Amylyx Pharmaceuticals recently announced the acquisition of Avexitide, a promising treatment for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, particularly post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) and congenital hyperinsulinism (HI). Avexitide, which has been granted FDA breakthrough therapy designation for both conditions, is poised to enter a pivotal Phase III program in the first quarter of 2025.
With an estimated 160,000 individuals in the US affected by PBH, Amylyx is positioning Avexitide as the potential first-in-class GLP-1 antagonist for this unmet medical need. The company is also focusing on additional milestones, including trials for AMX0114 in ALS and an interim analysis of the PSP study.
Key Takeaways
- Avexitide is set to be the first-in-class GLP-1 antagonist for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.
- The FDA has endorsed a Phase III program for Avexitide, which Amylyx plans to initiate in Q1 2025.
- Avexitide has shown effectiveness in reducing plasma insulin levels and hypoglycemia events without causing weight gain.
- The asset has strong patent protection until 2037 and may receive an extension.
- Avexitide has orphan designation and could potentially attain New Chemical Entity (NCE) status.
Company Outlook
- Amylyx is finalizing plans for a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III trial with a longer-term open-label follow-up.
- The company is targeting endocrinologists for the commercialization of Avexitide.
Bearish Highlights
- There are challenges in the current treatment landscape, as exemplified by a patient's struggle with using rescue glucagon due to dizziness and motor coordination issues.
Bullish Highlights
- Avexitide has the potential to be a first-in-class treatment option for a significant unmet medical need.
- The asset has not shown an increase in weight in studies, a positive sign for its safety profile.
Misses
- There is a discrepancy in the estimated prevalence of PBH in the US, suggesting the need for further research to refine these figures.
Q&A Highlights
- The company addressed the potential impact of GLP-1s on bariatric surgeries and the ongoing importance of bariatric surgery for weight loss.
- There is an emphasis on the need for better treatment options for conditions related to hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism.
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (ticker: AMLX) is making significant strides in the treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with its newly acquired asset, Avexitide. The company's confidence in Avexitide is backed by the FDA's breakthrough therapy designation and the drug's promising clinical data. With a strong patent protection and the potential for NCE status, Avexitide is well-positioned to become a key player in the treatment of PBH and HI. As Amylyx continues to finalize its Phase III trial plans and explores further indications for GLP-1 antagonists, the company is set to make a notable impact on the market and improve the lives of those affected by these challenging conditions.
InvestingPro Insights
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (ticker: AMLX) is poised to leverage its recent acquisition of Avexitide to address a significant medical need, and its financial metrics reflect a dynamic picture. With a market capitalization of $112.21 million, the company demonstrates substantial revenue growth, with a staggering increase of 324.95% in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. This surge is further evidenced by a quarterly revenue growth of 24.1% in Q1 2024, indicating robust short-term financial performance.
InvestingPro Tips reveal that despite a negative P/E ratio of -1.54, the company's revenue and gross profit margins suggest a strong underlying business model. Gross profit for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 stands at $120.83 million, with a healthy margin of 30.36%. This aligns with Amylyx's investment in advancing Avexitide and other pipeline products, which may drive future profitability.
Moreover, the company's stock has experienced volatility, with a 1-week price total return of 16.95%, suggesting investor optimism in the short term. However, the 6-month and YTD price total returns of -87.24% and -85.94%, respectively, reflect the market's cautious stance over a longer horizon.
For readers looking to delve deeper into Amylyx's financial health and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional insights. There are 15 more InvestingPro Tips available, providing a comprehensive analysis that could guide investment decisions. To access these valuable tips and enjoy up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 when signing up.
Full transcript - Amplify YieldShr Oil Hdg MLP Incm (AMLX) Q1 2023:
Operator: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Sharon, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Conference Call to discuss the acquisition of Avexitide. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that this call is being recorded at the Company's request. I would now like to turn the call over to Lindsey Allen, Head, Investor Relations and Communications. Please proceed.
Lindsey Allen: Good morning, and thank you all for joining us today to discuss the acquisition of Avexitide, a novel GLP-1 receptor antagonist in the development for the treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. With me on the call today are Josh Cohen and Justin Klee, our co-CEOs; Dr. Camille Bedrosian, our Chief Medical Officer; and Jim Frates, our Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that any statements we make or information presented on this call that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on our current beliefs, plans and expectations, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, our expectations with respect to Avexitide, AMX0035 and AMX0114, statements regarding regulatory and clinical development and the impact thereof and the expected timing thereof. Actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and Amylyx disclaims any obligation to update such statements, unless required by law. Now I will turn the call over to Justin.
Justin Klee: Thank you, Lindsey, and thank you for joining us today. Over the last few years, we have assessed hundreds of assets with the potential to complement our exciting pipeline. We evaluated each opportunity to determine if it aligns with our existing scientific strategic criteria of a well-defined mechanistic rationale, clear clinical outcomes in biomarkers and a foundation of rigorous preclinical data. We also evaluated whether we could leverage our expertise to bring new potential treatments to communities with high unmet needs. Following that extensive process, we are excited today to announce the acquisition of Avexitide, an asset that meets all of our criteria. Avexitide is particularly exciting for the following four reasons: first, Avexitide targets important, well-characterized biology, the GLP-1 receptor, yet has the potential to be the first in its class. The GLP-1 receptor is one of the key regulators of the glucose insulin response and an imbalance in this response, hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, underlies several conditions and diseases. Avexitide is a novel glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1 receptor antagonist, with the potential to treat diseases associated with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. So far, Avexitide has been studied in two indications that are characterized by hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, post-bariatric hypoglycemia or PBH and congenital hyperinsulinism or congenital HI. Avexitide has shown great promise to treat both conditions, and as a result, has FDA breakthrough therapy designation in both indications. As has been shown with GLP-1 receptor agonism, we believe there are likely other indications that maybe treated with GLP-1 receptor antagonism as well. Second, we believe Avexitide is a Phase III-ready asset. There is agreement with FDA on the primary outcome for the pivotal Phase III study for PBH, and Avexitide has already met that outcome in two prior Phase II studies. The outcome, reduction in hypoglycemic events, is clearly linked to GLP-1 receptor antagonism and supported by a wealth of prior clinical studies in people with PBH. In all of these studies, Avexitide was generally well tolerated with a favorable safety profile. Our team also performed rigorous diligence on toxicology as well as pharmaceutical quality and CMC. Third, post-bariatric hypoglycemia or PBH is a significant, but orphan condition with no approved treatment options. PBH is a debilitating condition characterized by hypoglycemia that affects some people who have undergone bariatric surgery, and we estimate that there are currently about 160,000 people with PBH in the United States. Today, we will be walking through the data supporting Avexitide for the treatment of PBH and our plans to initiate a pivotal Phase III program in PBH in Q1 of next year. And fourth, while Avexitide represents a new therapeutic area for us outside of neurodegenerative diseases, it aligns with our pipeline focus on delivering important potential treatment options to communities with high unmet needs. This opportunity enables us to strategically draw on our expertise and relationships gained through our Wolfram syndrome program. We are excited to guide the continued clinical development of this asset. In summary, Avexitide has the potential to be a first-in-class GLP-1 antagonist for the treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Avexitide has breakthrough status in two indications, post-bariatric hypoglycemia and congenital hyperinsulinism, and can move rapidly into Phase III. Now I'd like to turn the call over to Josh.
Joshua Cohen: Thanks, Justin. Bariatric surgery is a common approach to treating obesity. Over the past 10 years, approximately 2 million people in the U.S. have undergone bariatric surgery. More than 200,000 new procedures are performed every year. This is important to keep in mind, since PBH can develop in a subpopulation of people who received bariatric surgery, one to three years and in some cases, even longer post-surgery. Despite the introduction of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss, bariatric surgery is expected to remain a cornerstone of weight loss therapy. Bariatric surgery is highly effective, and results in substantial and generally sustained weight loss, particularly for people with higher BMIs. Evidence also suggests the surgery reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and the severity of metabolic dysfunction associated liver disease. As a one-time option, bariatric surgery is often covered by insurance and cost-effective for eligible patients. Importantly, surgery and GLP-1 agonists maybe combined, especially for people with higher BMIs. PBH is a potentially life-threatening condition, affecting people who have undergone bariatric surgery characterized by hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia following a meal. Symptomatic PBH can cause severe hypoglycemic events associated with brain glucose starvation, known as neuroglycopenia, including impaired cognition, loss of consciousness and seizures. PBH is associated with a high degree of disability, and can result in major disruptions to life, including falls, cardiac arrhythmias, motor vehicle accidents and job and income loss. There are no approved therapies for PBH, and despite dietary modification and off-label use of acarbose, octreotide and/or diazoxide, symptoms persist for many people. Here, we highlight the impact of PBH on the lives of those living with it. As I mentioned, over the past 10 years, approximately 2 million people in the U.S. have undergone the two most common types of bariatric surgery. We estimate that 8% or approximately 160,000 people are currently living with symptomatic PBH. On the right side of the slide, you'll read statements from people living with PBH. I'll give you a moment to read through those testimonials. As you can see, PBH is a debilitating condition. I'll now pass the call to Camille to provide an overview of PBH's pathology, Avexitide's mechanistic rationale and the data supporting our excitement for this asset.
Camille Bedrosian: Thank you, Josh. Before discussing data related to the investigational peptide Avexitide, I will start by reviewing the GLP-1 receptor pathway, and how Avexitide is believed to act on this pathway at the cellular level. I will then review how the GLP-1 receptor pathway is altered at PBH and how Avexitide is designed to modulate this disturbance. Turning to Slide 8. As background, the GLP-1 receptor pathway in the islet beta cells of the pancreas mediates blood glucose levels by insulin secretion. Specifically, when GLP-1 binds and activates the GLP-1 receptor, production of cyclic AMP (OTC:AMLTF) has increased, which in turn activates downstream pathways that lead to insulin secretion. Here, we see in the beta cell diagram that Avexitide also bonds to the GLP-1 receptor on the pancreatic beta cell and inhibits or antagonizes receptor activation. This can lead to lowering cyclic AMP levels, which in turn decreases insulin secretion. Please keep this point in mind when I review the preclinical data. Now let's look at how the cellular pathway we just reviewed is impacted by bariatric surgery, leading to PBH. After eating a meal, our intestines release hormones, including GLP-1 proportional to the size of the meal, which is known as the incretin response. When a person with PBH eats a meal, the ingested nutrients bypass the stomach and are rapidly delivered further down in the GI tract, where the majority of the enteroendocrine L cells are located. The increased nutrient flow registers in the body as a larger meal, leading to increased GLP-1 release from the L cells. In turn, GLP-1 binds to its receptor on beta cells. The resulting overproduction of GLP-1 can lead to hypersecretion of insulin. This insulin over production relative to the meal size results in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels and can manifest in autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. As you heard from Josh, consequences can include cardiac arrhythmias, weight gain, seizures and clouded thinking that could lead to motor vehicle accidents or miss work and overall decreased quality of life. By binding to the GLP-1 receptor and blocking the effect of excessive GLP-1, the antagonist Avexitide is believed to decrease insulin secretion, stabilize glucose levels and hence mitigate hypoglycemia, potentially treating PBH. In cellular models, GLP-1 receptor antagonist Avexitide has repeatedly shown inhibition of the GLP-1 receptor in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, as shown in the diagram on the left, by blocking the GLP-1 receptor, treatment with Avexitide resulted in a decrease in intracellular cyclic AMP, as we discussed earlier in relation to the beta cell diagram of the GLP-1 receptor pathway on Slides 8 and 9. Similarly, in the figure on the right, GLP-1 receptor antagonism blocked the GLP-1 receptor, thereby decreasing insulin secretion in a relevant beta cell model. As shown on Slide 13, Avexitide decreased plasma insulin and mitigated hypoglycemia in studies of different animal models of hypoglycemia. Avexitide also has demonstrated pharmacological activity in people living with PBH. The clinical studies of PBH replicated the findings from the preclinical studies when looking at the same biomarkers, namely plasma insulin and glucose. Let's start by looking at plasma insulin. Insulin biomarker results of several Phase I and Phase II studies of both IV and subcutaneous Avexitide after an oral glucose or mixed meal tolerance test are shown here. Specifically, shown in the upper panel, Avexitide significantly decreased insulin levels in Phase I, single ascending dose studies and a multiple ascending dose study in people with PBH. Furthermore, shown in the lower panel in the Phase II clinical trial in people with PBH, comparing Avexitide with placebo, peak insulin was reduced by 23%, with a significant p-value of 0.029, following Avexitide 30 milligrams twice per day. Similarly, peak insulin was reduced by 21%, which is a significant p-value of 0.042, following Avexitide 60 milligrams daily. On the next slide, we will review the glucose biomarker results from these same studies. The data shown here indicate that treatment with Avexitide led to consistent and significant normalization of plasma glucose nadir that is the lowest glucose level. Focusing in on the Phase II study shown in the lower panel, following Avexitide 30 milligrams twice per day, mean plasma glucose nadir increased by 21%, with a significant p-value of 0.001. With Avexitide 60 milligrams daily, mean plasma glucose nadir increased by 26%, with a significant p-value of 0.0002. To reiterate, both the insulin and glucose results were replicated across multiple independent studies. In addition to these compelling data, and as Justin noted earlier, Avexitide also has FDA breakthrough therapy designation. We believe Avexitide is poised to move rapidly into a pivotal Phase III program in PBH. The FDA has already provided feedback on a potential Phase III program to its former owner, Eiger BioPharmaceuticals. Specifically, this feedback included comments on the proposed Phase III design, including endpoints and sample size. Importantly, we believe that a single study can be the basis for approval based on our review of the FDA. We have reviewed this feedback in detail and believe that we can quickly initiate a well-run, thoughtfully-designed Phase III program. We plan to use the FDA agreed-upon endpoint of composite of Level 2 and Level 3 hypoglycemia events. FDA guidance for industry for diabetes also supports this endpoint as a potential approvable endpoint. Level 2 and Level 3 hypoglycemia events were measured in the Phase II and Phase IIb studies, and were reduced with high statistical significance. Now we'll discuss these meaningful results in more detail. We discussed the Phase II PREVENT study earlier. It was a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study to evaluate efficacy and safety of subcutaneous Avexitide for treatment of PBH. As shown at the top of this slide, this trial included 18 female participants with PBH, who were given placebo for 14 days, followed by Avexitide 30 milligrams twice per day or 60 milligrams daily, each for 14 days in random order. As summarized in the table, in addition to meeting its pre-specified primary outcome of stabilizing glucose levels that we reviewed earlier, Avexitide demonstrated statistically significant reductions in rates of hypoglycemia events, regardless of the intensity of the symptom. Notably, Avexitide 60 milligrams daily reduced events by more than half. We plan to measure hypoglycemia events as the primary endpoint for our Phase III program. Now I would like to summarize the data from the Phase II investigator-initiated crossover study of 16 participants with PBH. The Phase IIb study tested a 50% higher dose than Phase II. The schematic is at the top of the slide. As shown in the table, at both 45 milligrams twice per day and 90 milligrams daily, subcutaneous Avexitide significantly reduced severe hypoglycemia events. The 45-milligram twice per day Avexitide dose significantly decreased Level 2 hypoglycemia events by 57%, with a p-value of 0.003, and Level 3 events by 68%, with a p-value of 0.0003. The 90-milligram daily of Avexitide dose significantly decreased Level 2 hypoglycemia events by 53%, with a p-value of 0.004, and Level 3 events by 66%, with a p-value of 0.0003. These results were both statistically significant and highly clinically meaningful. Given the totality of these data and FDA feedback, we plan to use a composite of Level 2 and Level 3 hypoglycemia events as the primary outcome in our Phase III program. Regarding safety, Avexitide was generally well tolerated with a favorable safety profile across all clinical studies to date, with both Phase II studies shown here. In the Phase II PREVENT study, there were no reported treatment-related serious adverse events. And in the Phase IIb study, there were no reported serious adverse events. Adverse events across both studies were mostly mild to moderate in intensity and resolved without pharmacological intervention. The most common adverse events included diarrhea, headache, bloating and injection site reaction and bruising. No participant withdrew due to adverse events. Furthermore, no clinically relevant increases were observed in fasting or peak postprandial plasma glucose levels. On Slide 20, we show Phase IIb participant testimonials presented by Dr. Marilyn Tan at ENDO 2022. Please take the time now to read through these testimonials. I'll pause here for a few moments. These comments support the positive impact that Avexitide had on these individuals. In conclusion, here is a graph that summarizes in one figure, the key Phase II and Phase IIb study results that we just discussed. Data from both studies of Avexitide and people with PBH demonstrated highly statistically significant reductions in severe hypoglycemia events. Treatment with Avexitide 60 milligrams daily, 45 milligrams twice per day and 90 milligrams daily reduced hypoglycemia events by more than 50%. You can see the consistent dose-dependent effects across studies. These data form the basis of the pivotal study discussions with the FDA. We believe these results further strengthen our ability to deliver a well-run thoughtfully designed Phase III program. Specifically, the planned Phase III program will evaluate subcutaneous Avexitide 90 milligrams daily in people living with PBH. The primary endpoint is planned to be a composite of Level 2 and Level 3 hypoglycemia event. I will now turn over the call to Jim to discuss the next steps on this exciting program. Jim?
James Frates: Thanks, Camille. We expect to initiate the Phase III program that Camille just outlined in Q1 2025. We believe that we can complete recruitment in 2025, positioning us to read out topline data from the program in 2026. We will be planning for a commercial launch in 2027 and have patent rights on Avexitide through 2037, with the potential for additional patent life through patent term extensions. Turning briefly to the financial terms of the deal. We paid $35.1 million for Avexitide using our cash on hand. As part of the transaction, we assumed a license agreement with an academic institution. It includes a 3% royalty on future sales of Avexitide in PBH if approved. We believe these are favorable terms for a unique asset with a compelling data set from two Phase II studies, they can move rapidly into a Phase II program in PBH, an indication with no approved treatment options impacting approximately 160,000 people in the United States today. With regards to our cash runway, as we design and build our expected Phase II program for Avexitide over the coming weeks, we will have more specificity on our cash runway. Our plan is to manage the company to ensure that we can reach our key milestones ahead. The $373 million of cash we had as of March 31, 2024, provides us with ample capital to achieve a number of important milestones that are upcoming across our pipeline. This fall, we expect to have new data from our ongoing Wolfram study. Prior to this, we plan to meet with the FDA to discuss next steps in the Wolfram program. Before the end of the year, we expect to initiate our multiple ascending dose trial of AMX0114 in people living with ALS, and we are also expecting interim analysis of our PSP study to read out in mid-2025. You can see we have significant resources and a number of key milestones coming in 2024 and 2025. I'll now turn the call over to Josh.
Joshua Cohen: Thank you, Jim. We believe Avexitide is a compelling addition to our pipeline based on the highly statistically significant preclinical data that were replicated across five clinical studies, particularly the data from two Phase II studies in people with PBH, demonstrating highly statistically significant reductions in severe hypoglycemic events, an endpoint that is supported by the FDA as a potential approvable outcome. This acquisition builds on our areas of expertise in the endocrine space gained through our Wolfram program, and is quite transformational for Amylyx, expanding our pipeline outside of neurodegenerative disease with an asset that received FDA's breakthrough therapy designation. PBH is a debilitating condition with no approved treatment options. As we discussed today, the impact of PBH on patients' lives can be disabling and in some cases, it can be life-threatening. We are planning on initiating the Phase III trial of Avexitide in Q1 2025, with data expected in 2026. And we continue – we look forward to continuing to share updates on this new program as we aim to quickly and efficiently advance Avexitide through clinical development and then commercialization. Now I would like to open the call up for Q&A.
Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the Q&A session. [Operator Instructions] First question comes from Corinne [Johnson] with Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS). Please go ahead.
Corinne Jenkins: Good morning, guys. Maybe a couple from us. Just first, could you provide some more detail on the nature of the patents that exist around this asset? And maybe second, could you just talk to us about the dose selection of 90 mg? I think there was a couple of different dose study that – I'd be curious how you are thinking about that dose selection? Thanks.
Joshua Cohen: Yes, absolutely. So we did a full review on the IP portfolio. There's kind of multiple patents on supporting this asset, including patents on the method of use, patents on the formulation and various other patents. We believe there's strong patent protection through 2037 with the potential for patent term extension. And of course, important to note, the asset also has orphan designation and the potential to receive NCE. I'll pass to Camille on the other question.
Camille Bedrosian: Great. Thank you. Hi, Corinne, yes, so as you saw in the data we shared, the 50% higher dose, 45 milligrams and 90 milligrams daily, do provide better coverage for the individuals, and so we are planning on using the higher dose, 90 milligrams daily.
Corinne Jenkins: Okay. Thank you.
Operator: Next question comes from Michael DiFiore with Evercore ISI.
Michael DiFiore: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my question, and again, congrats on this transaction. My first question is, any initial – assuming that this does get approved and comes to market, any initial thoughts on pricing and treatment duration? And my follow-up is that big picture-wise, this is a clear divergence away from Amylyx's initial focus on neurodegeneration. Could this be considered a one-off opportunistic play? Or does this mark a bonafide change in focus for the company in terms of disease state? Thank you.
Justin Klee: Yes. So thanks, Mike. So to your first question, I mean, it's too early to talk about pricing. But in terms of duration, these are chronic conditions. And so our anticipation would be for chronic administration. In terms of this specific asset, I mean, I think the first to say is it really met our criteria, well-defined mechanistic rationale, very clear clinical data and outcomes going into a Phase III study and very good preclinical data as well. And our mission has always been to target diseases of high unmet need. This is certainly that case. Post-bariatric hypoglycemia, congenital hyperinsulinism and just hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in general, are really debilitating for people, and there are no specific treatment options for them. This also builds on our endocrine experience and relationships that we've gained with Wolfram syndrome. So we now have two programs, specifically in neurodegeneration. Our PSP program, our 114 ASO about to be in clinic later this year for ALS. We have Wolfram syndrome, which is a neuroendocrine disease and now these which are endocrine, but all orphan diseases of high unmet need.
Michael DiFiore: All right. Thanks so much.
Operator: The next question comes from Graig Suvannavejh with Mizuho.
Graig Suvannavejh: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Congratulations on closing the deal. PBH is probably not known to many of us, including myself. So I was wondering if while there's excitement around the potential of the program in PBH. Could you give us maybe a sense of the competitive landscape? Are there other mid or late-stage clinical programs that are in the clinic right now? Thanks.
Joshua Cohen: Yes. So this, to our knowledge, will be effectively the only Phase III in the space. So it's kind of the leading – there are other things that are being studied in Phase I and in the preclinic, and there is a lot of interest – growing interest in the space. As we've heard from different people who are experiencing this disease, it really is quite disabling. People are kind of in a constant state of being nervous about kind of sudden and unpredictable drops in glucose, which can lead to pretty severe symptoms. And so I think the need and the excitement for potential treatment option is very high. And I think people are eagerly awaiting the next steps of this development. I'll pass to Camille to add as well.
Camille Bedrosian: Hi. Thank you. Yes, Avexitide will be the first agent being studied in PBH in Phase III, and we are excited to consider beyond. And the individual with this condition, actually it progresses over time as well, where individuals are so incapacitated. They are unable to work, unable to be alone. And as Josh [indiscernible] are in fear of hypoglycemia events that could lead to seizures.
Graig Suvannavejh: And if I could ask a follow-up just on how should we be thinking about the commercialization model? I know it's a rare disease, but any kind of broad comments on how you think this is going to be commercialized?
Justin Klee: So, considering we're just taking on the asset now, obviously, we'll continue to work through our commercialization plan. But to share at a high level, I think it always starts with the patient journey, how do people get diagnosed. Right now, it's - from our reading, it's a very frustrating journey for people and a very tough one, where I think they're often ignored by the health care system until they get to an endocrinologist, where based on the glucose levels, it's very clear that this is hypoglycemia and needs to be addressed and is not simply complaining or something like that. These are very significant symptoms. And as Camille was saying, it's progressive. So it's really a significant unmet need. I think when we've been talking with endocrinologists, they're very aware of this. I think as we said, we estimate there are about 160,000 people in the U.S. who have this condition. So it's orphan, but it's a significant orphan condition. So I think for us, it starts with patient journey. I think endocrinologists are going to be the first target audience. And that will build as well on our Wolfram syndrome work, where people are often seen by endocrinologists as well.
Graig Suvannavejh: Thanks, Justin.
Operator: Your next question comes from Charlie Yang with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC). Please go ahead.
Charlie Yang: Great. Thanks for taking the question. My first question is just, can you provide more details in terms of the background therapies that in – on the Phase II trial? I guess specifically, I'm just wondering, I think your prior reports about potential efficacy in – with GLP-1 agonist as well as SGLT2, wondering whether those were used in the Phase II studies? And then whether you think that could be potential competitors down the road? And then my second question is regarding the financial cost to build out the infrastructure, I guess, if the trial would be successful in terms of cost to build out for commercialization? Thank you.
Justin Klee: Yes. And so maybe I can take the first question. So I'd say that the GLP-1 receptor is important because it's one of the master regulators of glucose insulin balance in the body. And GLP-1 agonist deal with hyperglycemia and hypoinsulin. In diseases of hypoglycemia, what you want is a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, which is what this is. If you look at the pharmacology, this very clearly raises the glucose nadir and decreases insulin secretion, so that's why there are no drug specifically approved for post-bariatric hypoglycemia or generally, hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia right now because what I'd say in medicine, we're good at so far, the opposite side, the sort of other side of the equation. So that's why we're saying we're very excited this has the potential to be first-in-class for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia generally, which is a huge unmet medical need.
Joshua Cohen: Yes. And I'll just add on the prior agents. So there are some compounds that are used off label. I'm hearing from patients and physicians, the effects of those tend to be quite modest. And particularly, the patients who are enrolled in the studies were required to have a high frequency of Level 2 and Level 3 events despite best available management. And there are many patients who have many – try everything and still – we believe there's about 160,000 patients who, despite all the available management, are still quite symptomatic with PBH. I think you also asked about the financial runway. I'll pass it over to Jim to answer that.
James Frates: Yes. Thanks, Charlie. I think we're quite sanguine about the opportunity here from a financial perspective. As you know, we've spun up a commercial organization, and I might say, a successful – with a successful launch for RELYVRIO, kind of under faster terms. So I think we'll have ample time once we see the data from this clinical study and then hopefully, we're on a pathway for approval, we'll have ample time to build out our commercial team that I think, again, will be focused to start with on that place, as Justin described in that patient journey. These folks are seeing and engaging with endocrinologists now, and there's no answer for them. So that is exactly the kind of place where we have experience. And I think being the only solution for such a problem of the severe hypoglycemia, again, led to the breakthrough status designation in this indication with the FDA. It's clearly an important unmet medical need. And with our core commercial team, the leadership with which we have maintained, we'll start laying plans for how to build that commercial organization quickly. And then we'll put those into action once we see the clinical data.
Operator: Your next question comes from Joel Beatty with Baird.
Joel Beatty: Hi. Thanks for taking the questions. And congrats on the acquisition. For the Phase III program, do you plan to follow all patients for a certain duration of time? Or is there potential to have it be an event-driven trial?
Camille Bedrosian: Yes. Hi, Joel. This is Camille. We plan to conduct a randomized placebo-controlled study and then follow patients for longer term, likely in an open-label setting. And as you've heard from and saw from the data on the Phase II, Phase IIb, these events happened fast and furious and during the run-in period, and Avexitide has been able to mitigate Level 2 and Level 3, which is quite severe symptomatic hypoglycemia. So we're finalizing our plans and speaking with the experts in the field as well as those living with PBH. We certainly have our considerations for how we're going to conduct the trial, and when we finalize those, we'll share them in more detail in the coming weeks.
Joel Beatty: Great. Thanks. And then as a follow-up question, with this being a GLP-1 antagonist, is there any effect on increase in weight?
Joshua Cohen: So both across all the preclinical studies conducted as well as the clinical studies conducted, we have not seen an increase in weight. And again, I think it's important to note that this is a condition where there is super physiologic levels of GLP-1 due to the changed anatomy of the gut. And so our goal here is not to do something very unnatural, but rather to kind of bring things back to balance.
Justin Klee: Yes. And I'll add as well, the non-clinical toxicology studies were very encouraging as well. And just sort of emphasizing Josh's point, I think as we've learned certainly from the diabetes fields and others, it's new glycemia is what we want to achieve. So you don't want hyperglycemia, you don't want hypoglycemia. And right now, I think historically, in medicine, we've been very adapted dealing with hyperglycemia, less so with hypoglycemia unless it's a rescue. So I think that's why this is so exciting.
Camille Bedrosian: And I'll further add that we've not seen hyperglycemia either in the studies, which to Josh and Justin's point, we're seeking to rebalance the physiology in these individuals with Avexitide.
Joel Beatty: Great. Thank you.
Operator: We have time for one more question. Our next question comes from Ananda Ghosh with H.C. Wainwright. Please go ahead.
Ananda Ghosh: I have two questions. Given the variability one sees with the GLP-1 agonist, I was just curious to understand how common are hypoglycemic events with GLP-1 or agonists and in also those people who are – who have both undergone bariatric surgery and on these agonists. That's the first question. The second question is, what is the rationale behind using the composite score for the Phase III trial design?
Justin Klee: Yes. I'm happy to start. Thank you, Ananda. So I think you bring up a great point, which is I think that there are likely many opportunities for further study of a GLP-1 antagonist, because there are all sorts of reasons that people may experience hyperinsulinism and/or hypoglycemia. And I think that we haven't had the best tools to address that today in medicine. So we're very excited because I think we have very focused areas right now in – with FDA breakthrough status in both post-bariatric hypoglycemia, and congenital hyperinsulinism, but we think that the mechanism we're targeting here is clearly very important and will lead to further studies and potential indications as well.
Camille Bedrosian: And in terms of the composite endpoint, Ananda, we are going to be doing a composite Level 2, Level 3, which actually encompasses the intense and severe hypoglycemia that individuals with PBH experience. And so it is that we are able to show the impact of Avexitide. Furthermore, such composite endpoints have been discussed in the FDA guidance for diabetes and hypoglycemia in the setting of exogenous – excuse me, exogenous insulin that can occur.
Joshua Cohen: Yes. And I'd say from a kind of a trial design perspective as well, it is advantageous to use the composite. You also just have more events. There's already quite a lot of events as you can see from the previous studies. And the previous studies were met with high statistically significant – high statistical significance and replicate it as well, but having the composite, which gives you even more ability to track that is only kind of further advantageous. So maybe just one other point that I think just kind of thematically is maybe important to remind, this – people with symptomatic PBH, this can be quite severe. I was listening to a patient interview earlier today of a patient who, despite [indiscernible] managed symptoms, has highly frequent seizures due to the rapid and sudden blood sugar drops, and that's despite every sort of attempted management and otherwise. So that's kind of what we're trying to treat here and what we're trying to manage here with Avexitide.
Ananda Ghosh: Great. Thanks. Thanks very much.
Operator: Your next question comes from Michael DiFiore with Evercore. Please go ahead.
Michael DiFiore: Hey, guys. Thanks so much for taking my follow-up questions. A few for me. The first one is why not just use intranasal glucagon or subcu glucagon shots to treat this? Is it safe to assume that these options are more considered as onetime on-demand agents and that Avexitide offers kind of a more predictable or basal coverage? And then the second question is exenatide is currently available as a weekly injection, so why couldn't Avexitide be formulated as such? And I just have two more follow-ups after that.
Justin Klee: Yes. So Mike, great question. First, in terms of the intranasal glucagon, I mean I think the easiest answer is glucagon is available, and this is still a huge unmet need. So I think if you talk to endocrinologists or certainly people living with post-bariatric hypoglycemia, it's a rescue. It's not a solution. And people are constantly in fear of really significant excursions where oftentimes, they'll have to have a family member or someone even administer glucagon rescue. But you're exactly right, what you want is people want to get their lives back, and so you really want something that allows them to live a normal life and has that sort of adequate coverage. And again, just highlighting the unmet need and the data here, that's why it has FDA breakthrough status. You're also bringing up the once weekly. We think there's certainly opportunities here for additional life cycle opportunities. I would say though, going back to the importance in unmet need areas, orphan diseases, the first thing is you want to get meaningful treatments to people. And I think, as you can see from the prior studies, this was well tolerated. There was great compliance in the studies, and that's because people could feel a difference. So I think we already have a great opportunity with what we have with opportunities for even further life cycle management.
Joshua Cohen: Yes. And maybe I'd just add – I might just add very briefly as well that several of the patients in the studies and patients that we've interviewed to learn more about the disease as well, certainly take glucagon and do not find it a sufficient solution. Just maybe to share a story. One patient described that they had the rescue glucagon and were using it more than once daily, and still – and frequently, were not actually able to do the injection because they were sufficiently dizzy or otherwise that they didn't have the motor coordination to achieve the injection, and also their insurance was giving them a problem about using more than 30 glucagon shots in a month.
Michael DiFiore: Okay. That's very helpful. And just two final questions for me. One is kind of a nitpick. Eiger's previous slides say the U.S. prevalence is 180,000. Why does that differ from your quoted prevalence of 160,000 prevalence in the U.S.? And my final question is just thoughts on the increasing use of more effective GLP-1s and how it may erode in the long-term that the number of bariatric surgeries performed annually? I mean we hear with these next-gen incretin therapies like [Cagri-Sema and GGG] kind of approaching bariatric surgeries like weight loss. Do you foresee the numbers of bariatric surgery procedures in the long-term, diminishing? And if so, how may that impact your outlook for this product?
Justin Klee: Yes. Thank you, Mike, an important question. So first, on the prevalence, I mean, I think this is a classic where you have diseases of high unmet need. Our best estimate is about 160,000. I think the difference between 160,000 and 180,000 isn't all that different. But as we get into research more, we hope to refine that. But I think it's sufficient to say that it's an orphan disease, but a very significant one. In terms of your question on GLP-1s and reaching the weight loss levels of bariatric surgery, I think a few important things. First, this is a condition that tends to exhibit one to three years post-bariatric surgery. Over the past decade, there have been 2.5 million bariatric surgeries in the United States. And I think the evidence to date is that bariatric surgery will continue to be an important component of weight loss, but also there are many surgeries that occur for – bariatric surgeries that occur that are not for weight loss. There are all sorts of reasons that may happen. And then I think the last thing to say is, again, going back to the I think the importance of the GLP-1 receptor, we've seen that with GLP-1 receptor agonist that, that there are many applications. And again, that's because there are many diseases or conditions characterized by hyperglycemia or hypoinsulinism. But there are also the other side of the equation is hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism, and we really don't have great treatment options for those whole set of conditions. That's why this asset already has FDA breakthrough status in two indications, so we think that there's a lot more room for further development in this whole range of unmet needs.
Michael DiFiore: Very helpful. Thanks again.
Operator: Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I will turn the call back over to Mr. Klee.
Justin Klee: Thank you all for joining us on today's call to discuss Avexitide. We hope you have a great day.
Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes your conference call for today. We thank you for participating and ask that you please disconnect your lines.
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