Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) reported Q4 EPS of ($0.11), $0.05 better than the analyst estimate of ($0.16). Revenue for the quarter came in at $648 thousand versus the consensus estimate of $120 thousand.

“This has been a busy year for Capricor as we continue with the clinical development of CAP-1002, our lead cell therapy product, to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” said Linda Marbán, Ph.D., Capricor president and chief executive officer. “We began our HOPE-2 trial, were granted RMAT designation and had a positive meeting with FDA late last year. To date, 20 young men and boys in advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy have been enrolled in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We are now planning on conducting an interim analysis in early Q3 and look forward to sharing that data with the patient and investor community.”

Additionally, in 2018, Capricor entered into a collaboration with the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR), which is studying the potential for CAP-2003 to address trauma-related injuries and conditions. CAP-2003 is comprised of proprietary extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, which are derived from cardiosphere-derived cells. Exosomes are nano-sized, membrane-enclosed vesicles, that are secreted by cells and contain bioactive molecules, including proteins, RNAs and microRNAs. Exosomes act as messengers to regulate the functions of neighboring cells. Because of these unique capacities, researchers are increasingly viewing exosomes as both a potential therapeutic and a vehicle to deliver gene and other therapies to targeted tissues in the human body.

“We are encouraged to see an increased interest in exosomes in the field as a potential therapeutic and as a delivery vehicle for genes and other drugs to targeted tissues,” said Dr. Marbán. “This exciting collaboration with USAISR may allow us to further the clinical development of CAP-2003 and we continue to work with them and other branches of the US military on potential future opportunities for continued development.”

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