XyloCor Therapeutics and SmartCella Enter into License Agreement for Use of the Extroducer Infusion Catheter System to Administer Novel Gene Therapy XC001 to the Heart

• The Extroducer® Infusion Catheter System ® enables local delivery of XC001 to the heart without the need for surgery.

• XC001 has achieved positive Phase 1/2 results in the EXACT Trial validating its transformative potential for treatment of refractory angina in patients who have exhausted available treatment options and have a debilitating quality-of-life.

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc. (“XyloCor”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, and SmartWise, a unit of SmartCella Holding AB (“SmartCella”), have entered into a licensing agreement under which XyloCor has rights to the Extroducer® Infusion Catheter System ®, a first-in-class endovascular device designed to deliver advanced therapies directly into the heart. XyloCor plans to deploy the Extroducer to support catheter-based endocardial delivery of its lead gene therapy candidate, XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec), in future clinical studies and commercial use.

“This agreement with SmartCella will enable XyloCor to build upon its robust foundation of efficacy and safety data for XC001 by offering the potential for improved safety and ease of delivery without surgery via this novel catheter,” said Al Gianchetti, President and CEO of XyloCor. “Teaming up with SmartCella will help in our effort to optimize patient safety and tolerability while maintaining accurate delivery of XC001 to target areas in the heart for patients with refractory angina. It also opens up the potential to develop XC001 earlier in the coronary artery disease progression for even larger patient groups.”

XC001 is designed to reduce ischemic burden by creating new blood vessels in the heart through the local expression of multiple isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). With the use of the Extroducer catheter, XyloCor can offer patients a better delivery option for local administration of XC001 directly to the heart, that is less invasive and eliminates potential risks associated with surgical administration.

“We welcome the Extroducer delivery of XC001 as it offers a more efficient method for gene therapy administration for patients with refractory angina,” said Timothy D. Henry MD, Interventional Cardiologist and Director of the Lindner Center, The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. “Preclinical models provide strong evidence that this approach will maintain, or even improve the efficacy when compared to surgical delivery and it should lower the risk of complications that may arise from surgical administration. I am looking forward to initiating the Phase 2b trial of XC001 in patients with refractory angina using this innovative administration approach.”

The recently published EXACT Phase 1/2 trial assessed the use of one-time gene therapy with XC001 as a new therapeutic approach in refractory angina – a debilitating and chronic condition that impacts over one million people in the United States and is growing in prevalence. In the EXACT trial, 42 patients with class II-IV angina were treated with XC001 directly administered to the heart following minimally invasive surgical access. The results demonstrated that treatment with XC001 can be safely administered and achieve durable clinical improvements of exercise duration, and angina frequency, due to a decrease in ischemic burden, as measured by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. Notably, six months after treatment 43% of patients had no chest pain with ordinary activities and 58% reported no angina episodes at 12-month clinical follow up. XC001 was well tolerated in the patient population and there were no serious adverse events related to the drug. The Phase 2b trial will be a randomized double-blinded study assessing the safety and efficacy of XC001 administered via the Extroducer® Delivery Catheter in coronary artery disease patients with refractory angina.

“The collaboration underscores the transformative potential of the Extroducer in delivering XC001 therapy for patients with refractory angina. A great example of a powerful combination of delivery system and drug therapy representing a substantial advancement in treatment options. The collaboration with such a distinguished partner as XyloCor marks a significant milestone for our global expansion efforts and will also enable us to further explore and harness the future capabilities of the Extroducer, ultimately expanding the benefits to a greater number of patients in need,“ said Niklas Prager, CEO of SmartCella.

Terms of the agreement include a global license to XyloCor for use of the Extroducer for the administration of XC001 and provide for SmartCella to supply catheters to XyloCor in clinical trials and commercial use in exchange for an upfront payment, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones and a royalty on sales. Total deal value amounts to approximately USD 130 million and mid-single digit royalties.

About XC001

XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain. XC001 is designed to avoid toxicity issues observed with other gene therapies through a strategy of one time, local administration. This approach allows XC001 to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects.

About Extroducer® Infusion Catheter System

The Extroducer® Infusion Catheter System is a first-in-class endovascular delivery device which enables direct-to-tissue drug delivery. The Extroducer® addresses a significant unmet need in the field of novel therapies, enabling targeted delivery of a wide range of modalities for solid tumor treatment, genetic disorders and tissue repair, to name but a few. Using standard equipment and routine interventional radiology approaches, the Extroducer provides access to hard-to-reach tissues by safely penetrating the vessel wall and delivering payload directly to the target location. Smartwise received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance under 510(k) for the Extroducer® delivery catheter in June 2022.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc. is a private, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best in class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for whom there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

About SmartCella

SmartCella, founded in 2014, is an innovative biotechnology company based in Stockholm, Sweden. SmartCella’s vision is to combine first-in-class delivery platforms with cutting-edge cell and mRNA therapies to unleash the full potential of targeted therapies. The company has three main business units, Smartwise, SmartCella Solutions and ProCella. For more information, visit www.smartcella.com.

XyloCor Therapeutics Positive EXACT Phase 2 Data for XC001 Simultaneously Presented at SCAI 2024 Scientific Sessions and Published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions

• Positive Phase 2 EXACT Trial results validate transformative potential of novel gene therapy XC001 for treatment of refractory angina and support continued clinical development

• Novel therapeutic approach aims to fill significant unmet medical need for patients with refractory angina who have exhausted available treatment options and have a debilitating quality-of-life

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today presented final results from the Phase 2 portion of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) of its lead gene therapy candidate XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) for refractory angina at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2024 Scientific Sessions, May 2-4, 2024 in Long Beach, CA. These encouraging results supporting XC001’s safety and efficacy potential are being simultaneously published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

The EXACT trial assessed the use of one-time gene therapy with XC001 as a new therapeutic approach in refractory angina – a debilitating and chronic condition that impacts over one million people in the United States and is growing in prevalence. XC001 is designed to reduce ischemic burden by creating new blood vessels in the heart through the local expression of multiple vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms. In the Phase 2 portion of the EXACT trial, 32 patients with class II-IV angina were dosed with the maximal dose of XC001 through minimally-invasive transepicardial delivery (direct administration to the heart).

“The results of the EXACT trial suggest that angiogenic gene therapy with XC001 has the potential to improve cardiovascular outcomes for refractory angina patients without revascularization or other treatment options,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine and Kenta Nakamura, M.D., Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, lead authors of the EXACT study results. “There is significant need for novel therapies for this serious and disabling condition and we hope that the clinically meaningful evidence emerging from the EXACT trial is the catalyst for continued development that will further validate the potential of this innovative gene therapy for patients.”

The Phase 2 results validated the transformative disease modifying potential of XC001 to reduce ischemia and improve the quality-of-life for cardiac patients who have no treatment options. The results demonstrated that treatment with XC001 can be safely administered and achieve durable clinical improvements including: increases in exercise duration, decrease in ischemic burden as measured by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, and a reduction in angina frequency. Notably, 93% of patients in the trial entered the trial with chest paint so severe that it markedly limited daily activities and six months after treatment 43% of patients had no chest pain with ordinary activities. VEGF gene therapy with XC001 was well tolerated in the patient population and there were no serious adverse events related to the drug or unexpected serious adverse events related to XC001 administration.

“The results from the EXACT trial represent a promising moment for people with refractory angina and the cardiovascular community as we drive forward toward our goal to deliver a long overdue new treatment option,” said Al Gianchetti, President and CEO of XyloCor. “We are preparing our next clinical trial to advance the development of XC001 and further unlock its transformative medical potential for patients and their families.”

Details regarding the SCAI 2024 scientific session is as follows:

Title: VEGF Gene Therapy Improves Exercise Time, Ischemia, and Symptoms in Patients with Refractory Angina: Results of the Phase II EXACT Trial

Lead Presenter: Kenta Nakamura, M.D., Associate Professor at the University of Washington

Date and Time: Thursday, May 2, 2024; 9:31-9:38 AM PT

Location: Long Beach Convention Center, 104A, First Level

An additional press release from SCAI on the Phase 2 EXACT Trial results and poster session is available here.

The Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions full article titled “Angiogenic Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina: Results of the EXACT Phase 2 Trial” is available here.

About XC001

XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain. XC001 is designed to avoid toxicity issues observed with other gene therapies through a strategy of one‑time, local administration. This approach allows XC001 to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects.

About the EXACT Study

The Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial was a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open‑label, single‑arm trial. Twelve subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial in which additional subjects were enrolled at the highest tolerated dose (1 x 1011 vp, the highest tested dose). In the EXACT trial, this investigational gene therapy was administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini‑thoracotomy by a cardiac surgeon.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc. is a private, clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best‑in‑class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for whom there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co‑founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Corporate and Investor Relations:

A. Brian Davis, XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc.
brian.davis@xylocor.com
610-541-2056

Media Contact:

Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502

XyloCor Therapeutics Presents Phase 2 Data Highlighting Safety and Efficacy of XC001 at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2023

• Positive Phase 2 EXACT Trial results at 6-months underscore significant potential of investigational therapy in refractory angina

• Six-month data have since been sustained out to 12-months supporting durability of XC001 safety and efficacy profile

• XC001 targets unmet medical need among patients with refractory angina who have a debilitating quality-of-life burden and no available treatment options

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today presented results from the Phase 2 portion of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) of its lead gene therapy candidate XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) for refractory angina at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2023. During the ESC Congress poster session, Dr. Thomas Povsic, Principal Investigator of the EXACT trial, presented the primary six-month outcome data from the recently completed EXACT trial, which demonstrated that treatment with XC001 resulted in improvements across all key efficacy endpoints. The findings underscore its strong potential as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of this disabling condition.

XC001 is a one‑time gene therapy designed to reduce ischemic burden by creating new blood vessels in the heart through the local expression of multiple vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms. In the Phase 2 portion of the EXACT trial, 32 patients with class II-IV angina were dosed with the maximal dose of XC001 through transepicardial delivery (direct administration to the heart). XC001 met all of its safety and exploratory objectives and showed potential transformative benefits for the patient population. Among the notable topline results presented at the ESC Congress 2023 included:

• VEGF gene therapy with XC001 administered via minimally invasive transepicardial delivery was generally well tolerated.

• There were no serious adverse events related to the drug or unexpected serious adverse events related to XC001 administration.

• Patients demonstrated improvements in key efficacy measures most notably total exercise time, time to the development of ST-depression (an objective measure of ischemia), angina frequency, and reduction in ischemic burden as measured by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.

• The six-month results showed that XC001 achieved a clinically meaningful biologic effect, warranting further study in larger randomized clinical trials.

“Refractory angina is a debilitating and chronic condition that is growing in prevalence and these patients have exhausted all treatment options,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine and National Principal Investigator for the EXACT study. “The six-month results from the EXACT trial – which have now been sustained out to 12 months – demonstrate that gene therapy with XC001 has the potential to be safely administered while improving quality of life for these cardiac patients.”

“The clinical research results presented at ESC Congress 2023 highlight XyloCor's continuing efforts to transform the treatment paradigm in refractory angina through the promise of one-time gene therapy,” said Al Gianchetti, President and CEO of XyloCor. “We are excited to share data that provides evidence for angiogenesis and a promising efficacy and tolerability profile for XC001. These results strongly support our continued development of this novel therapeutic approach.”

Further background and results presented in the ESC Congress 2023 poster session titled “Angiogenic gene therapy for refractory angina: Results of the Epicardial delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) Phase 2 Trial” can be found here.

About XC001

XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain. XC001 is designed to avoid toxicity issues observed with other gene therapies through a strategy of one‑time, local administration. This approach allows XC001 to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects.

About the EXACT Study

The Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial was a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open‑label, single‑arm trial. Twelve subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial in which additional subjects were enrolled at the highest tolerated dose (1 x 1011 vp, the highest tested dose). In the EXACT trial, this investigational gene therapy is administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini‑thoracotomy by a cardiac surgeon.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc. is a private, clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best‑in‑class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for whom there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co‑founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Results from XyloCor Therapeutics’ Phase 1 Portion of EXACT Trial of XC001 for Cardiovascular Disease Published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions

• Findings from the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the EXACT trial of XC001 in refractory angina provided the dose selection and safety justification for the recently completed Phase 1/2 study

• XC001 is a one-time gene therapy candidate designed to reduce ischemic burden by creating new blood vessels in the heart through the local expression of multiple VEGF isoforms

• XyloCor is moving forward with urgency to address potential of XC001 as transformative therapy for patients with ischemic heart disease with significant unmet need

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, announced today that Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions has published results from the Phase 1 portion of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) of lead gene therapy candidate XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) in patients with refractory angina. The findings from the Phase 1 dose escalation study, previously reported at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) in May 2022, revealed that XC001 is well tolerated at all dose levels and provided justification to proceed to Phase 2 with the highest dose tested.

“The results from the Phase 1 study provided the mechanistic underpinning that was the catalyst for the successful completion of the Phase 2 EXACT trial,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the journal article, Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine and National Principal Investigator for the EXACT study. “Patients with refractory angina are highly symptomatic and have an exceedingly poor quality of life. With a robust body of positive and sustained safety and efficacy out to 12 months from the EXACT trial, we believe that XC001 has the potential to fill the significant unmet need for this patient population who currently lack treatment options.”

"We are thrilled with the publication of these EXACT trial results in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, a highly-regarded and influential international journal for cardiovascular research," said Howard Dittrich, Chief Medical Officer of XyloCor. “We would like to acknowledge all of the authors for their contributions in highlighting the promise of XC001 and thank patients and their families for their participation in the EXACT trial. Our team is singularly focused on continuing to unlock the transformative potential of XC001 for improving outcomes in cardiovascular disease.”

The Phase 1 portion of the Phase 1/2 EXACT study was a first-in-human, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of increasing doses of XC001, and to establish the best dose to carry forward for additional study in Phase 2. Twelve patients were enrolled into four dosing cohorts. Notably, the study demonstrated that adenoviral vector doses higher than those used in previous studies were well tolerated and more robust efficacy was demonstrated at the higher doses. This established a dose of 1×1011 viral particles for future clinical research of XC001.

The Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions full article is available at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.123.012997

About XC001

XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain. XC001 is designed to avoid toxicity issues observed with other gene therapies through a strategy of one-time, local administration. This approach allows XC001 to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects.

About the EXACT Study

The Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial was a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial. Twelve subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial in which additional subjects were enrolled at the highest tolerated dose (1 x 1011 vp, the highest tested dose). The investigational gene therapy is administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini-thoracotomy by a cardiac surgeon.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc. is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best in-class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for whom there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Corporate and Investor Relations:

A. Brian Davis, XyloCor Therapeutics, Inc.
brian.davis@xylocor.com
610-541-2056

Media Contact:

Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502

XyloCor Therapeutics Reports Sustained Results in 12- Month Extension of Phase 2 EXACT Clinical Trial of XC001 Novel Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina

• XC001 demonstrated durable improvements across multiple efficacy measures 12 months after treatment, underscoring its scientifically-sound approach to achieve biological effect and improve angina symptoms

• Patients showed continued improvements in exercise capacity and reductions in episodes of chest pain that were sustained to 12 months

• Robust body of mechanistic evidence from EXACT trial highlights significant potential of XC001 in cardiovascular disease

XyloCor Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today reported positive 12-month data from the Phase 2 portion of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) designed to assess the safety and provide preliminary evidence of efficacy of lead gene therapy candidate XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) in patients with refractory angina.

At the 12-month mark in the extension period of the trial, XC001 demonstrated durable improvements across multiple efficacy measures, including continued improvement in total exercise duration and reductions in ischemic burden and ischemic symptoms.

Earlier this year, XyloCor reported positive results from the primary study period for the Phase 2 portion EXACT trial at six months. New results at 12 months highlight significant, clinically-meaningful impacts that are now sustained out to 12 months, pointing to the potential of XC001 as a novel therapeutic approach for the significant unmet medical need in refractory angina.

“The durability and, in the case of exercise time, continued improvements observed at 12 months signals a sustainable activity which is an exciting step forward in the advancement of gene therapy for cardiovascular disease,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine and National Principal Investigator for the EXACT study. “These 12- month data build upon the positive results achieved at the 3- and 6-month marks of the trial. In total, the outcomes of the EXACT study form a robust body of mechanistic evidence to propel the next stage of XC001’s development, suggesting that a single treatment may have long-term benefit.”

XC001 is a one-time gene therapy candidate designed to reduce ischemic burden by creating new blood vessels in the heart. The six-month primary study period in the Phase 2 portion of the EXACT trial was followed by a month 12 follow up period. At 12 months, patients demonstrated sustained and continued increases in total exercise duration (TED) over baseline, representing a significant and clinically meaningful change. In addition, there was a sustained and robust decrease in episodes of chest pain (angina) and nitroglycerin use. Cardiac imaging at 12 months provided additional evidence of the potential mechanism of action to achieve a biological effect, confirmed by a sustained reduction in ischemic burden observed over time.

“With the 12-month results from our EXACT trial, XyloCor continues to take a lead role in fulfilling the promise of gene therapy for people with cardiovascular disease,” said Al Gianchetti, President and CEO of XyloCor. "These results further enhance our confidence that we are on the right path for transforming outcomes in cardiovascular disease.”

About XC001

XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain. XC001 is designed to avoid toxicity issues observed with other gene therapies through a strategy of one-time, local administration. This approach allows XC001 to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects.

About the EXACT Study

The Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial was a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial. Twelve subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial in which additional subjects were enrolled at the highest tolerated dose (1 x 1011 vp, the highest tested dose). The investigational gene therapy is administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini-thoracotomy by a cardiac surgeon.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best in-class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for whom there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com

XyloCor Therapeutics Reports Positive Topline Safety and Efficacy Results from Phase 2 EXACT Clinical Trial of XC001 Novel Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina

• No serious adverse events related to drug product were reported

• Patients demonstrated improvements in exercise capacity and reductions in episodes of chest pain

• Cardiac imaging results provide mechanistic evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of XC001 in cardiovascular disease

XyloCor Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today announced completion of the Phase 2 portion of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) designed to assess the safety and preliminary evidence of efficacy of lead gene therapy candidate XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) in patients with refractory angina. EXACT met both safety and efficacy objectives. There were no safety issues related to drug product or unexpected serious adverse events related to XC001 administration. Six-month data from 28 patients in the Phase 2 portion of the study showed improvements in several key efficacy measures, including reduction in ischemic burden.

“We are excited to see EXACT completing its 6-month endpoint. The trial met all of its safety and exploratory objectives, showing intriguing benefits in these needy patients across a variety of objective and subjective measures,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine and National Principal Investigator for the EXACT study. “The strong range of mechanistic evidence demonstrate that administration of XC001 is a scientifically-sound approach for achieving a biological effect that has the potential to improve patients’ quality of life.”

XC001 is a one-time gene therapy designed to reduce ischemic burden by creating new blood vessels in the heart. In the Phase 2 portion of the EXACT trial, evidence of the drug’s mechanism of action was demonstrated by the reduction of ischemic burden measured by cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The reduction in ischemic burden was accompanied by an improvement in total exercise duration, an important measure of exercise capacity. Prior to treatment, almost all subjects had marked limitations on ordinary physical activity. Six months after treatment, nearly half of all subjects were able to conduct ordinary physical activity without causing angina. The data from the Phase 2 EXACT study are potentially meaningful for patients with refractory angina, which includes more than one million people in the United States, who have no treatment options.

“We are excited to share this positive topline data from the Phase 2 portion of the EXACT trial, reinforcing our confidence in XC001 as a novel therapeutic approach with the potential to address the significant unmet medical needs of people with refractory angina,” said Al Gianchetti, President and CEO of XyloCor. "We now look forward to pursuing key upcoming milestones in XC001’s continued development, including finalizing our pivotal trial design through our ongoing discussions with the FDA and other regulatory authorities.”

About XC001

XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain. XC001 is designed to avoid toxicity issues observed with other gene therapies through a strategy of one-time, local administration. This approach allows XC001 to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects.

About the EXACT Study

The recently completed Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial was a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial. Twelve subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial in which additional subjects were enrolled at the highest tolerated dose (1 x 1011 vp, the highest tested dose). The investigational gene therapy is administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini-thoracotomy by a cardiac surgeon.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best-in-class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for whom there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Corporate and Investor Relations:

A. Brian Davis, XyloCor Therapeutics
brian.davis@xylocor.com
610-541-2056

Media Contact:
Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502

XyloCor Therapeutics Achieves Target Enrollment in Phase 2 EXACT Study of XC001 Novel Gene Therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease

• Positive Phase 1 results reported at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) revealed XC001 is well tolerated at all dose levels

• Phase I data support XC001 therapeutic effect and potential dose response

• Topline Phase 2 data readout expected in February 2023 with interim results in the second half of this year

XyloCor Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today announced it has achieved enrollment of target number of subjects in the Phase 2 portion of its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) for refractory angina. Topline results from the Phase 2 study are expected in February 2023 with interim results in the second half of this year.

“Achievement of this important milestone in the Phase 2 portion of the study is a testament to the clinical need in this patient population and I am eager to see the Phase 2 results as they emerge,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine and National Principal Investigator for the EXACT study. “Patients with refractory angina have no treatment options, and the results from the Phase 1 portion of the EXACT trial suggest a dose response and therapeutic potential which is encouraging for the development of XC001 as a treatment to improve these patients’ quality of life. We are very excited to see this more definitive evaluation of the safety and efficacy of this approach.”

“We are pleased to announce this important milestone in enrollment for our Phase 2 study especially during this unprecedented and challenging time,” said Al Gianchetti, President and CEO of XyloCor. "An estimated one million people suffer from refractory angina in the United States, and we are encouraged that XC001 may address the high unmet need in this patient group. XyloCor also plans to study XC001 in other patient groups as well, including as adjunctive therapy in patients undergoing bypass surgery."

Individuals with refractory angina experience pressure or intense pain in the chest due to insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle. These symptoms can severely impact quality of life and may worsen comorbidities.

XyloCor’s lead investigational drug, XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) is a locally administered, single-dose gene therapy currently in development as a novel approach to treating patients with refractory angina who have no other medical and surgical options. The treatment strategy is to use local administration to achieve higher gene expression in the heart while minimizing systemic vector circulation and associated side effects. XC001 is designed to promote new blood vessels in the heart that will bypass diseased blood vessels and improve blood flow. By restoring blood flow, chest pain associated with refractory angina may decrease, potentially improving patients’ quality of life by enabling them to engage in daily physical activities that would otherwise cause pain.

About the EXACT Study

The Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial is a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial. Twelve subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial with target enrollment of 27 additional subjects at the highest tolerated dose (1 x 1011 vps, the highest tested dose). The investigational gene therapy is administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini-thoracotomy by an experienced cardiac surgeon at top cardiovascular research sites across the United States.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best-in-class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for which there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, M.D., and Todd Rosengart, M.D., has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Contacts

Corporate and Investor Relations:
A. Brian Davis, XyloCor Therapeutics
brian.davis@xylocor.com

610-541-2056

Media Contact:
Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502

XyloCor Therapeutics Expands Leadership Team with Accomplished Pharmaceutical Executives to Accelerate Clinical Development Programs and Drive Corporate Growth

• Elizabeth Tarka, M.D. appointed Chief Medical Officer

• A. Brian Davis named Chief Financial Officer

XyloCor Therapeutics, a clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today announced that it has appointed Elizabeth Tarka, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer and A. Brian Davis as Chief Financial Officer. These experienced pharmaceutical industry executives will enhance the company’s clinical development, operational, and financial capabilities and drive its ongoing growth.

"I am delighted to welcome Liz and Brian to the leadership team at XyloCor," said Al Gianchetti, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Liz is a proven R&D leader who brings a strong track record managing late-stage clinical development programs with particular expertise in cardiovascular medicine. Brian will leverage his extensive management and finance experience in both private and public biotech companies to accelerate Xylocor’s strategic and corporate objectives. Their collective experience will drive XyloCor toward our objectives as we focus on advancing our pipeline of transformative gene therapies intended to improve the lives of people with cardiovascular disease.”

Executive Biographies

Elizabeth Tarka, MD – Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Tarka is a cardiologist with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. She has dedicated her career to the development of innovative therapies that improve human health. Dr. Tarka’s experience includes leadership roles across all phases of late-stage clinical development and a track record of effectively partnering with stakeholders to enable the successful execution of clinical trials. She joins the company from Idera Pharmaceuticals where she served as CMO. Before that, Dr. Tarka was Vice President, Clinical Development at Complexa, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on life-threatening fibrosis and inflammatory diseases. Earlier in her career, she served as Clinical Program Leader for Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and medical oversight for large multinational trials. Prior to her tenure at Janssen, Dr. Tarka worked at GlaxoSmithKline in the Metabolic Pathways and Cardiovascular Therapeutic Area. She has been on the faculty and had numerous major teaching and clinical responsibilities at the University of Pennsylvania and affiliated hospitals. She is trained in Cardiology and Internal Medicine and has published in a number of peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Tarka earned a BA in Biochemistry and an MD from the University of Pennsylvania where she also completed her residency and fellowship training.

A. Brian Davis– Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Davis joins XyloCor with a proven background as a seasoned financial executive, including over 15 years of experience as a CFO for publicly traded, commercial- and clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies, and nearly 30 years as a financial professional in the life sciences industry. He has extensive expertise in fundraising, financial strategy, negotiating strategic transactions involving acquisition and disposition of commercial and clinical-stage assets, shareholder relations, and SEC accounting, reporting, and compliance. Mr Davis has raised over $600 million in public and private equity financings, including leading an initial public offering, and nearly $200 million in debt financings. Most recently, he was CFO at Verrica Pharmaceuticals, where he held managerial responsibility for executing equity and debt financings, analyst and shareholder relations, financial aspects of commercial launch preparation, business development, finance, accounting, tax, and treasury. Before that, Mr. Davis had similar duties as CFO at Strongbridge Biopharma plc, Tengion, Inc., and Neose Technologies, Inc. Mr. Davis is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Trenton State College.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics is a private, clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best‑in‑class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is currently being investigated in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with refractory angina for which there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, MD, and Todd Rosengart, MD, has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Corporate and Investor Relations:

A. Brian Davis
XyloCor Therapeutics
brian.davis@xylocor.com
610-541-2056

Media Contact:

Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502

XyloCor Therapeutics Commences Phase 2 Component of Phase 1/2 EXACT Clinical Study of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina

• Independent Data Monitoring Committee authorized proceeding to Phase 2 at highest dose level tested following review of clinical safety data from the Phase 1 dose escalation

• Phase 2 clinical data readouts on safety and efficacy of XC001 anticipated in 2022

• Company plans to commence study startup of XC001 as an adjunct to CABG in 2H21, and clinical studies in additional cardiovascular indications are under discussion

• Progress highlights potential of gene therapy in cardiovascular disease
  

XyloCor Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, today announced the completion of the Phase 1 dose-escalation component of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) of XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec), its lead investigational gene therapy candidate for patients with refractory angina who have no further treatment options.

Following a review of clinical data from the Phase 1 dose escalation component of the study, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) authorized proceeding to the Phase 2 component of the study at the highest dose tested. Since the IDMC authorization, three patients have been dosed in the Phase 2 expansion cohort. This progress highlights the potential for gene therapy to go beyond rare diseases and to address larger patient populations with significant unmet needs, such as chronic cardiovascular diseases.

XyloCor also confirms that it plans to submit an additional Phase 2 clinical study to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for XC001 as adjunctive therapy to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 2H21. The company also plans other clinical studies in additional cardiovascular indications, including heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease and as adjunctive therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention.

“Patients with refractory angina are forced to live with the ongoing burden of a disease that limits their activities on a daily basis due to chest pain,” said Thomas Povsic, M.D., Ph.D., Duke University cardiologist and National Principal Investigator for the EXACT study. “With a unique mechanism of action that restores blood flow to the heart via the creation of new blood vessels, XC001 represents a novel therapeutic approach for patients who have exhausted other medical and surgical options. It is very exciting to now move forward with exploring XC001’s potential in the Phase 2 portion of EXACT as a one-time therapy for patients with refractory angina.”

“In our mission to deliver safe and effective gene therapies that transform the lives of people with cardiovascular disease, we are excited to achieve this important milestone and advance into the Phase 2 portion of our study,” said Al Gianchetti, President and Chief Executive Officer of XyloCor Therapeutics. “XC001 has enormous potential to significantly improve the lives of patients with refractory angina. We are grateful for the support of patients and their families, as well as the EXACT trial investigators as we continue to study the safety and efficacy of XC001 and look forward to reporting results in 2022.”

About XC001

XC001 (encoberminogene rezmadenovec) is a novel, investigational gene therapy designed to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the heart, in order to bypass diseased vessels and improve coronary blood flow. XC001 delivers the gene for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a naturally occurring protein, in targeted myocardial cells, thus stimulating the creation of new blood vessels via a process called angiogenesis. XC001 employs a proprietary multi-isoform VEGF expression cassette that has been optimized to maximize expression of VEGF. XC001 has been granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for study in refractory angina. XyloCor commenced the EXACT Trial, a Phase 1/2 study of XC001 in chronic refractory angina, in 2020.

About the EXACT Study

The Epicardial Delivery of XC001 Gene Therapy for Refractory Angina Coronary Treatment (EXACT) clinical trial is a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, single-arm, dose-escalation trial. 12 subjects (n=3 per dose cohort) who have refractory angina were enrolled into four ascending dose groups, to be followed by an expansion phase of the trial with 21 additional subjects at the highest tolerated dose. The trial is designed to assess the preliminary safety and efficacy of XC001. The investigational gene therapy is administered directly to the heart muscle through a mini-thoracotomy by an experienced cardiac surgeon. The EXACT Trial is being conducted at top cardiovascular research sites across the United States.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive sufficient oxygen resulting in chest pain. This is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques that block the coronary arteries. Refractory angina is a growing problem that occurs in patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These patients currently have no treatment options and are frequently highly symptomatic, which severely impacts their quality of life, and may exacerbate comorbidities and cause further deterioration of their health status. Refractory angina results in significant consumption of healthcare resources, including visits to the emergency department as a result of patients’ chest pain. An estimated one million people suffer from refractory angina in the United States.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing potential best-in-class gene therapies to transform outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for which there are no treatment options. XyloCor has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, MD, and Todd Rosengart, MD, has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Media Contact

Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502

XyloCor Therapeutics Completes Oversubscribed $41.9 Million Series A Financing To Advance Novel Gene Therapy Pipeline For Coronary Artery Disease

• Company closes additional $22.6 million in new financing 

• Proceeds will fund initiation of new clinical trial for lead gene therapy candidate XC001 as adjunctive therapy for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery 

XyloCor Therapeutics, a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of gene therapy for the significant unmet patient needs in advanced coronary artery disease, today announced the closing of an additional $22.6 million financing. Fountain Healthcare Partners led the oversubscribed financing joined by new investors Longwood Fund and Lumira Ventures. All existing institutional investors including Sofinnova Investments and LSP (Life Sciences Partners) participated in the financing. The additional financing builds upon XyloCor’s 2018 Series A financing round, bringing total investment in the company to $41.9 million to date. XyloCor’s lead product candidate, XC001, is an investigational gene therapy currently being studied in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EXACT) for patients with refractory angina, a chronic condition for which there are no treatment options.

The financing will enable XyloCor to expand its clinical development program for XC001, including the initiation of a new trial of XC001 as a potential adjunctive therapy to augment the effectiveness of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). XyloCor is at the forefront of scientific research and clinical study in the application of gene therapy to address vast unmet treatment needs in large patient populations with cardiovascular disease. In both its initial potential indication in refractory angina, and as an adjunctive therapy for patients undergoing CABG, XC001 represents a novel therapeutic approach.

“We greatly appreciate the recognition by Fountain Healthcare Partners, Longwood Fund, and Lumira Ventures of the value we have created since our initial funding and in XC001’s enormous potential for improving the lives of patients with advanced coronary disease,” said Al Gianchetti, president and chief executive officer of XyloCor Therapeutics. “With the support of our investors, we can build on the progress we have made since our initial funding to pursue, with a sense of urgency, new clinical indications where XC001 has promise for addressing unmet medical needs.”

“XyloCor has created significant value with XC001 with the progress the team has achieved on clinical and CMC milestones. Based on our experience, excellence on both fronts is critical to success in the gene therapy field,” said Aidan King, managing partner and co-founder, Fountain Healthcare Partners, who also joined XyloCor’s board of directors. “We are gratified that this additional capital accelerates XC001’s development and expands its potential impact to the significant unmet need among CABG patients who are at high risk for incomplete revascularization.”

Board of Directors Additions

Joining Mr. King as a member of the XyloCor board of directors is Daniel Hétu, M.D., managing director, Lumira Ventures, and Perry Nisen, M.D., Ph.D., executive partner, Sofinnova Investments. Alan Colowick, M.D., MPH, will now serve an independent board member of XyloCor.

About XC001

XC001 is an investigational gene therapy designed to promote the growth of new blood vessels in the heart, with these new blood vessels bypassing diseased blood vessels and improving blood flow in the heart. XC001 deposits the gene for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in targeted heart cells. VEGF is a naturally occurring protein and it is believed that XC001 enables the heart cells to produce more VEGF, thus stimulating the creation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. XC001 has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for study in refractory angina. An Investigational New Drug (IND) application for XC001 is open with the FDA. XyloCor commenced the EXACT Trial, a Phase 1/2 study of XC001 in chronic refractory angina in 2020.

The EXACT Trial

The EXACT clinical trial is a Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label, single arm, dose escalation trial. Approximately 12 subjects (n=3 per cohort) who have refractory angina will be enrolled into 4 ascending dose groups, followed by an expansion phase of the trial with 21 additional subjects at the highest tolerated dose. The trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of XC001. The investigational gene therapy will be administered directly to the muscle tissue of the heart by an experienced cardiac surgeon. The EXACT Trial was initiated in 2020 and is ongoing at top cardiovascular research sites across the United States.

About Chronic Refractory Angina

Chronic angina pectoris occurs when the heart muscle does not receive as much oxygen as it needs for the amount of work it is performing, and this often results in chest pain. This is usually due to coronary artery disease. Patients with chronic angina who are symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy and are no longer eligible for mechanical interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and CABG have refractory angina and currently have no treatment options. These patients often become sedentary because of their symptoms, which in turn can exacerbate comorbidities and severely impact quality of life causing further deterioration of their health status. An estimated one million people suffer from refractory angina in the United States.

About Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)

CABG is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease – the narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. During CABG, a healthy artery or vein from the body is connected, or grafted, to the blocked coronary artery. The grafted artery or vein bypasses the blocked portion of the coronary artery. This creates a new passage, and oxygen-rich blood is routed around the blockage to the heart muscle. Approximately 500,000 CABG procedures are performed annually in the United States, in which an estimated one-third of patients are at risk for incomplete coronary revascularization, often resulting in persistent angina. An adjunctive treatment to CABG, such as gene therapy with XC001, may reduce the incidence of incomplete revascularization.

About XyloCor

XyloCor Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel gene therapy for unmet needs in advanced coronary artery disease. In the United States, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and disability. The company’s lead product candidate, XC001, is in clinical development to investigate use for patients with refractory angina for which there are no treatment options. XyloCor also has a second preclinical investigational product, XC002, in discovery stage, being developed for the treatment of patients with cardiac tissue damage from heart attacks. The company, which was co-founded by Ronald Crystal, MD, and Todd Rosengart, MD, has an exclusive license from Cornell University. For more information, visit www.xylocor.com.

Media Contact:

Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
312-961-2502