Lasofoxifene
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Athira Pharma (NasdaqGS:ATHA) Update / Briefing Transcript
2025-12-18 14:32
Summary of Athira Pharma Conference Call - December 18, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Athira Pharma (NasdaqGS:ATHA) - **Focus**: Development of innovative therapies for diseases with unmet medical needs, specifically in oncology and neurology Key Points Discussed Transformative Acquisition - Athira announced the acquisition of rights to develop and commercialize **lasofoxifene**, a potential treatment for metastatic breast cancer, which diversifies its pipeline with a late-stage program [5][15][16] - The acquisition is expected to enhance Athira's mission to deliver transformative therapies for patients [5][14] Lasofoxifene Overview - Lasofoxifene is currently in a pivotal phase III clinical trial targeting **ER-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer**, which represents about 70% of all breast cancer cases [15][16] - The global market for metastatic ER-positive HER2-negative breast cancer is projected to grow from **$10.9 billion in 2025 to over $15.9 billion by 2029** [15] - Lasofoxifene has shown promising clinical activity, achieving **13 months of progression-free survival (PFS)** in combination therapy during phase II trials [20][26] Clinical Data and Mechanism - Lasofoxifene demonstrated an **83% reduction in new-onset primary wild-type estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer** in previous studies [19] - It modulates the estrogen receptor rather than degrading it, providing tissue selectivity and sparing healthy estrogen receptors in critical tissues [19][21] - The drug has shown **significant efficacy against ESR1 mutations**, which occur in over 40% of patients and are a major mechanism of resistance in breast cancer treatments [20][21] ATH-1105 for ALS - Athira is also advancing **ATH-1105**, a potential treatment for **Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)**, which affects approximately **33,000 patients in the U.S.** [37] - ATH-1105 modulates the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system, which is critical for neuronal health [38] - Preclinical studies have shown that ATH-1105 preserves motor function and reduces neurodegeneration in ALS models [39][40] Financial and Strategic Positioning - Athira raised **$90 million** to support its development programs, with the potential for an additional **$146 million** through warrants [46] - The financing positions the company to reach critical data readouts across both programs by the end of **2027** [46] - Athira aims to achieve peak annual U.S. sales for lasofoxifene approaching **$1 billion** if approved [35] Market Opportunity - The global breast cancer market is approximately **$55 billion**, with the second-line breast cancer segment in the U.S. exceeding **$5-$6 billion annually** [34] - Lasofoxifene's favorable tolerability profile and unique attributes position it as a potential leading therapy in this market [35][36] Conclusion - Athira is committed to advancing its promising development programs for lasofoxifene and ATH-1105, addressing significant unmet needs in metastatic breast cancer and ALS [45] - The company is optimistic about its future and the potential impact of its therapies on patient outcomes [47]