LA JOLLA, CA - GRI Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:GRI), a biotechnology firm focusing on Natural Killer T (NKT) cell modulators, has received a patent grant from the Korean Intellectual Property Office for their work in treating inflammatory conditions.
Patent No. 10-2665487, titled "Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Conditions," encompasses methods for modulating type 2 and type 1 invariant NKT cells to treat inflammatory, fibrotic, and autoimmune diseases using a Retinoic Acid Receptor agonist.
The company's CEO, Marc Hertz, PhD, expressed confidence in their NKT cell modulators' approach to treating these conditions and announced the addition of the Korean patent to their intellectual property portfolio.
GRI Bio's lead program, GRI-0621, is currently in a Phase 2a clinical trial for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a rare lung disease. Interim data from this study is expected in the third quarter of this year, with topline results anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024.
GRI Bio's strategy involves leveraging a library of over 500 proprietary compounds to develop a pipeline of treatments targeting various inflammatory, fibrotic, and autoimmune diseases. Their therapies aim to interrupt disease progression and restore immune system balance by targeting NKT cells, which play a crucial role in the inflammatory response.
The company's recent patent acquisition is part of a broader effort to build a global patent estate, with the goal of protecting and advancing its innovative pipeline. This development is based on a press release statement and is part of GRI Bio's ongoing commitment to address high-value indications with significant unmet medical needs.
In other recent news, GRI Bio, Inc. has made several significant strides in its operations. The company has announced the pricing of a public offering, which includes over 2 million shares of common stock and Series C warrants.
The offering, expected to close around June 2024, is projected to generate gross proceeds of about $4 million before fees and expenses. The public offering price is set at $1.83 per share and accompanying warrants, potentially bringing in an additional $8 million if the Series Warrants are fully exercised.
In addition to the public offering, GRI Bio has also executed a 1-for-13 reverse stock split, reducing the total outstanding shares from approximately 6.6 million to about 508,091 shares. This strategic move aims to elevate the company's per-share trading price and maintain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement.
GRI Bio has reported promising preclinical data for its novel type 2 Natural Killer T (NKT) cell activators, GRI-0803 and GRI-0124, in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The company plans to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for GRI-0803 in the second half of 2024.
Furthermore, the company announced positive preclinical findings for its lead compound GRI-0621, which may reduce fibrosis and inflammation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The ongoing Phase 2a biomarker study of GRI-0621 aims to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and effect on biomarkers in IPF patients.
Lastly, GRI Bio has been granted patents by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, strengthening its global intellectual property portfolio. These patents relate to the prevention and treatment of inflammatory liver conditions, encompassing compositions and methods aimed at modulating type 2 and type 1 invariant NKT cells. These are all recent developments in GRI Bio's ongoing operations.
InvestingPro Insights
Amidst the strategic advancements at GRI Bio, Inc., recent data from InvestingPro reveals a challenging financial landscape for the company. The market cap of GRI Bio stands at a modest $0.53 million, reflecting the small scale of this biotech player.
Moreover, the company's price/book ratio, as of the last twelve months ending Q1 2024, is at 0.19, suggesting that the market values the company at a fraction of its net asset value. This could indicate that investors are skeptical about the company's ability to generate future profits or that its assets are overvalued.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that GRI Bio is currently in a precarious cash position, rapidly depleting its reserves, which is a critical consideration for investors given the capital-intensive nature of biotech research and development. The stock has experienced a steep decline, with a 1-week total price return of -27.09% and a 1-month total price return of -55.73%, signaling recent market apprehension towards the company's prospects.
For investors looking to delve deeper into GRI Bio's financial health and future outlook, additional tips are available on InvestingPro. With a total of 16 InvestingPro Tips, ranging from balance sheet analysis to stock performance trends, investors can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the company's position. To access these tips, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/GRI and remember to use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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