Athira Pharma(US:ATHA)2025-12-18 14:32Summary 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]