Xintela has developed the stem cell product XSTEM consisting of integrin α10β1-selected mesenchymal stem cells. The company is conducting a Phase I/IIa clinical study with XSTEM in patients with knee osteoarthritis in Australia, as well as a Phase I/IIa clinical study in patients with difficult-to-heal leg ulcers.
The company's subsidiaries Targinta is also developing antibody-based drug candidates, TARG9 and TARG10, for aggressive cancers such as the brain tumor glioblastoma and triple-negative breast cancer.
Progress in Australia
According to Xintela's Q3 report, progress has been made in the clinical study in Australia during the fall. A total of 24 patients with knee osteoarthritis have been treated with three different doses of XSTEM. All dose levels have been assessed as safe after three months. Early signs of efficacy have shown that patients treated with the lowest dose experience reduced pain and improved knee joint function after six months. Similar positive trends are also observed for patients at the second dose level.
The company is now continuing to follow all patients for 18 months, with efficacy readings every six months. The primary purpose of the dose escalation study is to evaluate safety and preliminary efficacy signals, as well as determine the optimal dose for treatment.
Four clinics are running the wound study
The company has previously had difficulty recruiting patients for the study on difficult-to-heal wounds. Many of the patients are elderly and suffer from multiple other diseases and complications, which prevents inclusion in the study.
To meet the recruitment needs, the company has chosen to add additional clinics in Lund, Gothenburg and Stockholm in addition to the clinic in Linköping. This means that four clinics are now up and running, which expands the recruitment area and the possibilities to screen a larger number of patients for the study. According to the Q3 report, two potential patients have recently been admitted to the study, however, these have not yet been dosed. The study will include a total of 12 patients.
New discoveries in Targinta
Recently, Targinta's development of preclinical cancer candidates has slowed down, but according to the Q3 report, the company has focused on further exploring cancer cells that have the target molecule integrin α10β1 on their surface.
This work has resulted in new results indicating that the target molecule is expressed on a specific type of aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer cells. This strengthens the idea that integrin α10β1 represents a new and important target molecule for the development of selective cancer treatments and diagnostics of aggressive cancer. The results are currently being prepared for publication in a scientific journal.
In addition, Xintela's preclinical results from equine studies with the veterinary stem cell product EQSTEM have been accepted for publication in Cartilage.
Exercise period for warrants
Looking at the financial part of the Q3 report, Xintela ended the quarter with SEK 11,70 million in cash and cash equivalents. Operating profit for the period amounted to SEK -12,30 million.
Xintela also provided information about the TO3 series warrants, which were issued in connection with the rights issue earlier this year. The exercise period began on November 25 and runs until December 5. One warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one new share in the company at a subscription price of SEK 0,30 per share.
More focus on business development through experienced advisors
Xintela's business development efforts have led to several discussions with potential partners and licensees for the continued development and commercialization of the company's products. Xintela is therefore strengthening its business development with business development advisors with extensive experience in global transactions within Life Science.