because if things do not go the way they hope, they can easily go to zero. The value is all in the potential, and the potential can be easily wiped out with one solid knockback by a regulatory authority as powerful as the FDA.]
30-Apr-2020: EAP treatment completed and Orphan Status achieved for MPS-I
Paradigm reports: Under the US FDA Expanded Access Program (EAP) treatment is completed for all of the ten planned patients. Paradigm granted Orphan Status by US FDA for MPS-I
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR) is pleased to announce it has completed treatment of all ten patients with Zilosul® under the FDA IND Expanded Access Program (EAP) in the US. The company has also been advised by the FDA that Paradigm’s orphan designation request for MPSI has been granted, joining the previously granted designation for MPS-VI.
The EAP which commenced on the 18th February with the treatment of the first patient, has now treated all of the ten planned patients. All patients taking part in the study must complete regular evaluations with the treating physician, with the final evaluation taking place 6 weeks post the last injection received (day 83). The EAP program will report on pain outcomes similar to those previously evaluated in the TGA SAS (refer ASX Announcement 6th April) as well as those proposed as endpoints for the Phase 3 Clinical trial. Paradigm expects data for the total population (n=10) of patients to be available to the market during Q3 CY 2020.
Mr. Paul Rennie, Paradigm’s Chief Executive Officer said: “Paradigm is excited to have achieved this milestone, especially during the current health conditions created by COVID-19 and would like to thank all those involved in the Expanded Access Program for their continued diligence to the treatment program."
--- click on the link above for more, including:
About Injectable PPS (iPPS): Injectable PPS (iPPS) is not currently registered in Australia, but it is was previously registered in four of the seven major global pharmaceutical markets. In those European markets, iPPS is registered as an antithrombotic agent. In Australia, iPPS for human use is not currently available for sale.
Zilosul® is a registered Trademark of Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: PAR).
[Disclosure: I hold PAR shares.]
14/02/2020: Half Yearly Report and Accounts
If I'm reading this right, PAR is making a loss but less of a loss than previous QTR.
Interested to see how the market responds on Monday.