BEDMINSTER, N.J., April 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE MKT:MTNB), clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative anti-infectives for orphan indications, today announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016. As previously announced, Matinas management will host an update conference call and live audio webcast for investors, analysts and other interested parties today, Monday, April 3, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. ET (details below).

“In 2016 we achieved several noteworthy clinical milestones which prepared the Company for potential key data readouts this year that we believe will provide validation of our technology platform. We also achieved several important corporate goals, including the completion of a warrant tender to strengthen our balance sheet and the recent commencement of trading on the NYSE MKT,” said Roelof Rongen, Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that with the clinical, regulatory and corporate foundation we have established over the last year, we are well positioned to build momentum over the course of 2017. We continue to work diligently in advancing our clinical programs aimed at providing physicians and patients with orally-delivered encochleated drug formulations of two powerful anti-infective medicines to address significant unmet medical need with the potential to transform the way potent medicines are delivered and administered.”

KEY RECENT CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

• Bolstered board of directors with the appoint of Eric J. Ende, MBA, MD;
• Commenced trading on the NYSE MKT;
• Successfully completed warrant tender offer with gross proceeds of $13.5 million from exercise of warrants;
• Opened a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) lab space/Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) commercial scale manufacturing facility; and
• Received contract award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics to study MAT2501 for the treatment of NTM-infection in pre-clinical models of CF.

ANTI-INFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS

MAT2203: orally-administered, encochleated amphotericin B, a broad spectrum fungicidal agent, currently in Phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of refractory mucocutaneous candidiasis and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)

• Commenced patient dosing in NIH-sponsored Phase 2a study for the treatment of mucocutaneous candidiasis infections with MAT2203;
• Initiated enrollment and commenced patient dosing in Phase 2 study for the treatment of VVC; and
• Initiated open-label extension to Phase 2a Study of MAT2203 in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated MAT2203 as a QIDP with Fast Track status for the treatment of invasive candidiasis, aspergillus and prophylaxis (prevention) of invasive fungal infections in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. MAT2203 is also being explored for treatment of additional infections including cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, and is being developed to be eligible for Orphan Drug designations in various indications.

MAT2501: orally-administered, encochleated amikacin, a broad spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic agent, with a lead chronic indication for treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections

• Reported positive topline data from the Phase 1 single-ascending dose study of MAT2501 in healthy volunteers; and
• Reported positive preclinical efficacy results of MAT2501 in an in vitro Model of Mycobacterium abscessus infection.

The FDA has designated MAT2501 as a QIDP and an Orphan Drug for the treatment of NTM infections. The Company intends to initially develop MAT2501 for the treatment of NTM infections and will also explore the development of MAT2501 for the treatment of a variety of multi-drug resistant, gram negative bacterial infections. If approved, Matinas believes MAT2501 would become the first orally bioavailable aminoglycoside and represent a significant improvement over existing therapies from a treatment and health economic perspective.

EXPECTED NEAR-TERM MILESTONES

• Commence tolerability/PK study of MAT2203 in patients with a hematologic malignancy in Q2 2017 to position this lead product candidate for a pivotal study in this population;
• Report interim results from the open label, NIH-sponsored Phase 2a clinical study of MAT2203 in immunocompromised patients on June 3, 2017 at ASM Microbe 2017 in New Orleans;
• Report topline results from the ongoing Phase 2 study of MAT2203 in VVC in June 2017; and
• Commence multiple ascending dose PK/tolerability study of MAT2501 in healthy volunteers.

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 2016

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $7.6 million, or a net loss share basic and diluted of $0.21, compared to a net loss of approximately $9.1 million, or a net loss per share basic and diluted of $0.18, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 is attributable to the ongoing research and development activities related to the Company’s MAT2203 antifungal and MAT2501 antibacterial product candidates as well as the costs associated with operating as a public company. The Company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.1 million.

Based on Management’s current projections and with the approximate $12.7 million raised with the close of the Company’s warrant tender offer on January 13, 2017, the Company believes that cash on hand is sufficient to fund operations through the second quarter of 2018.

About MAT2203

MAT2203 is an orally-administered, encochleated formulation of amphotericin B (a broad spectrum fungicidal agent). Little to no clinical resistance has been reported to date with amphotericin B as compared to the rapidly emerging drug resistance seen in other antifungal therapies. Currently, IV-only administered amphotericin B is the only broad spectrum fungicidal available but its IV-delivery results in significant treatment-limiting side effects, including nephrotoxicity. The ability to provide amphotericin B orally using our proprietary and novel oral formulation may offer a new and promising alternative for patients and doctors. Currently, there are two Phase 2 studies underway with MAT2203. The first is an open-label Phase 2a NIH/NIAID-sponsored clinical study with MAT2203 in immunocompromised patients with refractory mucocutaneous candidiasis. The second is a Phase 2 study of MAT2203 in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Data from both studies is expected to be announced in the first half of 2017. The FDA has designated MAT2203 as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and the treatment of aspergillosis, as well as for the prevention of invasive fungal infections due to immunosuppressive therapy. MAT2203 is also being explored for treatment of additional anti-fungal indications and may have the potential for Orphan Drug Designation in certain of these indications.

About MAT2501

MAT2501 is an orally-administered, encochleated formulation of the broad spectrum IV-only aminoglycoside antibiotic agent amikacin, which utilizes the Company’s proprietary, lipid-crystal, nanoparticle delivery technology. Amikacin is currently used to treat different types of chronic and acute bacterial infections, including non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections and various multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. IV-administered amikacin is associated with major side effects including nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity (permanent loss of hearing). MAT2501 is specifically designed to provide targeted delivery of the potent antibiotic amikacin while providing a significantly improved safety and tolerability profile. In preclinical studies MAT2501 demonstrated efficacy after oral bioavailability and targeted delivery of amikacin directly to the site of infection in murine models of both pulmonary (lung) and disseminated NTM infections. The FDA has designated MAT2501 as a QIDP and an Orphan Drug for the treatment of NTM infections. The Company intends to initially develop MAT2501 for the treatment of NTM infections and is also exploring the development of MAT2501 for the treatment of a multi-drug resistant, gram negative bacterial infections. The Company recently reported positive topline data from its Phase 1 single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers. If approved, Matinas believes MAT2501 would become the first orally bioavailable aminoglycoside and represent a significant improvement over existing therapies from a treatment and health economic perspective.

About Matinas BioPharma

Matinas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative anti-infectives for orphan indications. The Company's proprietary, disruptive technology utilizes lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleates to nano-encapsulate existing drugs, making them safer, more tolerable, less toxic and orally bioavailable.

The Company's lead anti-infective product candidates, MAT2203 and MAT2501, position Matinas BioPharma to become a leader in the safe and effective delivery of anti-infective therapies utilizing its proprietary lipid-crystal nano-particle cochleate formulation technology. For more information, please visit www.matinasbiopharma.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+.