Respiratorius continues to improve its offering
When reporting the full year 2024, the big theme for Respiratorius is still the ongoing partnering activities. CEO Johan Drott talks to BioStock about the efforts to strengthen the VAL001 project.
Lund-based Respiratorius develops the drug candidate VAL001 to improve the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. By acting as a pre-treatment to the standard therapy R-CHOP, the candidate has shown promising results in previous studies, opening for a direct transition to phase III. The company is now working to secure strategic and financial partners for the upcoming study.
So far, the company has identified a financial partner, who has stated that it is prepared to co-finance a phase III study. The next goal is to find a strategic partner who can be part of the journey and have the muscle to potentially take the project all the way to market. Respiratorius has been in contact with several companies that have shown interest during the process, and there has been a dialogue about how the project can be made as attractive as possible, both from a medical and commercial perspective.
– A lot of focus has been on the regulatory aspect. We have done deeper background work to see what future treatment options for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma can look like and how VAL001 can fit, says CEO Johan Drott.
– We have conducted a GAP analysis and supplemented with information from new, especially commercial angles, to further strengthen the project. These are the parts that we have identified and that we are working on now.
Sensitive situation
When asked about details around the parts, he has less to say at the moment.
– It’ s too early to say. Being in this situation, where discussions are being held with potential partners, it is sensitive to release too much information too early in the process. But that does not mean that things are not happening in the company. In recent months, we have carried out very solid work that has been incredibly rewarding for the project.
At the same time, he understands that there may be those who are worried, which is reflected in the weak stock performance.
– The most important thing, however, is that we know that we have sufficient financing for 2025 and we could receive additional funding through our warrant. At the same time, we are working intensively to strengthen the project and secure a partnership.
At the end of 2024, the company’s cash position amounted to SEK 7.6 million, which is expected to be sufficient to finance the business in 2025. If the warrant TO2 is fully subscribed, the cash position can be strengthened by an additional approximately SEK 4.4 million. The subscription in TO2 takes place between August 25 and September 8.
The content of BioStock’s news and analyses is independent but the work of BioStock is to a certain degree financed by life science companies. The above article concerns a company from which BioStock has received financing.
