Oragenics, Inc. Provides Shareholder Update on Strategic Progress and Announces Janet Huffman as Interim CEO
January 21 2025 - 7:15AM
Oragenics, Inc. (NYSE American: OGEN), a biotechnology company
advancing innovative treatments for brain-related health
conditions, today provided an update on its strategic progress
since its last capital raise in September 2024. The Company also
announced the appointment of Janet Huffman as its new interim Chief
Executive Officer.
Strategic Progress Since Capital Raise
Following the Company’s $4 million capital raise in September
2024, the Company has made significant advancements, including:
-
Formulation and Device Enhancements: The Company
has improved the formulation and intranasal delivery device for
ONP-002 and in connection therewith has taken significant steps
with the goal of securing its intellectual property for such
formulations and devices.
- Advancing Phase II
Preparations: The Company has vetted clinical research
organizations (CROs) and hospital partners in Australia and is in
the process of finalizing site agreements for its Phase II clinical
trials in Australia. The goal remains to dose the first patient in
Australia by the end of Q1 2025, or early Q2.
- Supply Chain
Preparedness: Completion of the spray-dry campaign is
expected to ensure sufficient drug-device units for the upcoming
trials, with all units validated and prepared for shipment.
- Prototyping for Enhanced
Accessibility: Prototyping for an automated intranasal
device, designed for patients with altered states of consciousness,
has been completed.
-
Regulatory Milestones: Closure of the Phase I
clinical trial and submission of data for investigational new drug
(IND) and investigator’s brochure (IB) approval remain on
track.
Leadership Transition
The Company is also pleased to announce the
appointment of Janet Huffman as interim Chief Executive Officer.
Since joining Oragenics, Ms. Huffman has played a pivotal role in
driving the Company’s strategy, leveraging her extensive experience
in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and financial
planning.
Before her tenure at Oragenics, she served as
Chief Financial Officer for TRxADE HEALTH, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEDS), a
company focused on health services IT for retail pharmacies. In
2019, Ms. Huffman was a founding member of Banyan Pediatric Care
Centers, where she served as CFO and played a critical role in its
merger with Assisted 4 Living, Inc., later renamed Arboreta
Healthcare Inc. She also held financial leadership roles at
Signature HomeNow, Infinity Homecare, and Family Home Health
Services.
“I am honored to take on this role, and am
deeply committed to Oragenics’ mission of addressing unmet medical
needs through innovation,” said Ms. Huffman. “As we work to advance
ONP-002 and prepare for the next phase of clinical development, I
look forward to collaborating with our dedicated team and
stakeholders to build on the momentum we’ve created. Together, we
are charting an exciting course that prioritizes both patient
outcomes and shareholder value.”
The Oragenics Board of Directors expressed
confidence in Ms. Huffman’s leadership during this pivotal time for
the Company. “Janet’s proven track record as a strategic leader and
her deep understanding of Oragenics’ operations make her an
excellent choice to guide the Company during this transition,” said
Charles Pope, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Oragenics. “Her
expertise in financial stewardship and her commitment to advancing
our development plans position Oragenics to maintain its momentum
and continue creating value for patients and shareholders
alike.”
Financial OverviewSince the September 2024
capital raise, the Company has strategically allocated resources
with the goal of delivering operational efficiency:
- Additional investments were made in
improved drug and device formulation, device prototyping, and
clinical trial preparations for phase II.
- Additional investments were made to
continue the Company’s efforts in protecting existing patents and
securing new patents for the Company’s improved drug formulation
and device prototype.
Next Steps and Upcoming Milestones
The Company remains focused on executing its clinical and
regulatory plans, with the following goals:
- Submission of the
IB package by Q1 2025 for Australia phase II clinical trials.
- Formalizing the Company’s strategic
partnerships in Australia for clinical trial site selections and
clinical research leadership to lead the Australia clinical
trials.
- Dosing of the first patient in
Australia in the Phase II clinical trial by the end of Q1 2025 or
early Q2 2025.
- Submission of
the IND package for phase IIb clinical trials in the US targeted
for Q3 of 2025.
“I am thrilled about the opportunities ahead in
2025 as we position Oragenics for a transformative year,” said Ms.
Huffman. “I am filled with optimism about what this year holds as
we advance ONP-002 and lay the groundwork for future growth. With
ONP-002 advancing into its next phase of development, we are at a
critical juncture that holds tremendous promise for both patients
and stakeholders. Leading the way is our innovative science,
strategic focus, and unwavering commitment to our mission, I
believe this positions us well to continue to make meaningful
progress that will shape our future and create lasting value.”
Investor ContactRich
Cockrell404.736.3838ogen@cg.capital
About Oragenics, Inc.
Oragenics is a development-stage biotechnology
company focused on nasal delivery of pharmaceutical medications in
neurology and fighting infectious diseases, including drug
candidates for treating mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also
known as concussion, and for treating Niemann Pick Disease Type C
(NPC), as well as proprietary powder formulation and an intranasal
delivery device. For more information, please visit
www.oragenics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the
U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and
assumptions and information currently available. The words
“believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project”
and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical
matters identify forward-looking statements. Investors should be
cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are
subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, those described in our Form 10-K
and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
All information set forth in this press release is as of the date
hereof. You should consider these factors in evaluating the
forward-looking statements included in this press release and not
place undue reliance on such statements. We do not assume any
obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise, circumstances should change,
except as otherwise required by law.
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