SelectImmune Pharma Interim report Q1 2021/2022
Significant events
On August 13th it was announced that SelectImmune Pharma is extending its presence on the international pharmaceutical arena, where research & development as well as clinical study results and strategic partnerships are typically reported in English. The company Board of Directors therefore decided to change the company language to English from 2021/2022 and onwards. The web site will feature parallel documents in English and Swedish, including annual reports, interim reports and press releases.
On August 13th, Selectimmune Pharma announced a continued expansion of its intellectual property portfolio through a number of recent patent grants.
– The European Patent Office has announced acceptance of the patent claims for cystitis treatment by interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL1-RA, Group I). Grant of the European patent expected to follow soon.
– Protection over MMP7 inhibitors for the treatment of cystitis (Group I) to be granted to Selectimmune Pharma in Europe in mid-August.
– The European Patent Office will soon grant to Selectimmune Pharma protection over therapeutic uses of E. coli NlpD protein (Group II). The protection broadly covers any therapy where these proteins may be useful, and it is noted that these proteins appear particularly promising in immunosuppression, antiinflammation and anti-infection roles.
On August 19th, the successful outcome of a new treatment approach was reported for patients with severe bladder pain. The publication presents data showing that an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL1-RA) reduces pain and increases the quality of life in this severely handicapped patient group. Preliminary findings were reported in 2020. The results are published in European Urology Open Science, (https://www.eu-openscience.europeanurology.com/article/S2666-1683(21)00134-8/fulltext).
On August 30th, SelectImmune Pharma reported that the Phase II trial of the IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1-RA) in patients with recurrent acute cystitis has started. The clinical trial is led by Professor Wagenlehner, in Giessen, Germany, in collaboration with scientists at Lund University and SelectImmune Pharma. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of IL1-RA treatment in patients with recurrent episodes of acute cystitis. The study is based on the scientific discovery that acute cystitis is an interleukin-1β hyper-activation disorder, triggered by infection of the bladder. Characteristic symptoms include urgency, frequency of urination and pain. Since IL1-RA is registered for other clinical indications, SelectImmune Pharma has the permission to perform a Phase II trial.
On September 23rd, SelectImmune Pharma invited shareholders to a digital investor meeting. A brief presentation of the company was followed by a lively and fruitful discussion with about 40 attendants.
COMMENTARY RE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The ongoing pandemic has affected the infrastructure for clinical trials all around the world. The clinical Phase II study with the IL1 receptor antagonist is sponsored by SelectImmune Pharma and carried out in Germany in collaboration with leading international opinion leaders in the field. The pandemic has caused certain delays in the process.
The period in summary
FIRST QUARTER 2021-07-01 – 2021-09-30
• Net sales for the quarter totaled kSEK 0 (0)
• Loss before tax amounted to kSEK -3,132 (-2,163)
• Loss after tax amounted to kSEK -3,132 (-2,163)
• Loss per share* was SEK -0,1794 (-0,1381)
• On September 30, 2021, the equity/assets ratio** was 83 (95)%
* Profit/loss after tax for the period divided by 17,459,225 (15,666,660) shares, where 17,459,225 is the number of shares outstanding on September 30, 2021. The comparative figure in parentheses was the number of shares on September 30, 2020.
** Equity divided by total capital. Amounts in parentheses indicate the corresponding value in the preceding year.
Positive development during the first quarter with multiple achievements
The susceptibility to infection depends on the immune system and its ability to get rid of infecting microbes. A dysfunctional immune defense increases susceptibility and the need for treatment. SelectImmune Pharma is developing three groups of drug candidates, with the aim to restore immune balance and promote the defense against bacterial infections. We have identified protective molecules in the immune system and now develop them as drug candidates. Each of the candidates has shown therapeutic efficacy in animal models of infection.
During the first quarter of the new fiscal year, results of a first human study were published. The IL1 receptor antagonist used for treatment showed positive effects in patients with severe bladder pain syndrome, alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life in the majority of treated patients. In addition, a Phase II study has been initiated in patients with recurrent acute cystitis after an extensive process establishing the study organization and routines for advanced analyses of study samples.
As previously reported, SelectImmune Pharma’s patent portfolio has been significantly strengthened with a number of patent approvals during the first quarter. IL1-RA treatment of cystitis, in Group I, has been granted in the US, Europe and Australia and MMP7- inhibitors in Europe. The NlpD protein, in Group II, has also been granted in Europe. IRF7-inhibitors against acute pyelonephritis, urosepsis and inflammation in Group III, which previously was granted in the US, has now also been granted in Europe.
The company has also continued the work to establish an efficient manufacturing process for the new drug candidate NlpD. Technology transfer and small-scale production of recombinant material is being performed at the UK site of our development partner, Lonza Corporation. After the end of the first quarter, SelectImmune Pharma has successfully participated in the international partnering conference Bio-Europe with good interest from Big Pharma and international service providers.
We look forward to continuing the work on the IL1 receptor antagonist and to develop our potent new drug candidates. We thank our colleagues, consultants and partners for their contributions and our shareholders for their confidence and continued support.
Catharina Svanborg Chairman
Ann Gidner CEO
SelectImmune Pharma AB
SelectImmune Pharma AB is a company that performs drug development. The company’s development aims to offer effective alternatives to antibiotics. Instead of killing the bacteria directly, the body’s immune system is strengthened and balanced. The company is developing new drug candidates for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Revenue and earnings
As SelectImmune Pharma is a development company in life science, future income will primarily consist of various forms of royalty income such as advance payments, milestone-based payments and ongoing royalties. The longer the company runs its projects under its own auspices, the better bargaining power the company will have in business negotiations with potential future partners. The company has assessed that continued development under its own auspices will increase value and has therefore chosen not to enter into any cooperation agreements yet.
This means that the company had net sales of kSEK 0 (0) during the quarter. Profit after tax for the corresponding period amounted to kSEK -3,132 (-2,163) kSEK. The costs have mainly been related to continued development in collaboration with the research group at Lund University.
Financial position
At the end of the quarter, the equity/assets ratio was 83 (95) %, and the company’s cash and cash equivalents were kSEK 24,997 (21,895). The equity at the same time amounted to kSEK 22,735 (36,347).
Cash flow and investments
During the period July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021, cash flow amounted to kSEK -1,572 (-1,074).
No intangible assets were capitalized during the period, since the company is in an R&D stage. R&D costs are therefore recognized as operating expenses in the income statement. No new investments in tangible assets were capitalized during the quarter.
Depreciation
During the quarter, depreciation of equipment amounted to kSEK 99 (100).
Employees
The company had the corresponding 2 (2) full-time employees during the quarter.
The share
The number of registered shares as of September 30, 2021 amounted to 17,459,225 (15,666,660), of which 2,000,000 (2,000,000) Series A shares and 15,459,225 (13,666,660) Series B shares. Each Series A share entitles to 10 votes and Series B shares to one vote. SelectImmune Pharma’s Series B shares have been admitted to trading on Spotlight Stock Market since 26 June 2019. Spotlight Stock Market is the secondary name of ATS Finans AB, a securities company under supervision by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen).
Transactions with related parties
During the quarter, there were costs to Linnane Pharma AB of kSEK 375 (0) for the technology platform, kSEK 120 (120) for license costs for patents and kSEK 0 (176) for consulting fees. Linnane Pharma AB is the parent company of SelectImmune Pharma AB. Linnane Pharma is owned by Professor Catharina Svanborg. Furthermore, salaries and remuneration to the Board and management were paid during the period. Transactions with related parties are on market terms.
In addition to the collaboration with Lund University, SelectImmune Pharma needs access to current and innovative cutting-edge expertise. Linnane Pharma offers a collaboration to solve these needs. A technology platform provides access to a unique combination of cutting-edge expertise, large-scale analysis methods such as proteomics, RNA and DNA sequencing, methods for analysis of clinical materials and animal models for the design of clinical studies for drug development, etc.
The technology agreement between SelectImmune Pharma and Linnane Pharma ensures the company’s access to advanced science and technology. The agreement runs for two years and the technology platform is available to SelectImmune Pharma on a subscription basis. This is an effective way to gain access to cutting-edge expertise and new technology at low cost. The agreement does not contain any further financial commitments to Linnane Pharma.
Significant risks and uncertainties
The Board’s assessment of significant risks and uncertainties is unchanged compared with the most recent financial year and is described in the most recently published annual report (2021-06-30).
Basis of preparation for the interim report
The company prepares its accounts in accordance with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act and the K3 framework (BFNAR 2012:1) of the Swedish Accounting Standards Board (Bokföringsnämnden).
The company’s accounting principles are unchanged compared with the most recent financial year and are described in the most recent published annual report (2021-06-30).
Review
This interim report has not been audited.
Financial calendar
Annual meeting 2020/2021 November 24, 2021
Interim report for Q2 (half-year), 2021/2022 February 24, 2022
Interim report for Q3, 2021/2022 May 24, 2022
For more information, please contact:
Catharina Svanborg
Chairman of the board SelectImmune Pharma AB
Phone: +46 709 42 65 49
E-mail: catharina.svanborg@med.lu.se
Ann Gidner
CEO SelectImmune Pharma AB
Phone: +46 768 17 14 14
E-mail: ann.gidner@selectImmune.com
SelectImmune Pharma is a pharmaceutical company whose shares are traded on the Spotlight Stock Market. The company goal is to develop new immunotherapies, which act as immune enhancers and offer alternatives to antibiotics.
Bacterial infections affect large parts of the population and are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to increasing antibiotic resistance. SelectImmune Pharma develops immunotherapies that can supplement or replace antibiotics. Urinary tract infections (UVI) are one of the world’s most common infectious diseases, affecting about 150 million people each year. The need for alternative treatments for bacterial infections is currently very large as are potential markets.