The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

  • Clinical stage biotech company Hexima (HXL) has decided not to proceed with developing its lead product candidate, pezadeftide, to treat onychomycosis
  • The decision comes after weak clinical data was reported for the drug’s phase two clinical trial which aimed to treat onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection
  • HXL won’t make any further significant investments into the product and has started wrapping up operational activities
  • Shares have fallen 46.2 per cent on the back of this news to trade at 1.4 cents each at midday AEST

Hexima’s (HXL) shares plummeted as the company plans to wind down activities for its leading product candidate, pezadeftide.

The decision came after weak clinical data was reported for the drug’s phase two clinical trial.

The trial saw 103 patients participate in the study, which aimed to treat onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection that causes discolouration, thickening, and separation from the nail bed.

No patients saw a complete cure and only a handful recorded improvements.

The company said it “does not believe the data supports the company’s goal of developing a safe, more effective and convenient topical therapy with a shorter course of treatment.”

HXL will make no further significant investments into the product and has initiated the process of wrapping up operational activities.

It has begun exploring strategic options to secure value for its intellectual property and residual cash resources.

At the end of June, the company had $4 million in cash and expects to receive $5.6 million from the government’s R&D Tax Incentive scheme.

Shares dropped 46.2 per cent to 1.4 cents each at midday trade AEST.

HXL by the numbers
More From The Market Online

Week 17 Wrap: BHP-Anglo deal helps push down ASX; US data of concern but AI bulls happy

The big thematics and headlines that drove the ASX this week, plus, the headlines I think…
The Market Online Video

Market Close: ASX signs off on a sigh with all sectors red-lining

The ASX200 finished 1.3 per cent down with every sector in the red and Industrials and Real Estate brittle and bruised as bot…
The Market Online Video

Market Update: ASX on red alert with all sectors below the surface

The ASX200 is trading down around 1.1% with all eleven sectors in the red. Real-estate has…

ResMed spikes on robust results and global growth spurt

ResMed shares have climbed following the release of the company's strong Third Quarter FY2024 results.