FIXX - Q32 Bio and Homology Medicines Announce Merger Agreement | Benzinga
--The combined company will operate as Q32 Bio Inc., advancing the development of Q32 Bio's two clinical development candidates, bempikibart (ADX-914) in Phase 2 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and alopecia areata (AA), and ADX-097 entering Phase 2 for the treatment of complement disorders--
--Q32 Bio has re-acquired worldwide development and commercial rights to bempikibart, an anti-IL-7R? antibody inhibiting IL-7 and TSLP-mediated signaling, and remains on-track to report multiple topline Phase 2 results in 2H'24--
--Concurrent $42 million private placement investment with new and existing investors supports clinical development through multiple milestones, including key Phase 2 readouts for bempikibart, initial ADX-097 proof-of-concept data by year-end 2024 and ADX-097 topline results in 2H'25--
--Combined company's cash balance expected to be approximately $115 million at close, providing cash runway to mid-2026--
WALTHAM, Mass. and BEDFORD, Mass., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q32 Bio Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing biologic therapeutics to restore immune homeostasis, and Homology Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIXX), today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine the companies in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will focus on advancing Q32 Bio's wholly owned clinical development candidates for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will operate as Q32 Bio, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and is expected to trade under the Nasdaq ticker symbol "QTTB".
In support of the merger agreement, Q32 Bio has entered into an agreement for a $42 million private placement with participation from existing and new investors including OrbiMed, Atlas Venture, Abingworth, Bristol Myers Squibb, Acorn Bioventures, Osage University Partners (OUP), CU Healthcare Innovation Fund, Sanofi Ventures, Agent Capital and other undisclosed investors.
"The proposed merger with Homology Medicines and concurrent private placement is expected to provide Q32 Bio with the capital to drive development of our autoimmune and inflammatory pipeline through multiple clinical milestones," said Jodie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of Q32 Bio. "This funding is expected to enable us to deliver two Phase 2 readouts for bempikibart in the second half of 2024, proof-of-concept data for ADX-097, a tissue-targeted inhibitor of complement activation, by year-end 2024, and topline ADX-097 clinical results in the second half of 2025."
"Following a comprehensive assessment of our strategic options, management and the Board of Directors believe the merger with Q32 Bio is in the best interest of our shareholders," said Albert Seymour, President and Chief Executive Officer of Homology Medicines. "The Q32 Bio management team's extensive track record, deep biopharmaceutical expertise and the potential of its clinical development pipeline provide a compelling opportunity to deliver meaningful treatments to patients with critical unmet needs."
Proceeds from the proposed transactions will be used to advance the clinical development of Q32 Bio's two wholly owned assets, bempikibart (ADX-914), for which Q32 Bio earlier today announced it regained all rights from Amgen, and ADX-097.
Bempikibart, Q32 Bio's lead program, is a fully human anti-IL-7R? antibody that re-regulates adaptive immune function by blocking signaling mediated by both IL-7 and TSLP and is currently being evaluated in two Phase 2 trials, with one clinical trial evaluating the use in atopic dermatitis (AD) and one evaluating the use in alopecia areata (AA). All data from the Phase 2 trials remain blinded and Q32 Bio remains on track to report topline Phase 2 results in the second half of 2024.
ADX-097 is based on a novel platform enabling tissue-targeted regulation of the complement system without long-term systemic blockade, a key differentiator from current complement therapeutics. Q32 Bio recently completed a first-in-human, Phase 1 ascending dose clinical study of ADX-097 in healthy volunteers. Results from the Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrated a favorable tolerability and immunogenicity profile across all single and multiple dose cohorts and weekly subcutaneous dosing met exposures for predicted complete complement inhibition in the tissue with no systemic inhibition. Q32 Bio will be commencing an open-label Phase 2 basket clinical trial, with initial data expected by year-end 2024, and a Phase 2 clinical trial in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (AAV), with topline results from the AAV and basket trials expected in the second half of 2025.
About the Proposed Merger
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Homology Medicines will issue to pre-merger Q32 Bio stockholders shares of Homology Medicines common stock as merger consideration in exchange for the cancellation of shares of capital stock of Q32 Bio, and Q32 Bio will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Homology Medicines. Stockholders of Q32 Bio will receive newly issued shares of Homology Medicines common stock pursuant to a formula set forth in the merger agreement. Pre-merger Homology Medicines stockholders are expected to own approximately 25% of the combined company and pre-merger Q32 Bio stockholders (including those purchasing Q32 Bio shares in the concurrent private financing discussed above) are expected to own approximately 75% of the combined company. The percentage of the combined company that pre-merger Q32 Bio stockholders and pre-merger Homology Medicines will own upon the closing of the merger is further subject to adjustment based on the amount of Homology Medicines' net cash at the time of closing. In connection with the closing of the proposed transactions, Homology Medicines stockholders will also be issued a contingent value right (CVR) representing the right to receive certain payments from proceeds received by the combined company, if any, related to dispositions of Homology Medicines' pre-transaction legacy assets.
Homology Medicines has discontinued development of its R&D programs, including HMI-103 for the treatment of PKU, and has been exploring strategic alternatives for its programs and platform technology. If Homology Medicines has not otherwise disposed of ...