Clene (CLNN) Issues Clinical Program Update

Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) along with its wholly owned subsidiary Clene Nanomedicine, Inc. (Clene) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on revolutionizing the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Today, Clene provided clinical program updates for its lead nanotherapeutic platform drug candidate: CNM-Au8®, as well as its antiviral candidate, CNM-ZnAg. CNM-Au8 is a gold nanocrystal suspension, developed to increase cellular energy production and utilization to restore neuronal health. CNM-ZnAg is a proprietary zinc-silver ionic solution that has demonstrated both antiviral and antimicrobial properties.

HEALEY-ALS Phase 2/3 Platform Trial on track to report top-line data in the second half of 2022
Enrollment into the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial, led by the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), completed in November 2021. This Phase 2/3 trial is evaluating Clene’s lead drug candidate, CNM-Au8, for the treatment of ALS. Top-line data are expected in the second half of this year. In anticipation of positive results, Clene is preparing for potential regulatory approval, including development of a new manufacturing facility in Maryland and commercialization planning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted CNM-Au8 Orphan Drug designation in ALS.

Updated survival data from RESCUE-ALS OLE Phase 2 trial to be presented at upcoming MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference
Updated evidence for a long-term survival benefit with CNM-Au8 treatment from the RESCUE-ALS trial open label extension will be presented at the upcoming MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference March 13-16, 2022 in Nashville, TN. Observed survival in study participants was compared to the estimated median survival derived from the validated ENCALS prediction model with results significantly in favor of CNM-Au8 treatment.

Long-Term Expanded Access Program (EAP) treatment continues
Clene continues to support expanded access programs providing CNM-Au8 treatment at four clinical sites in over 50 participants with ALS. CNM-Au8 treatment has been well tolerated in this group of people with ALS who are not eligible for current clinical trials. Long-term use of CNM-Au8 now exceeds 2 years in these programs. Data from these EAPs will support potential regulatory filings with health authorities.

VISIONARY-MS Phase 2 Trial to conclude early due to COVID pandemic-related challenges. Unblinded results expected second half of 2022.
The VISIONARY-MS Phase 2 trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of CNM-Au8 for remyelination and neurorepair in stable relapsing MS patients. The study has enrolled 73 of the 150 planned participants with chronic visual impairment typically treated with background disease-modifying therapy (DMT). MS patients on current DMTs typically have compromised immune systems. Consequently, MS clinical trials requiring multiple in-person clinic visits have experienced continued enrollment and operational challenges stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and repeated viral variant waves.

Unblinded VISIONARY-MS data are targeted for the second half of 2022, with announcement of the next clinical trial in MS planned thereafter. Clene is currently working with the VISIONARY-MS trial investigators and participants to conclude the trial. Clene will utilize the available data collected from up to 48 weeks of clinical visits to better understand the efficacy and safety profile of CNM-Au8 and to inform further clinical development in MS.

“On behalf of Clene, I want to thank the investigators, site staff, and, most importantly, the participants and their families for their contribution to the VISIONARY-MS study. We will leverage the learnings from VISIONARY-MS to inform the design of our next Phase 2/3 clinicial trial in MS,” said Robert Glanzman MD, Clene’s Chief Medical Officer.

REPAIR-MS Phase 2 trial has been Initiated in patients with non-active, progressive MS
Following the robust target engagement results demonstrated in the REPAIR-MS Phase 2 trial in relapsing MS patients, Clene has initiated a second MS Cohort to confirm target engagement in the more severe, non-active progressive MS population. Non-active progressive MS patients currently have limited therapeutic options and high unmet need.

CNM-ZnAg Phase 2 COVID trial in Brazil completes full enrollment; top-line data expected mid-2022
Clene’s Phase 2 trial of its antiviral CNM-ZnAg in acutely symptomatic, non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients has achieved full enrollment. Top-line results are expected by mid-year 2022. Clene plans to advance CNM-ZnAg into a registration trial, contingent upon positive Phase 2 results.

About the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial
The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is a perpetual multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2/3 program designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple investigational products in people living with ALS. The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is the first-ever platform trial in ALS and was designed to reduce trial time, costs and increase patient participation in developing novel therapies. This landmark platform trial tests multiple treatments utilizing a shared master protocol and combined placebo group data. CNM-Au8 was selected as one of the first three drugs to be evaluated. Subjects are randomized 3:1 to receive active treatment or placebo for the 24-week double-blind treatment period followed by the option to enroll in the Open Label Extension in which all subjects receive active drug. The primary endpoint is rate of change in disease severity over time as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R). Secondary endpoints include change in respiratory function over time as measured by slow vital capacity and change in isometric muscle strength over time as measured using hand-held dynamometry. Top-line data are expected in 2H 2022. For more information, please see ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04297683.

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