Exophthalmos

Initiated pivotal spiriTED Phase 2b trial in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) in 2023 and expanded TED clinical development plan, including accelerating the planned initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 trial into 2024 Reached alignment with the U.S. FDA on the clinical development program in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) in 2023 and received clearance for Investigational New Drug application (IND) in March 2024 Completed reverse merger with Talaris Therapeutics in October 2023, including a concurrent private placement of $75.0 million Completed underwritten follow-on public offering in January 2024, raising gross proceeds of $172.5 million Expected cash runway into 2027, providing funding for key TOUR006 data readouts in TED and cardiovascular disease and the opportunity to expand into additional indications NEW YORK, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (Tourmaline) (NASDAQ: TRML), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company developing transformative medicines to dramatically improve the lives of patients with life-altering immune and inflammatory diseases, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 and outlined recent business highlights. “2023 was a transformational year for Tourmaline. We became a public company and continued our efforts to lead an IL-6 renaissance with TOUR006, which we believe can achieve a best-in-class pro providing a long-acting, patient-friendly treatment through low-volume subcutaneous injections,” said Sandeep Kulkarni, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tourmaline. “With the support of our expanding team, the clinical and patient communities, and our shareholders, we look forward to executing on our two strategic paths. We aim to harness the exciting and emerging insights in the IL-6 field towards addressing significant unmet medical needs in TED, ASCVD, and other autoantibody and inflammation-driven diseases.” Clinical Highlights and Upcoming Milestones: Tourmaline is pursuing development of TOUR006 in two areas of high unmet need: FcRn+ and cardiovascular inflammation. FcRn+ Tourmaline believes that TOUR006, a long-acting, fully-human, anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody, can potentially deliver substantial therapeutic benefit to address a wide range of autoantibody-driven disorders, including a more durable response and patient-friendly administration than therapies currently on the market or in clinical development by others. The pivotal spiriTED Phase 2b trial in TED is currently enrolling, and Tourmaline continues to expect topline data in the first half of 2025. Tourmaline plans to accelerate the initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating subcutaneous TOUR006 every 8 weeks as first-line treatment for TED in 2024, with topline data expected in 2026. Tourmaline continues to explore additional indications with significant unmet medical need under its FcRn+ strategic path. Cardiovascular Inflammation During 2023, Tourmaline reached alignment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the clinical development program of TOUR006 in ASCVD, and Tourmaline received clearance for the related IND in March 2024. Tourmaline plans to commence a Phase 2 trial evaluating quarterly subcutaneous dosing of TOUR006 in patients with elevated cardiovascular risk in the first half of 2024. Data from this Phase 2 trial are expected in the first half of 2025. Other Corporate Highlights: In October 2023, Tourmaline become a publicly-traded company via reverse merger with Talaris Therapeutics, including a concurrent private placement of $75.0 million. In December 2023, Tourmaline expanded its Board of Directors with the appointment of Dr. Clay Siegall as Chairman. Tourmaline also continued to expand its executive leadership team during 2023, including the appointments of Gerhard Hagn as SVP, Head of Commercial and Business Development and Dr. Emil deGoma as SVP, Medical Research. In December 2023, Tourmaline was added to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ: NBI). In January 2024, Tourmaline completed an underwritten follow-on public offering of its common stock, which included the full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares, resulting in gross proceeds of $172.5 million. Net proceeds were $161.3 million after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results: Cash Position Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $203.0 million as of December 31, 2023, as compared to $8.3 million as of December 31, 2022. Tourmaline anticipates that its current cash, cash equivalents and investments as of the date hereof, which includes $161.3 million of net proceeds received from the January 2024 underwritten public offering, will provide cash runway into 2027, funding key TOUR006 data readouts in TED and cardiovascular disease and the opportunity to expand development efforts into additional indications. Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses were $8.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $3.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Research and development expenses were $32.4 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $17.5 million for the full year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in research and development expenses for both periods was primarily driven by employee compensation costs attributable to increased headcount, costs associated with the manufacture of drug substance and drug product for Tourmaline’s clinical trials, and clinical trial costs related to the spiriTED trial. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses were $6.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. General and administrative expenses were $13.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $2.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in general and administrative expenses for both periods was primarily driven by employee compensation costs attributable to increased headcount, increased recruiting and commercial consulting expenses, and increased professional service fees. Net Loss Net loss was $12.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $4.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, resulting in basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.81 and $5.51, respectively. Net loss was $42.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023 and $19.7 million for the full year ended December 31, 2022, resulting in basic and diluted net loss per share of $8.87 and $22.46, respectively. The increase in net loss for both periods was attributable to increased operating expenses and the overall growth of Tourmaline during 2023 as compared to 2022. The decrease in net loss per share for both periods was attributable to the issuance of additional shares of common stock in conjunction with the reverse merger and private placement that were completed in October 2023. About Tourmaline Bio: Tourmaline is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company driven by its mission to develop transformative medicines that dramatically improve the lives of patients with life-altering immune and inflammatory diseases. Tourmaline’s lead asset is TOUR006. About TOUR006: TOUR006 is a long-acting, fully-human, anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody with best-in-class potential and differentiated properties including a naturally long half-life, low immunogenicity, and high binding affinity to IL-6. To date, TOUR006 has been studied in 448 participants, including patients with autoimmune disorders, across six clinical trials. Tourmaline is developing TOUR006 in TED and ASCVD as its first two indications, with additional diseases under consideration. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words and phrases such as “believe,” “designed to,” “expect,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will” and similar expressions, and are based on Tourmaline’s current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include expectations regarding the development and potential therapeutic benefits of TOUR006; the timing of initiation, progress and results of Tourmaline’s current and future clinical trials for TOUR006, including reporting of data therefrom; the timing and potential of preclinical research and development activities; market opportunities; and Tourmaline’s anticipated cash runway. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include uncertainties inherent in the development of therapeutic product candidates, such as the risk that any one or more of Tourmaline’s current or future product candidates will not be successfully developed or commercialized; the risk of delay or cessation of any planned clinical trials of Tourmaline’s current or future product candidates; the risk that prior results, such as signals of safety, activity or durability of effect, observed from preclinical trials, will not be replicated or will not continue in ongoing or future studies or clinical trials involving Tourmaline’s current or future product candidates; the risk that Tourmaline’s current or future product candidates or procedures in connection with the administration thereof will not have the safety or efficacy pro Tourmaline anticipates; risks regarding the accuracy of Tourmaline’s estimates of expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; changes in expected or existing competition; changes in the regulatory environment; the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process; unexpected litigation or other disputes; the impacts of macroeconomic conditions Tourmaline’s business, clinical trials and financial position; and other risks and uncertainties that are described in Tourmaline’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on or about March 19, 2024 and other filings that Tourmaline makes with the SEC from time to time. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to Tourmaline as of the date hereof, and Tourmaline assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Tourmaline Bio, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (amounts in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Operating expenses: Research and development $ 8,015 $ 3,794 $ 32,368 $ 17,526 General and administrative 6,875 1,126 13,041 2,175 Total operating expenses 14,890 4,920 45,409 19,701 Loss from operations (14,890 ) (4,920 ) (45,409 ) (19,701 ) Other income, net 1,988 — 3,285 — Net loss $ (12,902 ) $ (4,920 ) $ (42,124 ) $ (19,701 ) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.81 ) $ (5.51 ) $ (8.87 ) $ (22.46 ) Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 16,003 893 4,747 877 Tourmaline Bio, Inc. Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (unaudited) (amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 2022 Cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 202,951 $ 8,258 Working capital $ 203,872 $ 6,949 Total assets $ 210,295 $ 9,098 Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 205,042 $ (19,732 ) Investor Contact: Meru Advisors Lee M. Stern lstern@meruadvisors.com

56% of Participants on Paltusotine Achieved IGF-1 ≤1.0 xULN vs. 5% on Placebo (p<0.0001) Paltusotine was Generally Well-tolerated with No Serious Adverse Events Positive Topline Results Support Planned NDA Submission to the FDA in 2H 2024 Management Will Host a Conference Call Today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRNX) a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors, today announced positive topline results from PATHFNDR-2, the second of two Phase 3 studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of oral, once-daily investigational paltusotine for the treatment of acromegaly. PATHFNDR-2 (NCT05192382) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 24-week treatment period followed by an optional open-label extension study evaluating paltusotine in 111 participants with acromegaly who were not pharmacologically treated. The study met statistical significance (p<0.0001) on the primary endpoint, based on the proportion of participants taking paltusotine (56%) who achieved an insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level ≤ 1.0 times the upper limit of normal (xULN) compared to those taking placebo (5%). All secondary endpoints also met statistical significance: Paltusotine (n=54) Placebo (n=57) p-value Primary Endpoint: Proportion of participants who achieved an IGF-1 level ≤ 1.0 xULN, % (n) 56% (30/54) 5% (3/57) <0.0001 Secondary Endpoints: Change from baseline in IGF-1 level (xULN) -0.82 0.09 <0.0001 Proportion of participants who achieved IGF-1 level of <1.3 xULN at EoR* 67% 14% <0.0001 Change from baseline in Acromegaly Symptoms Diary (ASD) total score -2.67 2.75 0.004 Proportion of participants who achieved growth hormone (GH) level of <1.0ng/mL at EoR 57% 18% <0.0001 *EoR: End of Randomized control phase “These positive topline results of PATHFNDR-2 are incredibly exciting for both patients with acromegaly and the healthcare providers who treat them,” stated Monica R. Gadelha, M.D., Ph.D., professor of endocrinology at the Medical School of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and a principal investigator in the PATHFNDR program. “This study demonstrates that paltusotine can provide both symptom control as well as biochemical control in patients who are not currently on pharmacologic treatment. If approved, the prospect that paltusotine can offer an innovative, once-daily oral alternative represents a significant step forward in improving the treatment experience for patients.” In PATHFNDR-2, paltusotine was generally well-tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported in participants treated with paltusotine. The frequency of participants with at least one treatment emergent adverse event (TEAE) was comparable in the paltusotine treatment arm and placebo arm. The most commonly reported TEAEs in paltusotine-treated participants included: diarrhea, headache, arthralgia and abdominal pain. The frequency of adverse events considered related to acromegaly was notably lower in paltusotine treated participants compared to placebo treated participants. “Paltusotine continues to exceed expectations. Today, PATHFNDR-2 delivered statistically significant topline results across the board,” said Scott Struthers, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of Crinetics. “Building upon the success of PATHFNDR-1, the totality of data underscores the potential of paltusotine to provide an important new treatment option for all people living with acromegaly, if approved. We intend to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the second half of 2024, and our team is actively preparing for a potential 2025 launch. We are deeply grateful to all the individuals who participated in this study, the skilled clinical staff who provided exceptional care, and the dedicated Crinetics team from around the globe. This collective endeavor has brought an important new potential acromegaly treatment option closer to becoming a reality.” Data Review Conference Call Crinetics will hold a conference call and live webcast on Tuesday, March 19 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss topline results from the PATHFNDR-2 Phase 3 study. To participate, please dial 1-888-886-7786 (domestic) or 1-416-764-8658 (international), or request a callback here and refer to conference ID 95442954. To access the webcast, click here. A presentation to accompany the webcast can be found here. Following the live event, a replay will be available on the Investors section of the Company’s website. About the PATHFNDR Program The PATHFNDR Program consists of two Phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. PATHFNDR-1 (NCT04837040) enrolled a total of 58 adults with acromegaly who entered with an IGF-1 level ≤ 1.0x ULN on octreotide or lanreotide depot monotherapy. The participants were randomized to receive once-daily, oral paltusotine for 36 weeks or placebo. PATHFNDR-2 (NCT05192382) enrolled 111 adults with acromegaly who had elevated IGF-1 levels but were medication naïve or were not being treated with pharmacotherapy (untreated patients). The primary endpoint for both studies is the proportion of patients achieving IGF-1 ≤1.0 xULN compared to placebo. Crinetics believes these studies could support registration of paltusotine in the United States and Europe for all acromegaly patients who require pharmacotherapy, including untreated patients and those switching from standard of care. About Acromegaly Acromegaly is a serious rare disease generally caused by a pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor in the pituitary that secretes growth hormone (GH). Excess GH secretion causes excess secretion of IGF-1 from the liver. Prolonged exposure to increased levels of IGF-1 and GH leads to progressive and serious systemic complications, often resulting in bone, joint, cardiovascular, metabolic, cerebrovascular, or respiratory disease. Acromegaly symptoms include headache, joint aches, fatigue, sleep apnea, severe sweating, hyperhidrosis/oily skin, bone and cartilage overgrowth, abnormal growth of hands and feet, enlargement of heart, liver, and other organs and alteration of facial features. Uncontrolled acromegaly results in increased mortality and has a debilitating impact on daily functioning and quality of life. Surgical removal of pituitary adenomas, if possible, is the preferred initial treatment for most acromegaly patients. Pharmacotherapy is used for patients who are not candidates for surgery, or when surgery is unsuccessful in achieving treatment goals. Approximately 50% of patients with acromegaly prove to be candidates for pharmacotherapy. Injectable depot somatostatin analogues are the most common initial pharmacologic treatment; however, these drugs require monthly depot injections with large gauge needles that are commonly associated with pain, injection site reactions, and an increased burden on the lives of patients. About Paltusotine Paltusotine is the first oral, once-daily selectively-targeted somatostatin receptor type 2 (SST2) agonist and is currently in investigational Phase 3 studies for acromegaly and a Phase 2 study for carcinoid syndrome. It was designed by the Crinetics’ discovery team to provide an efficacious and convenient once-daily option for people living with acromegaly and carcinoid syndrome. In Phase 2 studies and the recently completed PATHFNDR-1 Phase 3 study, paltusotine maintained IGF-1 levels in acromegaly patients who switched from monthly injectable medications to paltusotine. IGF-1 is the primary biomarker endocrinologists use to manage acromegaly patients. Results from the Phase 2 study in carcinoid syndrome further support paltusotine’s potential use beyond acromegaly. About Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Crinetics Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. Paltusotine, an investigational, first-in-class, oral somatostatin receptor type 2 (SST2) agonist, is in Phase 3 clinical development for acromegaly and in Phase 2 clinical development for carcinoid syndrome associated with neuroendocrine tumors. Crinetics has demonstrated pharmacologic proof-of-concept in a Phase 1 clinical study for CRN04894, an investigational, first-in-class, oral ACTH antagonist, that is currently in Phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing’s disease. All of the company’s drug candidates are orally delivered, small molecule new chemical entities resulting from in-house drug discovery efforts, including additional discovery programs addressing a variety of endocrine conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, polycystic kidney disease, Graves’ disease, thyroid eye disease, diabetes and obesity. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the plans and timelines for the clinical development of paltusotine and CRN04894, including the therapeutic potential and clinical benefits or safety pro plans to submit data from the ongoing Phase 3 clinical studies of paltusotine in acromegaly to regulators in support of applications seeking approval for the use of paltusotine in acromegaly patients and the expected timing of an NDA submission for paltusotine for the treatment for all acromegaly patients who require pharmacotherapy;our expected plans and timing for commercialization of paltusotine and other product candidates pending regulatory approval; the ability for paltusotine to effectively provide symptom control and biochemical control in acromegaly patients; and the commercialization of paltusotine as the first once-daily, oral SRL for the treatment of acromegaly; the commercial acceptance of paltusotine as a new medical treatment for acromegaly with improvements in treatment experience and access to care for patients and medical providers; the potential for our discovery program for endocrine diseases including hyperparathyroidism, polycystic kidney disease, Graves’ disease, thyroid eye disease, diabetes and obesity to progress to drug candidates and show safety or efficacy; and our plans to identify and create new drug candidates for additional diseases. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, topline results that we report may change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the clinical studies and such data may not accurately reflect the complete results of a clinical study, the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data, and the FDA and other regulatory authorities may not agree with our interpretation of such results; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The events and circumstances reflected in the company’s forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional information on risks facing Crinetics can be found under the heading “Risk Factors” in Crinetics’ periodic filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Crinetics does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. Contact: Corey Davis LifeSci Advisors cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com (212) 915-2577 Media: Natalie Badillo Head of Corporate Communications nbadillo@crinetics.com (858) 345-6075

March 14, 2024 -- Lirum Therapeutics, Inc. (“Lirum”), an innovative clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of debilitating diseases, announced today the acceptance for presentation of positive data on LX-101, a novel clinical-stage targeted therapy directed to the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (“IGF-1R”), at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (“ESMO”) Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress being held from March 14-16 in Lugano, Switzerland. Lirum’s data covers clinically-tested LX-101’s potent preclinical anti-tumor activity against cancers with well-established IGF-1R pathway involvement, including malignancies with known genetic alterations affecting the IGF-1R pathway and/or with high IGF-1R expression. The poster is available on the Lirum website (www.lirumtx.com) under the Investors and Media tab. Given these promising results and the existing clinical data, Lirum is planning new clinical trials with LX-101 focused on oncologic indications, both pediatric and adult, that carry well-established ties to the IGF-1/IGF-1R pathway. Lirum is also developing LX-101 in certain autoimmune diseases, including thyroid dye disease, where IGF-1R has been clinically and commercially validated. Lirum is an innovative clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of debilitating diseases through the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel drug candidates with compelling mechanisms of action, regulatory pathways and commercial opportunities. Lirum’s lead candidate, LX-101, is a novel clinical-stage targeted therapy directed to the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (“IGF-1R”) with a differentiated mechanism of action. Lirum is developing LX-101 in oncology and autoimmune indications, including thyroid eye disease (“TED”). For more information on Lirum, please visit www.lirumtx.com. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.