Actinogen March 2025 quarterly activity report & Appendix 4C
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
Actinogen March 2025 quarterly activity report and Appendix 4C
Sydney, 30 April 2025. Actinogen Medical ASX: ACW (“ACW” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce
the release of its quarterly activity report and Appendix 4C for the three-month period ended 31 March 2025.
XanaMIA phase 2b/3 AD clinical trial accelerating patient screening and enrolment:
•
The XanaMIA phase 2b/3 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) trial is enrolling 220 participants with elevated levels
of the blood biomarker pTau181, designed to identify participants with biomarker-positive AD whose
disease is likely to progress during the 36-week treatment period of the trial, and therefore augment the
ability to detect a Xanamem ® (emestedastat) treatment benefit
•
More than 560 people have been pre-screened with a blood pTau test. Sixty have entered the 36-week
treatment phase of the trial and another 35 have passed pTau, most of whom are expected to be enrolled
in the coming weeks
•
Patient recruitment and randomization activities are accelerating further with the opening of new US clinical
sites. There are 15 active recruitment sites in each of Australia and the USA, with a further five more US
sites commencing active screening, bringing the total number of clinical sites to 35
•
An interim analysis of all available data, including patients who have completed 36 weeks of treatment,
will be triggered when approximately 100 patients reach 24 weeks of treatment. Based on updated nearterm enrolment projections, this is anticipated in Q4 2025
•
Final results are expected in Q4 2026
•
Patients or families and carers of those interested in participating in the XanaMIA phase 2b/3 AD trial in
the USA or Australia can seek further information and check for eligibility to join the trial by visiting the
company’s website.
Successful regulatory meeting with FDA
•
In late March, the Company announced the successful conduct of its scheduled Type C meeting on major
depressive disorder (MDD) with the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
•
In a successful and collaborative meeting, Actinogen and the FDA reached a common understanding of
the additional clinical trials, ancillary clinical pharmacology trials and nonclinical studies required to apply
for marketing approval of Xanamem for MDD
•
The agreements reached at the meeting with the FDA’s Psychiatry Division represent a major
accomplishment for the Company and will be important in future discussions with potential partners and
granting bodies as sources of non-dilutive funding are sought to support the program
®
Xanamem is a registered trademark of Actinogen Medical Limited
Actinogen Medical Limited ACN 086 778 476
Suite 901, Level 9, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
+61 2 8964 7401 | actinogen.com.au
1
•
A similar Type C meeting for Alzheimer’s disease will be held with the FDA’s Neurology Division later in
2025 to define the optimal path to a marketing approval.
New and unique name ‘emestedastat’ granted to Xanamem by World Health Organization (WHO)
•
In January, the WHO granted the nonproprietary name (INN) ‘emestedastat’ to Actinogen for Xanamem
•
By granting the INN, the WHO recognized Xanamem (emestedastat) as the first drug to be named for the
class of enzyme inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 by assigning it the unique suffix of ‘-stedastat’ pertaining to its
mechanism of action on 11β-HSD1
•
Emestedastat is a unique, orally administered and brain-penetrant ‘tissue cortisol synthesis inhibitor’
designed to control levels of toxic cortisol in the brain.
Clinical pharmacology academic manuscript published in peer-reviewed journal
•
In February, the company announced the publication of its latest peer-reviewed journal article titled Clinical
Pharmacology and Approach to Dose Selection of Emestedastat, a Novel Tissue Cortisol Synthesis
Inhibitor for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disease in the journal associated with the American
College of Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development
•
The review confirms the utility of the 10 mg daily dose of Xanamem being used in current clinical trial. The
journal article can be accessed here.
Manufacturing
•
During the period, the company progressed production of a 15kg scale-up batch of drug substance from
its contract manufacturer, Asymchem, which will be manufactured into Xanamem tablets for use in current
and future trials. Scaled-up manufacturing is a key step towards regulatory approval of a commercial
production process and important for potential commercialization partners.
Other key activities
With further clinical validation of the Xanamem 10 mg dose provided by the improvements seen on depression
symptoms last year, the Company is confidently engaging in an important range of initiatives appropriate to
late-stage clinical development. These include:
•
Commercial planning – Andy Udell, Chief Commercial Officer, has been actively expanding thought
leader engagement with AD experts across the US and refining our communication materials to support a
stronger presence at key AD scientific and business meetings, ensuring we are strategically positioned for
upcoming market opportunities
•
Strategic team additions – The company continues to fill strategic operational roles to ensure the success
of its clinical development program, including those required for the XanaMIA phase 2b/3 Alzheimer’s
disease trial in Australia and the USA
•
Partnering – dialogue continues with multiple parties spanning potential regional and/or global partnership
arrangements, with an emphasis on those organizations that are interested in AD or both AD and MDD.
The company is also investigating Australian and international grant opportunities that could be used to
support expansion of the AD and MDD clinical trial programs
•
Intellectual property (IP) protection from future generic competition – prosecution of national phase
patent applications for multiple new patents continued in the quarter, designed to strengthen and extend
the IP protection for Xanamem
Actinogen Medical Limited ACN 086 778 476
Suite 901, Level 9, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
+61 2 8964 7401 | actinogen.com.au
2
•
Ancillary nonclinical and clinical studies – clinical pharmacokinetic (measuring blood levels in the body)
and nonclinical studies are being conducted in parallel with the XanaMIA trial to support the Xanamem
development program.
Presented at international and Australian conferences and conducted investment and partnering
meetings associated with events and conferences, including as set out below:
•
CEO Dr Steven Gourlay presented at the ASX small & mid-caps conference in Sydney on 26 March 2025.
His presentation was titled Oral Xanamem ® (emestedastat) Controlling brain cortisol to slow progression
in Alzheimer’s disease and treat depression: enrolling pivotal Phase 2b/3 trial in Alzheimer’s. It outlined
the attractive therapeutic profile of ACW’s novel small molecule drug Xanamem and provides an update
as the company approaches critical milestones in its phase 2b/3 Alzheimer’s trial
•
In early April, CMO Dr Dana Hilt presented an academic poster at the 19th International Conference on
Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases and Related Neurological Disorders (AD/PD™25). Dr Hilt’s poster
was titled Plasma pTau181 predicts clinical progression in mild Alzheimer’s Disease in a randomised
controlled trial. The poster detailed the promising benefits of Xanamem treatment over 12 weeks in patients
with elevated blood pTau181. It also reported that higher levels of blood pTau181 can identify patients with
AD who have more rapid clinical progression
Taken together, these data inform the design of the current XanaMIA phase 2b/3 pivotal AD trial 1 using
the pTau181 plasma biomarker for selection of patients and the choice of its key endpoints of CDR-SB, 2
cognition and activities of daily living
•
On 15 May 2025 the Company will be conducting another ‘plain English’ Clinical Trials Science Forum
webinar titled: The critical importance of preparing for commercialization. CMO Dr Dana Hilt and Chief
Commercial Officer Andy Udell will be joined by guest geriatrician A/Prof Michael Woodward to discuss
the latest developments in the quest for effective Alzheimer’s treatments and how Actinogen is preparing
for the future commercialization of its novel once-a-day oral medication, Xanamem. Click here for event
registration.
Actinogen CEO, Dr Steven Gourlay said:
“The first quarter of 2025 was a busy period for the team as the XanaMIA trial accelerated and many essential
initiatives commenced in parallel with the trial, designed to prepare the Company for partnering and eventual
marketing approvals. I was particularly pleased with the positive and clear outcomes from our Type C meeting
with the FDA on MDD that provided excellent guidance for the Xanamem program.”
Financial position
Successful funding activities during 2024 via equity capital raisings and the R&D tax rebate put the Company
in a strong cash position leading into 2025, with an opening cash balance of $22.9m and no debt.
During the March quarter, the focus of the Company’s activities continued to be on the rapid advancement of
recruitment for the XanaMIA Phase 2b Alzheimer’s disease trial in Australia and the US, with approximately
1
A “pivotal trial” refers to a late-stage trial that will produce a key dataset for a marketing approval application. It is customary to have two
well-designed pivotal trials to achieve approval by regulators such as the FDA for common diseases such as AD and depression.
2
CDR-SB is the Clinical Dementia Rating – Sum of Boxes, a measure of patient functional abilities and a composite of cognitive tests of
mental abilities considered a measure of executive function. It is an FDA approved rating scale and almost universally used in modern AD
trials
Actinogen Medical Limited ACN 086 778 476
Suite 901, Level 9, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
+61 2 8964 7401 | actinogen.com.au
3
$2.9m in R&D expenditure incurred. The other major expenditure item during the quarter was employment
costs ($929k), the bulk of which is directly attributable to clinical trial and other R&D related activities.
Total cash used in operating activities during the quarter was $4.2m, and as such the Company closed the
quarter with $18.7m and a cash runway to mid-late 2026.
Consistent with ASX Listing Rule 4.7c.3, item 6 of the attached Appendix 4C of the cashflow report for the
quarter included payments to Related Parties of $0.2 million, comprising the salary for the CEO/Managing
Director, fees paid to Non-Executive Directors, and superannuation.
ENDS
Dr. Steven Gourlay
CEO & Managing Director
P: +61 2 8964 7401
E. steven.gourlay@actinogen.com.au
Investors
Media
Michael Roberts
Investor Relations
M: +61 423 866 231
George Hazim
Media & Public Affairs Australia
M: +61 417 516 262
E. michael.roberts@actinogen.com.au
E: georgehazim@mediaaffairs.com.au
Announcement authorised by the Board of Directors of Actinogen Medical
About Actinogen Medical
Actinogen Medical (ACW) is an ASX-listed, biotechnology company developing a novel therapy for neurological and
neuropsychiatric diseases associated with dysregulated brain cortisol. There is a strong association between cortisol and
detrimental changes in the brain, affecting cognitive function, harm to brain cells and long-term cognitive health.
Cognitive function means how a person understands, remembers and thinks clearly. Cognitive functions include memory,
attention, reasoning, awareness and decision-making.
Actinogen is currently developing its lead compound, Xanamem, as a promising new therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease and
Depression and hopes to study Fragile X Syndrome and other neurological and psychiatric diseases in the future. Reducing
cortisol inside brain cells could have a positive impact in these and many other diseases. The cognitive dysfunction,
behavioural abnormalities, and neuropsychological burden associated with these conditions is debilitating for patients, and
there is a substantial unmet medical need for new and improved treatments.
Clinical Trials
The XanaMIA Phase 2b/3 Alzheimer’s disease trial is a double-blind, 36-week treatment, placebo-controlled, parallel
group design trial in 220 patients with mild to moderate AD and progressive disease, determined by clinical criteria and
confirmed by an elevated level of the pTau181 protein biomarker in blood. Patients receive Xanamem 10 mg or placebo,
once daily, and its ability to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease is assessed with a variety of endpoints. The primary
endpoint of the trial is the internationally-recognized CDR-SB (Clinical Dementia Rating scale – Sum of Boxes). The trial
is being conducted in Australia and the US. Initial results from an interim analysis triggered by the 100th participant reaching
24 weeks of treatment are anticipated in Q4 2025 and final results Q4 2026.
The XanaCIDD Phase 2a depression trial was a double-blind, six-week proof-of-concept, placebo-controlled, parallel
group design trial in 167 patients with moderate, treatment-resistant depression and a degree of baseline cognitive
impairment. Participants were evenly randomized to receive Xanamem 10 mg once daily or placebo, in most cases in
addition to their existing antidepressant therapy, and effects on cognition and depression were assessed. Trial results were
reported in August 2024 and showed clinically and statistically significant benefits on depression symptoms with positive
Actinogen Medical Limited ACN 086 778 476
Suite 901, Level 9, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
+61 2 8964 7401 | actinogen.com.au
4
effects on the MADRS scale (a validated scale of depression symptom measurement) and the PGI-S (a valid patient
reported assessment of depression severity). Cognition improved markedly and to a similar extent in both Xanamem and
placebo groups.
About Xanamem (emestedastat)
Xanamem’s novel mechanism of action is to control the level of cortisol in the brain through the inhibition of the cortisol
synthesis enzyme, 11β-HSD1, without affecting production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Xanamem is a first-in-class,
once-a-day pill designed to deliver high levels of cortisol control in the brain.
Chronically elevated cortisol is associated with progression in Alzheimer’s Disease and excess cortisol is known to be toxic
to brain cells. Cortisol itself is also associated with depressive symptoms and when targeted via other mechanisms has
shown some promise in prior clinical trials. The recent XanaCIDD trial demonstrated clinically and sometimes statistically
significant benefits on depressive symptoms.
The Company has studied 11β-HSD1 inhibition by Xanamem in approximately 400 volunteers and patients in eight clinical
trials. Xanamem has a promising safety profile and has demonstrated clinical activity in patients with depression, patients
with biomarker-positive Alzheimer’s disease and cognitively normal volunteers. High levels of target engagement in the
brain with doses as low as 5 mg daily have been demonstrated in a human PET imaging study.
Xanamem is an investigational product and is not approved for use outside of a clinical trial by the FDA or by any global
regulatory authority. Xanamem® is a trademark of Actinogen Medical.
Disclaimer
This announcement and attachments may contain certain "forward-looking statements" that are not historical facts; are
based on subjective estimates, assumptions and qualifications; and relate to circumstances and events that have not taken
place and may not take place. Such forward looking statements should be considered “at-risk statements” - not to be relied
upon as they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors (such as significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties / contingencies and regulatory and clinical development risks, future outcomes
and uncertainties) that may lead to actual results being materially different from any forward looking statement or the
performance expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Actinogen Medical does not undertake any
obligation to revise such statements to reflect events or any change in circumstances arising after the date hereof, or to
reflect the occurrence of or non-occurrence of any future events. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future
performance. Actinogen Medical does not make any guarantee, representation or warranty as to the likelihood of
achievement or reasonableness of any forward-looking statements and there can be no assurance or guarantee that any
forward-looking statements will be realised.
ACTINOGEN MEDICAL ENCOURAGES ALL CURRENT INVESTORS TO GO PAPERLESS BY REGISTERING THEIR DETAILS
WITH THE DESIGNATED REGISTRY SERVICE PROVIDER, AUTOMIC GROUP.
Actinogen Medical Limited ACN 086 778 476
Suite 901, Level 9, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
+61 2 8964 7401 | actinogen.com.au
5
Rule 4.7B
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities
subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
Name of entity
ACTINOGEN MEDICAL LIMITED
ABN
Quarter ended (“current quarter”)
14 086 778 476
31 March 2025
Consolidated statement of cash flows
1 Cash flows from operating activities
1.1 Recei pts from cus tomers
1.2 Pa yments for
(a ) res ea rch a nd devel opment
(b) product ma nufa cturi ng a nd opera ti ng cos ts
(c) a dverti s i ng a nd ma rketi ng
(d) l ea s ed a s s ets
(e) s ta ff cos ts
(f) a dmi ni s tra ti on a nd corpora te cos ts
1.3 Di vi dends recei ved (s ee note 3)
1.4 Interes t recei ved
1.5 Interes t a nd other cos ts of fi na nce pa i d
1.6 Income ta xes pa i d
1.7 Government gra nts a nd ta x i ncenti ves
1.8 Other (worki ng ca pi ta l movements )
1.9 Net cash from / (used in) operating activities
2 Cash flows from investing activities
2.1 Pa yments to a cqui re or for:
(a ) enti ti es
(b) bus i nes s es
(c) property, pl a nt a nd equi pment
(d) i nves tments
(e) i ntel l ectua l property
(f) other non-current a s s ets
2.2 Proceeds from di s pos a l of:
(a ) enti ti es
(b) bus i nes s es
(c) property, pl a nt a nd equi pment
(d) i nves tments
(e) i ntel l ectua l property
(f) other non-current a s s ets
2.3 Ca s h fl ows from l oa ns to other enti ti es
2.4 Di vi dends recei ved (s ee note 3)
2.5 Other (provi de deta i l s i f ma teri a l )
2.6 Net cash from / (used in) investing activities
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20)
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Current quarter
$A’000
(2,883)
(929)
(617)
251
(9)
(29)
(4,216)
36
36
Year to date
(9 months)
$A'000
(7,474)
(3,180)
(1,639)
496
(30)
9,022
313
(2,492)
36
36
Page 1
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
3 Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from i s s ues of equi ty s ecuri ti es (excl udi ng converti bl e
3.1
debt s ecuri ti es )
3.2 Proceeds from i s s ue of converti bl e debt s ecuri ti es
3.3 Proceeds from exerci s e of opti ons
Tra ns a cti on cos ts rel a ted to i s s ues of equi ty s ecuri ti es or
3.4
converti bl e debt s ecuri ti es
3.5 Proceeds from borrowi ngs
3.6 Repa yment of borrowi ngs
3.7 Tra ns a cti on cos ts rel a ted to l oa ns a nd borrowi ngs
3.8 Di vi dends pa i d
3.9 Other (a ppl i ca ti on for exerci s e of opti ons not yet a l l otted)
3.10 Net cash from / (used in) financing activities
4 Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period
4.1 Ca s h a nd ca s h equi va l ents a t begi nni ng of peri od
4.2 Net ca s h from / (us ed i n) opera ti ng a cti vi ti es (i tem 1.9 a bove)
4.3 Net ca s h from / (us ed i n) i nves ti ng a cti vi ti es (i tem 2.6 a bove)
4.4 Net ca s h from / (us ed i n) fi na nci ng a cti vi ti es (i tem 3.10 a bove)
4.5 Effect of movement/a djus tment i n excha nge ra tes on ca s h hel d
4.6 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
5 Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
a t the end of the qua rter (a s s hown i n the cons ol i da ted
s ta tement of ca s h fl ows ) to the rel a ted i tems i n the a ccounts
5.1 Ba nk ba l a nces
5.2 Ca l l depos i ts
5.3 Ba nk overdra fts
5.4 Other
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter (should equal item 4.6
5.5
above)
6 Payments to related parties of the entity and their associates
Aggrega te a mount of pa yments to rel a ted pa rti es a nd thei r
a s s oci a tes i ncl uded i n i tem 1
Aggrega te a mount of pa yments to rel a ted pa rti es a nd thei r
6.2
a s s oci a tes i ncl uded i n i tem 2
Note: if any amounts are shown in items 6.1 or 6.2, your quarterly
activity report must include a description of, and an explanation for,
such payments.
Payments relate to salaries & fees paid to Directors of the Company
during the quarter.
6.1
7 Financing facilities
Note: the term “facility’ includes all forms of financing arrangements
available to the entity.
Add notes as necessary for an understanding of the sources of finance
available to the entity.
7.1 Loa n fa ci l i ti es
7.2 Credi t s ta ndby a rra ngements
7.3 Other (pl ea s e s peci fy)
7.4 Total financing facilities
-
11,105
-
1,118
-
(530)
-
11,693
22,866
(4,216)
36
(1)
18,685
9,451
(2,492)
36
11,693
(3)
18,685
3,885
14,800
-
Previous
quarter
$A’000
4,066
18,800
-
18,685
22,866
Current quarter
$A’000
Current quarter
$A'000
199
0
Total facility
amount at
quarter end
$A’000
Amount drawn
at quarter end
$A’000
-
-
7.5 Unused financing facilities available at quarter end
-
Incl ude i n the box bel ow a des cri pti on of ea ch fa ci l i ty a bove, i ncl udi ng the l ender, i nteres t
ra te, ma turi ty da te a nd whether i t i s s ecured or uns ecured. If a ny a ddi ti ona l fi na nci ng
7.6
fa ci l i ti es ha ve been entered i nto or a re propos ed to be entered i nto a fter qua rter end,
i ncl ude a note provi di ng deta i l s of thos e fa ci l i ti es a s wel l .
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20)
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Page 2
Appendix 4C
Quarterly cash flow report for entities subject to Listing Rule 4.7B
8 Estimated cash available for future operating activities
8.1 Net ca s h from / (us ed i n) opera ti ng a cti vi ti es (i tem 1.9)
8.2 Ca s h a nd ca s h equi va l ents a t qua rter end (i tem 4.6)
8.3 Unus ed fi na nce fa ci l i ti es a va i l a bl e a t qua rter end (i tem 7.5)
8.4 Tota l a va i l a bl e fundi ng (i tem 8.2 + i tem 8.3)
8.5 Estimated quarters of funding available (item 8.4 divided by item 8.1)
$A’000
(4,216)
18,685
18,685
4.43
Note: if the entity has reported positive net operating cash flows in item 1.9,
answer item 8.5 as “N/A”. Otherwise, a figure for the estimated quarters of
funding available must be included in item 8.5.
8.6
If i tem 8.5 i s l es s tha n 2 qua rters , pl ea s e provi de a ns wers to
the fol l owi ng ques ti ons :
8.6.1 Does the entity expect that it will continue to have the
current level of net operating cash flows for the time being and,
if not, why not?
Ans wer:
8.6.2 Has the entity taken any steps, or does it propose to take
any steps, to raise further cash to fund its operations and, if so,
what are those steps and how likely does it believe that they
will be successful?
Ans wer:
8.6.3 Does the entity expect to be able to continue its
operations and to meet its business objectives and, if so, on
what basis?
Ans wer:
Note: where item 8.5 is less than 2 quarters, all of questions 8.6.1,
8.6.2 and 8.6.3 above must be answered.
Compliance statement
1
This statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and policies which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2
This statement gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Date:
30 April 2025
Authorised by:
By the Board
(Name of body or officer authorising release – see note 4)
Notes
1.
This quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity report provide a basis for informing the market about the entity’s activities for
the past quarter, how they have been financed and the effect this has had on its cash position. An entity that wishes to disclose additional
information over and above the minimum required under the Listing Rules is encouraged to do so.
2.
If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and provisions of,
AASB 107: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with other
accounting standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the corresponding equivalent standard applies to this report.
3.
Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities, depending on the
accounting policy of the entity.
4.
If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors, you can insert here: “By the board”. If it has been
authorised for release to the market by a committee of your board of directors, you can insert here: “By the [name of board committee – eg
Audit and Risk Committee]”. If it has been authorised for release to the market by a disclosure committee, you can insert here: “By the
Disclosure Committee”.
5.
If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as complying with
recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, the board should
have received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their opinion, the financial records of the entity have been properly maintained,
that this report complies with the appropriate accounting standards and gives a true and fair view of the cash flows of the entity, and that their
opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively.
ASX Listing Rules Appendix 4C (17/07/20)
+ See chapter 19 of the ASX Listing Rules for defined terms.
Page 3
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