Redx Pharma is a UK-based clinical stage drug discovery company that specialises in developing highly specific small molecules based on its proven medicinal chemistry expertise and research platform. These are either “best-in-class” or “first-in-class” and target existing unmet needs in large oncology and fibrosis indications. A driven management team is implementing a focussed and ambitious strategy that should be transformative for the business over the medium term. The approach has been validated by a series of out-licensing and partnering deals. Knowledgeable and supportive shareholders have rebuilt the balance sheet, but further funding is, in our view, required to capitalise on the existing opportunities. Our valuation, based on conservative assumptions, is £296m, equivalent to 152p/share, and 92p fully diluted.
| Year-end: September 30 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020E | 2021E |
| Revenues (£m) | 0.1 | 3.1 | 12.7 | 1.6 |
| Adj. PBT (£m) | (10.5) | (7.5) | (2.6) | (27.9) |
| Net Income (£m) | (8.8) | (4.3) | (2.0) | (27.4) |
| Adj. EPS (p) | (7.2) | (4.0) | (1.2) | (14.2) |
| Cash (£m) | 6.5 | (3.7) | 27.1 | 3.1 |
| EBITDA (£m) | (10.0) | (6.2) | (1.3) | (27.3) |
Initiation of coverage
14 September 2020
| Price | 65p |
| Market Cap | £127m |
| Enterprise Value | £120m |
| Shares in issue | 195.3m |
| 12 month range | 4.5p-93.75p |
| Free float | 6.8% |
| Primary exchange | AIM London |
| Other exchanges | N/A |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Company codes | REDX |
| Corporate client | Yes |
Company description
Redx Pharma specialises in the discovery and early clinical development of small molecule therapeutics, with an emphasis on oncology and fibrotic disease. Typically, these are progressed through proof-of-concept studies and then partnered for further development. The strategy has been validated by several collaborations.
Analysts
Lala Gregorek
lgregorek@trinitydelta.org
+44 (0) 20 3637 5043
Franc Gregori
fgregori@trinitydelta.org
+44 (0) 20 3637 5041
Table of Contents
Redx Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and fibrosis. The strategy is to identity and develop small molecules that are either “best-in-class” or “first-in-class”, with the emphasis on scientifically validated targets. The lead candidates are progressed to Phase II proof of concept trials before being outlicensed, with an element of commercial revenues retained; however, assets can be outlicensed earlier if the proposed returns are sufficiently attractive. Redx listed on AIM in March 2015, raising £15m; with a further £10m in April 2016 and £12m in March 2017. Other financing events include MGL capitalising its £2.5m June 2019 loan in January 2020, and share subscriptions by Redmile for £1.3m (March 2020) and Sofinnova for £0.8m (July 2020). The latter two investors also hold $29m in convertible loan notes. Redx is based near Manchester (in Alderley Edge, Cheshire), and has c 50 full-time employees.
We value Redx using an rNPV of the known development programmes together with an estimate of the inherent worth of the now well-proven drug discovery platform. These are then netted out against the cost of running the business and net cash. The success probabilities in each indication are based on standard industry criteria for each stage of the development process but flexed to reflect the characteristics of the differing indications. We have employed conservative assumptions throughout; for example, erring on the cautious side with factors such as the timing of clinical studies, market launches, adoption curves, and patient penetration. Despite such a deliberately cautious approach we value Redx at £296m or 152p/share, equivalent to 92p per share (fully diluted).
Redx’s $30m (gross) fund raise in June 2020 provided a cash runway into Q321. Subsequent milestone/licensing receipts from AstraZeneca and Jazz Pharmaceuticals could extend this/or fund additional R&D activities. We forecast a rise in operating expenses, particularly to fund R&D activities as the proprietary pipeline advances, while G&A will grow at a more modest pace. There is potential for further milestones to be received in FY21e contingent on progress in the underlying programmes, although in our view, further funding is advisable to capitalise on the quality and number of platform and pipeline opportunities.
Redx seeks to either address validated molecular targets and create a “best-in-class” or, if a target is particularly attractive, to create a “first in class” compound. Arguably, developing small molecules is less risky than an equivalent biological compound. Irrespective of the merits of this point, the typical industry risks associated with clinical trial results, navigating regulatory hurdles, ensuring sufficient financing is in place, partnering discussions and, eventually, pricing and commercialisation still apply. Our main sensitivities are detailed later (in the body of the note), with particular emphasis on each individual programme.
Redx Pharma is best known for being forced into administration and then rapidly exiting it as one of its preclinical assets, a BTK inhibitor, was sold to Loxo Oncology for $40m. Yet this episode encapsulates the value of Redx’s discovery engine and, importantly, the strength of its medicinal chemistry expertise. The validation was tangible as two years later Eli Lilly acquired Loxo for $8bn, in no small part because of this BTK programme. A revitalised Redx, with fresh management and clear strategy, is aiming to show this was no fluke. The pipeline is well-balanced; two in-house programmes (RXC004 and RXC007) are progressing well, two have been successfully partnered, and the earlier stage assets are showing promise. Together with supportive and knowledgeable shareholders, a respected board, and a rich news flow, we believe Redx’s investment case is not reflected in the share price.
Redx Pharma is emerging as a respected creator of innovative small molecule drugs. It has established a laudable industry-wide reputation for its medicinal chemistry expertise, which underpins its discovery activities. Given its size, the research productivity has been impressive, both in quality and quantity, and an expectation of an average of one lead candidate entering the clinic annually is, in our view, realistic. The focus is on oncology and fibrotic diseases, where there are multiple large and attractive indications that are poorly served with existing therapies. The aim is to address validated receptors as well as novel targets, generating “best-in-class” or “first-in-class” programmes. These are progressed quickly to key evaluation points, with rapid assessments to continue or not.
The quality of the science is complimented by an impressive management team, which brings big pharma professionalism and expertise. A key aspect has been to retain swift decision making and development speed, but to temper this with active risk minimisation. The outlicensing of RXC006 to AstraZeneca in August 2020 is a pertinent example; this commercially attractive deal brings in welcome funds and reduces the weight of the porcupine inhibitor class as a development risk for Redx. A further validation is the involvement of knowledgeable specialist shareholders such as Redmile and Sofinnova; these bring valuable expertise and, importantly, investor credibility. New additions to the Board include two non-executive directors: Sarah Gordon-Wild and Tom Burt.
Underappreciation of the intrinsic value of a drug discovery company is commonplace in the pharmaceutical industry. It is, after all, the tenet behind how many drug majors replenish their pipelines. In Redx’s case the reasons are more complex; clearly the past plays a role, but there is also poor awareness that this is a real company, as opposed to a virtual business, undertaking real science in its own laboratories. And, tellingly, these scientists are “cracking the chemistry” on validated targets that have eluded other, better funded teams. In our view the existing pipeline of optimised compounds provides demonstrable evidence of this working in practice and history helps underpin our belief that the process is reproducible.
Redx has turned a corner; the scientific, operational, and personnel foundations are now in place to generate material value. Ahead of a steady stream of newsflow into 2022, our valuation is £296m or 152p/share (92p fully diluted).
Seldom do we begin one of our in-depth reports with a journey back through history, but the importance of high-quality medicinal chemistry in today’s drug industry needs some context. From its inception, pharmaceutical innovation was driven by advances in the understanding of biological processes and their role in any given disease. Drug discovery and development has always been a multi-disciplinary effort, but it was the prowess of the medicinal chemist that converted fascinating insights into a medicinal product. It was debatable if it was astute marketing that produced “blockbuster” drugs, but the importance of visionary medicinal chemists was unquestionable.
It was said drug companies’ market valuations reflected the relative abilities of their medicinal chemistry departments; but they lost their lustre as the need to replenish ageing product portfolios meant techniques such as combinatorial chemistries and high-throughput screening (HTS) transformed it into a numbers game. Effectively the “art” of the chemistry was, arguably, gone. This coincided with the advent of the new breakthroughs that saw the onset of the “biological” age of innovation, which can be typified by monoclonal antibodies. Both the pharmaceutical industry and financial markets seized the opportunities and whole new business empires were created.
The genomics revolution sparked the next wave of innovation and the results are clear to see. We now have potentially curative treatments for a number of previously intractable diseases; understandably, these advances attract market attention and command premium pricing to recoup sizeable research and manufacturing investments. Whilst these may be acceptable for “orphan indications”, economic realities mean that common diseases will increasingly require treatments that are not only effective but also affordable. This will be particularly important in areas such as oncology, where biomarker selected combination treatment is surely the way forward.
It is against this backdrop that the benefits of a medicinal chemistry approach to discovery are once more becoming better appreciated. New drug approvals continue to be skewed towards small molecules, which generally have lower technical risk as well as attractive clinical and commercial features. As an example, the advances in understanding even complex biological pathways mean that targets which are currently addressed solely by biologic drugs will likely be supplemented with novel receptors and nodes that prove more amenable to addressing with small molecules.
The increasingly targeted nature of small molecule drugs also means that they potentially have a central role in addressing the development of acquired resistance, and their use in defined populations could support premium pricing. AstraZeneca’s third-generation EGFR inhibitor Tagrisso provides an interesting case study. It was designed as a treatment option for EGFR-resistant T790M+ NSCLC patients, and since first approval in 2017 has rapidly achieved blockbuster status (FY19 sales of $3.19bn).
A key benefit for patients and clinicians is that small molecule drugs tend to be easier to administer, often being orally available, but their usually easier synthesis would typically result in lower manufacturing costs, with a consequent benefit to both company margins and to the payor(s). Small molecules also lend themselves to combination therapy approaches, especially where they are highly specific and have a clean safety profile. Thus, they could be a central feature of life cycle management strategies for key franchises of large pharma players.
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway provides an apt example of a biological pathway where small molecules should play an important part. Wnt was first described in 1982 and in the intervening years the pathway has become recognised as being linked to a wide range of conserved biological processes. Wnt signals, in both the canonical and non-canonical (non-β-catenin) systems, impinge on multiple developmental decisions through the control of cell–cell communication and play a key role in tissue homeostasis and repair. Wnt has long been known as a crucial oncogenic pathway in various cancers and can regulate diverse biological processes necessary for cancer progression, including tumour initiation, tumour growth, cell senescence, cell death, differentiation, and metastasis.
Yet, despite a clear recognition that the various Wnt pathways offer valuable targets for pharmaceutical intervention, the complex interactions could not be elucidated until the research tools underlying the genomic revolution became available. It is now known that, despite the multitude of cellular responses that they elicit, all 19 secreted Wnt family members are dependent upon the same biosynthetic enzymes, such as Porcupine to supply a single fatty acid adduct (palmitoylation), that is required to enable their transport, secretion, and activity. Understanding the importance of the Porcupine node has meant that medicinal chemistry has been employed to create small molecules that can address and carefully modulate the responses.
Redx’s pipeline has a clear focus on selective small molecules for the treatment of oncology and fibrotic diseases. Management is applying the acknowledged in-house expertise to develop both first-in-class molecules addressing novel targets, and best-in-class drugs directed at already known and validated targets. The first tangible validation of the approach was, somewhat ironically, demonstrated by a $40m (£30.2m) deal struck with Loxo Oncology in 2017 that effectively brought Redx out of administration (forced by Liverpool City Council to recover a £2m development loan). The administrators sold the leading programme RXC005, a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, that was ready to enter clinical development. This became LOXO-305 and, interestingly, when Loxo was acquired two years later by Eli Lilly for $8bn, LOXO-305 was cited as one of the key desired programmes.
Redx currently has a portfolio of four proprietary programmes, two of which are being developed in-house, likely to Phase II, and two have been outlicensed/sold. Of these, one (RXC004) is in the clinic and two (RXC007 and RXC006) are in the late preclinical stages (see Exhibit 3). RXC004 is a porcupine inhibitor being studied as both monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in various solid tumours. RXC007 is a selective ROCK2 inhibitor being explored in several fibrotic indications and is set to enter the clinic in H221. RXC006 is also a porcupine inhibitor, but being developed for lung fibrosis, that was recently subject to a licensing agreement with AstraZeneca. A further programme, a pan-RAF inhibitor being explored at the research stage for oncology indications, is partnered with Jazz Pharmaceuticals. A number of earlier research programmes for oncology and fibrosis indications are also ongoing. Timelines for anticipated pipeline newsflow is presented in Exhibit 4.
RXC004 is a highly selective and potent small molecule that targets the Porcupine (Porcn) enzyme on the Wnt (Wingless type) signalling pathways. Wnt is increasingly recognised as an attractive albeit challenging drug target, with a growing interest in these pathways. Gradients of diverse Wnt proteins regulate fundamental processes such a cell development, renewal, and differentiation, hence their important roles in oncology and fibrosis indications. Porcupine is a membrane-bound enzyme (MBOAT) that enables a key step (supplying a palmitoyl group to serine) required for the secretion, transportation, and activity of Wnt ligands. There are multiple porcupine inhibitors in clinical phases which have now demonstrated the ability to block Wnt signalling in cancer patients and retain a suitable safety profile.
The actual effect of the porcupine enzyme is dependent on the cell type and the physiological context. For instance, inhibiting porcupine impacts growth of tumours carrying specific gene mutations such as RNF43 and fusions in the RSPO gene family. Such mutations are found in a number of solid tumours, most notably in difficult to treat colorectal, biliary, and pancreatic cancers. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines carrying related mutations also appear particularly sensitive to porcupine inhibition.
As porcupine is an important element of tissue homeostasis, its inhibition could result in undesired effects. In rodent models inhibition of the Wnt pathway is linked to effects on the GI tract, but in humans the main safety concern would be the disruption of bone metabolism. This effect has been successfully managed by prophylactic use with existing treatments for osteoporosis. These are safe and effective therapies that are frequently used in cancer patients to treat bone fragility associated with bone metastasis. Key opinion leaders (KOLs) are supportive of their use in cancer patients and see no detriment to the future development of porcupine inhibitors with this co-medication.
RXC004 selectively targets porcupine and comprehensive preclinical studies have shown it to have promising direct anti-tumour activity in cancer lines with these genetically defined alterations. A blood-based biomarker assay, colloquially known as a liquid biopsy, is being developed (working with NewGene) to identify these treatment sensitive tumours and guide patient selection for future clinical use. However, the Phase II trials are expected to employ traditional, and well characterised, solid tumour biopsies. Accurately selecting patients most likely to benefit from treatment will clearly improve the probability of success of these clinical studies.
Immuno-oncology (IO) therapies, typically checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) such pembrolizumab (Merck’s Keytruda) and nivolumab (Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo), have become the backbone for many cancer treatments, however, they only tend to work well in around a third of patients due to either innate or acquired resistance. As well as a key role in driving tumour growth the Wnt pathway also plays an important role in tumour immune system evasion. Blockade of Wnt pathways by porcupine inhibitors like RXC004 could remove this brake on the immune system. Wnt pathway activation has also been linked to both innate and acquired resistance to CPIs and so combination of a porcupine inhibitor plus a CPI could lead to both an increase in response to the CPI and a delayed resistance in those patients who already respond.
Preclinical studies have shown that RXC004 enhances the immune response in the tumour microenvironment, and hence has a dual mechanism of action (Exhibit 5). A poster describing the improvement in immune responses in two mouse models, CT26 colon and B16F10 melanoma, was presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) meeting (Bhamra 2018). Further work on human dendritic cells has corroborated the role of Wnt pathway and tumour immune evasion. The use of RXC004 in combination with CPIs will be explored in future clinical studies.
RXC004 is currently in a dose escalation Phase I trial to examine its safety and tolerability (Exhibit 6). The study is set to enrol up to 30 patients across five centres in the UK. Initial results from the 0.5mg and 1mg cohorts showed no dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and there was strong target engagement detected in markers in skin tissue. The pharmacokinetics showed good oral absorption and bioavailability and support a once daily dosing. A third patient cohort at a 1.5mg dose was initiated in 2019 and, despite a pause in patient recruitment due to COVID-19 restrictions, the full data are still expected to be available before end-2020. A move into Phase II trials is planned for early 2021 but, along with most similar clinical studies, timings may be impacted by COVID-19 factors.
Four other porcupine inhibitors are known to be in clinical development for oncology indications:
The results seen with WNT974 are a useful indicator of the likely clinical profile and utility of a porcupine inhibitor and help shape our view of RXC004.
A total of c 162 patients have been evaluated with WNT974 as monotherapy, with no MTD (maximum tolerated dose) established, a benign safety profile, and no unexpected adverse effects. Interestingly, the AXIN2 inhibition data was stated as not being dose dependent, yet the mixed results suggest the 10mg daily dose selected may be insufficient to achieve optimal inhibition in the tumour. This could reflect WNT974’s relatively short half-life and that, at least in preclinical models, the 10mg dose does not achieve the 24-hour efficacy that may be required for direct tumour targeting.
Also, a small number of patients in the Phase I expansion trial of WNT974 were genetically selected for “Wnt pathway activation”; it is unknown if downstream mutations such as APC were excluded. The expectation is that tumours with downstream mutations in the pathway will be resistant to porcupine inhibition. These factors suggest efficacy of WNT974 as monotherapy could be greater than reported, particularly with guided genetic targeting of susceptible tumour types.
Looking at the findings of WNT974 in combination with spartalizumab, Novartis’ Phase III PD-1 inhibitor, shows that the MTD and RDE (recommended dose for expansion) have not been determined and that the combination was well tolerated. There was a spinal compression fracture, but this was due to trauma, suggesting concerns about porcupine inhibition’s role on bone metabolism are containable. Again, there was evidence of porcupine inhibition, assessed by skin AXIN2 suppression, at all dose levels albeit not at optimal levels. A key finding was that WNT974 did appear to improve response to PD-1 inhibition, suggesting that it could turn a “cold” tumour “hot”. This was borne out by improvement in the immune signature, suggesting that it helped promote T-cell recruitment into the tumour. Interestingly, A*Star appears to have shown similar effects with ETC-1922159.
The known clinical experience with WNT974 provides valuable insights for formulating the next stage of the clinical development programme for RXC004. Preclinical evidence does offer the potential for RXC004 to be a better compound in terms of expected efficacy and, possibly, side-effect profile than WNT974. The pharmacokinetics suggest a useful half-life and activity that support a direct tumour targeting effect as well as the cover to work in combination with CPIs. Clearly the data from the Phase I study is awaited keenly, particularly early signals of direct efficacy. Assuming positive outcomes, we expect RXC004 to be progressed to Phase II trials, with that data used for outlicensing discussions.
RXC007 is a particularly promising programme. It is a novel and highly specific small molecule that selectively targets the ROCK2 (Rho Associated Coiled-Coil Containing Protein Kinase 2) receptor. Successfully tackling the ROCK receptors is recognised as a difficult task by all medicinal chemists.
The ROCK pathways mediate a broad range of cellular responses that involve the actin cytoskeleton and are important regulators of cellular growth, migration, metabolism, and apoptosis. Aberrant downstream signalling is shown to have important roles in cardiovascular diseases, CNS disorders (including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), as well as diabetes (including insulin resistance and nephropathy) and a range of fibrotic dysfunctions. There are two kinase forms, ROCK1 and ROCK2, which have broadly similar functions (especially in fibrosis) but the simultaneous targeting of both forms appears to be more closely associated with cardiovascular effects (notably hypotension).
Fibrosis occurs when the normal healing process goes awry, with the formation of excessive scarring. It develops because of aberrant wound healing responses to repetitive injury. Tissue responses to injury involve coordinated activities of multiple cell types that, when appropriate in duration and magnitude, restore normal tissue structure and function. Fibrosis can occur in most tissues, and severely impairs the function of the affected organ. The initial causes of fibrosis are manifold, and while the precise disease process is not fully understood. It typically involves a common series of events, including secretion of cytokines which provoke a pro-fibrotic, chronic inflammatory immune response that leads to production of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (eg collagen) and the tissue becoming fibrous in nature.
Pro-fibrotic signals are delivered to cells after injury by both biochemical mediators and mechanical forces, and ROCK activation is central to many cellular responses to both types of signals (Exhibit 7). LPA (lysophosphatidic acid), thrombin, and TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-β), are important mediators that appear to act through ROCK and inhibition of the ROCK receptors can block the pro-fibrotic progression. There is mounting evidence that the behaviours of the cells involved in these wound healing responses, particularly epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, are fundamentally regulated by ROCK signalling. ROCK activation has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in multiple organs including the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, peritoneum, and skin.
Redx explored a series of highly selective and orally active ROCK2 inhibitors in in vivo preclinical models of multiple diseases with underlying fibrosis, including liver, lung, and kidney. Good ADME profiles and robust anti-fibrotic effects were seen and suggest a benefit is diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and diabetic nephropathy (DN). In H120 RXC007 was selected as the lead candidate and is expected to enter Phase I studies, most likely in IPF initially, in H121 with a subsequent clinical trial plan being developed. RXC007 is a programme that we expect will be progressed to Phase II proof-of-concept trials before being prepared for outlicensing.
The fibrosis indications are sizeable and poorly addressed by currently available therapies:
Currently there is one other ROCK2 inhibitor in clinical development. Kadmon is developing belumosudil (KD025) for chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), where it is in pivotal Phase II trials, and systemic sclerosis (SSc), where a Phase II study is underway. Belumosudil met its primary endpoint in the ROCKstar (KD025-213) study with impressive data and has been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation and Orphan Drug status, with an NDA planned for Q420. A 60-patient double-blind Phase II trial in diffuse cutaneous SSc has been initiated but enrolment has been delayed due to COVID-19. A second 12-15 patient open label study is now planned for Q121 with the aim of demonstrating likely efficacy more rapidly. Belumosudil is an orally active small molecule, with dosing of 200mg daily or twice daily, that has been studied in over 550 patients.
Kadmon is also developing a second ROCK inhibitor, KD045. The IND is in preparation following positive preclinical results in lung, kidney, and liver fibrosis models. KD045 is a pan-ROCK inhibitor, opening concerns about possible hypotension due to inhibiting ROCK1 and ROCK2 simultaneously (see earlier).
RXC007’s preclinical data package is very promising and suggests it has the potential to be a best-in-class compound. The ADME, toxicology profiles (notably with liver enzymes), and on-receptor activity are well suited for fibrosis indications. The clinical programme is expected to be directed, at least initially, towards the more serious indications, such as IPF, where the medical need is greatest. We would expect RXC007 to be taken through to Phase II trials before outlicensing discussions take place.
RXC006 is a potent small molecule of the porcupine receptor that is being developed for fibrosis indications. The Wnt pathways are critical elements in maintaining adult cell homeostasis, which includes wound healing and repair functions. Aberrant wound healing causes increased proliferation and attenuated apoptosis of myofibroblasts, which results in the excessive synthesis, remodelling, and contraction of extracellular matrix that characterises fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are the key cells in the pathophysiology of fibrotic disorders and their differentiation can be triggered by multiple stimuli, with Wnt being one of the three key elements (the others being TGF-β and YAP/TAZ signalling). As in oncology indications, porcupine inhibition may be useful here.
RXC006 belongs to a different chemical class to RXC004, with an independent family of patents. It showed promising efficacy and tolerability in a number of preclinical fibrosis models (including lung, liver and kidney), with a poster presented at European Respiratory Society (ERS) 2019. A Phase I trial programme in IPF has been prepared but this will now be progressed by AstraZeneca which licenced RXC006 in August 2020. Deal terms include an upfront fee and early development milestones totalling $17m, further development milestones worth up to $360m, and mid-single digit royalties on any eventual sales. If the early IPF studies are positive, AstraZeneca will seek to broaden the development programme into other fibrosis indications.
Redx is working with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to develop a pan-RAF inhibitor programme for RAS and RAF mutant tumours. The sale of this asset was agreed in July 2019, with Jazz paying an upfront fee of $3.5m, with a further $203m in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, and mid-single digit royalties on eventual sales. The next milestones are triggered by successfully initiating IND enabling studies and an IND submission to the FDA. Jazz is funding the necessary preclinical work to prepare the IND submission, although Redx has a separate collaboration agreement, signed in parallel, to perform research and preclinical development services to completion of IND-enabling studies. The first milestone, likely due on initiation of regulatory toxicology studies, is expected within around 12 months.
The MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway plays a critical role in the proliferation of numerous cancers, being seen as a growth driver in over a third of all solid tumours. The main downstream cascade involves the RAS protein family, and, in turn, the RAF kinase groups. There are three RAF enzyme members – A-RAF, B-RAF, and C-RAF – with B-RAF currently seen as particularly clinically relevant as it is mutated in 50%-70% of malignant melanomas, 40% of thyroid carcinomas, 30% of ovarian tumours, and nearly 100% of hairy cell leukaemias. Within this, the V600 mutation is the most prevalent and active, so became a key target and led to the introduction of initially highly effective first-generation compounds, such as vemurafenib and dabrafenib.
However, not only did treatment resistance surface quickly but, in what has become known as the RAF inhibitor paradox (or RAF dimer dilemma), the drugs activated the MAPK pathway elsewhere. These targeted first-generation products actively triggered compensatory feed-back loops in tumour cells and in the components of the tumour microenvironment. A number of approaches are being explored, including the use of pan-RAF inhibitors, with promising efficacy as monotherapy in animal and preclinical models. Several pan-RAF inhibitors are in Phase I development, including LXH254 (Novartis), TAK-580 (Takeda/Sunesis), which appears to have a poor profile, and HM95573 (Genentech/Hamni). LY3009120 (Eli Lilly) was too toxic at therapeutic doses, hence failed to show a benefit and was terminated.
Redx’s strong working relationship with Jazz has been further reinforced in a research collaboration to discover and develop drug candidates for two oncology targets on the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway. Deal economics include a $10m upfront payment and a further $10m in year two (contingent on continued progress), with up to a further $400m in development, commercial, and regulatory milestones split equally between the two programmes, and tiered mid-single digit royalties on net sales. Redx will be responsible for research and preclinical development up to IND submission, which will trigger the first milestone.
The collaborations with Jazz validate Redx’s expertise in medicinal chemistry and drug design, and its capabilities as a research partner. They also highlight the potential of the discovery platform to generate a stream of additional drug candidates to add to its pipeline. Indeed, Redx has several other undisclosed discovery and early preclinical development programmes targeting oncology and fibrosis underway. The productivity of the discovery engine is proven, with four drug candidates in little more than four years. Now that Redx has returned its research base to full strength, we believe that the expectation of an average of one lead candidate entering the clinic annually as realistic. The current early-stage proprietary research programmes are largely undisclosed, although Redx has provided some information on one of these: GI-targeted ROCK.
Redx has a second ROCK programme, referred to as GI-targeted ROCK, which is at the research stage but has shown interesting preliminary data that lends itself to inflammation/fibrosis of the gastrointestinal tract.
The gastrointestinal tract has a remarkable ability for self-regeneration following short-lived and mild insults, as in peptic ulceration, infectious enteritis, or mild diverticulitis. However, if inflammation becomes chronic and severe, as in Crohn’s disease, inflammatory mechanisms drive the excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and activate intestinal stromal cells that produce fibrosis. Even in the absence of inflammation, tissue damage and fibrosis continue to progress with increased accumulation and crosslinking of ECM.
Once fibrosis is established, control of inflammation with even biologicals is not sufficient to halt fibrosis progression as matrix stiffness can drive fibrosis independently of intestinal inflammatory activity. Hence anti-inflammatory treatment is best suited for early-stage disease, as fibrosis might become self-perpetuating once ECM activity has become established.
In ulcerative colitis the fibrosis is located mainly in rectal mucosa and submucosa, but in Crohn’s disease it can be seen in all regions of the intestinal wall. Between a third and a half of Crohn’s disease patients develop clinically relevant fibrostenosis that leads to hospitalisations and endoscopic interventions or surgery. Between 70-90% of patients will require at least one surgical resection within their lifetime, with a recurrence rate of up to 70%. The patient, and economic, burden of fibrotic strictures in Crohn’s disease is significant.
The ROCK receptors are expressed in fibroblastic, epithelial, endothelial, and muscle cells of the human intestinal tract and are activated in inflamed and fibrotic tissue. Redx has evaluated pan-ROCK inhibitors, which address both ROCK1 and ROCK2 pathways, in several preclinical and animal models. These have shown inhibition prevented myofibroblast accumulation, expression of pro-fibrotic factors, and accumulation of fibrotic tissue; repeated administration resulted in the prevention and reversal of the fibrotic damage.
Redx has taken a very interesting, and innovative, approach. The pan-ROCK inhibitor selected is designed to work locally in the gut wall and, as it is quickly degraded by metabolic enzymes, to have a short half-life once absorbed. The aim is to avoid the systemic side-effects, notably cardiovascular, that are associated with simultaneous inhibition of ROCK1 and ROCK2. A poster of the preclinical data for REDX08087 was presented at ECCO (European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation) 2018. Preclinical work to select a lead compound is underway and a candidate is expected to be chosen in 2021. The novelty of the approach will likely need the clinical programme, and endpoints, to be discussed with the regulatory agencies.
Typically, with innovative healthcare companies the three main sensitivities relate to the clinical and regulatory aspects, commercial execution, and the financial resources required to accomplish these. More specifically for Redx, the key near- and medium-term sensitivities are directed to the clinical and partnering progress with the four lead programmes.
The strategy is to focus on small molecules that are either first-in-class or best-in-class. Addressing highly novel targets clearly carries a greater risk, however the scientific validity and clinical relevance of the mechanism has been elucidated. Importantly, the novelty of the compound, while making the development process more challenging, means that it is likely to be commercially attractive to prospective partners. Creating a best-in-class molecule carries less risk as learnings from the leading players are applied. However, the timeliness of the development becomes paramount as speed of development is a critical factor.
The risks of clinical development are well known and documented. Less than 8% of preclinical programmes ultimately reach the market. The success probabilities improve as a programme progresses through clinical development, with a key inflection point seen at the Phase II proof-of-concept stage. This is often viewed as an attractive point for value optimisation as the risk profile improves materially but the most expensive, and pivotal, Phase III trials lie ahead.
The partnering process is the key test of a management’s strategy. A well-struck deal validates not simply the attractiveness of the proprietary technology and scientific skills, but the commercial terms are a tangible insight into management acumen. Given its size and history, Redx has an impressive track record of developing commercially attractive targets. Three preclinical assets have been successfully outlicensed, which suggests that the aim to develop a number of programmes to the Phase II proof-of-concept stage is well founded.
Financing is a perennial element to any innovative research-based company and Redx is no exception. We believe the strategy to develop selected assets to a greater value creation point is sound, the inherent scientific expertise is proven, and the current management is well respected. The real question is whether investors can appreciate the investment case and support Redx through to the next phase of its journey. The presence of industry specialists such as Redmile and Sofinnova on the register is reassuring and the opportunist approach by Samuel Waksal (via Yesod BioSciences) suggests that canny industry players can see the inherent value. This background suggests that funding will become available when the need arises.
Redx is a classic discovery and development play, hence would appear well suited to using an rNPV model to value the business. However, such models tend to attribute most value to later stage clinical compounds and underplay earlier stage programmes. To counter this a value has to be included for the discovery platform and, understandably, this requires more subjective considerations than a simple rNPV calculation. In Redx’s case the track record of generating attractive compounds and management history of striking commercially sound licensing deals gives a satisfying degree of comfort that our valuation remains realistic but, in line with our philosophy, still errs on the side of caution.
The rNPV of the individual development projects are assessed and success probabilities adjusted for the inherent clinical, commercial, and execution risks each carry. These are summed and netted against the costs of running the operation and net cash. We also include risk-adjusted development milestones for actual and assumed licensing deals, which are benchmarked against similar deals. The success probabilities are based on standard industry criteria for the respective stage of clinical development but, importantly, flexed to reflect the inherent risks of the individual programme, the indication targeted, and the trial design.
Even though the strategy envisages the outlicensing of at least some of the programmes before the later, and more expensive, stages of clinical development, we allow for the commercial and execution risks as we view these as integral to any programme’s intrinsic value. As always, we employ conservative assumptions throughout our modelling, particularly regarding market sizes and growth rates, net pricing, adoption curves, and peak market penetration.
For the discovery platform we examined the historical output, particularly its quality and commercial attractiveness, and assessed the likely sustainable future output. As mentioned, the track record is impressive; the BTK programme that was sold to Loxo (sadly as a distressed sale) has progressed well and provides tangible evidence of Redx’s ability to produce high-worth assets. Similarly, the AstraZeneca and Jazz Pharmaceuticals deals provide reassurance that Redx’s output is desirable and reproducible. The aim of generating an average of one lead drug candidate per annum may appear ambitious but, when placed into historical context, is realistic and achievable. It is against this framework that we attribute a value of between $160m (£123m) and $240m (£185m) for the discovery engine. Again, being conservative, we have opted to use £123m in our modelling. At present, the Jazz Ras/Raf/MAPK collaboration is included within the discovery platform, although we intend to break this out with an explicit value once there is more clarity on timelines and indication(s).
Our model ascribes a valuation for Redx of £296m, equivalent to 152p per share (92p fully diluted). The outputs and underlying assumptions of our model are presented in Exhibit 9. Looking at the elements of our valuation in greater detail:
Our conservative approach yields a valuation of £296m (152p/share or 92p fully diluted). To provide context we have collated data from peers (Exhibit 10) with similar business models and a comparable small molecule R&D pipeline in terms of disease focus, size, and maturity. All are publicly listed and, except for Inventiva, are US based. Their stock market valuations range from c$450m to $1.9bn.
Several of these peers listed on NASDAQ during 2020, raising gross proceeds of $108-238m at IPO, on an average pre-money valuation of slightly below $500m. Two of these, Zentalis Pharmaceuticals and Revolution Medicines have also closed significant follow-on offerings at higher prices than at IPO. In our view, these NASDAQ IPOs, at attractive valuations, provide compelling evidence for the appeal of medicinal chemistry approaches to investors. Equally, for more mature companies, there is also significant corporate interest as shown by the 2019 acquisitions of Loxo Oncology (by Eli Lilly for $8bn) and Array BioPharma (by Pfizer for $11.4bn).
Colourful is a useful word to describe Redx’s financial history. Headlines were made when, in May 2017, the administrators were called in at the behest of Liverpool City Council over the repayment of a loan. The £2m loan, which accrued interest at 12%, had been made five years earlier to enable Redx to expand its operations in the city. In 2016 the corporate headquarters and Oncology business was moved to the current site near Manchester, where the Anti-infectives and Immunology businesses were already based. Some observers believe this transfer caused discontent and sowed the seeds for the dramatic move.
Within weeks the BTK inhibitor programme was sold to Loxo Oncology for $40m (£30m) and all creditors were paid in full. The business was deemed to be a going concern and in November the company shares resumed trading on AIM. New management was appointed, notably Lisa Anson as CEO in June 2018 and James Mead as CFO in February 2019. At the time, the scientific staff had been downsized, but is being rebuilt to support the discovery and development plans that are in place.
Redx has emerged from this period of restructuring; all associated costs and exceptionals are now legacy issues, with its focused strategy now more clearly reflected in its financials. Revenues will consist of milestones and collaboration income from partners, while investment in both discovery and development activities is expected to rise. Our forecasts are presented in our financial summary (Exhibit 11).
The company booked £3.13m of revenues in FY19, which were solely derived from the Jazz Pharmaceuticals pan-RAF inhibitor partnership (£2.79m from the upfront payment and £341k under the preclinical collaboration agreement). For FY20e, we expect further collaboration revenues from Jazz Pharmaceuticals and receipt of the $10m upfront payment, in addition to revenue under the AstraZeneca RXC006 deal. The latter includes $17m in early payments; we assume that this is structured with an upfront payment (broadly equivalent to that paid by Jazz) with the remainder back-end weighted and expected to be paid by the start of the first clinical trial. Our forecasts only include our assumption of the upfront, given limited visibility on the RXC006 preclinical development timeline and payment schedule.
At present our FY21e revenue forecast only includes pan-RAF collaboration revenue; however, contingent on progress with the underlying programmes there is potential for receipt of the second $10m payment from Jazz and further AstraZeneca milestone(s).
R&D expenses for FY19 were £6.2m, with G&A of £4m. We anticipate a significant ramp up in the former during FY21e as the discovery engine research activities and staffing return to pre-administration levels, and the pipeline progresses through late preclinical (RXC007) and early clinical (RXC004) development. We forecast R&D spend of £9.6m and £23.9m in FY20e and FY21e respectively. G&A will also rise to support the growing research organisation, but we expect these costs (around £5-6m pa) to be controlled with a more modest rate of increase.
2020 has been a busy year on the financing front. At end-H120 (March 31, 2020), Redx had £1.9m of cash and equivalents, but had also announced a £5m short-term debt facility from Redmile (received in April 2020). In June 2020, the company announced a $30m financing, which closed on July 20th; use of proceeds was earmarked for repayment of the Redmile loan, progression of the pipeline (including RXC004 into Phase I), and general working capital purposes.
The financing was structured as $29m (equivalent to £20.1m) in convertible loan notes (CLNs) issued to Redmile ($19m) and Sofinnova ($10m), and a further $1m (£812k) direct subscription in 5.24m new ordinary shares by Sofinnova at 15.5p per share. The CLNs are subject to a single drawdown and have a three-year term with 0% interest, no early repayment, an option for annual extension, and a 15.5p per share conversion price.
Management had previously guided that these new funds provided Redx with a cash runway into Q321. We note that milestone receipts under the subsequently announced AstraZeneca RXC006 outlicensing deal and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ras/Raf/MAPK collaboration could extend this and/or fund additional R&D activities. In our view, the quality and number of opportunities that are presenting would suggest that further funding is required to capitalise on these, both in the pipeline and platform.
Block 33
Mereside, Alderley Park
Alderley Edge
Macclesfield
SK10 4TG
United Kingdom
| % holding | |
| Redmile Group LLP | 90.5 |
| Sofinnova Partners | 2.7 |
| Top institutional investors | 93.2 |
| Other shareholders | 6.8 |
| Total shareholders | 100.0 |
| Person | Position | Biography |
| Iain Ross | Non-Executive Chairman | Appointed May 2017. Also Interim Executive Chairman of Silence Therapeutics and Chairman of Kazia. Previously with multinational companies (Sandoz, Hoffman La Roche, and Celltech Group). CEO of Quadrant Healthcare and Chairman/CEO of Allergy Therapeutics. Former Vice Chairman of the Council of Royal Holloway, London University. |
| Lisa Anson | CEO | Appointed June 2018. Significant leadership experience, including 20-year career at AstraZeneca including Global VP, Oncology and VP of emerging brands. President of AstraZeneca UK since 2012. Joined Zeneca Pharmaceuticals (USA) in 1998 as business development manager. Previously with Salick Health Care (now Aptium) and KPMG. Past President of the ABPI until 2018, then elected to the BIA board. Holds an MBA (distinction) from INSEAD and a First Class honours degree in Natural Sciences from University of Cambridge. |
| James Mead | CFO | Appointed February 2019. Extensive finance roles in a 16-year career with AstraZeneca, including CFO AstraZeneca Netherlands, R&D Portfolio Finance Director, Finance Director of multiple clinical development project teams, and in Investor Relations and Corporate Finance. Holds PhD a in Molecular Biology and First Class honours degree in Biochemistry (Cardiff University). Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. |
| Richard Armer | CSO | Joined in 2012, becoming CSO in 2014. Significant experience in small biotech and large pharma (via roles within Pfizer, Organon, Ardana, Oxagen, and Lectus Therapeutics) and in drug discovery. Experience across many therapeutic areas and notable success in generating and progressing multiple clinical candidates. |
| Andrew Saunders | CMO | Joined in February 2018. Extensive industry experience including at Eli Lilly and Hoffman-La Roche. Former founder and MD of Linden Oncology, a strategic and clinical development consultancy. Has a medical degree (Trinity College Dublin) and a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, UK. |
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