Inventiva, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced a major strategic restructuring alongside its preliminary 2024 financial results, marking a significant shift in its operational focus toward the development of its lead drug candidate for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
The company reported a cash position of €96.6 million as of December 31, 2024, a substantial increase from the previous year's €26.9 million. This improvement was largely driven by successful financing activities throughout 2024, including a structured financing deal that brought in aggregate gross proceeds of €116 million.
Strategic Refocus on Lanifibranor Development
In a decisive move to streamline operations, Inventiva has unveiled plans to focus exclusively on lanifibranor's development program. This strategic decision involves terminating all preclinical research activities, except those supporting the lanifibranor program, and reducing the workforce by approximately 50%. The restructuring is scheduled for implementation in the second quarter of 2025.
"This pipeline prioritization reflects our commitment to advancing lanifibranor as a potential treatment for MASH patients," said Pascaline Clerc, EVP of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at Inventiva. The company will redirect resources toward preparing for potential marketing approval and commercialization of lanifibranor.
Clinical Progress and Financial Overview
The NATiV3 Phase 3 clinical trial of lanifibranor reached a significant milestone with the completion of patient screening in early January 2025. More than 95% of the target patient population has been randomized, with final enrollment expected to complete in the first half of 2025.
Financial highlights for 2024 include:
- Revenue of €9.2 million
- R&D expenses of €90.9 million, down 17% from 2023
- Net cash used in operating activities of €85.9 million
The company's current cash position is projected to support operations until mid-Q3 2025. Additional funding of approximately €116 million is anticipated in Q2 2025 from the second tranche of structured financing, along with a $10 million milestone payment from CTTQ.
Looking Ahead
Key upcoming milestones include:
- Final patient randomization in the NATiV3 trial (H1 2025)
- Topline results expected in H2 2026
The company maintains its research and development facility and retains a scientific team of approximately 90 experts in various fields, including biology, chemistry, and clinical development. Inventiva's extensive library of approximately 240,000 pharmacologically relevant molecules, with 60% being proprietary, remains a valuable asset for future development opportunities.
