HOOK HOOKIPA Pharma Inc

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) 

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 4, 2024

 

 

HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.

(Exact name of  registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

 

Delaware		001-38869		81-5395687
(State or Other Jurisdiction of  Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

350 Fifth Avenue, 72nd Floor, Suite 7240
New York, New York		10118
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +43 1 890 63 60

 

Not applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

 

	¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
	¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
	¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
	¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share		HOOK		The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company  x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  x

 

 

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On June 4, 2024, HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release entitled “HOOKIPA Pharma Announces Updated Phase 2 Clinical Data at the American Society for Clinical Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting.” A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01. An updated presentation summarizing the data referenced in the press release is also available on the investor relations section of the Company’s corporate website at www.ir.hookipapharma.com.

 

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

On June 4, 2024, the Company announced updated results from its Phase 2 clinical trial of HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic human papillomavirus 16 positive (“HPV16+”) head and neck cancer.

 

Data were presented as of March 29, 2024, and included 46 first line patients with HPV16+, PD-L1 positive, recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The updated data continue to demonstrate a favorable safety profile of HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab and promising clinical activity as a first line treatment.

 

HB-200 + pembrolizumab was generally well tolerated. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (“TRAEs”) were reported in 7 (15%) patients, serious TRAEs in 2 (4%) patients, and TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation of HB-200 in 2 (4%) patients. No treatment-related deaths were reported.

 

Among 35 evaluable patients, 4 confirmed complete responses, 9 confirmed partial responses, and 11 confirmed stable disease were observed. Notably, among patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥20 (N=17), objective response rate was 53% (9/17), complete response rate was 18% (3/17), and disease control rate was 82% (14/17). All responses were confirmed per RECIST 1.1. Preliminary progression free survival for the CPS 20 or higher subgroup was 16.3 months. The preliminary overall survival (“OS”) rate was 88% at 9 months, and median OS was unreached as of the cutoff date, with 16 of 19 patients still alive. Median follow-up for these patients was 8.4 months.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit  No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated June 4, 2024.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: June 4, 2024	HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.
	By:	/s/ Joern Aldag
	Name:	Joern Aldag
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

HOOKIPA Pharma Announces Updated Phase 2 Clinical Data at the
American Society for Clinical Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting

 

·

Encouraging clinical activity with observed deepening of responses in 35 evaluable first line head and neck patients treated with HB-200 plus pembrolizumab

 

·

In a subset of 17 evaluable patients with PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) of 20 or higher, the Company’s selected registrational pivotal trial population, data showed confirmed ORR of 53%, CR rate of 18%, and DCR of 82%

 

·

Preliminary progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.3 months and preliminary overall survival (OS) rate was 88% at 9 months for the CPS 20 or higher subgroup, comparing favorably to current standard of care

 

·

Company will host a conference call at 4:15 p.m. ET today

 

NEW YORK and VIENNA, June 4, 2024 - HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOK, ‘HOOKIPA’), a company developing a new class of immunotherapeutics based on its proprietary arenavirus platform, today announced positive updated results from its Phase 2 clinical trial of HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic human papillomavirus 16 positive (HPV16+) head and neck cancer.

 

The updated data presented at the ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting is as of March 29, 2024 (cutoff date) and includes 46 patients treated with HB-200 plus pembrolizumab in the first line setting. Results showed rapid and durable activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and promising clinical activity.

 

Among 35 evaluable patients data showed a 37 percent confirmed objective response rate (ORR), 11 percent complete response (CR) rate, and 69% disease control rate (DCR), per RECIST 1.1 criteria. Duration of response was not yet mature with 62 percent of responders still on treatment as of the cutoff date.

 

In a subset of 17 evaluable patients with CPS of 20 or higher, the updated data showed a 53 percent confirmed ORR, 18 percent CR rate, and 82 percent DCR. These patients are representative of the Company’s planned pivotal Phase 2/3 trial population, which is targeted to begin enrolling patients in the fourth quarter of 2024.

 

Additionally, preliminary PFS for the CPS 20 or higher subgroup was 16.3 months and is encouraging based on the historical PFS data of 3.4 months reported for pembrolizumab alone¹. The preliminary OS rate was 88% at 9 months, and median OS was unreached as of the cutoff date with 16 of 19 patients still alive. Median follow-up for these patients was 8.4 months.

 

“Based on the evidence from the Phase 2 trial of HB-200 plus pembrolizumab, I am encouraged by the potential this immunotherapy combination may provide as a targeted therapeutic option for HPV16+ head and neck cancer patients,” said Dr. Alan Ho, Head and Neck Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a trial investigator. “The data show that this combination has been generally well-tolerated and can likely increase immunogenic tumor cell death, leading to improved response rates and potential durability.”

 

 

“HPV16+ disease is a unique indication that requires a patient-centric and targeted therapeutic approach. HB-200 plus pembrolizumab has shown to be a potentially powerful combination that has consistently delivered positive outcomes for our patients,” said Joern Aldag, Chief Executive Officer of HOOKIPA. “Among published data in HPV+ disease, HOOKIPA has a best-in-class asset with the HB-200 combination. We also have alignment on a clinical development strategy with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with a path to potential accelerated approval. Importantly, our pivotal seamless Phase 2/3 trial is just the beginning—our platform continues to demonstrate the potential power of arenaviral-based immunotherapies to help provide targeted treatments for patients across disease areas and indications.”

 

Call Details:

 

HOOKIPA HB-200 ASCO Data Update

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 4:15 p.m. ET

Webcast Registration

Dial-in Registration

 

Results:

 

HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab:

 

Data were presented as of March 29, 2024, and included 46 first line patients with HPV16+, PD-L1 positive, recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The updated data continue to demonstrate a favorable safety profile of HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab and promising clinical activity as a first line treatment.

 

HB-200 + pembrolizumab was generally well tolerated. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 7 (15%) patients, serious TRAEs in 2 (4%) patients, and TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation of HB-200 in 2 (4%) patients. No treatment-related deaths were reported.

 

Among 35 evaluable patients, 4 confirmed complete responses, 9 confirmed partial responses, and 11 confirmed stable disease were observed. Notably, among patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥20 (N=17), ORR was 53% (9/17), complete response rate was 18% (3/17), and DCR was 82% (14/17). All responses were confirmed per RECIST 1.1. Preliminary PFS for the CPS 20 or higher subgroup was 16.3 months. The preliminary OS rate was 88% at 9 months, and median OS was unreached as of the cutoff date with 16 of 19 patients still alive. Median follow-up for these patients was 8.4 months.

 

Abstract details: ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting

 

Title: HB-200 arenavirus-based immunotherapy plus pembrolizumab as first-line treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer: Updated results

Presenter: Dr. Alan L. Ho, Head and Neck Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a trial investigator

Abstract Type: Oral abstract

Session Name: Head and Neck Cancer

Session Date and Time: June 4, 2024; 9:45 AM-12:45 PM CDT

Abstract Number: 6005

 

 

About HB-200

 

HB-200 is HOOKIPA’s lead oncology candidate engineered with the company’s proprietary replicating arenaviral vector platform. It comprises two single-vector compounds with arenaviral backbones based on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and pichinde virus (PICV). Both express the same transgene encoding an E7E6 fusion protein derived from HPV16. HB-200 is an alternating 2-vector immunotherapy designed to further focus the immune response against the encoded antigen.

 

HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and PRIME designation from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of first-line HPV16+ recurrent/metastatic oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. These designations are supported by preliminary clinical evidence from the Phase 1/2, open-label, clinical trial (NCT04180215) evaluating safety, T cell response, and efficacy based on objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) as defined by RECIST 1.1.

 

¹ Harrington et al. Pembrolizumab With or Without Chemotherapy in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Updated Results of the Phase III KEYNOTE-048 Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2023;41(4);790-802.

 

About HOOKIPA

 

HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOK) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunotherapies, based on its proprietary arenavirus platform, which are designed to mobilize and amplify targeted T cells and thereby fight or prevent serious disease. HOOKIPA’s replicating and non-replicating technologies are engineered to induce robust and durable antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses and pathogen-neutralizing antibodies. HOOKIPA’s pipeline includes its wholly owned investigational arenaviral immunotherapies targeting Human Papillomavirus 16-positive cancers, KRAS-mutated cancers, and other undisclosed programs. In addition, HOOKIPA aims to develop functional cures of HBV and HIV in collaboration with Gilead.

 

Find out more about HOOKIPA online at www.hookipapharma.com.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “anticipates”, “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “potential,” “target,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements in this press release include HOOKIPA’s statements regarding the potential of its product candidates to positively impact quality of life and alter the course of disease in the patients it seeks to treat, HOOKIPA’s plans, strategies, expectations and anticipated milestones for its preclinical and clinical programs, including the timing of initiating clinical trials and patient enrollment and the composition of patient populations for clinical trials, the availability and timing of results from preclinical studies and clinical trials, the timing of regulatory filings, the expected safety profile of HOOKIPA’s product candidates, and the probability of successfully developing and receiving regulatory approval for its product candidates, including accelerated approval for HB-200. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause HOOKIPA’s research and clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including HOOKIPA’s programs’ early stage of development, the process of designing and conducting preclinical and clinical trials, plans and timelines for the preclinical and clinical development of its product candidates, including the therapeutic potential, clinical benefits and safety thereof, the timing, success and data announcements of current ongoing preclinical and clinical trials, the ability to initiate new clinical programs, the risk that the results of current preclinical studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of future results in connection with current or future preclinical and clinical trials, including those for HB-200, HB-700, HB-400 and HB-500, the regulatory approval processes, the timing of regulatory filings, the challenges associated with manufacturing drug products, HOOKIPA’s ability to successfully establish, protect and defend its intellectual property, HOOKIPA’s ability to achieve the expected benefits of its strategic reprioritization and other matters that could affect the sufficiency of existing cash to fund operations. HOOKIPA undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the Company in general, see HOOKIPA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in HOOKIPA’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the SEC’s website at https://sec.gov and HOOKIPA’s website at www.hookipapharma.com. Except as specifically noted otherwise, all information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and HOOKIPA undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

 

 

Availability of Other Information About HOOKIPA

 

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website, www.ir.hookipapharma.com, SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the social media channels listed on our investor relations website.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Investors & Media

Michael Kaiser

michael.kaiser@hookipapharma.com

+1 (917) 984-7537

 

 

v3.24.1.1.u2

Cover	Jun. 04, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
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Document Period End Date	Jun. 04, 2024
Entity File Number	001-38869
Entity Registrant Name	HOOKIPA Pharma Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001760542
Entity Tax Identification Number	81-5395687
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 Fifth Avenue, 72nd Floor
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 7240
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10118
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Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	HOOK
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period	true

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