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Castle Creek Pharmaceutical Holdings to Acquire Fibrocell
- Total consideration of $63.3 million, including repayment of debt and other financial instruments -
- Acquisition expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019 -
- Further strengthens
“Following our licensing agreement to develop and commercialize FCX-007, our experience working together on rare dermatological conditions caused us to quickly realize that Castle Creek and Fibrocell could achieve even greater synergies by combining the companies into one,” said
“We are incredibly pleased to announce this transaction, which we believe is in the best interests of both shareholders and patients,” said
Fibrocell’s portfolio includes FCX-007, an investigational, late-stage stage gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a congenital and progressive orphan skin disease caused by the deficiency of the protein COL7. FCX-007 is a genetically-modified autologous fibroblast that encodes the gene for COL7. By genetically modifying autologous fibroblasts ex vivo to produce COL7, culturing them and then treating wounds locally via injection, FCX-007 offers the potential to address the underlying cause of the disease by providing high levels of COL7 directly to the affected areas while avoiding systemic distribution. A Phase 3 trial was initiated recently, and if successful, a Biologics License Application (BLA) filing is expected in 2021.
The portfolio also includes FCX-013, an investigational, gene therapy candidate for the treatment of moderate to severe localized scleroderma. FCX-013 is an autologous fibroblast genetically modified using lentivirus and encoded for matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a protein responsible for breaking down collagen. FCX-013 is currently enrolling for the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial.
These product candidates will augment Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals’ CCP-020, an investigational, late-stage topical ointment under development for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa simplex.
Under the terms of the agreement and plan of merger,
The closing of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Fibrocell stockholder approval. Upon completion of the transaction, Fibrocell will become a privately held subsidiary of
Fibrocell’s employees will continue as employees of the combined company on completion of the transaction. Until that time, Fibrocell will continue to operate as a separate and independent company.
About FCX-007
FCX-007 is Fibrocell's investigational, late-stage gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of RDEB, a congenital and progressive orphan skin disease caused by the deficiency of the protein COL7. FCX-007 is a genetically-modified autologous fibroblast that encodes the gene for COL7. By genetically modifying autologous fibroblasts ex vivo to produce COL7, culturing them and then treating wounds locally via injection, FCX-007 offers the potential to address the underlying cause of the disease by providing high levels of COL7 directly to the affected areas while avoiding systemic distribution.
FCX-007 has been granted Orphan Drug designation, Rare Pediatric Disease designation, Fast Track designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation by the
About FCX-013
FCX-013 is Fibrocell’s investigational stage gene therapy candidate for the treatment of moderate to severe localized scleroderma. FCX-013 is an autologous fibroblast genetically modified using lentivirus and encoded for matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a protein responsible for breaking down collagen. FCX-013 incorporates Intrexon Corporation’s proprietary RheoSwitch Therapeutic System®, a biologic switch activated by veledimex—an orally administered compound—to control protein expression at the site of the localized scleroderma lesions. FCX‑013 is designed to be injected under the skin at the location of the fibrotic lesions where the genetically-modified fibroblast cells will produce MMP-1 to potentially break down excess collagen accumulation.
The
About
About
About Fibrocell
Fibrocell is a cell and gene therapy company focused on improving the lives of people with rare diseases of the skin and connective tissue. Fibrocell is utilizing its proprietary autologous fibroblast technology to develop personalized biologics that target the underlying cause of disease. Fibrocell’s pipeline of localized gene therapy candidates include FCX-007 for the treatment of RDEB, a life-threatening genetic disorder diagnosed in infancy with no cure or treatment approved by the
Trademarks
Fibrocell®, the Fibrocell logo, and
Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed acquisition of Fibrocell by
Participants in the Solicitation
Fibrocell and its directors and executive officers may be deemed, under
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements for this purpose and include, among others, statements relating to: expected completion and timing of the proposed transaction and other information relating to the proposed transaction; Fibrocell's expectations regarding the timing and clinical development of FCX-007; Fibrocell’s potential to earn future milestone and profit share payments under the Castle Creek Pharmaceutical Holdings Agreement; the expected trial design of DEFI-RDEB, and expectation to enroll 15-20 patients therein; the timing of Fibrocell’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial of FCX-013, including its expectation to complete enrollment of Phase 1 adult patients in the third quarter of 2019; Fibrocell’s projection to complete enrollment and dosing of FCX-007 Phase 3 patients in the third quarter of 2020 and complete data collection for the primary endpoint in the fourth quarter of 2020; Fibrocell’s expectation to file a BLA for FCX-007 in 2021; Fibrocell’s projection that safety and efficacy data for the adult patients in the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for FCX-013 will be available in mid-2020; the potential advantages of FCX-007, FCX-013 and Fibrocell’s other product candidates; the potential benefits of the Fast Track designation, Orphan Drug designation, Rare Pediatric Disease designation and RMAT designation; the Company’s belief that its cash and cash equivalents, along with the anticipated milestone payment due upon enrollment of the first patient in the Phase 3 clinical trial of FCX-007 and the reimbursement of development costs for FCX-007 under the Castle Creek Pharmaceutical Holdings Agreement, will be sufficient to fund operations into the third quarter of 2020 and other statements regarding Fibrocell’s future operations, financial performance and financial position, prospects, strategies, objectives and other future events.
Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially and adversely from those indicated herein including, among others: the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the price of the Company’s common stock; the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted against the Company related to the Merger Agreement or the proposed transaction; the ability of
Fibrocell Investor & Media Relations Contact:
484.713.6133
kcasey@fibrocell.com
Source: Fibrocell Science Inc.