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
The Market Online Video

ASX Market Close: Bourse finishes week on a high as Wisetech pummeled | November 22, 2024

The ASX200 closed up 0.85% at 8,393 points. Economists increasingly expect interest rates in Australia won’t…
The Market Online Video

HotCopper Highlights: Your most watched stocks for Week 47, 2024

In this segment we’ll look at the top stocks HotCopper users have been watching, and discussing,…
Nuclear explosion mushroom cloud concept

Week 47 Wrap: HotCopper users’ most watched; Brent lifts on Putin’s scary letter; RFK dents CSL

Welcome to the end of another week. Let's start with what HotCopper users have been watching…
Dale Gillham's photo, and wording 'Words from Wealth Within's Chief Analyst Dale Gillham.

Dale Gillham’s weekly wrap: Sigma-Chemist Warehouse merger creates pharma powerhouse

The $8.8 billion dollar merger between Sigma Healthcare and Chemist Warehouse is poised to reshape the Australian pharmacy landscape, consolidating power in th…