Press Release

PureTech Announces Annual Results for Year Ended December 31, 2023

Significant operational and clinical progress in 2023 and early 2024 with maturation of Internal Programs,1 launch of two new Founded Entities,2 including a $100 million Series A financing for Seaport, and the $14 billion acquisition of Karuna by Bristol Myers Squibb

Robust balance sheet with PureTech level cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $326.0 million3 and consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term Investments of $327.1 million4 as of December 31, 2023

As of March 31, 2024, PureTech level cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $573.3 million,5 enabling the support of Internal Programs and Founded Entities, future innovations, shareholder returns and operational runway into at least 2027

Company to host a webcast and conference call today at 9:00am EDT / 2:00pm BST

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PureTech Health plc (Nasdaq: PRTC, LSE: PRTC) (“PureTech” or the “Company”) today announces its results for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as its cash balance as of the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. The following information represents select highlights from the full UK Annual Report and Accounts, except as noted herein, a portion of which will be filed as an exhibit to PureTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and will also be available later today at https://investors.puretechhealth.com/financials-filings/reports.




Webcast and conference call details

Members of the PureTech management team will host a conference call at 9:00am EDT / 2:00pm BST today, April 25, 2024, to discuss these results. A live webcast and presentation slides will be available on the investors section of PureTech’s website under the Events and Presentations tab. To join by phone, please dial:

United Kingdom (Local): 020 3936 2999

United States (Local): 1 646 787 9445

All other locations

Access Code: 561143

For those unable to listen to the call live, a replay will be available on the PureTech website.

Commenting on the annual results, Bharatt Chowrira, Ph.D., J.D., Chief Executive Officer of PureTech, said:

2023 was a landmark year for PureTech, in which we made strong strategic and clinical progress. We’ve carried this momentum into 2024, with our hub-and-spoke R&D model continuing to deliver value for both patients and shareholders. Through this model we are able to ambitiously pursue our mission of giving life to science by developing therapies that make a meaningful difference to patients with devastating diseases.

PureTech pioneered the hub-and-spoke model, and we believe this novel approach has never been more important than in recent years. The capital markets have been challenging, yet PureTech has not needed to raise money from them in over six years, while still identifying and developing cutting-edge technologies at pace. This is because we have been able to bring in non-dilutive capital from our Founded Entities to fuel the development of the next generation of promising therapeutic candidates. It’s a self-sustaining R&D model that is not only proven but scalable and repeatable.

We take great pride in our track record of clinical success, which is six times the industry average.6 Our R&D engine has generated 29 new therapeutics and therapeutic candidates to date, with two taken from inception at PureTech to both U.S. FDA clearance and European marketing authorization and a third currently undergoing review with the FDA – Karuna’s KarXT. The success of Karuna is a prime example of our approach. Invented and initially advanced by PureTech, with $18.5 million of funding, KarXT is poised to significantly improve the way schizophrenia is managed after a dearth of innovation for 50 years. At the same time, PureTech has been able to generate over $1 billion in cash from Karuna’s progression as a Founded Entity, which culminated in its sale to Bristol Myers Squibb for $14 billion just last month. We are pleased to return certain portions of proceeds from successes like this to our shareholders, including through our proposed capital return of $100 million by way of a Tender Offer7 and our recently completed $50 million share buyback program, and to reinvest a portion back into our R&D engine.

We also continue to progress candidates internally, including LYT-100 (deupirfenidone), which could transform the treatment landscape for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). LYT-100 is currently being evaluated in a fully enrolled Phase 2b trial, which we expect to read out in the fourth quarter of 2024. LYT-100 is a great example of our internal R&D focus on therapeutic candidates with established biology that we believe we can unlock their full potential with our innovation.

Once internally-developed candidates reach a critical juncture, we have a range of options to advance them in a capital-efficient manner, including progressing them in Founded Entities or through partnerships, that allows us to focus on new opportunities, be more capital efficient and reduce the risks that are inherent in biotech for our shareholders. We recently announced the formation of two new Founded Entities, Seaport Therapeutics and Gallop Oncology. Having successfully completed an oversubscribed Series A financing of $100 million, and with Ms. Daphne Zohar at the helm, Seaport is looking to advance first and best-in-class medicines for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders using the GlyphTM platform. Additionally, Gallop will be advancing the LYT-200 program for hematological malignancies and metastatic solid tumors.

The work that we do at PureTech is transformational and full of purpose, and I’d like to thank all colleagues past and present who have built this remarkable business into what is it today. PureTech has a very bright future thanks to the passion of its people and the strength of its science, and I’m proud and humbled to be leading the company into an exciting new phase of growth, with multiple catalysts that can deliver significant value.”

2023 and Early 2024 Operational Highlights

Generated significant value with momentum across Internal Programs and Founded Entities, validating hub-and-spoke model. Key highlights include the following:

  • LYT-100 (deupirfenidone) is currently being developed internally by PureTech for the treatment of IPF, which is a rare, progressive, and fatal disease.

    • PureTech presented expanded data at the CHEST Annual Meeting from a completed trial of LYT-100 in healthy older adults, which informed the two doses selected for the ongoing Phase 2b trial (ELEVATE IPF).
    • In the 2024 post-period, PureTech completed enrollment in ELEVATE IPF. Topline results are expected in Q4 2024.
  • Seaport Therapeutics (Seaport):

    • PureTech launched Seaport Therapeutics with a $100 million oversubscribed Series A financing in the 2024 post-period to progress the development of neuropsychiatric therapeutic candidates enabled by its Glyph platform. Seaport will be led by PureTech founding CEO and co-founder Daphne Zohar with Steven M. Paul, former CEO and Chair of Karuna, leading the Board of Directors as Chair.
  • Gallop Oncology (Gallop):

    • Puretech launched Gallop Oncology to advance LYT-200 (anti-galectin-9 mAb) for the treatment of hematological malignancies, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, and metastatic/locally advanced solid tumors, including head and neck cancers.
    • LYT-200 has demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile in two ongoing Phase 1b clinical trials – one in AML and another in combination with BeiGene’s tislelizumab in head and neck cancers.
    • In the 2024 post-period, the FDA granted LYT-200 Orphan Drug designation for the treatment of AML as well as Fast Track designation for the treatment of head and neck cancers.
  • Karuna Therapeutics (Karuna):8

    • Karuna announced positive topline results from its second Phase 3 trial of its lead investigational therapy, KarXT (xanomeline-trospium) in adults with schizophrenia.
    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted its New Drug Application for KarXT and a decision is expected by September 26, 2024. If approved, KarXT will be the first new mechanism in over 50 years for patients with schizophrenia.
    • Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) acquired Karuna for $330.00 per share in cash, for a total equity value of $14.0 billion in the 2024 post-period. PureTech received approximately $293 million gross proceeds from its equity position in Karuna and is eligible to receive further milestones and royalty payments based on KarXT regulatory and commercial successes.
    • PureTech entered into a royalty agreement with Royalty Pharma for KarXT royalties worth up to $500 million with $100 million up front in cash and a further $400 million in milestone payments.
  • Vedanta Biosciences (Vedanta):

    • Vedanta raised $106.5 million to support pivotal-stage development of its lead candidate, VE303, for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, and a Phase 2 study of VE202 for ulcerative colitis, among other development activities. The syndicate was co-led by new investors AXA IM and The AMR Action Fund along with existing investors including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and PureTech.
    • Vedanta announced the publication of Phase 2 study results from its lead program, VE303, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
  • Akili (Nasdaq: AKLI):

    • Akili announced positive data from a pivotal trial of EndeavorRx®9 in adolescents aged 13-17 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and subsequently received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand the label for EndeavorRx® to include this age group. This increased age range is expected to more than double the number of pediatric patients with ADHD who are now eligible for EndeavorRx.
    • Akili released EndeavorOTC®10 and submitted a 510(k) application to the FDA for EndeavorOTC as an over-the-counter treatment for adults with ADHD.
    • Akili announced plans to pursue regulatory approval for over-the-counter labeling of its treatment products and expects that both EndeavorOTC and EndeavorRx will remain on the market as the company pursues these plans.
  • Vor (Nasdaq: VOR)

    • Presented updated clinical data from patients treated in VBP101, its Phase 1/2a multicenter, open-label, first-in-human study of trem-cel (VOR33) in patients with AML at the ASTCT/EBMT 6th International Conference on Relapse After Transplant and Cellular Therapy (HSCT²). The additional data demonstrated successful engraftment of trem-cel in all seven patients treated to date with trem-cel. All three patients treated with Mylotarg experienced hematologic protection and CD33-negative donor cell enrichment with multiple cycles.

Strengthened senior team with post-period personnel appointments11

  • Bharatt Chowrira, Ph.D., J.D., a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, current Executive Director and PureTech President since 2017 was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  • Eric Elenko, Ph.D., Co-founder and formerly Chief Innovation Officer at PureTech, was appointed President.
  • Charles Sherwood, J.D., was promoted to General Counsel at PureTech. Prior to joining PureTech in August 2021, Charles was Vice President, Corporate Legal Counsel at Anika Therapeutics.
  • Sven Dethlefs, Ph.D., a global pharmaceutical executive with over 25 years of experience, joins PureTech from Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he held numerous leadership roles, as an entrepreneur-in-residence. He will work with the PureTech leadership team on the development of LYT-100 and PureTech’s corporate strategy.

Financial Highlights

  • PureTech level cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $326.0 million 3 as of December 31, 2023.
  • Consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $327.1 million 4 as of December 31, 2023.
  • PureTech’s Founded Entities raised $578.4 million in 2023,12 almost entirely from third parties.
  • PureTech level cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $573.3 million, 5 based on consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $574.4 million, as of March 31, 2024. These figures do not account for PureTech’s $32 million contribution to the Seaport Series A financing, its proposed $100 million Tender Offer 7 or any taxes that may be due on the BMS-Karuna acquisition proceeds received by PureTech.
  • PureTech continued to execute a $50 million share buyback program during the period, which was completed in the February 2024 post-period.
  • PureTech proposed a capital return of $100 million by way of a Tender Offer at 250 pence per ordinary share in the March 2024 post-period. The Company expects to launch the Tender Offer in early May, subject to market conditions and shareholder approval.
  • PureTech has operational runway into at least 2027.

PureTech Health will release its Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023, on April 25, 2024, later today. In compliance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rule 9.6.3, the following documents will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism today and be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

  • Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2023; and
  • Notice of 2024 Annual General Meeting.

Printed copies of these documents together with the Form of Proxy will be posted to shareholders in accordance with applicable UK rules. The Company will provide a hard copy of the Annual Report containing its audited financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request in accordance with Nasdaq requirements. Requests should be directed in writing by email to ir@puretechhealth.com. Copies will also be available electronically on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.puretechhealth.com/financials-filings/reports.

PureTech’s 2024 AGM will be held on June 13, 2024, at 4:00pm BST /11:00am EDT at the offices of FTI Consulting at 200 Aldersgate, 200 Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4HD, United Kingdom.

Shareholders are strongly encouraged to submit a proxy vote in advance of the meeting and to appoint the Chair of the meeting to act as their proxy. If a shareholder wishes to attend the meeting in person, we ask that the shareholder notify the Company by email to ir@puretechhealth.com to assist us in planning and implementing arrangements for this year’s AGM.

Any specific questions on the business of the AGM and resolutions can be submitted ahead of the meeting by e-mail to ir@puretechhealth.com (marked for the attention of Mr. Charles Sherwood).

Shareholders are encouraged to complete and return their votes by proxy, and to do so no later than 4:00 pm (BST) on June 11, 2024. This will appoint the chair of the meeting as proxy and will ensure that votes will be counted even though attendance at the meeting is restricted and you are unable to attend in person. Details of how to appoint a proxy are set out in the notice of AGM.

PureTech will keep shareholders updated of any changes it may decide to make to the current plans for the AGM. Please visit the Company’s website at www.puretechhealth.com for the most up to date information.

About PureTech Health

PureTech is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company dedicated to giving life to new classes of medicine to change the lives of patients with devastating diseases. The Company has created a broad and deep pipeline through its experienced research and development team and its extensive network of scientists, clinicians and industry leaders that is being advanced both internally and through its Founded Entities. PureTech’s R&D engine has resulted in the development of 29 therapeutics and therapeutic candidates, including two that have received both U.S. FDA clearance and European marketing authorization and a third (KarXT) that has been filed for FDA approval. A number of these programs are being advanced by PureTech or its Founded Entities in various indications and stages of clinical development, including registration enabling studies. All of the underlying programs and platforms that resulted in this pipeline of therapeutic candidates were initially identified or discovered and then advanced by the PureTech team through key validation points.

For more information, visit www.puretechhealth.com or connect with us on X (formerly Twitter) @puretechh.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are or may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation those statements that relate to expectations regarding PureTech’s and its Founded Entities’ future prospects, development plans and strategies, including the success and scalability of the Company’s R&D model, the progress and timing of clinical trials and data readouts, the timing of potential regulatory submissions, and the sufficiency of available resources and expected operational runway. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, the following: our history of incurring significant operating losses since our inception; our ability to realize value from our Founded Entities; our need for additional funding to achieve our business goals, which may not be available and which may force us to delay, limit or terminate certain of our therapeutic development efforts; our limited information about and limited control or influence over our Non-Controlled Founded Entities; the lengthy and expensive process of preclinical and clinical drug development, which has an uncertain outcome and potential for substantial delays; potential difficulties with enrolling patients in clinical trials, which could delay our clinical development activities; side effects, adverse events or other safety risks which could be associated with our therapeutic candidates and delay or halt their clinical development; our ability to obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize our therapeutic candidates; our ability to compete with companies currently marketing or engaged in the development of treatments for indications within our programs are designed to target; our ability to realize the benefits of our collaborations, licenses and other arrangements; the impact of government laws and regulations; our ability to maintain and protect our intellectual property rights; our reliance on third parties, including clinical research organizations, clinical investigators and manufacturers; our vulnerability to natural disasters, global economic factors, geo-political actions and unexpected events; and those additional important factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, to be filed with the SEC and in our other regulatory filings. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding the present and future business strategies of the Company and the environment in which it will operate in the future. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as at the date of this press release. Except as required by law and regulatory requirements, we disclaim any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

   

1

 

Internal Programs represent the Company’s current and future therapeutic candidates and technologies that are wholly owned and have not been announced as a Founded Entity.

2

 

As of the date of this release, Founded Entities represent companies founded by PureTech in which PureTech maintains ownership of an equity interest and, in certain cases, is eligible to receive sublicense income and royalties on product sales. References to Founded Entities include PureTech’s Seaport Therapeutics, Inc., Gallop Oncology, Inc., Entrega, Inc., Akili Interactive Labs, Inc., Vor Bio, Inc., Sonde Health, Inc., Vedanta Biosciences, Inc., for all dates prior to March 18, 2024, Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., for all dates prior to October 30, 2023, Gelesis, Inc., for all dates prior to December 21, 2023, Follica, Incorporated, and for all dates prior to December 18, 2019, resTORbio. For references and definitions related to PureTech’s Viability Statement, Financial Review, and Financial Statements and related footnotes, please see Footnote 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

 

PureTech level cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments is a non-IFRS measure. For more information in relation to the PureTech level cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments measure, please see below under the heading “Financial Review.”

4

 

For more information in relation to the Consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments measure, please see below under the heading “Financial Review.”

5

 

This figure does not account for PureTech’s $32 million contribution to the Seaport Series A financing on April 8, 2024, the proposed $100 million Tender Offer, which is expected to be launched in early May, subject to market conditions and shareholder approval, or any taxes that may be due on the BMS-Karuna acquisition proceeds received by PureTech.

6

 

Calculated based on the aggregate PureTech data including all therapeutic candidates advanced through at least Phase 1 by PureTech or its Founded Entities from 2009 onward and the industry average data. Industry average data measures the probability of clinical trial success of therapeutics by calculating the number of programs progressing to the next phase vs. the number progressing and suspended (Phase 1=52%, Phase 2=29%, Phase 3=52%). BIO, PharmaIntelligence, QLS (2021) Clinical Development Success Rates 2011-2020. This study did not include therapeutics regulated as devices.

7

 

The Tender Offer is expected to be launched in early May, subject to market conditions and shareholder approval.

8

 

As of March 18, 2024, Karuna Therapeutics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb

9

 

EndeavorRx is a digital therapeutic indicated to improve attention function as measured by computer-based testing in children ages 8-17 years old with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD, who have a demonstrated attention issue. Patients who engage with EndeavorRx demonstrate improvements in a digitally assessed measure Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA®) of sustained and selective attention and may not display benefits in typical behavioral symptoms, such as hyperactivity. EndeavorRx should be considered for use as part of a therapeutic program that may include clinician-directed therapy, medication, and/or educational programs, which further address symptoms of the disorder. EndeavorRx is available by prescription only. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone therapeutic and is not a substitution for a child’s medication. The most common side effect observed in children in EndeavorRx’s clinical trials was a feeling of frustration, as the game can be quite challenging at times. No serious adverse events were associated with its use. EndeavorRx is recommended to be used for approximately 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over initially at least 4 consecutive weeks, or as recommended by your child’s health care provider. To learn more about EndeavorRx, please visit EndeavorRx.com.

10

 

EndeavorOTC is a digital therapeutic indicated to improve attention function, ADHD symptoms and quality of life in adults 18 years of age and older with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD. EndeavorOTC utilizes the same proprietary technology underlying EndeavorRx, a prescription digital therapeutic indicated to improve attention function in children ages 8 – 17. EndeavorOTC is available under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current Enforcement Policy for Digital Health Devices for Treating Psychiatric Disorders During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency. EndeavorOTC has not been cleared or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its indications. It is recommended that patients speak to their health care provider before starting EndeavorOTC treatment. No serious adverse events have been reported in any of our clinical studies. To learn more, visit EndeavorOTC.com.

11

 

Julie Krop, M.D., left her role as Chief Medical Officer, effective March 31, 2024.

12

 

Funding figure includes private convertible notes and public offerings. Funding figure excludes future milestone considerations received in conjunction with partnerships and collaborations. Funding figure does not include gross proceeds due to PureTech following the 2024 post-period acquisition of Karuna by BMS.

Contacts

PureTech

Public Relations

publicrelations@puretechhealth.com
Investor Relations

IR@puretechhealth.com

EU/UK media

Ben Atwell, Rob Winder

+44 (0) 20 3727 1000

puretech@fticonsulting.com

U.S. media

Nichole Bobbyn

+1 774 278 8273

nichole@tenbridgecommunications.com

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