OPXA converts Converts to Common $1.91
Opexa Announces Conversion of all Convertible Secured Promissory Notes into Common Stock
Last update: 9/25/2013 6:00:01 AM
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Sep 25, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA), a biotechnology company developing Tcelna(R), a patient-specific T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), today announced the conversion of the Company's outstanding 12% convertible secured promissory notes into shares of common stock. Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $3.185 million plus accrued interest were converted into an aggregate of 1,714,697 shares of Opexa common stock on September 24, 2013 at a conversion price of $1.91, which represented the most recent closing market price of Opexa's common stock at the time of conversion. Opexa intends to file a Form S-3 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the common stock.
The conversion of the notes also triggered the release of $500,000 of restricted cash to Opexa that has been held in a controlled account, as well as the release of the security interest in all other assets of Opexa.
"Through the conversion of these notes, the Company is now debt-free and has strengthened its balance sheet considerably," commented Neil K. Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opexa. "Importantly, this transaction enables us to preserve cash for the continued funding of our ongoing Abili-T clinical trial in patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis."
About Opexa
Opexa's mission is to lead the field of Precision Immunotherapy(TM) by aligning the interests of patients, employees and shareholders. The Company's leading therapy candidate, Tcelna(R), is a personalized T-cell immunotherapy currently in a Phase IIb clinical development program (the "Abili-T" trial) for the treatment of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Tcelna is derived from T-cells isolated from the patient's peripheral blood, expanded ex vivo, and reintroduced into the patients via subcutaneous injections. This process triggers a potent immune response against specific subsets of autoreactive T-cells known to attack myelin.
About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that approximately two million people have MS worldwide.
While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common. The Secondary Progressive form of MS represents about a third of the MS patient population.
For more information visit the Opexa Therapeutics website at .
About Tcelna(R)
Tcelna is a potential personalized therapy that is under development to be specifically tailored to each patient's disease profile. Tcelna is manufactured using ImmPath(TM), Opexa's proprietary method for the production of a patient-specific T-cell immunotherapy, which encompasses the collection of blood from the MS patient, isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, generation of an autologous pool of myelin-reactive T-cells (MRTCs) raised against selected peptides from myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and proteolipid protein (PLP), and the return of these expanded, irradiated T-cells back to the patient. These attenuated T-cells are reintroduced into the patient via subcutaneous injection to trigger a therapeutic immune system response.
Opexa is currently conducting a Phase IIb study of Tcelna. Named "Abili-T," the trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in patients who demonstrate evidence of disease progression with or without associated relapses. The trial is expected to enroll 180 patients at approximately 30 leading clinical sites in the U.S. and Canada with each patient receiving two annual courses of Tcelna treatment consisting of five subcutaneous injections per year. The trial's primary efficacy outcome is the percentage of brain volume change (atrophy) at 24 months. Study investigators will also measure several important secondary outcomes commonly associated with MS, including disease progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), annualized relapse rate and changes in disability as measured by EDSS and the MS Functional Composite.
It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.
~ Thomas Sowell
