Latest news with #PepGen
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PepGen price target lowered to $1 from $3 at BofA
BofA lowered the firm's price target on PepGen (PEPG) to $1 from $3 and keeps an Underperform rating on the shares after the company announced it will be discontinuing development of Duchenne muscular dystrophy programs following 'disappointing' 10mg/kg data for PGN-EDO51. PepGen will now focus developmental efforts on its DM1 program, which the firm thinks 'still needs significant de-risking,' the analyst tells investors. The firm updated its model for Q1 results, cash and share count and removed value for DMD from its model based on the discontinuation. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders' Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on PEPG: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue PepGen to discontinue DMD programs after PGN-EDO51 did not achieve target PepGen price target lowered to $8 from $14 at H.C. Wainwright PepGen Inc.'s Strategic Shift Amidst DMD Program Discontinuation and Competitive Challenges PepGen Inc. Discontinues DMD Programs After Trial Results PepGen appoints Kasra Kasraian as CTO Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PepGen to discontinue DMD programs after PGN-EDO51 did not achieve target
PepGen (PEPG) announced that based on the levels of dystrophin protein measured in the 10 mg/kg cohort of its CONNECT1-EDO51 study investigating PGN-EDO51 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients amenable to exon 51 skipping, the company will focus on advancing its 'promising' myotonic dystrophy type 1 program currently in Phase 2 clinical development. The company is voluntarily discontinuing development of PGN-EDO51 and intends to wind down all DMD-related research and development activities. In the 10 mg/kg cohort of the CONNECT1 study, PGN-EDO51 increased exon 51 skipped transcripts to 4.26%; however, total dystrophin only increased to 0.59% of normal levels. The safety profile of PGN-EDO51 continued to be generally favorable and all treatment-related adverse events were mild in nature. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. 'We are disappointed by the dystrophin results observed in the 10 mg/kg dose cohort in CONNECT1, as it was our hope that we could improve upon existing therapies for patients in a more profound way,' said James McArthur, PhD, President and CEO of PepGen. 'As we wind down our DMD program, we would like to thank the patients, families, caregivers, investigators and study staff for their support and participation in this research. I also want to acknowledge our team's hard work and commitment to advancing new potential treatments for DMD patients.' PepGen continues to expect to report data from its FREEDOM-DM1 15 mg/kg cohort in patients with DM1 during the second half of 2025. FREEDOM is a Phase 1 single ascending dose, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with endpoints including safety, 28-day splicing correction and functional benefit measures. The company also continues to expect to report data from the 5 mg/kg cohort of its FREEDOM2-DM1 study in DM1 patients in the first quarter of 2026. FREEDOM2 is a Phase 2 multiple ascending dose, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with endpoints following four doses that include safety, splicing correction and functional benefit measures. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on PEPG: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue PepGen price target lowered to $8 from $14 at H.C. Wainwright PepGen Inc.'s Strategic Shift Amidst DMD Program Discontinuation and Competitive Challenges PepGen Inc. Discontinues DMD Programs After Trial Results PepGen appoints Kasra Kasraian as CTO PepGen Inc.'s Promising Advances in DMD and DM1 Programs Justify Buy Rating Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
29-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
PepGen to discontinue development of experimental Duchenne therapy; shares drop
May 28 (Reuters) - Drug developer PepGen (PEPG.O), opens new tab said on Wednesday it will discontinue development of its experimental therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) after it failed to boost production of a protein in a mid-stage study. Shares of the company were down 9.5% at $1.43 in extended trading. The therapy PGN-EDO51 did not achieve target levels of dystrophin production. Dystrophin is a protein whose absence leads to muscle weakening in patients with DMD. DMD affects an estimated one in 3,500 male births worldwide, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. It weakens skeletal and heart muscles, deteriorating them quickly over time, and patients often die by the time they are 25. The company said it intends to wind down all DMD-related research and development activities, shifting its focus to a therapy that is being developed for a type of myotonic dystrophy, another muscle wasting disorder. PepGen expects to report data from an early-stage study in myotonic dystrophy in the second half of the year, and a mid-stage study in the first quarter of 2026.
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
PepGen to Focus on Development of Promising DM1 Program Following 10 mg/kg PGN-EDO51 Update
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PepGen Inc. (Nasdaq: PEPG), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the next generation of oligonucleotide therapies, today announced that based on the levels of dystrophin protein measured in the 10 mg/kg cohort of its CONNECT1-EDO51 study investigating PGN-EDO51 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients amenable to exon 51 skipping, the Company will focus on advancing its promising myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) program currently in Phase 2 clinical development. The Company is voluntarily discontinuing development of PGN-EDO51 and intends to wind down all DMD-related research and development activities. In the 10 mg/kg cohort (n=4) of the CONNECT1 study, PGN-EDO51 increased exon 51 skipped transcripts to 4.26% (a mean increase of 3.5%); however, total dystrophin only increased to 0.59% of normal levels (a mean increase of 0.36%). The safety profile of PGN-EDO51 continued to be generally favorable and all treatment-related adverse events were mild in nature. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. 'We are disappointed by the dystrophin results observed in the 10 mg/kg dose cohort in CONNECT1, as it was our hope that we could improve upon existing therapies for patients in a more profound way,' said James McArthur, PhD, President and CEO of PepGen. 'As we wind down our DMD program, we would like to thank the patients, families, caregivers, investigators and study staff for their support and participation in this research. I also want to acknowledge our team's hard work and commitment to advancing new potential treatments for DMD patients.' Paul Streck, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President, Head of R&D of PepGen continued, 'PGN-EDODM1, PepGen's investigational drug in development for DM1, has already demonstrated robust target engagement after a single 10 mg/kg dose in patients that resulted in mean mis-splicing correction of 29% with a favorable emerging safety profile as of February 24, 2025, the most recent safety update. Mis-splicing is the primary driver of DM1 pathology and currently patients have no approved treatment options for this disabling, life-shortening disorder. Going forward, we will focus our resources on advancing the Company's ongoing DM1 clinical program along with our research pipeline.' PepGen continues to expect to report data from its FREEDOM-DM1 15 mg/kg cohort in patients with DM1 during the second half of 2025. FREEDOM is a Phase 1 single ascending dose, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with endpoints including safety, 28-day splicing correction and functional benefit measures. The Company also continues to expect to report data from the 5 mg/kg cohort of its FREEDOM2-DM1 study in DM1 patients in the first quarter of 2026. FREEDOM2 is a Phase 2 multiple ascending dose, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, with endpoints following four doses that include safety, splicing correction and functional benefit measures. About PGN-EDODM1 PGN-EDODM1, PepGen's investigational candidate in development for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy Type 1 (DM1), utilizes the Company's proprietary Enhanced Delivery Oligonucleotide (EDO) technology to restore the normal splicing function of MBNL1, a key RNA splicing protein. PGN-EDODM1 is designed to directly address the deleterious effects of cytosine-uracil-guanine (CUG) repeat expansion in the dystrophia myotonic protein kinase (DMPK) transcripts which sequester MBNL1, by binding to the pathogenic CUG trinucleotide repeat expansion present in the DMPK transcripts, disrupting the binding between the CUG repeat expansion and MBNL1. DM1 is a progressively disabling, life-shortening genetic disorder. DM1 is estimated to affect 40,000 people in the United States, and over 74,000 people in Europe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted PGN-EDODM1 both Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations for the treatment of patients with DM1. About PepGen PepGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the next generation of oligonucleotide therapies with the goal of transforming the treatment of severe neuromuscular and neurological diseases. PepGen's EDO platform is founded on over a decade of research and development and leverages cell-penetrating peptides to improve the uptake and activity of conjugated oligonucleotide therapeutics. Using these EDO peptides, we are generating a pipeline of oligonucleotide therapeutic candidates designed to target the root cause of serious diseases. For more information, please visit Follow PepGen on LinkedIn and X. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as 'aims,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'could,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'forecasts,' 'goal,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'plans,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'seeks,' 'will,' and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the therapeutic potential and safety profile of our product candidates, including PGN-EDO51 and PGN-EDODM1, our plans to discontinue our DMD-related research and development activities, including our CONNECT1-EDO51 and CONNECT2-EDO51 Phase 2 clinical trials, based on results from the CONNECT1 trial, the design and conduct of clinical trials, including our FREEDOM-DM1 Phase 1 trial and FREEDOM2-DM1 Phase 2 trial, and the expected timing for additional data from our FREEDOM Phase 1 trial and initial data from our FREEDOM2 Phase 2 trial. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks related to: delays or failure to successfully initiate or complete our ongoing and planned development activities for our product candidates, including PGN-EDODM1; our ability to enroll patients in our clinical trials, including FREEDOM and FREEDOM2; that our interpretation of clinical and preclinical study results may be incorrect, or that we may not observe the levels of therapeutic activity in clinical testing that we anticipate based on prior clinical or preclinical results, including for PGN-EDODM1; our product candidates, including PGN-EDODM1, may not be safe and effective or otherwise demonstrate safety and efficacy in our clinical trials; adverse outcomes from our regulatory interactions, including delays in regulatory review, clearance to proceed or approval by regulatory authorities with respect to our programs, including clearance to commence planned clinical studies of our product candidates, or other regulatory feedback requiring modifications to our development programs, including in each case with respect to our FREEDOM and FREEDOM2 clinical trials; changes in regulatory framework that are out of our control; unexpected increases in the expenses associated with our development activities or other events that adversely impact our financial resources and cash runway; and our dependence on third parties for some or all aspects of our product manufacturing, research and preclinical and clinical testing. Additional risks concerning PepGen's programs and operations are described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q that are filed with the SEC. PepGen explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law. This release discusses PGN-EDO51 and PGN-EDODM1, investigational therapies that have not been approved for use in any country and is not intended to convey conclusions about their efficacy or safety. There is no guarantee that PGN-EDODM1 or any other investigational therapy will successfully complete clinical development or gain regulatory authority approval.
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
PepGen Appoints Kasra Kasraian, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PepGen Inc. (Nasdaq: PEPG), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the next generation of oligonucleotide therapies with the goal of transforming the treatment of severe neuromuscular and neurological diseases, today announced the appointment of Kasra Kasraian, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Dr. Kasraian brings over 25 years of experience in product and process development, CMC strategy, and technical operations, spanning small and large molecules, as well as cell and gene therapies. 'We are pleased to welcome Kasra to our executive leadership team,' said James McArthur, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of PepGen. 'He brings a rare depth of expertise in product and process development, coupled with a proven track record of CMC leadership extending across early-stage development through multiple successful global regulatory approvals. Kasra's background advancing therapies for rare genetic disorders, along with his ability to navigate manufacturing and regulatory landscapes, will be instrumental as we progress our clinical programs through mid-stage development and beyond. We look forward to his contributions as we work to deliver potentially transformative therapies for people living with severe neuromuscular conditions.' Dr. Kasraian joins PepGen from bluebird bio, where he held various roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and CMC Sciences. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Vice President, Technical Development and Operations, where he played a central role in the approval and launch of three gene therapy products—SKYSONA™, ZYNTEGLO™, and LYFGENIA™. Prior to bluebird bio, Dr. Kasraian led the Technical Operation, Quality, and Regulatory CMC functions at Zafgen, Inc. Previously, he held scientific and leadership roles at Biogen, Wyeth Biotech, Pfizer Inc., and Genetics Institute in the areas of formulation development, process development, technical services, manufacturing, and CMC management encompassing early phase development through commercialization for both small molecules and biologics. During his tenure at Biogen, the CMC team he led guided the submission and approval of 3 BLAs/MAAs. Dr. Kasraian earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky. About PepGen PepGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the next generation of oligonucleotide therapies with the goal of transforming the treatment of severe neuromuscular and neurological diseases. PepGen's EDO platform is founded on over a decade of research and development and leverages cell-penetrating peptides to improve the uptake and activity of conjugated oligonucleotide therapeutics. Using these EDO peptides, we are generating a pipeline of oligonucleotide therapeutic candidates designed to target the root cause of serious diseases. For more information, please visit Follow PepGen on LinkedIn and X.
