- Completion of Strategic Review and Refocusing of Resources on Immuno-Inflammatory Development Pipeline
- Actively Seeking a Commercialization Partner for RHOFADE® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) cream, 1%
- Actively Exploring Strategic Alternatives for Commercial Assets, Alopecia and Wart Development Assets
This review of the Company’s overall business strategy is intended to streamline operations and reduce costs, to position the Company for long-term growth and maximize shareholder value. “Our goal when we commenced this review was to find an effective way to refocus our resources on our novel drug candidates for immuno-inflammatory diseases,” said Dr.
This new strategic direction includes the following actions:
1) | Aclaris is actively seeking partners for its commercial products business. For its remaining marketed product, RHOFADE® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) cream, 1%, Aclaris will no longer utilize a sales force to promote the product. In the interim, Aclaris will continue to sell and distribute RHOFADE in the United States. In addition, Aclaris will also seek strategic partners for ESKATA® (hydrogen peroxide) topical solution, 40% (w/w). | ||
2) | Aclaris is actively seeking a strategic partner to commercialize its drug candidate A-101 45% Topical Solution, an investigational compound being developed as a potential treatment for verruca vulgaris (common warts). The Company’s two ongoing Phase 3 pivotal clinical trials, THWART-1 and THWART-2, in which A-101 45% Topical Solution is being evaluated as a potential treatment for common warts, are progressing as planned. Aclaris has completed enrollment of more than 1,000 patients across these two trials, and data from both trials are expected in the second half of 2019. | ||
3) | Aclaris is actively seeking a development and commercialization partner for its drug candidates, ATI-501 (oral) and ATI-502 (topical), which are investigational Janus Kinase (JAK) 1/3 inhibitor compounds for the potential treatment of alopecia. |
In addition, Aclaris plans to focus on its portfolio of novel kinase inhibitors and its proprietary kinase discovery platform. To that end, Aclaris will continue the development of its drug candidate, ATI-450, an internally developed, investigational oral MK2 inhibitor, which is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial for development as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Aclaris also plans further investment in its drug candidate, ATI-1777 and other preclinical drug candidates, utilizing its robust drug discovery technology and scientific expertise, to develop treatments that may benefit patients suffering from immuno-inflammatory diseases.
“We believe this change in strategy will benefit Aclaris in the near term by lowering expenses and eliminating the inherent risks and investment related to maintaining a commercial infrastructure. By actively seeking a commercialization partner for our commercial products business and refocusing our resources with a view to optimizing our immuno-inflammatory development portfolio, we believe we can significantly reduce our costs, strengthen the organization, and extend our cash runway,” said Dr. Walker. “Our resources can now be dedicated to prudently advancing our pipeline of novel drug candidates for immuno-inflammatory diseases.”
“As part of our new business strategy, we have approved a plan to significantly reduce our workforce. We expect to complete this reduction over the course of the next six months. This decision was extremely difficult but necessary. I would like to personally thank all of the affected employees for their contributions over the past years,” said Dr. Walker.
Aclaris’ restructuring plan includes the termination of 86 employees across the organization, actively seeking commercialization partners for its commercial products business, and the elimination of various development programs. During the time Aclaris is seeking a commercialization partner for RHOFADE, Aclaris will continue to incur certain expenses related to the sale and distribution of RHOFADE in
This restructuring plan is estimated to cost between
Additional financial guidance will be provided when Aclaris announces its third quarter operating results.
Aclaris also announced today that it will host an R&D Investor Event focused on our pipeline of novel drug candidates for immuno-inflammatory diseases on
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” and similar expressions, and are based on Aclaris’ current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include statements about changes in Aclaris’ future corporate focus and strategy, development plans with respect to its preclinical and clinical drug candidates, anticipated cost savings as a result of the restructuring actions, the duration of time that Aclaris’ cash and cash equivalents will be able to fund its operations and anticipated costs of the restructuring. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include uncertainties inherent in the conduct of clinical trials and in commercialization of products, Aclaris’ reliance on third parties over which it may not always have full control, and other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section of Aclaris’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Aclaris Contact
Senior Vice President
Corporate Strategy/Investor Relations
484-329-2140
mtung@aclaristx.com
Source: Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.