BELTSVILLE, Md., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel, first-in-class and best-in-class therapies to treat cancer, today announced the presentation of new preclinical data in a well-established model of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) demonstrating that treatment with NC605, a novel anti-Siglec-15 antibody, achieved improved bone microarchitecture and reduced fracture incidence compared to anti- ...

Core Insights - Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE) and Mereo BioPharma (MREO) have provided an update on the mid-to-late-stage Orbit study for UX143 (setrusumab) aimed at treating osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in pediatric and young adult patients, with final analysis expected by the end of 2025 [1][5] - The shares of both companies experienced a significant decline in premarket trading following the announcement of the delay in new data from the Orbit study [2][5] - UX143 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits sclerostin, and interim safety data has shown an acceptable safety profile, allowing the study to proceed as planned [2][5] Study Details - The Orbit study is assessing the impact of UX143 on fracture rates in patients aged 5 to 25 with OI, with a pivotal phase III portion enrolling 159 additional patients [7] - The primary efficacy endpoint of the Orbit study is to reduce the annualized clinical fracture rate, with participants moving into an open-label extension period after the primary analysis [7] - The Cosmic study targets a younger population aged two to under seven years, comparing UX143 to intravenous bisphosphonates for fracture reduction, with 69 patients enrolled [8] Partnership and Market Context - Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals and Mereo BioPharma entered a licensing agreement in 2020 for the joint development of UX143, with RARE holding exclusive rights in several regions [9] - The partnership was expanded in 2024 through a manufacturing and supply agreement, with RARE responsible for supplying setrusumab to MREO [9] - OI affects approximately 60,000 individuals in commercially accessible geographies, and there are currently no approved treatments available [11]

Summary of Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE) FY Conference Call Company Overview - Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is at a significant inflection point, achieving revenues between $640 million to $670 million from four products: Crysvita, Nepsevi, Zolcivi, and Evkesa [2][4] - The company is experiencing a global commercial growth rate of approximately 20% annually [2] - Six late-stage programs are in development, with three expected to be filed within the year [4] Pipeline and Product Development - Key late-stage programs include: - Gene therapy for MPS IIIA, currently under review [2] - Gene therapy for GSD I, expected to be filed soon [2] - Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) program with high confidence in its transformative potential [5][6] - Angelman syndrome program (ASPIRE study) is on track to complete enrollment by the end of the year [49] - The company aims to become profitable by 2027, leveraging its existing products and new launches [4][68] Clinical Trials and Expectations - The OI program (cetrusumab) shows promising data from phase two trials, with a 67% reduction in fractures [6][19] - A significant threshold for commercial success is expected to be a fracture reduction of over 40%, with hopes for results above 50% [20][21] - The COSMIC trial aims to demonstrate the superiority of cetrusumab over bisphosphonates, which is crucial for market positioning [29][33] Market Strategy and Commercialization - The company plans to focus on key opinion leaders and centers with a high patient volume for initial launches [46] - A field force of 40 to 50 personnel is expected to support the launch, with an emphasis on home infusion models [42][48] - The commercial launch is anticipated to be easier due to a concentrated patient population in clinics [25] Gene Therapy Opportunities - The MPS IIIA program targets a severe disease with a small patient population but high urgency for treatment [59][60] - GSD I has a larger patient population, estimated at 1,500 to 8,000 in the US, with a significant need for treatment [63] - The company believes that urgency and the severity of conditions will drive adoption of gene therapies [66] Financial Outlook - The company reiterated its 2025 revenue guidance, projecting a 14% to 20% year-over-year growth, primarily driven by existing products [67][68] - Approximately 85% of revenue is expected to come from current products, with new launches contributing a smaller portion initially [68][69] Additional Insights - The company emphasizes the importance of patient quality of life and how treatments improve their daily activities, which will be a key driver for adoption [22][24] - Secondary endpoints in clinical trials are considered important for understanding the broader impact of treatments on patients [26][28] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical FY Conference Call, highlighting the company's current status, pipeline developments, market strategies, and financial outlook.