VistaGen Therapeutics Reports Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

PALISADE-1 Phase 3 trial underway to evaluate PH94B for rapid-onset acute treatment of anxiety in adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Management to host corporate update conference call and audio webcast today at 2:00 p.m. PT

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN), a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing a new generation of medicines with the potential to go beyond the current standard of care for anxiety, depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

“Our fiscal year 2021 was transformative, involving several drug development, financial and regulatory milestones that fortified the foundation for our very strong start this fiscal year. Notably, we achieved an important consensus with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding our PALISADE Phase 3 program for PH94B in social anxiety disorder. Building on that positive meeting, we completed a PH94B collaboration in ex-U.S. markets, strengthened our balance sheet with substantial investment from numerous long-biased, healthcare-focused institutional investors, and advanced several development programs across our CNS pipeline, most notably preparations for PALISADE-1, our U.S. multi-center Phase 3 clinical study of PH94B as a potential rapid-onset, acute treatment of anxiety in adults with social anxiety disorder. If successful, PALISADE-1 is designed to be among the studies necessary to support a potential PH94B New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023. We recently initiated PALISADE-1, moving us closer to our goal of going beyond the current treatment paradigm for social anxiety disorder, not only displacing antidepressants, benzodiazepines and beta blockers, but also reaching those in need of support who find those therapies to be undesirable or inadequate. We anticipate topline data from PALISADE-1 in mid-2022. Later this year, we expect to launch PALISADE-2, a second U.S. multi-center Phase 3 clinical study of PH94B designed to be substantially similar to PALISADE-1 and equally supportive of our U.S. New Drug Application goal.”

Singh added, “During the current fiscal year, we also expect to prepare for and initiate several exploratory Phase 2A clinical trials of PH94B in additional anxiety disorders, advance preparations necessary to initiate a U.S. multi-center Phase 2B clinical trial of PH10 as a potential rapid-onset, stand-alone treatment for major depressive disorder, and initiate a Phase 1B clinical trial of AV-101 with probenecid, which, if successful, has the potential to support exploratory Phase 2A development of the combination in several CNS disorders.”

“To develop and commercialize game-changing treatments, you need great people. During the past year, we have strengthened our team by adding several key personnel with deep CNS drug development and commercial experience to drive our programs through important late-stage development milestones and appropriately-timed pre-commercial and commercial launch operations. We look forward to initiating several more clinical trials this fiscal year and remain focused on pursuing our mission to improve mental health and well-being for individuals in the U.S. and abroad,” concluded Singh.

Corporate Highlights

• Reached consensus with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on key aspects of the design of Phase 3 clinical trials of PH94B for acute treatment of anxiety in adults with SAD after a positive meeting. The Phase 3 clinical studies of PH94B in the Company’s PALISADE Phase 3 program will substantially mirror the public speaking challenge in the statistically significant Phase 2 study of PH94B, providing significant time and cost-efficiency for the program.
  
• Entered into a strategic licensing and collaboration agreement with EverInsight Therapeutics, Inc. (now AffaMed Therapeutics, Inc.) for clinical development and commercialization of PH94B in Greater China, South Korea and Southeast Asia (Territory), pursuant to which VistaGen received a non-dilutive upfront payment of $5 million. VistaGen is eligible to receive additional development and commercial milestone payments of up to $172 million and tiered royalties on sales of PH94B in the Territory, if Phase 3 development efforts there are successful.
  
• Reported positive preclinical data differentiating the mechanism of action (MOA) of PH94B and PH10 from risk-ridden benzodiazepines, demonstrating that the MOA of PH94B and PH10 does not involve direct activation of GABA-A receptors, in distinct contrast to the MOA of benzodiazepines, which act as direct positive modulators of GABA-A receptors.
  
• Reported positive preclinical data demonstrating the potential of the combination of AV-101 and probenecid to substantially increase the brain concentration of AV-101’s active metabolite, 7-Cl-KYN, a potent and selective full antagonist of the NMDA receptor glycine co-agonist site, thereby reducing, rather than blocking, NMDA receptor signaling.
  
• Raised $127.5 million gross proceeds from partnering and corporate finance transactions, including a $100 million underwritten public offering led by Jefferies Group LLC and William Blair & Company involving significant participation from key healthcare-focused institutional investors, such as Acuta Capital, New Enterprise Associates, OrbiMed and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners.
  
• Appointed key senior leadership to execute corporate initiatives through commercialization.

CNS Pipeline Updates

PH94B

PH94B is a synthetic investigational neurosteroid developed from proprietary compounds called pherines. With its novel MOA, PH94B is an odorless nasal spray administered at microgram-level doses to achieve rapid-onset anti-anxiety, or anxiolytic, effects. The novel pharmacological MOA of PH94B is fundamentally differentiated from that of all FDA-approved anti-anxiety drugs, including all antidepressants approved by the FDA for treatment of SAD, as well as all benzodiazepines and beta blockers prescribed on an off-label basis. PH94B engages peripheral chemosensory receptors in nasal passages that trigger a subset of neurons in the main olfactory bulbs (OB) at the base of the brain. The OB neurons then stimulate inhibitory GABAergic neurons in the limbic amygdala, decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, and facilitating fear extinction activity of the limbic-hypothalamic system, the main fear and anxiety center in the brain, as well as in other parts of the brain. Importantly, PH94B does not require systemic uptake and distribution to produce its rapid-onset anti-anxiety effects.

VistaGen recently initiated its PALISADE Phase 3 program with PALISADE-1, a U.S., multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PH94B for the acute treatment of anxiety in adults with SAD. The Company expects to initiate PALISADE-2, the second U.S. Phase 3 study in its PALISADE Phase 3 program, in the second half of 2021. If successful, these clinical studies are designed to be among the studies necessary to support a potential U.S. New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA. PH94B has been granted Fast Track designation status by the FDA for development as an acute treatment of anxiety in adults with SAD.

In addition to SAD, the Company is also preparing for exploratory Phase 2A clinical studies of PH94B in adults experiencing other anxiety disorders, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, postpartum anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and pre-procedural anxiety.

PH10

PH10 is a synthetic investigational neurosteroid, which also was developed from proprietary compounds called pherines. Its novel, rapid-onset MOA is fundamentally differentiated from the MOA of all current treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and other depression disorders. PH10 is self-administered at microgram-level doses as an odorless nasal spray. PH10 activates nasal chemosensory cells in the nasal passages, connected to neural circuits in the brain that produce antidepressant effects. Specifically, PH10 engages peripheral chemosensory receptors in the nasal passages that trigger a subset of neurons in the main OB that stimulate neurons in the limbic amygdala. This is turn increases activity of the limbic-hypothalamic sympathetic nervous system and increases the release of catecholamines. Importantly, unlike all currently approved oral antidepressants, PH10 does not require systemic uptake and distribution to produce rapid-onset of antidepressant effects. In all clinical studies to date, PH10 has not caused psychological side effects (such as dissociation and hallucinations) or safety concerns that may be associated with rapid-onset ketamine-based therapy, including intravenous ketamine or intranasal ketamine.

Exploratory Phase 2A clinical development of PH10 for MDD has been completed. VistaGen is now preparing for Phase 2B clinical development of PH10. The Company expects to initiate a U.S. multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PH10 as a potential stand-alone treatment for MDD in mid-2022. PH10 also has potential as a novel treatment for treatment-resistant depression, postpartum depression and suicidal ideation.

AV-101

AV-101 is an oral prodrug of 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA) and targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), an ionotropic glutamate receptor in the brain. Abnormal NMDAR function is associated with numerous CNS diseases and disorders. AV-101 is a potent and selective full antagonist of the glycine co-agonist site of the NMDAR that inhibits the function of the NMDAR. However, unlike ketamine and many other NMDAR antagonists, 7-Cl-KYNA is not an ion channel blocker. At doses administered in all studies to date, AV-101 has been observed to be orally bioavailable, well tolerated and has not exhibited dissociative or hallucinogenic psychological side effects or safety concerns. In light of these findings and data from preclinical studies, the Company believes that AV-101, in combination with FDA-approved probenecid, has potential to become a new oral treatment alternative for MDD and certain neurological indications involving the NMDAR.

VistaGen is currently preparing for a Phase 1B clinical study to evaluate AV-101 in combination with probenecid. The Company expects to initiate the study in the second half of 2021. The FDA has granted Fast Track designation for development of AV-101 as a potential adjunctive treatment for MDD and as a non-opioid treatment for neuropathic pain. AV-101 also has the potential to be developed as a treatment for levodopa-induced dyskinesia, suicidal ideation, and epilepsy.

Key senior leadership additions

VistaGen strengthened its leadership by adding key personnel with extensive CNS drug development and commercial experience to drive its clinical and commercial programs through important late-stage clinical development milestones and potential commercial launch and beyond. The Company recently added key team members in multiple areas such as clinical operations, research and development, CMC, regulatory affairs and commercial operations. Notably, the addition of Ann Cunningham as the Company’s Chief Commercial Officer has advanced pre-commercial planning for PH94B in SAD, as well as for a broad range of other anxiety and depression markets. The Company also added pharmaceutical industry veteran Dr. Joanne Curley to its Board of Directors. Dr. Curley has deep experience in pharmaceutical product development, operations, and commercialization.

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

Revenue: The Company recognized $1.1 million in sublicense revenue from its $5 million non-dilutive upfront payment pursuant to its PH94B development and commercialization agreement with EverInsight Therapeutics (now AffaMed Therapeutics) during the year ended March 31, 2021, compared to none in the year ended March 31, 2020.

Research and development (R&D) expense: Research and development expense decreased from $13.4 million to $12.5 million for the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of a Phase 2 clinical study of AV-101 in MDD in Fiscal 2020, offset by increased development expenses for PH94B and PH10 in Fiscal 2021.

General and administrative (G&A) expense: General and administrative expense decreased to approximately $6.5 million from approximately $7.4 million for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Cash compensation expense for the year ended March 31, 2021 increased by approximately $0.7 million, including the impact of new employees, and was offset by a decrease of approximately $1.0 million in noncash stock-based compensation for the year ended March 31, 2021 compared to those expenses in the year ended March 31, 2020. Further, in the year ended March 31, 2020, the Company modified certain outstanding warrants and recognized non-cash warrant modification expense of approximately $0.8 million.

Net loss: Net loss for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $17.9 million and $20.8 million, respectively.

Cash Position: At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $103.1 million.

As of June 29, 2021, the Company had 191,382,350 shares of common stock outstanding.

Conference Call

VistaGen will host a conference call and live audio webcast this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time to provide a corporate update and discuss its financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

U.S. Dial-in (Toll Free): 1-877-407-9716
International Dial-in Number (Toll): 1-201-493-6779
Conference ID: 13720908
Webcast Link: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=145419

A telephone playback of the conference call will be available after approximately 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on June 29, 2020. To listen to the replay, call toll free 1-844-512-2921 within the United States or 1-412-317-6671 when calling internationally (toll). Please use the replay PIN number 13720908.

About VistaGen
VistaGen Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative medicines with the potential to go beyond the current standard of care for anxiety, depression, and other CNS disorders. Each of VistaGen’s drug candidates has a differentiated potential mechanism of action, has been well-tolerated in all clinical studies to date and has therapeutic potential in multiple CNS indications. For more information, please visit www.VistaGen.com and connect with VistaGen on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict and include all matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “project,” “outlook,” “strategy,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “strive,” “goal,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Our actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to delays in launching and/or conducting our planned clinical trials, including delays due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; fluctuating costs of materials and other resources required to conduct our planned clinical and non-clinical trials; market conditions; the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally; adverse healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations; manufacturing and marketing risks, which may include, but are not limited to, unavailability of or delays in delivery of raw materials for manufacture of our CNS drug candidates and difficulty in initiating or conducting clinical trials; inadequate and/or untimely supply of one or more of our CNS drug candidates to meet demand; entry of competitive products; and other technical and unexpected hurdles in the development, manufacture and commercialization of our CNS drug candidates; and the risks more fully discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, filed earlier today, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. We explicitly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, other than as may be required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

VistaGen Company Contacts
Mark McPartland and Mark Flather
VistaGen Therapeutics
Phone: (650) 577-3606; (650) 577-3617
Email: IR@vistagen.com