Announced merger agreement with Cullgen in November, anticipated to close in the first half of 2025
As part of proposed merger, Pulmatrix intends to divest its assets including its Phase 2-ready acute migraine candidate, PUR3100, and other development candidates based on its iSPERSE technology
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pulmatrix, Inc. ("Pulmatrix" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: PULM), a biopharmaceutical company that has focused on the development of novel inhaled therapeutic products intended to prevent and treat migraine and respiratory diseases with important unmet medical needs using its patented iSPERSE technology, today announced fourth quarter and year-end financial results for 2024 and provided a corporate update.
Peter Ludlum, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Pulmatrix, commented, "Our focus in the fourth quarter has been to advance the proposed merger with Cullgen, a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company applying its proprietary targeted protein degradation uSMITE platform to discover and advance therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. If successful, the proposed merger would create a Nasdaq-listed company focusing on targeted protein degradation technology with three degrader programs in or about to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials - two for the treatment of cancer and one for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. As part of the proposed merger, Pulmatrix is in a process to divest its clinical assets, including iSPERSE and our Phase 2 ready acute migraine product."
Proposed Merger with Cullgen
As previously reported, on November 13, 2024, following a review of strategic alternatives, the Company announced it had entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement" and such transaction, the "Merger") with Cullgen Inc. ("Cullgen"). The Merger is anticipated to close in the first half of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, among others, however the exact timing of the consummation of the Merger cannot be predicted.
Additional information about the Merger Agreement was previously disclosed on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 13, 2024, and in a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on February 14, 2025.
Pulmatrix Seeking Divestment of Clinical Assets and Proprietary iSPERSE Technology
PUR3100
- PUR3100 is an orally inhaled dihydroergotamine ("DHE") engineered with Pulmatrix's iSPERSE dry powder inhalation technology for the treatment of acute migraine.
- In 2023, Pulmatrix announced the Food and Drug Administration's acceptance of an Investigational New Drug ("IND") application for PUR3100 and receipt of a "study may proceed" letter to proceed with a Phase 2 study, positioning PUR3100 as Phase 2-ready. The IND includes a Phase 2 clinical protocol where safety and preliminary efficacy of PUR3100 will be investigated in patients with acute migraine.
- The planned Phase 2 trial builds on the Phase 1 trial results of PUR3100, which were published in 2024 in a peer-reviewed publication, Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain.
- The study showed that PUR3100 achieved peak exposures in the targeted therapeutic range and time to maximum concentration occurred at five minutes after dosing at all dosing levels. The PUR3100 dose groups also showed a lower incidence of nausea and no vomiting compared to observations of nausea and vomiting in the intravenously ("IV") administered DHE dose group.
PUR1800
- PUR1800 is a Narrow Spectrum Kinase Inhibitor ("NSKI"), engineered with our iSPERSE technology, for the treatment of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ("AECOPD"). In 2023, Pulmatrix presented complete results from a Phase 1b study of PUR1800 for AECOPD, indicating PUR1800 was safe and well tolerated with no observed safety signals. The topline data, along with the results from chronic toxicology studies, support the continued development of PUR1800 for the treatment of AECOPD and other inflammatory respiratory diseases.
PUR1900
- PUR1900 is the Company's inhaled iSPERSE formulation of the antifungal drug itraconazole for indications where an orally inhaled antifungal may provide a therapeutic benefit or fulfill an unmet medical need. Per an updated agreement with its partner Cipla, Pulmatrix has stopped patient enrollment for the Phase 2b study of PUR1900 while Cipla has continued their Phae 2 trial outside the United States. The decision to stop the study was unrelated to any safety concerns. The Phase 2b study had been ongoing since the first quarter of 2023. The Company completed all Phase 2b wind down activities within the third quarter of 2024 as planned.
- With the study wind down complete, Pulmatrix bears no further financial responsibility for the development of PUR1900 and will receive 2% royalties on any potential future net sales by Cipla outside the United States. Within the United States, Pulmatrix and Cipla will seek to monetize PUR1900.
iSPERSE Technology
- iSPERSE particles are engineered with a small, dense and dispersible profile to exceed the performance of traditional dry powder particles as the iSPERSE particles have the dispersibility advantages of porous engineered particles. Pulmatrix believes this results in superior drug delivery compared to traditional oral and injectable forms of treatment for certain diseases.
- As of December 31, 2024, Pulmatrix's patent portfolio related to iSPERSE included approximately 149 granted patents, 19 of which are granted U.S. patents, with expiration dates from 2024 to 2037, and approximately 50 additional pending patent applications in the U.S. and other jurisdictions.
Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Financial Results
Revenues increased approximately $0.5 million to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase is primarily related to a contract modification of the Cipla Agreement which resulted in a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Research and development expenses decreased approximately $8.4 million to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to winding down the PUR1900 Phase 2b clinical trial, disposal of the Company's lab and facilities lease and employee terminations.
General and administrative expenses increased approximately $1.3 million to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to incurred legal and professional services costs and one-time employee separation costs, partially offset by decreased rent and other operating costs.
The Company recognized a $2.6 million loss on its transactions with MannKind Corporation, which closed during the third quarter of 2024, representing the write-down for the fair value of assets transferred to MannKind Corporation.
The Company's total cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2024, was $9.5 million. The Company anticipates that its cash position, based on operational efficiencies and prioritization of spending, is sufficient to fund its operations at least through the anticipated closing of the Merger with Cullgen.
PULMATRIX, INC. | ||||||||
December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,521 | $ | 19,173 | ||||
Accounts receivable | - | 928 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 399 | 742 | ||||||
Total current assets | 9,920 | 20,843 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | - | 1,158 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | - | 10,309 | ||||||
Long-term restricted cash | 10 | 1,472 | ||||||
Other long-term assets | 13 | 176 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 9,943 | $ | 33,958 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 809 | $ | 1,915 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 120 | 947 | ||||||
Operating lease liability | - | 429 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | - | 618 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 929 | 3,909 | ||||||
Warrant liability | 67 | - | ||||||
Deferred revenue, net of current portion | - | 3,727 | ||||||
Operating lease liability, net of current portion | - | 8,327 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 996 | 15,963 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value - 500,000 shares authorized; | - | - | ||||||
Common stock, $0.0001 par value - 200,000,000 shares | - | - | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 306,103 | 305,592 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (297,156) | (287,597) | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 8,947 | 17,995 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 9,943 | $ | 33,958 | ||||
PULMATRIX, INC. | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 7,806 | $ | 7,298 | ||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Research and development | 7,166 | 15,518 | ||||||
General and administrative | 7,785 | 6,520 | ||||||
Loss on MannKind Transaction | 2,618 | - | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 17,569 | 22,038 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (9,763) | (14,740) | ||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||
Interest income | 467 | 867 | ||||||
Fair value adjustment of warrants | (67) | - | ||||||
Other expense, net | (196) | (248) | ||||||
Total other income, net | 204 | 619 | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (9,559) | $ | (14,121) | ||||
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders - basic and | $ | (2.62) | $ | (3.87) | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 3,652,285 | 3,651,911 | ||||||
About Pulmatrix, Inc.
Pulmatrix is a biopharmaceutical company that has focused on the development of novel inhaled therapeutic products intended to prevent and treat migraine and respiratory diseases with important unmet medical needs using its patented iSPERSE technology. The Company's proprietary product pipeline includes treatments for central nervous system ("CNS") disorders such as acute migraine and serious lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ("COPD") and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis ("ABPA"). Pulmatrix's product candidates are based on its proprietary engineered dry powder delivery platform, iSPERSE, which seeks to improve therapeutic delivery to the lungs by optimizing pharmacokinetics and reducing systemic side effects to improve patient outcomes.
About iSPERSE Technology
Pulmatrix's innovative particle engineering technology creates dry powder, which solves limitations of conventional inhaled technologies and expands the universe of inhalable drug therapies. iSPERSE is a proprietary technology that allows a broad range of drugs to be formulated as small, dense, and dispersible particles for highly efficient drug delivery and deep penetration into the lungs. iSPERSE can efficiently deliver small molecules, drug combinations, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids via the respiratory system for the treatment of both respiratory and non-respiratory diseases.
For more on the Company's inhaled product candidates please visit: https://www.pulmatrix.com/pipeline.html.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release that are forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements of historical fact and may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "assumes," "believes," "can," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "guides," "intends," "is confident that", "may," "plans," "seeks," "projects," "targets," and "would," and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, the consummation of the proposed Merger with Cullgen and satisfaction of closing conditions thereunder, among others, the Company's ability to maintain compliance with the listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Company's ability to conduct its business and raise capital in the future when needed; delays in planned clinical trials; the ability to establish that potential products are efficacious or safe in preclinical or clinical trials; the ability to establish or maintain collaborations on the development of therapeutic candidates; the ability to obtain appropriate or necessary governmental approvals to market potential products; the ability to obtain future funding for developmental products and working capital and to obtain such funding on commercially reasonable terms; the Company's ability to manufacture product candidates on a commercial scale or in collaborations with third parties; changes in the size and nature of competitors; the ability to retain key executives and scientists; the ability to secure and enforce legal rights related to the Company's products, including patent protection. A discussion of these and other factors, including risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company, including the proposed Merger with Cullgen, is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor Contact:
Chuck Padala
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
646-627-8390
[email protected]
SOURCE Pulmatrix Inc.
