Company maintains priority focus on clinical programs to develop a novel functional cure for hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection and a potential first-of-its-kind treatment for postpartum depression (PPD) and major depressive disorders (MDD)
Multiple Phase 2a proof-of-concept (POC) clinical data readouts and Phase 2b clinical trial initiations expected in 2023
Operations well-funded through 2025
Company to host conference call today at 8:00 PM HKT / 8:00 AM ET
DURHAM, N.C. and BEIJING, March 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brii Biosciences Limited ("Brii Bio," "we," or the "Company", stock code: 2137.HK), a biotechnology company developing therapies to improve patient health and choice across diseases with high unmet needs, today announced a corporate update and reported its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2022.
"In 2022 we achieved several key clinical, commercial and corporate milestones that strengthen our overall position to tackle major public health challenges on behalf of patients." Stated Zhi Hong, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brii Bio, "Throughout the upcoming year, we will continue to advance our lead clinical development programs as we work to bring a functional cure for hepatitis B viral infection to patients in China and potential first-of-its-kind treatment options for postpartum depression and major depressive disorders to patients in the U.S. Across our broader infectious and central nervous system disease portfolios, we look forward to adding new best-in-class partnerships and applying our proven internal discovery capabilities to strategically shape and position the Company for long-term growth and success."
Beyond its lead clinical programs in hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, postpartum depression (PPD) and major depressive disorders (MDD), Brii Bio and its partners are advancing a broad pipeline of more than 10 differentiated treatment options for anxiety and major depressive disorders, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) Gram-negative infections and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.
In addition, Brii Bio has made the decision to discontinue its amubarvimab/romlusevimab antibody combination program for COVID-19 and has stopped manufacturing efforts in order to redirect resources to high-priority programs. This determination is based on constantly evolving COVID-19 trends and policy updates, as well as protracted regulatory inspections at our contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) sites.
Fiscal Year 2022 and Recent Corporate Developments
Fiscal Year 2022 Clinical Pipeline Highlights and Upcoming Milestones
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Program (China team core project)
Led by Brii Bio's team in China and partners, Vir Biotechnology, Inc. ("Vir," NASDAQ: VIR) and VBI Vaccines, Inc. ("VBI," NASDAQ: VBIV), the Company is progressing multiple combination studies for the treatment of HBV to improve the probability of achieving a high rate of functional cure for chronic HBV patients in China. China has the largest prevalence of HBV in the world, with 87 million people impacted by this disease, yet there is no effective functional cure currently available for patients.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) Program and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (U.S. team core project)
Brii Bio is developing its internally-discovered BRII-296 therapeutic candidate as a first-of-its-kind one-time injection treatment with the potential to expand the PPD and MDD treatment landscapes for patients in the U.S.
Additional Clinical and Pre-Clinical Development Updates
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Program
Multidrug- and Extensively Drug-Resistant (MDR/XDR) Gram-negative Bacteria Infections Program
Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung Disease Program
COVID-19 Program
Full Year 2022 Financial Results
Conference Call Information
A live conference call will be hosted on March 24, 2023, at 8:00 PM Hong Kong time (8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time). All participants are required to register in advance of the call. For the registration link, please click here.
All participants shall use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive an email with important details for this call, including the call date, time and access link. This link is to be kept confidential and not shared with other participants. Additionally, a replay of the conference call will be available after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company's website at www.briibio.com under the Investor Relations section.
About Brii Bio's Programs
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) (Licensed from VBI and Vir, China team core project)
As one of its leading clinical development programs, Brii Bio is building a broad pipeline of novel HBV therapeutic candidates in order to improve the probability of achieving a high rate of functional cure for each subpopulation of HBV patients. Each of Brii Bio's HBV candidates has a unique therapeutic modality with proven clinical benefit targeting this chronic infection, which allows the Company to explore an expansive set of potential combination treatment options for various patient subgroups. Brii Bio holds exclusive rights in Greater China to develop and commercialize BRII-179 (VBI-2601), BRII-835 (VIR-2218) and BRII-877 (VIR-3434).
BRII-179 (VBI-2601) is a novel recombinant protein-based HBV immunotherapeutic candidate that expresses the Pre-S1, Pre-S2, and S HBV surface antigens, and is designed to induce enhanced B-cell and T-cell immunity.
BRII-835 (VIR-2218) is a GalNAc-conjugated small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) targeting all HBV viral RNAs that has shown to block viral transcription, reduce viral protein and alleviate immune suppression.
BRII-877 (VIR-3434) is an investigational subcutaneously administered HBV-neutralizing monoclonal antibody designed to block entry of all 10 genotypes of HBV into hepatocytes and also to reduce the level of virions and subviral particles in the blood. BRII-877 (VIR-3434), which incorporates Xencor's Xtend™ and other Fc technologies, has been engineered to potentially function as a T cell vaccine against HBV in infected patients, as well as to have an extended half-life.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)/Other CNS disorders (Internally discovered, U.S. team core project)
Leveraging patient insights, Brii Bio is developing BRII-296 and BRII-297 to expand treatment options for patients with psychiatric disorders who are often underserved and overlooked across the industry. Utilizing applied drug formulation know-how to develop long-acting therapies, Brii Bio is focused on improving drug administration convenience and patient compliance to ensure potential treatment success.
BRII-296 is a novel, long-acting, single injection therapeutic candidate in development for the treatment PPD and MDD. It acts as a gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) and is designed to provide a rapid, profound and sustained reduction in depressive symptoms of PPD and MDD with the potential to lead to greater adherence, convenience and fewer side effects compared to the current standard of care.
BRII-297 is a new chemical entity (NCE) discovered internally in development as a long-acting injectable (LAI) treatment of various anxiety and depression disorders.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Internally discovered, U.S. team project)
Brii Bio is seeking partners to collaborate on the development of BRII-732 as a once-weekly oral single-tablet regimen for the treatment or prevention of HIV. Brii is also seeking development partnership for BRII 753, a novel low volume, subcutaneous injection therapy with potential to dose monthly to every six months. Both compounds demonstrate considerable promise to serve as a key component for long-acting HIV treatment regimens that will offer more discreet and convenient options for patients living with HIV, and as monotherapy for HIV prevention.
BRII-732 is a proprietary prodrug NCE that, upon oral administration, is rapidly metabolized into EFdA and is under evaluation as a potential HIV treatment or prevention option. BRII-732 is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI) that acts as both a chain terminator and translocation inhibitor of HIV.
BRII-753 is an NCE currently in the preclinical stage of development. It has been internally discovered and is being developed as a long-acting subcutaneous injection with potential for dosing once monthly to once every six months. BRII-753 can be used in a combination therapy for HIV treatment and as monotherapy for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Multidrug- and Extensively Drug-Resistant (MDR/XDR) Gram-negative Infections (Licensed from Qpex, China team project)
Brii Bio is developing MDR/XDR therapies in collaboration with Qpex as part of their global development plan. Based on a licensing agreement with Qpex, Brii Bio has the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize BRII-636, BRII-672 and BRII-693 in Greater China. Qpex is progressing BRII-636, BRII-672 and BRII-693 in parallel with a goal of moving each to global Phase 3 studies, at which time Brii Bio will participate in the China-based arm of the global research protocols. BRII-636, BRII-672 and BRII-693 candidates all obtained QIDP designation from the U.S. FDA, which may receive incentives in the future.
BRII-693 (QPX-9003) is a novel synthetic lipopeptide in development for the treatment of MDR/XDR Gram-negative bacterial infections. Based on a combination of increased in vitro and in vivo potency, and an improved safety profile compared with currently available polymyxins, BRII-693 has the potential to be an important addition to hospital-administered intravenous antibiotics.
BRII-672 (ORAvanceTM) is a prodrug of BRII-636 and an oral beta-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) in development for the treatment of MDR/XDR Gram-negative bacterial infections. These agents were discovered by Qpex as part of their expertise in BLIs, using the boron atom as a part of its pharmacophore.
BRII-636 (OMNIvance®) is an intravenously administered novel cyclic boronic acid derived broad-spectrum inhibitor in development for the treatment of MDR/XDR Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung Disease Program (Licensed from AN2, China team project)
Brii Bio's strategic partner, AN2 Therapeutics, is developing epetraborole (BRII-658) as a once-daily oral treatment for patients with chronic NTM lung disease, with an initial focus on treatment-refractory Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease, which is the subpopulation of MAC lung disease with the highest unmet medical need for new therapies. Brii Bio holds a license to develop, manufacture and commercialize epetraborole (BRII-658) in Greater China.
BRII-658 (epetraborole) is in development as a once-daily oral treatment for patients with chronic NTM lung disease, with an initial focus on treatment of refractory MAC lung disease. It is a boron-containing, small molecule inhibitor of mycobacterial leucyl-tRNA synthetase, or LeuRS, an enzyme that inhibits protein synthesis.
COVID-19 (Discovered in collaboration with Tsinghua University and Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen through Brii Bio's subsidiary, TSB Therapeutics Ltd (Beijing) Co. Limited.)
Amubarvimab and romlusevimab are non-competing SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal neutralizing antibodies derived from convalesced COVID-19 patients. They have been specifically engineered to reduce the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement and prolong the plasma half-lives for potentially more durable treatment effect.
Approved by China's NMPA in December 2021, the long-acting amubarvimab/romlusevimab cocktail therapy is approved to be administered by intravenous infusion in two sequential doses for the treatment in adults and pediatric patients (age 12-17 weighing at least 40 kg) of mild- and normal-type COVID-19 at high risk for progression to severe disease, including hospitalization or death. The indication of pediatric patients (age 12-17 weighing at least 40 kg) is under conditional approval. In January 2023, the National Health Commission of China reiterated the amubarvimab/romlusevimab combination in its COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (10th Edition) for the treatment of COVID-19 and the 4th COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Severe/Critical Cases. The live virus testing data as well as pseudovirus testing data from multiple independent labs have demonstrated that the amubarvimab/romlusevimab combination retains activity against commonly identified SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.429 (Epsilon), B.1.617.2 (Delta), AY.4.2 (Delta Plus), C.37 (Lambda), B.1.621 (Mu), B.1.1.529-BA.1 (Omicron) and BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4/5, BF.7 (Omicron subvariants).
This press release contains references to third-party information. Such information is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this press release. Brii Bio disclaims responsibility for such third-party information.
About Brii Bio
Brii Biosciences ("Brii Bio", stock code: 2137.HK) is a biotechnology company developing therapies to address some of the world's most common diseases where patients experience high unmet medical needs, limited choice and significant social stigmas. With a focus on infectious and central nervous system diseases, the Company is advancing a broad pipeline of unique therapeutic candidates with lead programs to develop a novel functional cure for hepatitis B viral infection (HBV) and a first-of-its-kind treatment for postpartum depression (PPD). The Company is led by a visionary and experienced leadership team and has operations in key biotech hubs, including Raleigh-Durham, the San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.briibio.com.
Forward Looking Statement
The information communicated in this press release contains certain statements that are or may be forward looking. These statements typically contain words such as "will," "expects," "believes," "plans" and "anticipates," and words of similar import. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There may be additional material risks that are currently not considered to be material or of which the Company are unaware. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.