All performance targets achieved in single-ascending dose (SAD) cohorts of BT-600 clinical trial

Results demonstrated targeted drug delivery and absorption in the colon, with 3-4 times lower drug levels in blood

Remainder of BT-600 clinical trial progressing well and on schedule

Management will host conference call and webcast today at 4:30 PM Eastern / 1:30 PM Pacific

SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biora Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOR), the biotech company that is reimagining therapeutic delivery, today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

“We are thrilled by the results from the single ascending dose (SAD) portion of our clinical trial for BT-600. The data indicate exactly what we had hoped: NaviCap devices consistently delivered tofacitinib directly to the colon, resulting in systemic drug levels three to four times lower than conventional oral delivery. This demonstrates the NaviCap platform’s unique ability for targeted delivery to the colon, and is consistent with potentially higher drug levels in colon tissue at the site of the disease,” said Adi Mohanty, Chief Executive Officer of Biora Therapeutics.

“We eagerly anticipate the conclusion of the multiple ascending dose (MAD) portion of the trial during the second quarter of 2024, which will provide additional insight into the performance of BT-600. We are working to create a new treatment paradigm that leads to better outcomes for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, and we are encouraged by the data so far,” stated Mr. Mohanty.

“Meanwhile, our BioJet platform is progressing well. We just completed animal studies with another collaborator molecule, and we remain focused on our planned goal of progressing to partnerships this year,” continued Mr. Mohanty.

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 and Recent Highlights

NaviCap™ Targeted Oral Delivery Platform and BT-600 in ulcerative colitis

• Completion of SAD Portion of Phase 1 Clinical Trial for BT-600. Results from the single-ascending dose (SAD) portion of the trial were consistent with desired performance targets:
  • NaviCap devices were well tolerated by study subjects in the SAD cohort.
  • All participants who received devices containing active drug showed systemic drug absorption, indicating that the NaviCap devices released and delivered drug as intended.
  • Measurable tofacitinib in blood was first observed at approximately six hours, with maximal concentrations at approximately eight hours post ingestion, which is indicative of drug delivery and absorption in the colon, as intended.
  • Plasma levels of tofacitinib were approximately 3-4 times lower than what is observed with conventional oral tofacitinib at the same doses, which is a positive sign consistent with passage of drug through the colonic tissue and into systemic circulation.  
  • Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics were also observed, with consistently lower plasma drug concentrations with the 5 mg dose than the 10 mg dose.  

BioJet™ Systemic Oral Delivery Platform preclinical development

• BioJet Research Collaborations. Biora has now successfully performed animal studies with peptides, antibodies, and nucleic acids, exceeding its performance target of 15% bioavailability compared to IV administration, and achieving 30-40% bioavailability with its most recent studies. The company recently completed animal studies with another large pharma research collaborator; final study data is anticipated during Q2.
  

Capital Markets

• Optimization of Capital Structure. During 2023, Biora reduced its outstanding notes by more than $80 million, resulting in a 75% reduction in net debt. With an additional note exchange in March 2024, the company has brought in a total of $19.8 million in new investment through these transactions, demonstrating continued support from institutional investors.
• Resolution of Legacy Matters. Biora recently monetized its investment in Enumera Molecular, Inc., generating $3 million in non-dilutive capital, and also reached an agreement in principle to resolve a legacy securities litigation matter. The company believes that remaining legacy issues will have minimal impact on Biora going forward.

Anticipated Milestones

NaviCap™ Targeted Oral Delivery Platform and BT-600 in ulcerative colitis

• Conclusion of the Phase 1 clinical trial of BT-600 is anticipated. The company expects to receive final SAD/MAD data, including colon tissue biopsy results, during Q2 2024 and plans to present topline data from the trial shortly afterward.
• A clinical study in active ulcerative colitis patients is planned during the second half of 2024.

BioJet™ Systemic Oral Delivery Platform development

• The company expects data from a recently completed animal study with its newest large pharmaceutical collaborator during Q2.
• An update on data from recent animal studies will be shared at the Next Gen Peptide Formulation & Delivery Summit in June 2024.
• Biora anticipates continued progress toward a partnership agreement for the BioJet platform.

Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023

Operating expenses were $13.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $23.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a one-time stock-based compensation non-cash charge of approximately $9.0 million related to vesting of employees' restricted stock units (RSUs) in Q3 2023.

Net loss was $15.4 million and net loss per share was $0.62 for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $73.5 million and net loss per share of $4.89 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Q4 2023 includes non-cash charges of $6.4 million attributable to the December convertible notes exchange and $3.0 million impairment on equity investments. Q3 2023 includes non-cash charges to stock-based compensation expense of $9.0 million noted above and a non-cash charge of $53.2 million attributable to the convertible notes exchange implemented by the company in September 2023.

Net gain from discontinued operations was $0.2 million and net gain per share was $0.01 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. There was no gain or loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Operating expenses were $13.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $13.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Net loss was $15.4 million and net loss per share was $0.62 for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $13.7 million and net loss per share of $1.64 for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Net gain from discontinued operations was $0.2 million and net gain per share was $0.01 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to net loss from discontinued operations of $0.3 million and net loss per share of $0.03 for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Comparison of Full-Year Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Operating expenses were $67.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $62.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Net loss was $124.1 million and net loss per share was $7.87 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $38.2 million and net loss per share of $5.00 for the year ended December 31, 2022. This includes non-cash charges to stock-based compensation expense of $9.0 million related to vesting of employees' restricted stock units (RSUs) in Q3 2023, a non-cash charge of $53.2 million attributable to the convertible notes exchange implemented by the company in September 2023, an extinguishment loss on the convertible notes exchange implemented by the company in December 2023, and an impairment loss on equity investments.

Net gain from discontinued operations was $0.2 million and net gain per share was $0.01 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net gain from discontinued operations of $10.7 million and net gain per share of $1.40 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

About Biora Therapeutics

Biora Therapeutics is reimagining therapeutic delivery. By creating innovative smart pills designed for targeted drug delivery to the GI tract, and systemic, needle-free delivery of biotherapeutics, the company is developing therapies to improve patients’ lives.

Biora is focused on development of two therapeutics platforms: the NaviCap™ targeted oral delivery platform, which is designed to improve outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease through treatment at the site of disease in the gastrointestinal tract, and the BioJet™ systemic oral delivery platform, which is designed to replace injection for better management of chronic diseases through needle-free, oral delivery of large molecules.

For more information, visit bioratherapeutics.com or follow the company on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Safe Harbor Statement or Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on estimates and assumptions. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including statements concerning the progress and future expectations and goals of our research and development, preclinical, and clinical trial efforts including our phase 1 trial execution and data timelines, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “forward,” “believe,” “design,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “target,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our plans, estimates, and expectations, as of the date of this press release. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this press release. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others, our ability to innovate in the field of therapeutics, our ability to make future filings and initiate and execute clinical trials on expected timelines or at all, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval or clearance of our products on expected timelines or at all, our plans to research, develop, and commercialize new products, the unpredictable relationship between preclinical study results and clinical study results, our expectations regarding allowed patents or intended grants to result in issued or granted patents, our expectations regarding opportunities with current or future pharmaceutical collaborators or partners, our ability to raise sufficient capital to achieve our business objectives, and those risks described in “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC and other subsequent documents, including Quarterly Reports, that we file with the SEC.

Biora Therapeutics expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contact
Chuck Padala
Managing Director, LifeSci Advisors
IR@bioratherapeutics.com
(646) 627-8390

Media Contact
media@bioratherapeutics.com