Molecure — Novel approaches for problematic diseases

Molecure (renamed from OncoArendi in Q122) is a Polish biotechnology company focused on the development of novel drugs that target underexplored pathways in diseases with significant unmet medical need. Currently, the company’s most advanced clinical asset is CHIT1 inhibitor OATD-01, for which the worldwide rights were returned to the company in June 2022 after a strategic review by partner Galapagos. Positive safety and biomarker data from a Phase Ib trial of OATD-01 was reported in September 2020 and the company now expects to begin a Phase II trial investigating the drug’s use in the treatment of sarcoidosis in mid-FY23. If OATD-01 can demonstrate a disease-modifying profile in Phase II trials, we see a significant opportunity in sarcoidosis and fibrotic indications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). For OATD-01, we expect Molecure’s strategy will likely revolve around demonstrating clinically meaningful anti-granulomatous activity in sarcoidosis with the intention of out-licensing the asset for further development in other conditions such as IPF, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for which preclinical data suggests OATD-01 may be applicable. Newly acquired positive drug-drug interaction data obtained by Galapagos in the context of IPF has provided further encouragement in this indication.

Further, management expects to progress its ARG1/2 inhibitor OATD-02 into a first-in-human Phase I trial for the treatment of solid tumours in Q422. In our view, OATD-02’s development may follow a similar strategy to OATD-01’s: regional (Polish) Phase I trials followed by international, proof-of-concept Phase II studies, with the company aiming to out-license further development and commercialisation in oncology. Molecure is also developing multiple preclinical projects and a proprietary small molecule mRNA platform which, based on recent deals for similar platforms, we believe could be a significant future value driver for the company.

Molecure reported total operating costs of PLN9.00m and PLN21.2m in total cash outflows in the first nine months of 2022, as it continued to progress its pipeline and one-off costs from rebranding were recorded. Management intends to be running two parallel clinical trials by end-FY23 (OATD01 Phase II and OATD-02 Phase I) and expects cumulative expenditure over H222 and FY23 will increase dramatically to reach PLN58m. At end-September 2022 Molecure reported a cash position of PLN80.7m (US$16.9m), which it expects will sufficiently fund planned operations into Q224. Management is also exploring various sources of non-dilutive funding in the form of grants and collaborative agreements, which in total the company estimates could potentially fund 30–50% of costs. Further information on financials is provided on page 12.

Molecure is subject to the normal risks associated with a pureplay biotechnology company. Primarily, the company is subject to risks associated with the clinical development of OATD-01 and OATD-02. Failure to meet clinical trial endpoints and/or delays in development timelines could have a material impact on the company’s market value. Molecure is focused on targeting new disease pathways, meaning that OATD-01’s and OATD-02’s mechanisms of action are unvalidated in a clinical setting, which increases development risk for the company. Failure to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept for OATD-01 in Phase II trials (results expected in H125) represents a significant medium-term risk and would likely cause the company to revaluate its long-term development timelines. As management’s estimated cash runway will fund the company into Q224, the company will need to raise additional funds to complete OATD-01’s Phase II trial. While Molecure is exploring non-dilutive funding options, capital may be raised through an equity offering, which could result in the significant dilution of existing shareholders.

Molecure’s portfolio (Exhibit 1) is focused on two key areas: inflammation and fibrosis; and oncology. While the company possesses a burgeoning discovery and preclinical pipeline, management’s attention remains focused on the clinical development of OATD-01 and OATD-02 in sarcoidosis and solid tumour indications, respectively. OATD-01 is a novel, first-in-class chitinase inhibitor that the company is currently developing for the treatment of sarcoidosis but has potential applications in other inflammatory and fibrotic diseases (IPF, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)). Positive Phase I safety and pharmacodynamic data, gathered from healthy volunteers, and a significant amount of animal model data support the commencement of a Phase II trial for the treatment of sarcoidosis in Q2/Q323. We expect the second asset, OATD-02, to enter clinical development in Q422 for the treatment of solid tumours. OATD-02 is a dual ARG1/2 inhibitor that the company believes could restore anti-tumour immune activity in oncology indications as a monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies).

Molecure is also developing an innovative small molecule mRNA-targeting platform. Based on unique bioinformatics algorithms, this platform, the company asserts, allows expedited hit-optimisation for molecules that interfere and bind to specific mRNA structures, disrupting the gene translation process. Management expects that this platform will deliver over 20 hit compounds for in vitro proof-of-concept studies by Q423. Similar RNA targeting platforms have been the subject of considerable partnership deals with global pharmaceutical companies in recent years (eg Arrakis Therapeutics, Ribometrix and Skyhawk). Hence, if Molecure can deliver functioning and validated mRNA-targeting compounds in Q223, we expect this could lead to sizeable partnerships deals and/or contracts.

Molecure’s strategy of pursuing novel mechanisms of action (chitinase and arginase inhibition) in areas of unmet medical need, in our view, offers the potential for significant commercial opportunity, if assets meet proof-of-concept thresholds in clinical trials. Despite the company having supportive mouse model data, the mechanisms currently under investigation (CHIT1, ARG1/2 inhibition) are not clinically validated in humans (currently no chitinase or arginase inhibitors are approved). We therefore see increased potential development risks compared to better-established mechanisms of action.

Molecure’s previous partner for OATD-01, Galapagos (GLPG:AEX), returned the global rights for the CHIT1 inhibitor to the company in June 2022 following a shift in corporate strategy and a portfolio review. The drug was returned to Molecure with new drug-drug interaction (DDI) data from two independent studies involving standard-of-care drugs in IPF (nintedanib, pirfenidone) and midazolam. We expect the company will submit clinical and preclinical data to the regulators for the drug’s use in sarcoidosis to support clinical development in this indication. Molecure believes advancing OATD-01 in sarcoidosis initially rather than IPF will provide a higher chance of success, where biological and functional endpoints are somewhat easier to assess. If Phase II trials in sarcoidosis demonstrate proof-of-concept for OATD-01 as an effective agent, we expect it would also make the asset more appealing to potential licensing partners, which may look to develop it in other interstitial lung diseases (eg IPF). Subject to regulatory approval, the company intends to commence a Phase II trial in sarcoidosis patients with OATD-01 in mid-2023.

Management believes OATD-01 is a potent (IC50 human CHIT1 = 26nM) small molecule inhibitor of CHIT1, a human chitinase enzyme that is implicated in the body’s immune response. Pathologically activated immune cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, secrete CHIT1 as part of the body’s natural immune response, thus the enzyme’s activity is associated with inflammatory and fibrotic processes. OATD-01 is a first-in-class chitinase inhibitor developed by Molecure to be taken as a once-a-day pill for the treatment of inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. Preclinical studies, conducted by Molecure, have demonstrated OATD-01’s ability to reduce fibrosis (measured by the Ashcroft fibrosis score) in mice with induced lung fibrosis (through exposure to bleomycin). In these experiments, OATD-01 showed a reduction in fibrosis on a comparable scale to a leading IPF drug (pirfenidone, Exhibit 2). In addition, OATD-01 been shown to reduce granulomatous inflammation in an induced sarcoidosis mouse model (Exhibit 3). Here, the combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and early secreted antigenic target 6Da (ESAT-6) peptide induced granulomatous inflammation.

In our view, these data represent encouraging support for OATD-01’s use in fibrotic and inflammatory lung conditions. However, we note that animal data are not directly comparable to humans. Molecure believes that this animal model data combined with CHIT1’s specific action in the development of fibrosis makes OATD-01 a potentially disease-modifying agent in fibrotic disease. The drug has so far demonstrated a good safety profile in Phase I studies and has received an orphan drug designation (ODD) for its use in sarcoidosis and IPF, which could provide the company with up to seven years of market exclusivity (post approval) for OATD-01 in each indication, if approved.

While CHIT1 inhibition is not yet a clinically validated mechanism of action for the treatment of fibrotic and inflammatory diseases, Molecure has generated preclinical and animal model evidence of CHIT1’s relevance in indications of this type. A key study demonstrated reduced fibrosis in a CHIT1 knockout (KO) mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (Exhibit 4). In this, mice devoid of the gene for CHIT1 showed a significant reduction of pulmonary fibrosis (measured using the Ashcroft Fibrosis Score) when exposed to the chemotherapy drug bleomycin, which is intended to cause fibrotic lung injury. In addition, biomarkers for lung fibrosis were significantly and consistently reduced in the KO mice, indicating that CHIT1 activity is an important mediator in the development of fibrosis. We see these results as a meaningful genetic validation of CHIT1’s importance in the development of fibrotic lung diseases and as encouraging support for the application of OATD-01 in this setting.

Molecure has also demonstrated that CHIT1 is highly expressed in the lungs of sarcoidosis patients, specifically in areas of lung biopsies affected by granulomas, and that chitinolytic activity in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and sputum is significantly enhanced (10–100x) in sarcoidosis and IPF patients (Exhibit 5). CHIT1 activity has also been shown to strongly correlate with the severity and progression of sarcoidosis and is therefore considered a reliable and sensitive biomarker of disease progression. We believe the combination of evidence presented above supports Molecure’s pursuit of CHIT1 as a potential target for the treatment of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterised by the presence of granuloma (clusters of immune cells), with severity ranging from mild to progressive and recurrent cases leading to lung fibrosis. The disease can affect almost any organ in the body, however over 90% of cases are located in the lungs. In general, sarcoidosis is a relatively rare disease. In the United States, the prevalence of sarcoidosis is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 and the annual incidence rate is estimated at about eight cases per 100,000 people (Baughman, Field, Costabel, et al). However, the incidence and prevalence of the disease appears to be affected by several factors, including but not limited to race, region, age and sex. For example, in the United States, middle-aged (40–64 years old) non-Hispanic black women are consistently observed to have the highest sarcoidosis incidence and prevalence rates (238 per 100,000 average hospitalisation rate), with the mid-west United States having the highest regional rates. In contrast, estimated rates are consistently significantly lower in East Asia that other regions (incidence 0.5–1.3 per 100,000). In our view, these variable incidence and prevalence rates will be important for Molecure to understand when planning and executing clinical trials and commercial strategies.

Molecure believes OATD-01’s mechanism of action may also be applicable to the treatment of IPF, a progressive disease that leads to lung scarring and fibrosis that hampers the lungs’ ability to adequately transport oxygen. IPF is one of the most common forms of interstitial lung diseases. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough and fatigue, and mean survival is only three to five years following diagnosis. IPF has an estimated global prevalence of 13–20 per 100,000 people, with approximately 100,000 people affected in the United States and an annual US incidence of c 30,000–40,000 (National Institutes of Health). Sarcoidosis and IPF are both classed as interstitial lung diseases and the similarities between serious cases of sarcoidosis (involving fibrosis) and IPF are clear.

In September 2020, Molecure announced the final results from a Phase Ib trial studying the safety and the pharmacodynamics of OATD-01 in healthy volunteers (n=24). The study used a multiple ascending dose design (25mg, 50mg), reporting good tolerability at each dose, no serious adverse events and no adverse event that would lead to dose lowering or interruption over a 10-day course of treatment. At both 25mg and 50mg doses, pharmacodynamic analysis showed near total inhibition of CHIT1 plasma activity in enrolled volunteers, leading the company to abandon a planned 75mg dose.

With the global rights to OATD-01 now returned to the company, Molecure is planning to initiate a Phase II trial in sarcoidosis patients in Q2/Q323. Management has communicated that this will be a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre, international study to assess the safety and efficacy of OATD-01 in first-line patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis. We expect the trial to enrol c 60 patients over c 12 months and focus on endpoints such as reduction in inflammation, change in pulmonary function, time to improvement and migration from glucocorticoid use. We see the initiation of this Phase II trial as an important near-term catalyst for Molecure.

We believe that the clinical and preclinical data gathered by Molecure (and Galapagos) support OATD-01’s development in sarcoidosis and potentially IPF. The commercial rationale for development in these indications is also compelling, in our view. For pulmonary sarcoidosis patients that require pharmacological intervention (up to 80% of cases spontaneously resolve), glucocorticoids (a class of immunosuppressive steroid hormone) represent the first-line therapy. The effect of glucocorticoids, with prednisone being the commonly used example, is the reduction of inflammation in the lungs. However, the long-term use of glucocorticoids is associated with serious side effects such as diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and Cushing’s disease. If effects such as these limit the utility of glucocorticoids, other immunosuppressant drugs, such a methotrexate, may be administered. These drugs, however, come with their own safety concerns and long-term use is rarely appropriate. In IPF, the multiple tyrosine kinase (MTK) inhibitor nintedanib (Ofev, Boehringer Ingelheim) is often prescribed; it is associated with serious side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, elevated liver enzymes, risks of bleeding and embryo-foetal toxicity. The only other drug approved for the treatment of IPF is pirfenidone (Esbriet, Roche), but this has its own toxicity issues and can cause elevated liver enzymes, gastrointestinal disorders and photosensitivity.

We note that both nintedanib and pirfenidone have been shown to reduce the rate of lung function decline (measured by forced vital capacity, FVC) by up to around 50%, but neither have been shown to reverse the fibrotic effect seen in IPF. Pirfenidone has been associated with improvement in all-cause mortality, whereas nintedanib has shown trends (but not reaching statistical significance) towards this. Given the generally limited efficacy and side effect profile of existing treatments for sarcoidosis and IPF, we see a significant unmet medical need in these indications and therefore an opportunity for OATD-01. This opportunity could be especially pronounced, in our opinion, if Molecure can demonstrate that OATD-01 has a disease-modifying effect and does not just slow the progression of fibrotic lung diseases.

The sarcoidosis treatment market represents only a small portion of the total pulmonary fibrosis treatment market. For example, worldwide sarcoidosis treatment sales in 2026 are estimated to reach US$188m (EvaluatePharma), whereas the market for IPF drugs is expected to reach c US$3.2bn in 2026 after peaking at c US$5.7bn in 2024 (EvaluatePharma). Glucocorticoids and other immuno-suppressive drugs (ie the mainstays of sarcoidosis treatment) are inexpensive, hence the relatively small market size for sarcoidosis drugs. In our view, this presents two potential opportunities to Molecure. If OATD-01 continues to demonstrate the favourable safety profile seen in Phase Ib and can show a competitive anti-inflammatory effect in sarcoidosis, we believe it could represent a viable substitute for glucocorticoid use. We note the need for longer-term safety studies, which will be important in establishing OATD-01’s potential to substitute chronic glucocorticoid use.

Additionally, should OATD-01 demonstrate a disease-modifying, anti-fibrotic modality in clinical trials, Molecure may be able command premium pricing, which management asserts could be c US$22,000 pa in sarcoidosis. The company estimates a value for the sarcoidosis market at maturity with a disease-modifying treatment could be over US$1.5bn. If a disease-modifying profile is established, we believe OATD-01 could be advanced in other fibrotic diseases and expect a large potential opportunity in the treatment of IPF.

As mentioned, the sarcoidosis treatment market is small and dominated by generic drugs that have serious potential side effects, whereas the IPF market is much larger, with Esbriet (2021 world-wide sales US$1.2bn) already generic and Ofev (2021 world-wide sales US$2.9bn) reaching a patent cliff in 2026. Exhibit 6 presents the development pipeline of competing drugs in sarcoidosis and IPF. As evidenced by the variety of mechanisms being investigated, it is clear, in our view, that the interest in exploring new, potentially disease-modifying pathways is high in the sector.

In sarcoidosis, we highlight the neuropilin-2 inhibitor efzofitimod, which is currently in a potentially registrational Phase III trial and has previously demonstrated dose dependant reductions in percent-predicted forced vital capacity (FVCPP) and corticosteroid use. As there are objectively fewer drugs being developed in the space (eg compared to IPF), we believe the barriers to entry in the sarcoidosis treatment market are relatively low, representing an opportunity for OATD-01 to garner market share, if approved. In contrast we expect future competition in the IPF market to be high, as after Ofev also comes off patent, the market is expected to fragment. However, considering the size of the IPF market we anticipate that, should OATD-01 demonstrate a reversal or considerable slowdown in the decline of FVC compared to Ofev or Esbriet, there is a reasonable opportunity for the drug to garner a moderate market share.

In our view, Roche’s Phase III STARCAPE trial (NCT04552899) of RG6354 in IPF, which is expected to report results in early 2023, represents an important near-term event in the IPF field. If RG6354 demonstrates a reversal of FVC decline, it may set the standard against which new anti-fibrosis drugs are measured, in our view. We also see BI1015550 (Boehringer Ingelheim), an oral PDE4B inhibitor, as an important comparator. The drug was granted breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA and showed an increase in FVC (at 12 weeks) in a recent Phase II study. A Phase III study is planned to start in H222. Finally, FibroGen’s pamrevlumab (FG-2019) has also shown promising data in IPF. In a Phase II trial (n=103), the connective tissue growth factor targeting antibody reduced the rate of FVC decline by approximately 60% versus a placebo at 48 weeks. Data from the first Phase III study (Zephyrus-I) are expected in 2023.

Molecure’s second development programme is focused on dual ARG1/2 inhibitor OATD-02. The asset is currently completing the Polish regulatory process and the company expects OATD-02 will enter a Polish Phase I trial in Q422. Molecure intends to investigate OATD-02’s use in oncology, where it believes ARG1/2 inhibition could help restore antitumour immune responses. ARG1/2 are arginine-depleting enzymes whose actions are associated with immunosuppressive tumour microenvironments (TME). Other ARG inhibitors, for example the Phase II asset numidargistat (Calithera Biosciences), are currently in clinical development, which we see as modest validation for ARG as a useful target in oncology.

Preclinical data have shown OATD-02 can effectively inhibit ARG1/2 and in animal models has demonstrated the ability to improve the efficacy of PD-(L)1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) when administered in combination. We see OATD-02’s preclinical evidence as validating the premise of advancing the drug to human trials. However, we note that preclinical and animal model data may not translate to a clinically meaningful effect in humans. We expect the company to pursue a similar development strategy with OATD-02 as it has with OATD-01, namely a regional Phase I trial followed by international Phase II trials, with the intention of signing a global development and commercialisation out-licensing deal if proof-of-concept is achieved in humans.

Provided regulatory clearance is achieved, OATD-02 could enter Phase I studies in Q422, as communicated by management. We expect a trial of this type would primarily assess the safety and tolerability of OATD-02 as a monotherapy in solid-tumour patients with a secondary focus on response rates and survival. The clinical trial application (CTA) for Phase I was filed in August 2022 and management states the commencement of Phase I in Q422 could lead to top-line results in H224 (Exhibit 7). We expect that Molecure would initially conduct Phase I trials in Poland, before expanding to international sites in subsequent studies. If safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamic results are positive, we expect this would guide the design of a Phase I/II trial of OATD-02 in combination with ICIs in solid or potentially liquid tumours. We believe ICI combinations are an area where OATD-02 could have a significant impact, given preclinical data.

As with OATD-01, Molecure possesses a significant amount of preclinical data to support the clinical development of OATD-02 in oncology. For example, the company has demonstrated OATD-02’s ability to restore the proliferation of ARG1 suppressed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, an important component of the body’s tumour immune response. In addition, OATD-02 has demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in tumour volume in mouse models of colorectal cancer as a monotherapy. Importantly, in our view, the drug has shown (in the same animal model) the capability to improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1 (Exhibit 8) and anti-PD-L1 (Exhibit 9) antibodies, when administered in combination. In our view, this collective data supports the development of OATD-02 in oncology indications as a monotherapy and confirms our opinion that a key commercial opportunity for the drug will be in combination with ICIs. We reiterate, however, that preclinical data may not translate into a meaningful clinical effect in humans. Results from the expected Phase I trial in solid tumours, expected in H224, could be a key catalyst in the OATD-02 development programme.

In our view, a meaningful comparator, and potential competitor, for OATD-02 is the arginase inhibitor numidargistat (INCB001158), which is being developed by Calithera Biosciences and Incyte. As a Phase II asset, numidargistat represents the most clinically advanced arginase inhibitor being investigated in the oncology space, to our knowledge. The compound has demonstrated reasonable safety and tolerability in Phase I both alone and in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda, anti-PD-1 antibody, Merck) and is now in a Phase I/II trial (NCT02903914) to assess its efficacy in solid tumours.

Molecure has conducted studies that suggest that OATD-02 monotherapy could have superior efficacy in solid tumours versus numidargistat. In mouse models of colorectal cancer (Exhibit 10), OATD-02 caused 56% tumour growth inhibition (TGI) compared to 31% for numidargistat when both were administered at a 100mg/kg dose. Additionally, in an ARG2 dependant mouse model of aggressive and low immunogenic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), OATD-02 demonstrated a 30% difference in TGI (27% vs -3% for numidargistat, Exhibit 11), based on final tumour weight. We caveat that comparison of OATD-02 to other potential competitors or arginase inhibitors based on these data is premature.

True to the company’s mission to develop drugs that act on new targets, Molecure’s preclinical pipeline and discovery platform contain a selection of innovative assets and technology, in our view. The company’s USP7 programme is focused on the discovery of inhibitors of small molecules that inhibit ubiquitin specific protease-7 (USP7), an important enzyme in the regulation of cell homeostasis. Management expects that the lead asset in the programme, OAT-4828, will have confirmed in vivo efficacy in oncology by Q422, after which it could reach candidate nomination by Q323, with the intention of an IND submission by 2025. Molecure’s other discovery programme is pursuing the discovery and development of YKL-40 binders in oncology indications. In addition, Molecure has a long-term licence option agreement with the University of Michigan to develop novel fibrosis-targeting compounds.

Further, the company is developing a technology platform focused on the discovery of small molecules that can bind to RNA and prevent downstream translation. The platform uses proprietary algorithms, developed by Professor Janusz Bujnicki, to predict the ability of small molecules to bind to RNA structures (predicted by a combination of algorithms and lab measurements). The identified molecules can then be synthesised and validated through biochemical and biophysical investigation. The company is currently in the process of validating its RNA druggable structure procedure (Exhibit 12) and expects in vitro proof of concept for the platform will be complete in Q223.

RNA-based platforms of this type can generate considerable value for companies that develop them, as demonstrated Amgen’s research collaboration deal with Arrakis Therapeutics in January 2022. Arrakis has an RNA-targeting small molecule platform (that we believe is comparable to the one being developed by Molecure) and received an upfront payment of US$75m from Amgen for its use for five initial programmes, with potential milestone payments in future. For this reason, we see Molecure’s RNA platform as a potential value driver for the company, if proof of concept is demonstrated. In particular, if the company can demonstrate improvements in speed or hit-quality over other platforms, potential partnering deals could be transformative.

As a pureplay biotech, Molecure is subject to all the regular sensitivities associated with drug research and development. The company’s prospects may be affected by development delays or failures, regulator risks, competitor successes, partnering setbacks and financing risks. Molecure is focused on targeting new disease pathways with its drugs and, as such, OATD-01’s and OATD-02’s mechanisms of action have not yet been proven in a clinical setting. This, in our view, increases development risk for the company. Failure to demonstrate clinical proof of concept for OATD-01 in Phase II trials represents a significant near/medium-term risk and would likely cause the company to revaluate its long-term development timelines.

Molecure does not generate any revenues from its drug discovery and development operations. As the company advances through clinical trials, expenses are expected to significantly increase and, consequently, the company will require additional capital to fund its development objectives. Management’s estimated cash runway will fund the company into Q224 and it will need to raise additional funds to complete OATD-01’s Phase II trial. While Molecure is exploring non-dilutive funding option, capital could be raised through an equity offering, which could result in significant dilution of existing shareholders.

In the first nine months of FY22, Molecure reported revenues of PLN1.49m (US$0.31m), an increase from PLN0.87m in the first nine months of FY21, the majority of which is comprised of domestic research grants. Total operating costs up to end-Q323 increased to PLN9.00m from PLN6.09 in the same period a year prior (up to end-Q321) as the company continued to progress its pipeline and one-off costs from rebranding (previously OncoArendi) were recorded. Of this, PLN4.02m was attributed to external services and PLN3.82m to salaries, increased from PLN2.42m and PLN2.08, respectively, in the first nine months of FY22. Operating cash outflow up to end-Q322 was PLN6.50m and investing cash outflow stood at PLN21.3m, as the company capitalises parts of its R&D expenditure (PLN18.9m up to end-Q322). Molecure plans to be running two parallel clinical trials by end-FY23 (OATD-01 Phase II and OATD-02 Phase I), hence management expects cumulative expenditure over H222 and FY23 will increase dramatically to PLN58m (c US$11.6m). However, in the company’s H122 earnings presentation, the USP7 programme was also listed as a main cost driver over this period (along with OATD-01 and OATD-02), suggesting the company is preparing to ramp up preclinical work to progress this asset towards the clinic.

In FY21, Molecure reporting operating cash outflow of PLN13.5m (versus operating cash inflow of PLN57.4m in FY20) and investing cash outflow of PLN18.8m, which included PLN16.4m in capitalised R&D costs. In FY20 the company reported PLN124.9m revenue, due largely to the US$28m payment from Galapagos for the rights of OATD-01.

At end-September 2022, the company reported a cash position of PLN80.7m (US$16.9m), from PLN102.0m at end-FY21, reflecting PLN21.2m in total cash outflows in the year to date. Accounting for the increased future cash burn, management expects current resources to sufficiently fund the company’s operations to Q224 (18–20 months). Management is also exploring potential sources of non-dilutive funding through various mechanisms. For example, the company’s agreement with the University of Michigan resulted in a submission to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States for a potential c US$2m grant. The company is also intending to submit another NIH grant application (c US$2m) for OATD-01 in late 2022. Other funding options being considered by management include other R&D grants and collaborative agreements (cost/profit sharing, milestones). In total, the company estimates that these sources could potentially fund 30–50% of costs. Furthermore, if the company can demonstrate the utility of its RNA platform, we see this as a potential source of future revenues, through licensing deals or usage agreements.