The Company’s Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) will be developed for three new, additional indications; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), renal transplantation and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Further information on Cynata’s clinical development pipeline, new indications and the Capital Raising are set out in the company’s Investor Presentation.
Key highlights:
- Preparations underway to expand Cynata’s clinical development pipeline to include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, renal transplantation and diabetic foot ulcers
- Additional clinical trials to build on solid foundation from studies in relevant pre-clinical disease models and driven by significant unmet medical needs and promising commercial opportunities
A$15m institutional placement to existing and new investors at$0.70 per new share, led byA$10m from healthcare investor BioScience Managers via the BMTFI- A 1 for 15 non-renounceable pro-rata entitlement offer to eligible shareholders to raise up to approximately
A$5.5m will follow the Placement - Proceeds raised to primarily fund the expansion of Cynata’s clinical development pipeline, enhance process development and progress regulatory strategy for commercialisation
“The endorsement from BioScience Managers, an experienced and highly successful healthcare investor, in Cynata’s core Cymerus™ technology and the broad potential of our clinical pipeline provides great validation of our platform. The capital secured will enable a logical and significant expansion of our clinical development into new indications, essentially doubling the size of our clinical pipeline. The additional indications of IPF, renal transplantation and DFU were chosen based on the promising results of multiple pre-clinical studies and highly attractive opportunities, in which our Cymerus MSCs have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and to provide new standards of care in these challenging settings.
We are encouraged by the confidence in our strategy demonstrated by BioScience Managers, existing shareholders and new investors. Additionally, we are pleased to provide an entitlement offer to eligible shareholders on the same terms as the institutional and sophisticated investors. We look forward to initiating the planned studies in the near term and building on the significant progress made to date with the development of our Cymerus platform technology.”
Expanding the clinical development pipeline
Cynata has carefully selected additional target indications for further clinical development, following a comprehensive scientific, clinical and commercial review. The target indications, including IPF, renal transplantation and DFU, represent a combined market opportunity in excess of
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
IPF is an incurable disease of unknown cause, which results in extensive scarring (or fibrosis) of the lungs. When first diagnosed, lung damage is often advanced and invariably progresses to respiratory failure with only 20% to 30% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis4. Treatment of IPF represents a significant unmet medical need, with existing therapies having limited effects on disease progression and survival rates. Studies conducted in preclinical rodent models of IPF demonstrated efficacy of Cymerus MSCs, based on statistically significant improvements in multiple clinically relevant outcome measures, including levels of fibrosis, inflammation, dynamic lung compliance and airway resistance.
Renal Transplantation
Renal transplantation is a common treatment for end-stage kidney disease, where the kidneys are no longer able to function and a transplant is required to eliminate patients’ reliance on dialysis. Following a kidney transplant, the body may recognise the transplanted kidney as foreign tissue and attempt to protect the patient by attacking it. In preclinical studies, Cymerus MSC treatment demonstrated effects expected to minimise or prevent organ transplant rejection.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU)
DFUs are sores on the feet of patients with diabetes and are among the most common complications occurring in 15% to 25% of patients sometime during their lifetime5. Severe ulcers can lead to hospitalisation and lower limb amputation if not treated in a timely manner. Cymerus MSCs have achieved encouraging efficacy results in a preclinical model of diabetic foot ulcers. This provides strong support for the inclusion of this new indication to Cynata’s clinical development pipeline.
Capital Raising
The capital raising consists of an institutional placement (Placement) and a 1 for 15 non-renounceable entitlement offer (Entitlement Offer) (together, the Capital Raising). The offer price for the Capital Raising is
All shares issued under the Capital Raising will be fully paid ordinary shares ranking equally with existing Cynata shares on issue (New Shares).
- Expand clinical product development pipeline: pursue additional clinical trials in attractive indications. High priority targets include IPF, renal transplantation and DFU
- Process development and commercialisation: Optimise and expand manufacturing capabilities to enhance scale-up efficiencies and progress Cynata’s US regulatory strategy, to place the Company in a strong position to commercialise its MSC products
- Additional headcount, general working capital and corporate costs
Placement
The Placement to institutions, sophisticated and professional investors will raise
The Placement will be undertaken in a single tranche within the Company’s existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1A – therefore no shareholder approval is required for the Placement. New Shares subscribed for under the Placement are expected to settle on
Entitlement Offer
In addition to the Placement, the Company is undertaking a 1 for 15 non-renounceable entitlement offer to existing shareholders, to raise up to approximately
Eligible shareholders who take up their entitlement in full can also apply for additional New Shares in excess of their entitlement under a top-up facility. Allocations for additional New Shares above pro-rata entitlements will be determined at Cynata’s absolute discretion and are not guaranteed. The Company reserves the right to allot and issue any shortfall shares in the Entitlement Offer at its discretion.
The terms and conditions and further details of how to participate in the Entitlement Offer will be set out in the Offer Booklet to be sent to eligible shareholders on Monday,
Indicative Capital Raising timetable6
Event | Date |
Friday, | |
Record date for Entitlement Offer | Wednesday, |
Settlement of Placement | Friday, |
Allotment and commencement of trading of New Shares under the Placement | Monday, |
Despatch of Offer Booklet and Entitlement Offer opens | Monday, |
Entitlement Offer closes | Wednesday, |
Announcement of Entitlement Offer results | Monday, |
New Shares issued under the Entitlement Offer | Wednesday, |
Allotment and commencement of trading of New Shares under the Entitlement Offer | Thursday, |
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Cynata’s lead product candidate
1 iHealthcareAnalyst Inc, 2019 (represents global market by 2025)
2 Organ Transplant Immunosuppressant Drugs Market in 2026,
3
4 Ley B, et al. Clinical course and prediction of survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Repsir Crit Care Med. 2011;183(4):431-40. https://www.ihealthcareanalyst.com/report/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-treatment-market
5 Mutluoglu M, Uzun G, Turhan V, Gorenek L, Ay H, Lipsky BA. How reliable are cultures of specimens from superficial swabs compared with those of deep tissue in patients with diabetic foot ulcers? J Diabetes Complications. 2012 May-Jun;26(3):225-9
6 This timetable is indicative only and subject to change. The Company reserves the right to amend the dates at its discretion and without notice, subject to the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). All times are AEDT
Source:
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