AUSTIN, Texas - Genprex , Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company, has announced positive preclinical data for its Reqorsa® Immunogene Therapy and NPRL2 gene therapy, both utilizing its non-viral Oncoprex® Delivery System, at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting held in San Diego, California.
The presented studies highlight the potential of REQORSA to induce apoptosis in alectinib-resistant EML4-ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. This suggests that REQORSA could be an effective treatment for patients whose cancer progresses on alectinib treatment.
Another study detailed the anti-tumor immune responses to NPRL2 gene therapy in pembrolizumab-resistant KRAS/STK11mt NSCLC, showing marked decrease in lung metastases size with NPRL2 treatment alone.
Additionally, research on the tumor suppressor gene TUSC2 indicated its ability to disrupt energy metabolism in lung cancer cells, which could lead to a decrease in glycolysis rate and potentially impair cancer cell survival. In contrast, normal bronchial epithelial cells increased in glycolytic rate and mitochondrial metabolism when transfected with TUSC2, suggesting a boost in immune response against tumors.
Genprex's strategy involves developing REQORSA in combination with approved therapies, positioning it as a potential improvement over current treatments for NSCLC, small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and possibly other cancers. The Oncoprex Delivery System is designed to deliver tumor suppressor genes to combat multiple types of cancer without the toxicity often associated with viral delivery systems.
The company, which focuses on developing therapies for cancer and diabetes, believes these data could support the potential for new drug candidates and further evidence for the Oncoprex Delivery System's success using genes beyond TUSC2, which is currently in clinical trials with REQORSA.
This information is based on a press release statement from Genprex, Inc.
InvestingPro Insights
Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) has recently made headlines with its promising preclinical data, but what does the financial health of the company look like? According to InvestingPro data, Genprex has a market capitalization of $5.65 million, indicating a relatively small player in the biotech industry. The company's financial metrics further reveal challenges, with an operating income adjusted for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 standing at a loss of $31.08 million. This is reflected in the company's EBITDA, which also shows a significant loss of $31.06 million for the same period, highlighting the high costs associated with the development of its gene therapy technologies.
Investors should note that Genprex does not currently turn a profit, as indicated by its negative earnings per share of -$22.56, and analysts do not expect the company to be profitable this year. Additionally, the stock price has experienced a substantial decline over the past year, with a 91.08% decrease in its year-to-date price total return. This volatility is further emphasized by a 68.21% drop in the 3-month price total return, pointing to recent market pressures.
On the upside, the company holds more cash than debt, which is a positive sign for its financial stability. Furthermore, Genprex's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, suggesting that it has the liquidity to fund its operations in the near term. However, with weak gross profit margins and no dividends paid to shareholders, the company's financial outlook requires careful consideration.
For those interested in a deeper dive into Genprex's financials and future prospects, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available on the platform. For instance, the price has fallen significantly over the last three and six months, which might represent a buying opportunity for those who believe in the long-term potential of the company's gene therapy treatments. There are a total of 9 more InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed for a more comprehensive analysis. For a limited time, use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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