Barinthus Bio Prioritizes Pipeline After Positive VTP-300 Interim Data for Chronic Hepatitis B

Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced a strategic shift to prioritize the development of its key therapeutic candidates, VTP-300 for chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and VTP-1000 for celiac disease. This decision comes following promising interim results from Phase 2 clinical trials, presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress on June 6, 2024. The company will also complete the ongoing Phase 1 trial of VTP-850 in prostate cancer.

Barinthus Bio's decision to focus on VTP-300 and VTP-1000 is driven by positive data from the HBV003 and IM-PROVE II trials. These studies have shown that VTP-300 has the potential to significantly reduce Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels and maintain these reductions, with some patients achieving undetectable HBsAg levels. This development is crucial as it positions VTP-300 as a possible component of a functional cure for chronic Hepatitis B, a condition with limited treatment options.

Additionally, Barinthus Bio is advancing its proprietary SNAP-TI platform, with VTP-1000 targeting celiac disease. Preclinical data has been encouraging, showing the candidate's ability to modulate the immune response by inducing gluten-specific T regulatory cells and reducing gluten-specific T effector cell responses. With no currently approved treatments for celiac disease by the FDA or EMA, VTP-1000 represents a significant potential breakthrough. The initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials for VTP-1000 is anticipated in the third quarter of 2024.

The strategic pipeline prioritization will also involve a reduction in workforce by approximately 25% and is expected to extend the company's cash runway into the second quarter of 2026. This restructuring is aimed at aligning resources with the streamlined focus on VTP-300 and VTP-1000, ensuring sustained development and potential market readiness.

Chief Executive Officer Bill Enright emphasized the importance of this pipeline focus, stating that the new strategy positions Barinthus Bio to maximize its chances of success. He highlighted the encouraging Phase 2 interim data for VTP-300 and the distinctiveness of the SNAP-TI platform in addressing autoimmune diseases. Despite the difficult decision to reduce the workforce, Enright expressed gratitude for the contributions of the company's employees and optimism about the upcoming clinical milestones for their HBV and celiac disease programs.

Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc is dedicated to developing innovative T cell immunotherapeutics for chronic infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer. The company’s focused pipeline includes three proprietary platform technologies: ChAdOx, MVA, and SNAP. These platforms are central to their advanced therapeutic candidates like VTP-300 and VTP-1000. Additionally, Barinthus Bio continues to pursue a Phase 1 clinical trial for VTP-850, aimed at treating recurrent prostate cancer.

The company's commitment to scientific expertise and a diverse portfolio underscores its aim to deliver impactful treatments for serious diseases. Through strategic development and clinical advancement, Barinthus Bio is poised to make significant contributions to the fields of infectious disease, autoimmunity, and oncology, improving the lives of patients and their families.