Pixium Vision — Breakthrough designation provides validation

Pixium Vision (PAR: PIX)

Last close As at 19/04/2024

EUR0.15

−0.04 (−21.05%)

Market capitalisation

EUR1m

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Research: Healthcare

Pixium Vision — Breakthrough designation provides validation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device designation (BDD) to Pixium’s wireless Prima bionic vision system (BVS), which is currently being assessed in the European PRIMAvera pivotal study in patients with geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration (GA-AMD). This achievement suggests that the FDA recognises GA-AMD is an irreversibly debilitating human disease and that Prima BVS has the potential to provide an effective treatment in this area of unmet need. Pixium remains on track to report top-line data from PRIMAvera in or around year-end 2023. If positive, a CE Mark regulatory marketing submission can be filed in 2024, which we estimate could lead to commercialisation of the Prima system in H125.

Written by

Pooya Hemami

Analyst - Healthcare

Healthcare

Pixium Vision

Breakthrough designation provides validation

31 March 2023

Price

€0.031

Market cap

€3m

Gross cash (€m) at 31 December 2022

7.7

Shares in issue

83.4m

Free float

76%

Code

ALPIX

Primary exchange

Euronext Growth Paris

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Pixium Vision develops bionic vision systems for patients with severe vision loss. Its lead product, Prima, is a wireless subretinal implant system designed for dry age-related macular degeneration. The company completed implantations for the European PRIMAvera pivotal study in Q422.

Analysts

Pooya Hemami, OD, MBA, CFA

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Soo Romanoff

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Pixium Vision is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device designation (BDD) to Pixium’s wireless Prima bionic vision system (BVS), which is currently being assessed in the European PRIMAvera pivotal study in patients with geographic atrophy due to age-related macular degeneration (GA-AMD). This achievement suggests that the FDA recognises GA-AMD is an irreversibly debilitating human disease and that Prima BVS has the potential to provide an effective treatment in this area of unmet need. Pixium remains on track to report top-line data from PRIMAvera in or around year-end 2023. If positive, a CE Mark regulatory marketing submission can be filed in 2024, which we estimate could lead to commercialisation of the Prima system in H125.

FDA update

Year

end

Revenue
(€m)

PBT*
(€m)

EPS*
(€)

DPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/20

2.1

(8.7)

(0.26)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/21

2.7

(10.9)

(0.23)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/22e

1.8

(12.3)

(0.21)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/23e

0.8

(18.1)

(0.21)

0.0

N/A

N/A

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments. FY23 EPS loss has been revised (from 0.24 previously) to reflect increase in shares outstanding. All other estimates are unchanged.

The BDD is designed to provide patients with timely access to medical devices that may provide more effective treatment than remaining available options by accelerating their development, assessment and review, while maintaining the statutory standards required for market approval. Product candidates are eligible for BDD if the agency determines that the device ‘provides for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human disease or conditions’ and also meets one of the following: i) ‘represents breakthrough technology’; ii) ‘no approved or cleared alternatives exist’; iii) ‘offers significant advantages over existing approved or cleared alternatives’; or iv) ‘device availability is in the best interest of patient’. Thus we view the attainment of BDD as a meaningful validation of the Prima platform and consistent with the visual function improvements already shown in the European feasibility study.

Through the BDD, Pixium expects to have opportunities to interact with the FDA’s representatives and experts during the premarket review phase, which may facilitate timely determinations of areas of agreement and may also lead to a prioritised review of the regulatory submission once the required clinical studies are completed. While PRIMAvera was designed to support European market approval, we believe the company remains in discussions with the FDA to determine which additional studies, if any, may be needed for a US premarket approval submission.

We note that Pixium has disclosed that it is funded until the end of Q223 and is exploring various mechanisms to secure the cash flow necessary to pursue its strategic and development objectives. The company recently reported a year-end 2022 gross cash position of €7.7m and an FY22 operating cash burn rate of €11.3m (+28% y-o-y). Given the imminent funding need, we believe any successful fundraising initiatives in the coming weeks would be welcomed by investors.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Pixium Vision and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Pixium Vision. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

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20 Red Lion Street

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United Kingdom

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Pixium Vision and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Pixium Vision. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2023 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

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