InflaRx (IFRX) 2024 Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference summary

Company overview and pipeline focus

• Focuses on late-stage complement system therapies, particularly C5a and C5aR signaling in immunodermatology.

• Lead asset is vilobelimab (Gohibic), a first-in-class monoclonal antibody, with emergency use authorization for severe COVID in the U.S. and late-stage development in pyoderma gangrenosum.

• INF904, a small molecule C5aR inhibitor, is advancing to phase II for hidradenitis suppurativa and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

• Selected for a large U.S. government ARDS trial under the BARDA Just Breathe program.

Scientific rationale and therapeutic targeting

• C5a/C5aR is a central inflammatory driver, acting upstream of cytokine cascades and uniquely activating neutrophils and monocytes.

• C5a can be generated independently of upstream complement inhibition, making direct C5a/C5aR targeting essential.

• Clinical data in COVID showed mortality benefit without increased infection risk, unlike C5 inhibitors.

Commercialization and market challenges

• Gohibic's commercial uptake has been limited by lack of pre-launch activities, acute care hurdles, and hospital stocking requirements.

• Introduced a warranty program to incentivize hospital adoption, reimbursing drug costs if ICU patients do not survive.

• Progressing with key opinion leader engagement and post-hoc data showing significant mortality reduction in ARDS.

• Minimal investment is maintained to keep the drug available, with potential future upside.