Full Press Release Details
Rezolute Receives Innovation
Passport Designation from the U.K. Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway Steering Group for RZ358 in the Treatment of Hypoglycemia Due
to Congenital Hyperinsulinism
CITY, Calif., January 23, 2024 -- Rezolute, Inc. (Nasdaq: RZLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company committed to developing novel, transformative therapies for serious metabolic and rare diseases, today announced that the
U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has awarded the innovative medicine designation, the Innovation Passport,
to RZ358 for the treatment of hypoglycemia due to congenital hyperinsulinism (HI). The Innovation Passport designation was granted
based on the substantial unmet medical need in this condition and the potential for RZ358 to benefit patients as evidenced by the Phase
2 RIZE study in congenital HI, which safely demonstrated significant improvements in hypoglycemia events.
Innovation Passport designation in the U.K. is the entry point to the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP). The goal of ILAP
is to accelerate the time to market and facilitate patient access to medicines. The Innovation Passport is the first step in the
ILAP process, which activates the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and its partner agencies, including the National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).
hyperinsulinism is the most frequent cause of severe, persistent hypoglycemia in newborn babies, infants and children," said Susan
Stewart, J.D., Chief Regulatory Officer at Rezolute. "The Innovation Passport opens the door for Rezolute to discuss access considerations
for potential future indications for RZ358. We are thrilled to receive this designation and work closely with the U.K. and other regulatory
authorities to bring this meaningful therapy to patients in need."
About Congenital Hyperinsulinism
Congenital hyperinsulinism (congenital
HI) is the most common cause of recurrent and persistent hypoglycemia in children. Patients with congenital HI typically present with
signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia within the first month of life. These episodes can result in significant brain injury and death if not
recognized and managed appropriately. Additionally, recurrent, or cumulative, hypoglycemia can lead to progressive and irreversible damage
over time, including serious and devastating brain injury, seizures, neuro-developmental problems, feeding difficulties, and significant
impact on patient and family quality of life. In cases of congenital HI that are unresponsive to medical management, surgical removal
of the pancreas may be required. In those with diffuse congenital HI where the whole pancreas is affected, a near-total pancreatectomy
can be undertaken, although about half of these children will continue to have hypoglycemia and require medical treatment for congenital
RZ358 is a fully human monoclonal
antibody that works downstream from the pancreas and instead binds to a unique allosteric site on insulin receptors in the liver, fat,
and muscle. The antibody counteracts the effects of excess insulin binding and activity, thereby improving hypoglycemia. Rezolute believes
that RZ358 is ideally suited as a potential therapy for congenital HI and other conditions characterized by excessive insulin activity
(hyperinsulinism). Because RZ358 acts downstream from the pancreas, it has the potential to be universally effective at treating congenital
HI, regardless of the causative genetic defect, as well as acquired forms of HI such as those mediated by insulinomas and other tumor
types. RZ358 received Orphan Drug Designation in the United States and European Union for the treatment of congenital HI, as well as
Pediatric Rare Disease Designation in the U.S. In the Phase 2 RIZE study, participants with congenital HI ages 2 and older nearly universally
achieved significant improvements in hypoglycemia across multiple endpoints, including the primary and key secondary endpoints planned
for the sunRIZE study. At doses and exposures that are planned for the Phase 3 study, RZ358 was generally safe and well-tolerated, and
resulted in median improvements in hypoglycemia exceeding 80%. Based on the RIZE clinical trial outcomes and the evidence of benefit
in this serious condition with substantial unmet medical need, RZ358 was subsequently granted a priority medicines (PRIME) designation
by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and an Innovation Passport designation by the U.K. Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP)
Steering Group for the treatment of congenital HI.
About Rezolute, Inc.
strives to disrupt current treatment paradigms by developing transformative therapies for devastating rare and chronic metabolic diseases.
Its novel therapies hold the potential to both significantly improve outcomes and reduce the treatment burden for patients, treating
physicians, and the healthcare system. Rezolute is steadfast in its mission to create profound, positive, and lasting impacts on patients'
lives. Patient, clinician, and advocate voices are integrated in the Company's drug development process. Rezolute places an emphasis
on understanding the patient's lived experiences, enabling the Company to boldly address a range of severe conditions. For more
information, visit www.rezolutebio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release, like many written
and oral communications presented by Rezolute and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our
prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement for purposes of said safe
harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations
of Rezolute, are generally identified by use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect,"
"intend," "plan," "project," "seek," "strive," "try," or future or conditional
verbs such as "could," "may," "should," "will," "would," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to statements regarding the Innovation Passport designation, the PRIME designation and the meaning of the designations
on the ability of RZ358 to become an effective treatment for congenital hyperinsulinism, the effectiveness or future effectiveness of
RZ358 for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism, and statements regarding clinical trial timelines for RZ358. Our ability to predict
results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from
anticipated results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date of this release. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, Rezolute undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made. Important factors that may
cause such a difference include any other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC, including the Risk Factors contained in the
Rezolute's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available at the SEC's website
at www.sec.gov. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements in this release and are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Stephanie Carrington