UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 16, 2020

 

NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

001-35963

46-5622433

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

700 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

  (646) 450-1790  
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

  N/A  
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since
Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which
registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share NBSE The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR § 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR § 240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

Announcement of Preclinical Data

 

On December 16, 2020, NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) conducted a webcasted conference call to discuss positive preclinical data from its therapeutic program for the treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. The presentation materials to the conference call are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”). The conference call will be archived and accessible at https://ir.neubasetherapeutics.com/ for approximately thirty days following the conference call.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

On December 16, 2020, the Company announced preclinical data from its therapeutic program for the treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. A copy of the press release related to these data is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Preclinical Data Conference Call Presentation Materials for conference call held on December 16, 2020.
99.2   Press Release, dated December 16, 2020.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  NEUBASE THERAPEUTICS, INC.  
  (Registrant)  
       
       
Date: December 16, 2020 By: /s/ Sam Backenroth  
    Sam Backenroth  
    Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

December 16, 2020 Accelerating the genetic revolution using a new class of synthetic medicines An emerging pipeline: resolution of causality in myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) via a PATrOL™ - enabled therapy

 
 

Certain statements contained in this presentation regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward - looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, known as the PSLRA . T hese include statements regarding management’s intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or forecasts for the future, and, therefore, you are cautione d n ot to place undue reliance on them. No forward - looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. NeuBase Therapeutics , Inc. (“NeuBase”) undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward - looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. NeuBase uses words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “sh oul d,” “could,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “guidance,” and similar expressions to identify these forward - looking statements that are intended to b e covered by the safe - harbor provisions of the PSLRA. These forward - looking statements include, among others, those related to potential significance and implications o f the Company’s positive i n vitro and in vivo preclinical data for its PATrOL TM - enabled anti - gene therapies for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy, type 1. Such forward - looking statements are based on NeuBase’s expectations and involve risks and uncertainties; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those exp res sed or implied in the statements due to a number of factors, including NeuBase’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, including NT0100 and N T02 00; the timing of initiation of NeuBase’s planned clinical trials; the risks that prior data will not be replicated in future studies; the timing of the avai lab ility of data from NeuBase’s clinical trials; the timing of any planned investigational new drug application or new drug application; NeuBase’s plans to research, develop and com mercialize its current and future product candidates; the clinical utility, potential benefits and market acceptance of NeuBase’s product candidates; NeuBase’s co mmercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; NeuBase’s ability to protect its intellectual property position; and the risk factor s c ontained within our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. NeuBase’s estimates regarding future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and need for ad ditional financing and the impact of COVID - 19 on us and our partners. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for NeuBase to predict al l such factors, nor can NeuBase assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause ac tual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward - looking statements. Forward - looking statements included in this presentation are based on informa tion available to NeuBase as of the date of this presentation. NeuBase disclaims any obligation to update such forward - looking statements to reflect events or circu mstances after the date of this presentation, except as required by applicable law. This presentation does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitati on of an offer to buy, any securities. Cautionary statement regarding forward - looking statements 2 December 16 2020

 
 

Agenda The opportunity Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) In vitro activity In vivo activity (IV) DMPK protein levels PATrOL™ technology platform Pipeline The team Summary 3 December 16, 2020

 
 

PATrOL: a validated disruptive technology • In vivo data demonstrating target engagement and therapeutic activity after single IV administration • Broad biodistribution demonstrated in NHPs • Potential to increase, decrease, or change protein function in a single unified platform Large markets with high unmet medical need • Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) • Huntington’s disease (HD) Proven team of drug developers Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 • A severe intractable genetic disease • Affects >5/100,000 with large unmet need Our data describing a solution to this disease • Rapid induction of rescue across a multitude of mis - spliced transcripts in vitro and in vivo • Novel delivery technology allows single - dose IV administration without conjugation to biologics • Designed to not reduce DMPK protein • Well tolerated at therapeutically active dose Take - aways 4 December 16, 2020

 
 

5 The opportunity December 16, 2020

 
 

Knowledge - based design We are in the midst of a transformation in the pharmaceutical industry 6 The opportunity December 16, 2020

 
 

Targeting misbehaving genes Most diseases have genetic drivers that result in cellular dysfunction 7 The opportunity December 16, 2020

 
 

Many disease - causing genes are known We use nature's own digital information encoding schema to custom design medicines for rare and common diseases 8 The opportunity December 16, 2020

 
 

We can engage both DNA and RNA With a single platform we can modulate genetic targets to resolve gain - , loss - and change - of - function mutations 9 The opportunity December 16, 2020

 
 

Landscape transformation 10 The opportunity A unique platform with broad applicability yet without many of the limitations of other genetic medicine approaches December 16, 2020

 
 

Landscape transformation 11 The opportunity December 16, 2020 A unique platform with broad applicability yet without many of the limitations of other genetic medicine approaches

 
 

Landscape transformation The opportunity 12 December 16, 2020 A unique platform with broad applicability yet without many of the limitations of other genetic medicine approaches

 
 

Landscape transformation The opportunity 13 December 16, 2020 A unique platform with broad applicability yet without many of the limitations of other genetic medicine approaches

 
 

14 Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) December 16, 2020

 
 

The disease Mild DM1 is characterized by cataract and mild myotonia (sustained muscle contraction); life span is normal. Classic DM1 is characterized by cataract and myotonia, as well as muscle weakness and wasting, and often cardiac conduction abnormalities; adults may become physically disabled and may have a shortened life span. Congenital DM1 is characterized by hypotonia and severe generalized weakness at birth, often with respiratory insufficiency and early death; intellectual disability is common. The prevalence of DM1 is >5/100,000 in the general population. Current treatment options only address symptoms, not the disease itself. 15 Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) December 16, 2020

 
 

The genetic cause A genetic mutation results in generalized mis - splicing of many transcripts and haploinsufficiency of the DMPK protein which both contribute to the disease 16 Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) December 16, 2020

 
 

Genetic therapies fall into two categories 17 Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) Designed to degrade DMPK Degrade DMPK mRNA to release sequestered splice proteins 1 Designed to maintain DMPK Engage and open hairpin resulting in steric displacement of sequestered splice proteins 2 December 16, 2020

 
 

Designed to maintain DMPK Our anti - gene opens the double - stranded RNA target to correct the splicing defect and is designed to maintain DMPK protein which is likely important in the muscle and brain of adults DM1 is a multi - system disease and we believe we provide a multi - system solution 18 Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) December 16, 2020

 
 

19 In vitro activity December 16, 2020

 
 

Target engagement in patient cells The DM1 anti - gene (Compound A) traffics into the nucleus and engages and normalizes DMPK mRNA 20 In vitro activity DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated DMPK total mRNA levels 0.00 0.28 0.55 0.83 1.10 1.38 **p=0.001060 Day 5 Fold - induction December 16, 2020

 
 

Correction of mis - splicing in patient cells Compound A rescues appropriate splicing across two established mis - spliced transcripts ( MBNL1 and MBNL2 ) with induction by day 2 which continues to mature over time In vitro activity 21 December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated

 
 

Correction of mis - splicing in patient cells Composite score of global splice rescue after administration of Compound A illustrates statistically significant broad correction across many transcripts (hDSI) at day 5 22 In vitro activity 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 ***p=1.39x10 - 44 hDSI Human differential splice inclusion (hDSI) is calculated by first selecting a set of cassette exons with a) delta - percent splice inclusion (PSI) between healthy and untreated mice, as calculated by rMATS, of >= 20%, b) p - value of <= 0.05 for differential splicing as calculated by rMATS, and c) read depth >= 5x in all healthy, untreated and treated samples after polyA selected 2x150 RNASeq to >50m read depth. For each cassette exon a scale is calibrated from 0 - 1 where 0 is the mean PSI of healthy untreated samples and 1 is the mean PSI of DM1 untreated samples. For each sample the PSI for each cassette exon is normalized into the scale, and then values for all exons are averaged to yield hDSI. Day 5 hDSI December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated

 
 

Correction of mis - splicing in patient cells Statistically significant rescue of splicing is observed after Compound A treatment across >175 significantly mis - spliced human transcripts by day 5 23 In vitro activity 0 1 2 3 4 0 50 100 150 200 Statistically significant (p<0.05) normalized percent splice inclusion (PSI) between DM1 treated with Compound A vs. DM1 untreated human cells is illustrated for >175 unique human transcripts (x - axis). Transcripts were pre - selected for >=20% PSI, >=5x fold - coverage after RNASeq and p<0.05 between healthy untreated and DM1 untreated PSI. Treatment normalized percent splice inclusion (PSI) differences Normalized PSI Transcripts December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated

 
 

0.0 0.3 0.6 0.8 1.1 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.8 1.1 0.0 0.4 0.9 1.3 1.7 2.1 Correction of mis - splicing in patient cells Restoration of normal splicing is observed across many transcripts by day 5 after treatment with Compound A 24 In vitro activity 0.0 1.3 2.5 3.8 5.0 MRPL55 ***p=0.000017 ***p=0.000071 0.0 0.7 1.3 2.0 2.6 TRERF1 ***p=3.94x10 - 7 ***p=7.65x10 - 7 0 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 3 MIR100HG ***p=0.000034 ***p=0.000051 0.0 0.5 0.9 1.4 1.8 2.3 SENP5 **p=0.00279 **p=0.0029488 SKA2 *p=0.014862 ***p=0.00 0655 ZNF83 *p=0.027189 CA5BP1 *p=0.014668 **p=0.001 764 ATP11C **p=0.004326 *p=0.043 712 COA1 *p=0.01052 **p=0.001 344 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 *p=0.034908 Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated

 
 

25 In vivo activity (single - dose IV) December 16, 2020

 
 

The HSA LR model 1 1 Mankodi A, Logigian E, Callahan L, McClain C, White R, Henderson D, Krym M, Thornton CA. Myotonic dystrophy in transgenic mice expressing an expanded CUG repeat. Science. 2000 Sep 8;289(5485):1769 - 73. 26 In vivo activity (IV) Splice aberrations in skeletal muscle leading to DM1 phenotype Rapid induction of global splice rescue IV DM1 anti - gene (Compound A) administration December 16, 2020

 
 

Target engagement in vivo 27 29 mg/kg single - dose injection of Compound A into the tail vein traffics to nuclei and engages target HSA (skeletal muscle actin) mRNA within 24 hours in tibialis anterior skeletal muscle 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 *p=0.021116 HSA mRNA levels December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated In vivo activity (IV) 24 hours Fold induction

 
 

Correction of mis - splicing in muscle 28 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 ***p=9.278x10 - 26 Composite score of global splice rescue after administration of Compound A as measured by RNA sequencing illustrates significant broad correction across many transcripts (mDSI) in tibialis anterior skeletal muscle at day 13 mDSI Day 13 Mouse differential splice inclusion (mDSI) is calculated by first selecting a set of cassette exons with a) delta - PSI between healthy untreated FVB strain TA muscle and untreated HSA LR mouse TA muscle, as calculated by rMATS, of >= 20%, b) p - value of <= 0.05 for differential splicing as calculated by rMATS, and c) read depth >= 5x in all healthy untreated, DM1 untreated and DM1 treated samples after polyA selected 2x150 RNASeq to >50m read depth. For each cassette exon a scale is calibrated from 0 - 1 where 0 is the mean PSI of healthy untreated samples and 1 is the mean PSI of DM1 untreated samples. For each sample the PSI for each cassette exon is normalized into the scale, and then values for all exons are averaged to yield mDSI. mDSI December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated In vivo activity (IV)

 
 

Correction of mis - splicing in muscle 29 0 1 2 3 4 0 15 30 45 60 Treatment normalized percent splice inclusion (PSI) differences Compound A treatment induces significant splice rescue across >50 tibialis anterior skeletal muscle transcripts by day 13 Statistically significant (p<0.05) normalized percent splice inclusion (PSI) between HSA LR treated with Compound A vs. HSA LR untreated tibialis anterior (TA) skeletal muscle is illustrated for >50 unique murine transcripts (x - axis). Transcripts were pre - selected for >=20% PSI, >=5x fold - coverage after RNASeq and p<0.05 between healthy untreated FVB TA muscle and HSA LR untreated TA muscle PSI. Normalized PSI Transcripts December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated In vivo activity (IV)

 
 

Rapid and broad resolution of global mis - splicing Restoration of normal splicing is observed across many transcripts in tibialis anterior muscle by day 13 after intravenous administration Compound A is well tolerated at the dose demonstrating activity in vivo 30 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 0.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.4 1.9 2.4 Gm29394 ***p=05.28x10 - 9 ***p=1.56x10 - 8 0.0 0.5 0.9 1.4 1.8 2.3 Agfg1 ***p=0.000386 ***p=0.00742 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.1 1.5 1.9 Myo18a ***p=2.67x10 - 6 ***p=0.000046 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.1 1.5 1.9 Adck1 *p=0.044276 **p=0.0 06401 Hmga1 *p=0.012912 *p=0.013 787 Nr2c2ap **p=0.002905 *p=0.021267 Firre **p=0.001177 **p=0.001 353 Her4 ***p=9.58x10 - 6 ***p=0.00 0014 Bcas3 **p=0.005931 **p=0.003 764 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.8 1.1 Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI Absolute PSI December 16, 2020 DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) Healthy untreated In vivo activity (IV)

 
 

31 DMPK protein levels December 16, 2020

 
 

Retention of DMPK protein DMPK protein levels remain unchanged 5 days after initial dosing with Compound A in patient cells 32 DMPK protein levels 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 DMPK protein levels DM1 untreated DM1 treated (Compound A) December 16, 2020 Normalized DMPK protein levels

 
 

33 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Unique ability to target any misbehaving nucleic acid A modular system comprised of delivery technologies, scaffolds and nucleobases 34 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Delivery technologies Delivery modules allow broad or focused cell - type localization and enhancer modules increase potency 35 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Delivery technologies Delivery modules allow broad or focused cell - type localization and enhancer modules increase potency 36 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Delivery technologies Delivery modules allow broad or focused cell - type localization and enhancer modules increase potency 37 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Synthetic poly - amide scaffolds Ultra - precise target neutralization due to semi - rigidity, high binding affinity and neutral charge without the limitations of ribose backbones 38 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Synthetic poly - amide scaffolds Ultra - precise target neutralization due to semi - rigidity, high binding affinity and neutral charge without the limitations of ribose backbones 39 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Synthetic poly - amide scaffolds Ultra - precise target neutralization due to semi - rigidity, high binding affinity and neutral charge without the limitations of ribose backbones 40 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Nucleobases Targeting with natural nucleobases and a portfolio of reimagined nucleobases to further improve specificity of target engagement 41 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Nucleobases Targeting with natural nucleobases and a portfolio of reimagined nucleobases to further improve specificity of target engagement 42 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Nucleobases Targeting with natural nucleobases and a portfolio of reimagined nucleobases to further improve specificity of target engagement 43 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

Our capabilities are unique A platform enabling precision engagement with any genetic targets to increase, decrease or change resultant protein function and resolve disease 44 PATrOL™ technology platform December 16, 2020

 
 

45 Pipeline December 16, 2020

 
 

Emerging pipeline A rigorous foundation will allow us to accelerate into many programs over time 46 Pipeline Central nervous system, neuromuscular and other programs Preclinical / IND - Enabling IND Clinical I / II Huntington’s Disease (HD) CAG Repeat Causing Polyglutamine Aggregates NT0100 Program Myotonic Dystrophy (DM1) CUG Repeats in DMPK Causing Splice Dysfunction and Haploinsufficiency NT0200 Program + + Undisclosed Targets December 16, 2020

 
 

47 The team December 16, 2020

 
 

DIETRICH A. STEPHAN, PHD CEO Experts in the technology and drug development 48 The team CURT BRADSHAW, PHD CSO ROBERT FRIEDLANDER, MD CMO SAM BACKENROTH CFO SHANNON MCCARTHY CPO GEORGE CHURCH, PHD SAB PETER NIELSEN, PHD SAB WILLIAM MANN, PHD, MBA COO STEVEN DOWDY, PHD SAB ROBERT ZAMBONI, PHD ADVISOR ERIKS ROZNERS, PHD SAB SAMUEL BRODER, MD SAB RANDY DAVIS, MBA SAB DANI STOLTZFUS, PHD HEAD, CHEMISTRY DIVISION ADAM GOOD, MS HEAD, DEVELOPMENT DIVISION December 16, 2020

 
 

DIETRICH A. STEPHAN, PHD BOARD CHAIRMAN Our directors 49 The team DOV GOLDSTEIN, MB, MBA AUDIT & COMPENSATION COMMITTEES DIEGO MIRALLES, MD COMPENSATION & GOVERANCE/NOMINATING COMMITTEES FRANKLYN PRENDERGAST, MD, PHD AUDIT & COMPENSATION COMMITTEES ERIC RICHMAN, MBA AUDIT & GOVERNANCE/NOMINATING COMMITTEES December 16, 2020

 
 

50 Summary December 16, 2020

 
 

PATrOL: a validated disruptive technology • In vivo data demonstrating target engagement and therapeutic activity after single IV administration • Broad biodistribution demonstrated in NHPs • Potential to increase, decrease, or change protein function in a single unified platform Large markets with high unmet medical need • Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 (DM1) • Huntington’s disease (HD) Proven team of drug developers Myotonic dystrophy, type 1 • A severe intractable genetic disease • Affects >5/100,000 with large unmet need Our data describing a solution to this disease • Rapid induction of rescue across a multitude of mis - spliced transcripts in vitro and in vivo • Novel delivery technology allows single - dose IV administration without conjugation to biologics • Designed to not reduce DMPK protein • Well tolerated at therapeutically active dose Take - aways 51 Summary December 16, 2020

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

NeuBase Therapeutics Announces Positive Preclinical In Vivo Data for PATrOL™-enabled Anti-gene for the Treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

 

In vivo data after single-dose IV administration demonstrate engagement with DMPK mRNA and broad rescue of mis-splicing across key transcripts.

 

Findings provide support for hypothesized mechanism of action of anti-gene, which is designed to not degrade the DMPK transcript.

 

Data further validate the potential of the PATrOL™ platform to develop highly targeted therapies that increase, decrease or change causal protein function.

 

NeuBase management to hold conference call and webcast today, December 16, at 8:00 a.m. EST

 

PITTSBURGH, PA – December 16, 2020 – NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBSE) ("NeuBase" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company accelerating the genetic revolution using a new class of synthetic medicines, today announced positive in vitro and in vivo preclinical data for its PATrOL™-enabled anti-gene therapies for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). These new data show that PATrOL-enabled Compound A can rapidly resolve mis-splicing without negatively impacting DMPK protein levels. They also support the potential of NeuBases anti-gene approach to comprehensively treat the underlying cause of DM1.

 

Despite the fact that the genetic basis of DM1 is well understood today, there is still an urgent need to find the first genetically-targeted, disease-modifying treatment option for affected patients,” said Curt Bradshaw, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of NeuBase. DM1 is caused by a genetic mutation in the DMPK gene leading to mis-splicing of a broad spectrum of genes and DMPK protein insufficiency. A treatment option that addresses mis-splicing while retaining functional DMPK protein levels may be key to treating all aspects of DM1.”

 

Dietrich A. Stephan, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of NeuBase, added, Using our proprietary PATrOL platform, we have designed a first-in-class anti-gene candidate that selectively binds mutant DMPK mRNA and opens its hairpin secondary structure, as opposed to a mechanism of action that explicitly degrades the mutant and wild-type transcripts indiscriminately, making it a unique option for the treatment of DM1. These in vitro and in vivo data both support our hypothesized mechanism of action and demonstrate rapid and broad resolution of the mis-splicing that is the primary cause of DM1.

 

This is the second set of positive data that we’ve announced in 2020 for our PATrOL-enabled therapies, which we believe serves as proof of concept that further validates our technologic foundation. With a single unified platform, we believe we can increase, decrease or change protein function of potentially any nucleic acid target, unique among genetic medicine approaches. We are excited by the progress we have made and look forward to providing additional updates on our platform and pipeline of programs at an R&D day in the first half of 2021.”

 

 

 

 

In vitro data highlights in DM1 patient-derived fibroblasts:

· Compound A traffics to the nucleus, engages and normalizes DMPK mRNA.
· Compound A rescues mis-splicing of two key DM1 dysregulated transcripts (MBNL1 and MBNL2) within two days after initial treatment. Notably, induction of rescue continues to improve through day 9, the latest time point analyzed.
· Compound A significantly induces broad correction of global exon inclusion levels of mis-spliced transcripts.
o Statistically significant improvement in global splicing as measured by the human differential splice inclusion (hDSI) statistic.
o More than 175 dysregulated human transcripts achieved statistically significant improvement in splicing, many with completely normalized exon usage.
· DMPK protein levels remain unchanged 5 days after a single Compound A dose, supporting the hypothesized mechanism of action maintaining DMPK.

 

In vivo data highlights in the HSALR transgenic mouse model of DM1 that expresses high levels of mutant CUG-repeat-containing mRNA (HSA) in skeletal muscle:

· A single intravenous (IV) injection of 29 mg/kg of Compound A traffics to the nucleus and engages HSA mRNA within 24 hours in tibialis anterior (TA) skeletal muscle.
· A single intravenous (IV) injection of Compound A significantly induces broad correction of global exon inclusion levels of mis-spliced transcripts in HSALR TA skeletal muscle at day 13.
· Statistically significant improvement in global splicing as measured by the murine differential splice inclusion (mDSI) statistic.
o More than 50 unique dysregulated murine transcripts achieved statistically significant improvement in splicing post-treatment, with many achieving complete normalization of appropriate exon usage.
· Compound A was well tolerated after single dose administration at the dose demonstrating activity in vivo.

 

DM1 is a rare, autosomal dominant repeat expansion disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. It also affects the central nervous system (CNS) and heart. DM1 is caused by CTG nucleic acid repeats in the DMPK gene that produce a hairpin structure in the transcribed DMPK mRNA. The hairpin structure sequesters critical splice regulators and results in the mis-splicing of multiple gene transcripts. Furthermore, the binding of splice regulators traps the mutant DMPK mRNA in the nucleus, resulting in DMPK protein haploinsufficiency, or half the level of protein that is needed for normal function, which is thought to exacerbate the CNS and cardiac symptoms that are characteristic of DM1 (as knock-out mice for Dmpk show both severe cardiac conduction defects as well as issues with neuronal cytoskeletal remodeling manifesting in aberrant long-term potentiation). The prevalence of DM1 is >5/100,000 in the general population. There are currently no approved treatments for DM1.

 

 

 

 

Conference Call and Webcast Details

 

NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc. will discuss these data during a webcasted conference call with slides today, December 16, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. EST. To access the webcast, please click here. An archived recording of this presentation will be available following the call through the IR Calendar page on the Investors section of the Companys website, www.neubasetherapeutics.com.

 

 

About NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc.

NeuBase is accelerating the genetic revolution using a new class of synthetic medicines. NeuBase's designer PATrOL™ therapies are centered around its proprietary drug scaffold to address genetic diseases at the source by combining the highly targeted approach of traditional genetic therapies with the broad organ distribution capabilities of small molecules. With an initial focus on silencing disease-causing mutations in debilitating neurological, neuromuscular and oncologic disorders, NeuBase is committed to redefining medicine for the millions of patients with both common and rare conditions. To learn more, visit www.neubasetherapeutics.com.

 

Use of Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as "will," "would," "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "designed," "plan," or "intend," the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These forward-looking statements include, among others, those related to the potential significance and implications of the Companys positive in vitro and in vivo preclinical data for its PATrOL™-enabled anti-gene therapies for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy. These views involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that we cannot predict, including those risk factors contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, may cause our actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on the Company's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of the Company could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release, including: the Company's plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; the timing of initiation of the Company's planned clinical trials; the risks that prior data will not be replicated in future studies; the timing of any planned investigational new drug application or new drug application; the Company's plans to research, develop and commercialize its current and future product candidates; the clinical utility, potential benefits and market acceptance of the Company's product candidates; the Company's commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; global health conditions, including the impact of COVID-19; the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property position; and the requirement for additional capital to continue to advance these product candidates, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, as well as those risk factors contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

NeuBase Investor Contact:
Dan Ferry
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
daniel@lifesciadvisors.com
OP: (617) 430-7576

 

NeuBase Media Contact:
Cait Williamson, Ph.D.
LifeSci Communications
cait@lifescicomms.com
OP: (646) 751-4366