LYON - POXEL SA (Euronext: POXEL - FR0012432516), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative treatments for metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), today announced positive top-line results for STAMP-NAFLD, the PXL770 Phase 2a trial.

The Phase 2a trial was a 12-week, randomized, parallel group study, in 120 presumed NASH patients with or without diabetes. PXL770 is a first-in-class, oral direct adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator. AMPK is a master regulator of several important metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism, glucose control and inflammation, and is a novel target for NASH and a range of other chronic and rare metabolic diseases.

'The underlying pathophysiological drivers of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NASH are highly complex and support the need for development of novel therapies acting on different targets that can address a variety of key disease drivers,' said Vlad Ratziu, MD, PhD, Professor of Hepatology, Sorbonne University and Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital. 'AMPK activation is a differentiated approach for NASH and these results demonstrate that it could have a beneficial role in controlling key pathways that lead to liver injury. By also directly targeting inflammation and fibrogenesis, as demonstrated in preclinical models including human cells, PXL770 has the potential to independently impact multiple disease components. As an oral agent, PXL770 also has the potential to be used in combination with other agents, which could provide for broad treatment of this disease.'

Summary of STAMP-NAFLD PXL770 Phase 2a Study Results

STAMP-NAFLD was a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial in 120 presumed NASH patients, with or without diabetes, which evaluated three dosing regimens of PXL770 versus placebo. Primary enrollment criteria were evidence of hepatic steatosis (NAFLD) based on a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score of >300 db/m measured by MRI-PDFF. Patients were randomized into four groups: PXL770 at 250 mg once-daily (QD); 250 mg twice-daily (BID); 500 mg once-daily (QD) versus patients who received placebo.

The Phase 2a trial met its primary efficacy endpoint; PXL770 was observed to produce a statistically significant mean relative decrease of 18% in liver fat mass from baseline at 12-weeks in the 500 mg QD dose group as measured by MRI-PDFF (p=0.0036 vs. -0.7% change in placebo). A greater proportion of patients who received PXL770 also achieved a >30% relative reduction in liver fat content compared to placebo; greater liver fat content reduction (up to -85%) was also observed in more responsive patients. Although mean baseline ALT values (37-41 U/L) were near the upper range of normal, a statistically significant reduction in mean ALT was also observed in the 500 mg dose group.

In patients with type 2 diabetes (41-47% of each group), PXL770 treatment resulted in a greater mean relative reduction in liver fat content (-27% at 500 mg QD; p=0.004 versus baseline). The effects of PXL770 in this key subpopulation will be further evaluated within each treatment group. Despite nearly normal mean baseline HbA1c values (6.03-6.30%) across all groups (patients with and without diabetes), a significant reduction in mean HbA1c was also observed. A similar trend was also observed on fasting plasma glucose.

PXL770 was observed to be generally safe and well tolerated. The number of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events in each group were similar to placebo and these events were mainly mild-to-moderate. The safety results from the Phase 2a trial are consistent with the PXL770 PK/PD trial and Phase 1 program.

About PXL770

PXL770 is a first-in-class direct adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator. AMPK is a central regulator of multiple metabolic pathways leading to the control of lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis and inflammation. Based on its central metabolic role, targeting AMPK offers the opportunity to pursue a wide range of indications to treat chronic metabolic diseases, including diseases that affect the liver, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

About NASH

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a metabolic disease with no clear disease origin that is quickly becoming a worldwide epidemic. It is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver causing inflammation and fibrosis. The disease can be silent for a long period of time, but once it accelerates, severe damage and liver cirrhosis can occur, which can significantly impact liver function and can even result in liver failure or hepatocellular cancer. Typical risk factors for NASH include obesity, elevated levels of blood lipids (such as cholesterol and triglycerides) and diabetes. Currently no curative or specific therapies are available.

About Poxel SA

Poxel is a dynamic biopharmaceutical company that uses its extensive expertise in developing innovative drugs for metabolic diseases, with a focus on type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In its mid-to-late stage pipeline, the Company is currently advancing three drug candidates as well as earlier-stage opportunities. Imeglimin, Poxel's first-in-class lead product, targets mitochondrial dysfunction. Poxel has a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma for Imeglimin in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and nine other Southeast Asian countries. A Japanese new drug application (J-NDA) is under review by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) to request approval for the manufacturing and marketing of Imeglimin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Poxel also established a partnership with Roivant Sciences for Imeglimin's development and commercialization in countries outside of the partnership with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, including the U.S. and Europe. PXL770, a first-in-class direct adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, is in a Phase 2a proof-of-concept program for the treatment of NASH. PXL770 could also have the potential to treat additional metabolic diseases. PXL065 (deuterium-stabilized R-pioglitazone), a MPC inhibitor, is in a single Phase 2 trial for the treatment of NASH. Poxel also has additional earlier-stage programs from its AMPK activator and deuterated TZD platforms targeting chronic and rare metabolic diseases. The Company intends to generate further growth through strategic partnerships and pipeline development. Listed on Euronext Paris, Poxel is headquartered in Lyon, France, and has subsidiaries in Boston, MA, and Tokyo, Japan.

In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 12, 2020, the Company is regularly reviewing the impact of the outbreak on its business.

As of the date of this press release, and based on publicly available information, the Company has not identified the occurrence of any material negative effect on its business due to the COVID-19 pandemic that remains unresolved. However, the Company anticipates that the COVID-19 pandemic could have further material negative impact on its business operations. The worldwide impact of COVID-19 may notably affect the Company's internal organization and efficiency, particularly in countries where it operates and where confinement measures are implemented by the authorities. In addition, COVID-19 may impact market conditions and the Company's ability to seek additional funding or enter into partnerships. Particularly, delays in the supply of drug substance or drug products, in the initiation or the timing of results of preclinical and/or clinical trials, as well as delays linked to the responsiveness of regulatory authorities could occur, which could potentially have an impact on the Company's development programs and partnered programs. The Company will continue to actively monitor the situation.

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as 'target,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'aim,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'will,' 'can have,' 'likely,' 'should,' 'would,' 'could' and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Jonae R. Barnes

Tel: +1 617 818 2985

Email: jonae.barnes@poxelpharma.com

(C) 2020 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire