Full Press Release Details
Armata Pharmaceuticals Announces up to
$5 Million Therapeutics Development Award from the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Award to help fund a Phase 1/2
clinical trial of the company's Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage candidate, AP-PA02, as a treatment for drug-resistant
respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis patients
Armata to collaborate with the
Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network
MARINA DEL REY, California, March 18, 2020
- Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: ARMP) ("Armata"), a biotechnology company focused on precisely
targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, today announced that the company has been awarded up to
$5 million in a therapeutic development award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). The award will help fund a Phase 1/2 clinical
trial of the company's Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage candidate, AP-PA02, as a treatment for Pseudomonas airway
infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Armata plans to conduct the clinical trial within the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics
Development Network (TDN), the largest CF clinical trials network in the world. The network brings together experts from across
the country to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new CF therapies through well designed clinical studies.
"Last year, we expedited development
of our Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage product candidate, AP-PA02, and elevated it to our lead development program based on
the very encouraging results that we observed in our preclinical work," said Todd R. Patrick, Chief Executive Officer of
Armata. "We are pleased that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recognizes the potential of phage-based therapeutics as a potential
treatment for Pseudomonas airway infections, which are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with CF. We are
working vigorously to advance AP-PA02 through clinical development as efficiently as possible. We are grateful for the Foundation's
"Developing new approaches to treat
drug resistant pathogens is critical," said Michael P. Boyle, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation. "Better understanding of phage therapy has potential to significantly benefit people with CF as well
as millions of others worldwide who are impacted by antibiotic resistant infections."
Dr. Christopher H. Goss, the Co-Executive
Director, TDN Coordinating Center, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University
of Washington, is expected to serve as the lead Principal Investigator for Armata's upcoming clinical trial of AP-PA02. "The
CF community continues to need novel approaches to serious lower airway infections. Armata is addressing this need with phage-based
therapeutics. This approach addresses an important unmet need in the CF community and has implications for the treatment of serious
infections outside of CF. I am excited to be working with Armata and look forward to the launch of this important clinical study,"
AP-PA02 has been developed as a second-generation
version of AP-PA01, which was featured in the peer-reviewed journal Infection following the successful treatment of a multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a cystic fibrosis patient. AP-PA02 is comprised of a mixture of complementary bacteriophages
that provide improved host range, increased potency and aid in preventing the development of resistance.
About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the
world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization,
and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation
also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a
model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, visit
About Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Armata is a clinical-stage biotechnology
company focused on the development of precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections
using its proprietary bacteriophage-based technology. Armata is developing and advancing a broad pipeline of natural and synthetic
phage candidates, including clinical candidates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and other pathogens.
In addition, in collaboration with Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, Armata is developing proprietary
synthetic phage candidates to target an undisclosed infectious disease agent. Armata is committed to advancing phage with drug
development expertise that spans bench to clinic including in-house phage specific GMP manufacturing. For more information, visit
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking"
statements, including, without limitation, statements related to the development of AP-PA02,
including the anticipated initiation of a clinical trial of AP-PA02. Any statements
contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are based upon Armata's current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.
Armata's actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements
as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to Armata's ability to advance its
preclinical and clinical programs and the uncertain and time-consuming regulatory approval process; Armata's ability to develop
products based on bacteriophages and synthetic phages to kill bacterial pathogens; Armata's expected market opportunity for
its products; and Armata's ability to sufficiently fund its future operations
as expected. Additional risks and uncertainties relating to Armata and its business can be found under the caption "Risk Factors"
and elsewhere in Armata's filings and reports with the SEC, including in Armata's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC
on March 25, 2019, Armata's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 4, 2019, as amended, and Armata's
subsequent filings with the SEC. Armata expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions
to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Armata's expectations with regard thereto or any change
in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Armata Investor Relations:
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Dan Zacchei / Alex Kovtun