On March 16, 2020 Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO), a fully-integrated leader in gene and cell therapy, reported fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results, as well as business updates, which will be discussed on a conference call scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET (Press release, Abeona Therapeutics, MAR 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234555592]). Interested parties are invited to participate in the call by dialing 844-369-8770 (domestic) or 862-298-0840 (international) or via webcast at View Source

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"We have started 2020 strongly by opening enrollment in the pivotal Phase 3 VIITALTM study evaluating EB-101 for RDEB and we remain on track to dose the first patient in the first quarter," said João Siffert, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Abeona. "A majority of study participants have been pre-screened and interest from the RDEB community has been high. The recently published long-term follow-up data leave us confident that VIITALTM will demonstrate EB-101 has the unique potential to durably heal the most challenging large and chronic wounds faced by RDEB patients."

Dr. Siffert continued, "We have also made great strides in our MPS III gene therapy programs. Positive interim data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 Transpher A study demonstrated that ABO-102 preserved neurocognitive skills up to two years after treatment in MPS IIIA patients treated early in life. In MPS IIIB, dose-dependent and sustained reductions in disease-specific biomarkers demonstrated a clear biologic effect of ABO-101 treatment in the Phase 1/2 Transpher B study, which is now enrolling a third dose cohort. Finally, our $103.5 million gross underwritten public offering fully funds operations well into 2021 and enables the continued progress and momentum across our robust clinical pipeline."

Fourth Quarter and Recent Highlights

Opening of enrollment in the Phase 3 VIITALTM study evaluating EB-101 for RDEB, which is on track to treat the first patient in Q1. The majority of study participants have been pre-screened and preparations for an additional clinical site initiation are ongoing.

Presentation of positive interim data from ABO-102 gene therapy program in MPS IIIA at WORLDSymposium:

●Three young patients treated in high-dose cohort 3 (at ages 27 months, 19 months, and 12 months) continued to show preserved neurocognitive skills 18 months to two years post treatment, compared with natural history.

●Across all cohorts (n=14), biomarker improvements included rapid and sustained, dose-related reductions in CSF-HS that reached lower limit of quantitation in Cohort 3 (n=2); a reduction in plasma HS levels; and a durable, dose-dependent reduction in liver volume with up to 2 years of follow up.

●ABO-102 has been well-tolerated, with long-term safety remaining favorable 15-45 months post treatment. There have been no treatment-related severe adverse events and no clinically-significant adverse events reported.

Presentation of positive interim data from ABO-101 gene therapy program in MPS IIIB at WORLDSymposium:

●Initial improvements in multiple disease-specific biomarkers including decreased cerebrospinal fluid heparan sulfate (HS) levels, reduced plasma and urine HS and glycosaminoglycans, reduced liver volume.

●ABO-101 has been well-tolerated to date, with no treatment-related severe adverse events and no clinically-significant adverse events reported (n=8).

Completion of cohort 2 and enrollment in cohort 3 of the ABO-101 Transpher B study in MPS IIIB.

Closing of $103.5 million underwritten public offering strengthening balance sheet to support the VIITALTM study through data readouts and the advancement of additional clinical programs.

Receipt of EMA PRIME designation for ABO-102 program in MPS IIIA.

Issuance of two U.S. Patents for AIM AAV capsids.

Completion of strategic review.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Summary Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2019 were $129.3 million, compared to $47.9 million as of September 30, 2019. The increase in cash of $81.4 million was driven primarily by $103.5 million gross underwritten public offering.

Net loss was $0.30 per share for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $0.36 per share in the comparable period in 2018. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, net loss was $1.51 per share compared to $1.19 per share in the same period in 2018.