HOUSTON, Aug. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bio-Path Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ:BPTH), a biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary DNAbilize antisense RNAi nanoparticle technology to develop a portfolio of targeted nucleic acid cancer drugs, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and provided an update on recent corporate developments.

“During the second quarter we have continued to advance our corporate mission to develop RNAi nanoparticle drugs for cancer patients with high unmet medical need. Our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of prexigebersen for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is progressing according to plan. Earlier studies showed 47% of evaluable patients demonstrated some degree of response to prexigebersen in combination with LDAC in this patient population, which is supportive of our Phase 2 clinical development program. We are also enrolling a Phase 2 clinical trial of prexigebersen for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).” said Peter Nielsen, President and CEO of Bio-Path Holdings.

“In addition, we expect to be submitting an IND for BP1002, our next investigational drug candidate targeting Bcl-2 for the treatment of lymphoma and CLL, in 2018. To support these exciting efforts, we continue to gather the highest-caliber team of experts in cancer and biotechnology to guide Bio-Path’s scientific and business strategy. As more of our drug candidates enter the clinic this year, we look forward to further exploring our novel therapeutics in the hope of providing better treatment options for patients most in need,” continued Mr. Nielsen.

Recent Corporate Highlights

• Reported interim results from Phase 2 study of prexigebersen in combination with LDAC for the treatment of AML. In April 2018, Bio-Path announced interim data from its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of its lead drug candidate prexigebersen. Of the 17 evaluable patients, 4 patients achieved complete responses, 1 patient achieved a leukemia free status, 1 patient had significantly reduced bone marrow blasts and 3 patients achieved stable disease. In total, 47% of the evaluable patients showed some form of response to the combination treatment, including 4 patients with complete remission (23%) and 4 patients with stable disease.
• Advanced Bio-Path’s preclinical program studying prexigebersen in solid tumors. In April 2018, Bio-Path presented promising data at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting (AACR) 2018 on prexigebersen for the treatment of solid tumors in gynecologic malignancies. Prexigebersen decreased tumor burden eighty six percent (86%) and multinodular burden in mice compared to control, with no apparent toxicity. Bio-Path is currently planning to initiate clinical studies of prexigebersen in solid tumors through its current IND, which could potentially commence in 2018.
• Completed IND-enabling studies of BP1002 targeting Bcl-2 for the treatment of lymphoma and CLL. In the second quarter, Bio-Path completed IND-enabling studies of BP1002, Bio-Path’s second drug candidate. This followed the completion of preclinical work showing that BP1002 decreased the viability of lymphoma cells and increased survival in mice. Bio-Path intends to file an IND in 2018 for BP1002 for the treatment of lymphoma and CLL in 2018 and is planning to initiate clinical studies in 2018.

Financial Results for Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2018

• The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1.7 million, or $0.15 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.0 million, or $0.31 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease in net loss in 2018 was primarily due to the deemed dividend related to the warrant conversion of $1.0 million in 2017. The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.6 million, or $0.32 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.4 million, or $0.35 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to total other income related to the change in fair value of the Company’s warrant liability and the loss on extinguishment of the liability totaling $1.9 million and was partially offset by the deemed dividend related to the warrant conversion of $1.0 million in 2017.
• Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased to $0.8 million, compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to decreased clinical, manufacturing and salaries and benefits expenses. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased to $1.8 million, compared to $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to decreased salaries and benefits expenses.
• General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $0.9 million, compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. General and administrative expenses for both the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 were $1.8 million.
• As of June 30, 2018, the Company had cash of $2.6 million, compared to $6.0 million at December 31, 2017. Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $3.4 million compared to $4.2 million for the comparable period in 2017.

About Bio-Path Holdings, Inc.

Bio-Path is a biotechnology company developing DNAbilize^®, a novel technology that has yielded a pipeline of RNAi nanoparticle drugs that can be administered with a simple intravenous transfusion. Bio-Path’s lead product candidate, prexigebersen (BP1001, targeting the Grb2 protein), is in a Phase 2 study for blood cancers and in preclinical studies for solid tumors. This is followed by BP1002, targeting the Bcl-2 protein, which the company anticipates entering into clinical studies where it will be evaluated in lymphoma and solid chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.biopathholdings.com.