BCLI: Phase 3 ALS Trial Does Not Meet Primary Endpoint…
NASDAQ:BCLI
READ THE FULL BCLI RESEARCH REPORT
Business Update
Phase 3 ALS Trial Does Not Meet Primary Endpoint
On November 17, 2020, BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCLI) announced topline results from the company’s Phase 3 clinical trial of NurOwn® in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The trial did not reach statistical significance for the primary endpoint, a responder analysis examining the percentage of participants that experienced a 1.25 point per month improvement in the post-treatment Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale – Revised (ALSFRS-R) slope. The trial was powered based on assumed treatment response rates of 35% for NurOwn and 15% for placebo. The results showed that 34.7% of NurOwn-treated participants and 27.7% of placebo-treated patients achieved the primary endpoint (P=0.453). A secondary efficacy endpoint measuring the average change in ALSFRS-R total score from baseline to Week 28 was -5.52 for NurOwn-treated participants and -5.88 for placebo-treated participants (P=0.693).
The company also performed an analysis on a pre-specified subgroup of patients with ALSFRS-R scores > 35, of which approximately 30% of trial participants were included. It is important to remember that while only 30% of trial participants had an ALSFRS-R score >35, almost all patients diagnosed with ALS have an ALSFRS-R score >35 at the time of diagnosis. In this subgroup, NurOwn showed a clinically meaningful treatment response with 34.6% responders compared to 15.6% of responders in placebo-treated participants (P=0.288). In addition, the average change in ALSFRS-R score from baseline to Week 28 for this subgroup was -1.77 for NurOwn-treated participants and -3.78 for placebo-treated participants (P=0.198).
A number of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers were collected during the trial and a statistically significant increase of neurotrophic factors and neuroinflammatory biomarkers were seen in NurOwn-treated participants compared to placebo-treated participants. Pre-specified statistical modeling showed that treatment outcomes with NurOwn could be predicted based on baseline ALS function along with various CSF biomarkers.
We anticipate the company releasing additional details on the trial results at future scientific meetings. From a regulatory standpoint, the company will be meeting with the FDA to present the data to the agency and determine what the path forward is for NurOwn in ALS. We anticipate the company providing an update following receipt of the minutes from that meeting, at which time we hope to gain a better understanding of the regulatory path for NurOwn.
Conclusion
We are disappointed by the results from the Phase 3 ALS trial for NurOwn and had hoped for a better outcome for patients and their families as there are no effective treatment options for ALS available at this point. It is unfortunate that the trial did not meet the primary endpoint, however at this point we don’t believe that all hope is lost as the company reported a clinically meaningful response in participants with ALSFRS-R scores > 35 at baseline. Having said that, given the uncertainty surrounding NurOwn and the lack of clarity regarding a path forward until the company meets with the FDA, we have decreased our probability of approval to 10%, which has significantly decreased our valuation to $10 per share.
SUBSCRIBE TO ZACKS SMALL CAP RESEARCH to receive our articles and reports emailed directly to you each morning. Please visit our website for additional information on Zacks SCR.
DISCLOSURE: Zacks SCR has received compensation from the issuer directly, from an investment manager, or from an investor relations consulting firm, engaged by the issuer, for providing research coverage for a period of no less than one year. Research articles, as seen here, are part of the service Zacks provides and Zacks receives quarterly payments totaling a maximum fee of $40,000 annually for these services. Full Disclaimer HERE.
