Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ENTA) is focused on advancing its antiviral portfolio, particularly its efforts to combat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections. The company's lead drug candidate, Zelicapavir (EDP 938), is currently under evaluation in two Phase II clinical trials targeting high-risk RSV populations.
Zelicapavir Clinical Trials
Zelicapavir is being investigated in the RSVPEDs and RSVHR trials. The RSVPEDs trial is a Phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in hospitalized and non-hospitalized RSV patients aged 28 days to three years. Enrollment for this trial is complete, and Enanta anticipates reporting topline data in Q4 2024.
The RSVHR trial is a Phase IIb, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Zelicapavir in adults with RSV infection who are at high risk of complications, including the elderly and those with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma. Enrollment is ongoing.
EDP-323 Shows Promise in Phase IIa Study
Enanta also has another RSV drug candidate, EDP-323, in its pipeline. Positive topline results were recently announced from a Phase IIa human challenge study of EDP-323 in healthy adults infected with RSV. The study demonstrated that once-daily treatment with EDP-323 met primary and secondary endpoints, achieving statistically significant reductions in both viral load and clinical symptoms compared to placebo.
Financial Overview
For the fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2024, Enanta reported total revenue of $18.0 million, consisting of royalty revenue from worldwide net sales of AbbVie's MAVYRET/MAVIRET. This compares to $18.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The net loss for the quarter was $22.7 million, or $1.07 per share, an improvement from $39.1 million, or $1.86 per share, for the corresponding period in 2023. As of June 30, 2024, the company's cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term marketable securities totaled $272.6 million.
RSV Landscape
RSV is a significant viral pathogen causing severe lung infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in young children. It accounts for approximately 33 million cases of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) worldwide in children under 5 years of age annually and is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants. While vaccines like AstraZeneca/Sanofi's Beyfortus, Pfizer's Abrysvo, and GSK's Arexvy are available to prevent RSV disease in infants and older adults, and antivirals like Virazole are used to treat severe cases, new therapeutic options are needed.
