24 May 2022

BerGenBio ASA: BERGENBIO ASA: RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2022

Bergen, Norway, 24 May 2022 – BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical needs, announces its results for the first quarter 2022.

A briefing by BerGenBio’s senior management team will take place at 10:00am CEST today via a webcast presentation, followed by a Q&A session. Please see below for details.

Operational Highlights – first quarter 2022 (including post-period end)

  • Post-period end, business strategy update announced, focusing on two key indications; 1st line STK11m non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and COVID-19.
  • Primary endpoint met in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in complete data analysis of ACCORD2 (BGBIL019), a randomized Phase II study of bemcentinib in combination with standard of care therapy.
  • Presented clinical trial data from Phase IIa bemcentinib COVID-19 clinical trial (BCBC020) at 32nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID).
  • Cristina Oliva, MD appointed as Chief Medical Officer, bringing over 20 years of senior clinical development experience across large pharmaceutical, biotechnology and Clinical Research Organizations.
  • Publication of a peer-reviewed article entitled “AXL targeting restores PD-1 blockade sensitivity of STK11/LKB1 mutant NSCLC through expansion of TCF1+ CD8+ T cells” in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

  • Announced inclusion ofbemcentinib, in the EUSolidAct platform study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients designed to enroll up to 500 patients across European centers participating in the EUSolidAct platform.

Financial Highlights – first quarter 2022

(Figures in brackets = same period 2021 unless otherwise stated)

  • Revenue amounted toNOK 0.0 million (NOK 0.0 million) for the first quarter 2022
  • Total operating expenses for the first quarter were NOK 78.6 million (NOK 83.4 million)
  • The operating loss for the first quarter came toNOK78.6 million (NOK83.4million)
  • Cash and cash equivalents amounted to NOK 367.8 million at the end of the first quarter 2022 (NOK 436.6 million by end of December 2021)

Martin Olin, Chief Executive Officer of BerGenBio, commented: “Earlier this month, we provided an update on the Company’s strategy. BerGenBio’s mission remains unchanged, and we believe that the announced focus provides an optimal path to unlock the potential of AXL inhibition as a transformative treatment modality for severe diseases.

By focusing the development of our lead asset bemcentinib to two key areas, STK11 mutated (STK11m) 1st line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and COVID-19, we believe we have defined the path to efficiently advance BerGenBio’s clinical and commercial potential. Both indications represent significant unmet medical needs and our defined plans for each of these indications provides a strong foundation for bringing new drug to market with the aim of achieving better outcomes for patients and the generation of significant value for our shareholders.

With a focused strategy and rightsized organization, I believe we are well positioned to unlock significant potential value related to the two indications selected and define the path to market.”

Presentation and Webcast Details

The live webcast link is available at www.bergenbio.com in the Investors/Financial Reports section. A recording will be available shortly after the webcast has finished.

Webcast link: https://channel.royalcast.com/hegnarmedia/#!/hegnarmedia/20220524_3

Dial-in numbers:

NO: +47-21-956342

UK: +44-203-7696819

US: +1 646-787-0157

SE: +46-4-0682-0620

DK: +45 78768490

Pin: 712491

The first quarter report and presentation are available on the Company’s website in the Investors/Financial Reports section and a recording of the webcast will be made available shortly after the webcast has finished.

-Ends-

Contacts

Martin Olin
Chief Executive Officer, BerGenBio ASA
ir@bergenbio.com 

Rune Skeie
Chief FinancialOfficer, BerGenBio ASA
rune.skeie@bergenbio.com

International Media Relations

Mary-Jane Elliott, Chris Welsh, Lucy Featherstone

ConsiliumStrategic Communications
bergenbio@consilium-comms.com 
+44 20 3709 5700

AboutBerGenBioASA

BerGenBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative drugs targeting AXL as a potential cornerstone of therapy for aggressive diseases, including cancer and severe respiratory infections. The Company is focused on its proprietary lead candidate bemcentinib a potentially first-in-class selective AXL inhibitor in development for STK11 mutated NSCLC and COVID-19.

BerGenBio is based in Bergen, Norway with a subsidiary in Oxford, UK. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: BGBIO). For more information, visit www.bergenbio.com

Forward looking statements

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which as such are not historical facts, but are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. These assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this announcement by such forward-looking statements.

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

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About Oncoinvent

Oncoinvent is developing Radspherin®, a receptor-independent alpha radiation therapy that leverages the unique anatomy of the abdominal cavity to destroy residual micrometastases using a single, highly localized dose of alpha radiation. The initial clinical focus is treatment of ovarian and colorectal cancer patients after surgical removal of the primary tumor and visible metastases in the peritoneum, the thin membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs.

This radiopharmaceutical is designed to prevent or delay recurrence in the peritoneal cavity, keeping patients disease-free for longer than the current standard of care and thereby also impacting overall survival. It is broadly applicable to any cancer that spreads to the peritoneum, e.g. ovarian, colorectal, and gastric cancers. Radspherin® stands out for its simplicity, excellent safety profile, and seamless integration into existing surgical workflows. Oncoinvent’s product is easy to use, avoids systemic delivery and significant toxicity. It is also differentiated in being simple to manufacture, scalable, and supply de-risked.

Data from two trials in ovarian (phase 1) and colorectal (phase 1/2a) cancers, are highly promising, showing an excellent safety profile and meaningful signals of efficacy. Interim data from an ongoing, randomized, controlled phase 2 ovarian cancer trial is expected in 2026. With cost-effective manufacturing, blockbuster potential, active pharma partnership momentum, plus strong endorsements from leading experts, Oncoinvent is built for scale and commercial success, and is set to become the new standard for post-surgical cancer care. The Company was founded by the originators of Algeta and Xofigo (acquired by Bayer).

Øystein Soug

Chief Executive Officer

soug@oncoinvent.com

Oystein Soug has over 15 years of experience in biotechnology, holding several management positions. Most recently, Mr. Soug was CEO of Arxx Therapeutics, where he led the company to initiate the clinical programme and was responsible for the merger with Dutch pharma company Oxitope Pharma to create Calluna Pharma. Prior to Arxx, he served as CFO and then CEO of Targovax, an Oslo listed biotechnology company, which went public during Mr. Soug’s tenure. Mr. Soug started his career in biotech as CFO of Oslo-listed radiopharmaceutical company Algeta. During this period, the company conducted a successful phase 3 trial, launched its radium-223 based prostate cancer drug Xofigo® and out-licensed the drug. Mr. Soug co-led the sale of the company to Bayer in 2014.

Mr. Soug holds an MSc in Economics and
Financial Markets from Universität St. Gallen in Switzerland in 1997

Anders Månsson

Chief Executive Officer

mansson@oncoinvent.com

Anders Månsson is a business executive with over 25 years of experience from management roles in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on commercialisation and M&A + licensing. Mr. Månsson has held leading roles in the industry both in his native Sweden and in other European countries, and he has worked extensively with the USA and Asia as focus markets in global roles.

Mr. Månsson holds a B.Sc. degree in Business & Economics from Lund’s University in Sweden as well as an MBA from Business School Lausanne in Switzerland. He has a broad-based industrial experience, featuring both large multinational companies such as Meda, Ferring & LEO Pharma, and including leading roles in start-ups and smaller biotech companies. On top of his executive role in Oncoinvent, Mr. Månsson holds two non-executive director positions serving on the board of EQL Pharma AB as well Immetric AB, the latter being an investment company focusing on life science.