Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. recently provided an update on its corporate developments and the ongoing REM-001 clinical study. The company is focused on advancing new therapies for solid tumor cancers.
Merger Agreement with TuHURA Biosciences
In April 2024, Kintara entered into a definitive merger agreement with TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. Under the agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kintara will merge with TuHURA, making TuHURA a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Kintara. Current Kintara stockholders are expected to own approximately 5.45% of the combined company's common stock upon closing of the merger, inclusive of contingent value rights (CVRs).
A special meeting of stockholders is scheduled for September 20, 2024, to seek approval for the merger. Stockholders of record as of August 14, 2024, are eligible to vote. The CVRs entitle holders to receive shares of common stock of the combined company upon achieving a milestone of enrolling a minimum of 10 patients in the REM-001 study, with each patient completing eight weeks of follow-up by December 31, 2025.
REM-001 Clinical Study Update
As of September 10, 2024, the REM-001 study, targeting cutaneous metastatic breast cancer (CMBC), has enrolled four patients out of the required ten to assess safety and determine the appropriate Phase 3 dose. The study is being conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Montefiore Medical Center.
Consistent with the established safety profile of REM-001, no treatment-related safety issues have been reported to date. The assessment of the Phase 3 dose is ongoing. CMBC represents a significant unmet medical need, with no currently approved or effective therapies available. REM-001 offers a potential treatment option for these patients. The majority of the study costs are covered by a $2.0 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Financial Considerations
Kintara emphasizes that without the completion of the merger with TuHURA, the company may lack the financial resources to continue the REM-001 study or sustain its business operations. Consequently, Kintara might need to seek bankruptcy protection. Stockholders are strongly encouraged to vote their shares before the upcoming Special Meeting on September 20, 2024.
About TuHURA Biosciences
TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. is an immuno-oncology company in Phase 3 development, focused on novel technologies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Their lead candidate, IFx-2.0, aims to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and is preparing for a Phase 3 registration trial as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
TuHURA is also developing bi-functional antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells to inhibit their immune-suppressing effects on the tumor microenvironment, preventing T cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies.
About Kintara Therapeutics, Inc.
Kintara Therapeutics, located in San Diego, California, is dedicated to developing novel cancer therapies for unmet medical needs. Their lead program is REM-001 Therapy for cutaneous metastatic breast cancer (CMBC). REM-001 is a late-stage photodynamic therapy platform with potential as a localized cutaneous or visceral tumor treatment. Clinical efficacy to date shows an 80% complete response rate of CMBC evaluable lesions, supported by a robust safety database of approximately 1,100 patients across multiple indications.
