Analyst Comment

Faron updated the latest information on the blood cancer study BEXMAB

Faron reported on Monday the latest news on the progress of the clinical phase I blood cancer study BEXMAB. The previous update was given in early December. The study has progressed according to schedule, and we expect the company to achieve the study's goal of finding the right dosage by the fall. The news is in line with our recent company update, so the latest information has no impact on our view on Faron.

Dose escalation study progressing with preliminary indications of efficacy emerging

Faron said that two out of five patients receiving the cancer drug bexmarilimab (BEX) have seen a complete response to treatment, one of the two having an incomplete blood count recovery. A partial response was seen in a third patient. To our understanding, two patients dropped out of the study for reasons other than BEX. As the study continues, Faron will test higher doses of the drug and try to find the dosage that will eventually be used in the following phase II trial. The timeline for completion of the dose escalation phase of the study is not yet clear, as the number of cohorts will depend on the results obtained. At the earliest, we estimate that the current phase could be completed in the fall. BEXMAB could then move on to phase II clinical trials, i.e., efficacy and safety studies.

BEXMAB's good progress has been noted in our recent analysis

The results seen so far are promising, albeit preliminary. We recently updated our view on Faron and also accounted for the new BEXMAB results published in December. The recent news is in line with our analysis, so the new information doesn’t affect our view on the stock. In addition to the BEXMAB study, we are following news from the phase II BEXCOMBO study, where BEX is being studied in combination with other immune response inhibitors (PD-1 inhibitors), and the phase I/II MATINS study, which is potentially moving into the final phase later this year. Faron has stated that its funding will be sufficient until Q1'23, so we look forward to news on the funding of the planned studies.

Login required

This content is only available for logged in users

Create account

Faron is a global, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on tackling cancers via novel immunotherapies. Its mission is to bring the promise of immunotherapy to a broader population by uncovering novel ways to control and harness the power of the immune system. The Company's lead asset is bexmarilimab, a novel anti-Clever-1 humanized antibody, with the potential to remove immunosuppression of cancers through reprogramming myeloid cell function. Bexmarilimab is being investigated in Phase I/II clinical trials as a potential therapy for patients with hematological cancers in combination with other standard treatments.

Key Estimate Figures09.01.2023

	2021	22e	23e
Revenue	0.0	0.0	0.0
growth-%
EBIT (adj.)	-21.1	-22.1	-0.8
EBIT-% (adj.)	-527,700.0 %	-551,975.0 %	-20,292.5 %
EPS (adj.)	-0.40	-0.37	-0.02
Dividend	0.00	0.00	0.00
Dividend %
P/E (adj.)	neg.	neg.	neg.
EV/EBITDA	neg.	neg.	neg.