On July 18, 2022, Eliem Therapeutics, Inc. (Eliem, or the Company) provided updates on the status of the ETX-155 clinical program and certain of its other clinical and preclinical programs.
Update on ETX-155
ETX-155 is a novel, neuroactive steroid GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) that the Company plans to evaluate in subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD), perimenopausal depression (PMD), and epilepsy. In April 2022, the Company elected to delay advancing ETX-155 into Phase 2a depression trials to determine the root cause of a lower-than-expected exposure observed in a Phase 1b proof-of-concept trial of ETX-155 in photosensitive epilepsy (PSE). Based on an initial review of ongoing analyses, the Company believes that the reduced exposure levels were most likely related to certain aspects of the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) for the different batches of drug product used in the Phase 1 healthy volunteer trials and the Phase 1b PSE trial. Evaluation and implementation of CMC process modifications to ensure consistency of drug product manufacturing are currently underway. In parallel, the Company plans to initiate a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial in healthy subjects using the drug batches that were used in the Phase 1b PSE trial. The objective of this Phase 1 trial is to identify the dose required to provide a similar exposure to that of the 60-milligram dose used in the previous 14-day repeat dose Phase 1 healthy volunteer trial. Once a dose level with appropriate exposure and safety is confirmed, the Company intends to use these same drug batches to initiate its previously planned Phase 2a trial of ETX-155 in MDD patients.
Results from the Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial are expected in the fourth quarter of 2022, and the subsequent randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2a trial in MDD patients is expected to initiate in the first quarter of 2023. This Phase 2a trial is anticipated to be a proof-of-concept study with 4-week treatment, with subjects randomized 1:1 to either ETX-155 or placebo, evaluating efficacy endpoints from day 3 through day 42. Assuming Phase 2a MDD trial initiation in the first quarter of 2023, topline data from this trial would be expected in mid-2024.
The Company is postponing the initiation of the planned Phase 2a trial in PMD, which will provide additional investment flexibility for the progression of Eliem’s pipeline. The Company will consider resuming the PSE trial after the expected readout of the Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Update on other programs
In addition to ETX-155, the Company expects to report topline data for its clinical candidate, ETX-810, in lumbosacral radicular pain (LSRP) in the third quarter of 2022 and is progressing a novel Kv7 channel opener program that is expected to begin IND-enabling studies in the second half of 2022.
Update on cash guidance
The Company believes that its cash, cash equivalents and short- and long-term marketable securities of $149.9 million as of March 31, 2022 are sufficient to fund key pipeline catalysts and operations until mid-2024.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this report that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to: the continued development and clinical and therapeutic potential of ETX-155, ETX-810 and Eliem’s Kv7 channel opener program; Eliem’s belief regarding the likely cause of a lower-than-expected exposure observed in the referenced Phase 1b proof-of-concept trial of ETX-155 in PSE; Eliem’s plans and activities relating to ETX-155 CMC process modifications; Eliem’s plans to initiate a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial of ETX-155 and the timing thereof, the objective of this trial and the expected availability of topline data; Eliem’s plans to initiate its previously planned Phase 2a trial of ETX-155 in MDD patients and the timing thereof; the expected availability of topline data for Eliem’s Phase 2a trial of ETX-810 in LSRP and the timing thereof; the progression of the Kv7 channel opener program; and the belief that Eliem has sufficient capital to fund key pipeline catalysts and operations until mid-2024. Words such as “anticipated,” “believe,” “expect,” “initiate,” “intends,” “investment,” “likely,” “objective,” “potential,” “progression,” “sufficient,” “will,” “would,” or other similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K are based upon Eliem’s current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections, and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to these risks and uncertainties as well as other factors, which include, without limitation: the clinical, therapeutic and commercial value of ETX-810, ETX-155 and Eliem’s preclinical programs; risks related to the potential failure of ETX-810 and ETX-155 to demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical testing; Eliem’s ability to initiate and conduct clinical trials and studies of ETX-810 and ETX-155 sufficient to achieve a positive completion; the availability of data at the expected times; Eliem’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights, and operate without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others; the uncertain timing and level
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