On August 8, 2024 Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a business update (Press release, Altimmune, AUG 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234645641]).

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"During the second quarter, we continued to highlight the scientific evidence supporting the robust therapeutic potential of pemvidutide in metabolic diseases," said Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Altimmune. "The data presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) meeting highlighted the disease-modifying potential of pemvidutide in MASH and reinforces our confidence in achieving success on the MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement endpoints of our Phase 2b IMPACT trial. We also delivered two podium presentations at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions that highlighted the robust reductions in body weight and serum lipids with pemvidutide treatment. In addition, we presented data demonstrating class-leading preservation of lean mass among incretin agents, an increasingly important consideration in the treatment of obesity. These data further exemplify the differentiation and broad utility we believe pemvidutide will bring to the rapidly evolving obesity marketplace. We continue to make progress toward expanding the development of pemvidutide in up to three additional indications where its dual GLP-1/glucagon agonism could provide benefit over currently available agents. In parallel with these efforts, our discussions with potential strategic partners continue to progress. We look forward to sharing further updates on each of these initiatives."

Recent Highlights and Anticipated Milestones:

Obesity:

On June 22 and 23, the Company presented data from its Phase 2 MOMENTUM obesity trial at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 84th Annual Scientific Sessions
At 48 weeks of treatment, subjects receiving pemvidutide achieved weight loss of up to 15.6% with weight loss continuing at the end of treatment.
A full analysis of body composition data showed class-leading lean mass preservation among incretin agents with only 21.9% of weight loss attributable to lean mass and 78.1% attributable to fat.
Treatment with pemvidutide also resulted in robust reductions of triglycerides (55.8%), total cholesterol (20.0%) and LDL cholesterol (17.4%) in subjects with elevated baseline lipids on the 2.4mg dose.
In addition, data from the Phase 1 first-in-human trial of pemvidutide demonstrated robust reductions in pro-inflammatory lipids associated with atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk.
End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expected to take place in late Q3 2024
The Company is seeking agreement from the Agency on the Phase 3 trial design and study endpoints that highlight the differentiation of pemvidutide in the treatment of obesity, including its ability to reduce serum lipids and liver fat content (LFC) and its class-leading preservation of lean mass among incretin agents.
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH):

On June 5, Altimmune presented data at the EASL International Liver Congress 2024, supporting the disease-modifying potential and differentiated therapeutic profile of pemvidutide in MASH
An analysis of data in our Phase 1 trial of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) demonstrated that higher proportions of subjects receiving pemvidutide achieved FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase (FAST) score, MRI-PDFF and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) responses than subjects receiving placebo, suggesting significant rates of MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement may be achieved in the IMPACT Phase 2b MASH trial.
A quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) computational model predicted that GLP-1/glucagon dual agonism of pemvidutide would have more potent effects on MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement than GLP-1 therapy alone and that both endpoints would be achieved within the 24-week efficacy readout of the IMPACT trial.
Lipidomic profiling showed significant reductions in serum lipids associated with cardiovascular disease, reinforcing our belief in the disease-modifying potential of pemvidutide on MASH-associated cardiovascular co-morbidities.
On July 25, data from the previously reported 12-week clinical trial of pemvidutide in MASLD was published in the Journal of Hepatology
The Phase 1 trial, which enrolled 94 subjects, evaluated three doses of pemvidutide versus placebo administered once weekly for 12 weeks.
Pemvidutide-treated subjects achieved up to 68.5% relative reduction in LFC, an important predictor of MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement, compared to 4.4% in subjects receiving placebo, with up to 55.6% of pemvidutide-treated subjects achieving LFC normalization.
LFC changes were accompanied by significant improvements in body weight and non-invasive markers of liver inflammation.
The adverse event discontinuation rate was only 2.9% in subjects receiving pemvidutide with no severe or serious adverse events reported.
The Company continues to advance IMPACT, its biopsy-driven Phase 2b trial of pemvidutide in MASH
The trial expects to enroll approximately 190 subjects with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D), randomized to receive 1.2mg or 1.8mg of pemvidutide or placebo.
The primary efficacy measures are MASH resolution or fibrosis improvement at Week 24.
The biopsy readout at Week 24 represents the earliest time point of any incretin-based MASH clinical trial.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024

Altimmune had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $164.9 million on June 30, 2024.
Research and development expenses were $21.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $13.3 million in the same period in 2023. The expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, included $13.8 million in direct costs related to development activities for pemvidutide and $1.0 million in direct costs related to winddown and closing of our HepTcell program as announced on March 27, 2024.
General and administrative expenses were $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $4.8 million in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $1.0 million increase in stock compensation expense caused by modifications of stock awards.
Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $2.2 million as compared to $1.8 million in the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in interest income earned on cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $24.6 million, or $0.35 net loss per share, compared to a net loss of $16.1 million, or $0.32 net loss per share, in the same period in 2023.