Mendus — Collaboration unveils path forward for ilixadencel

Mendus (OMX: IMMU)

Last close As at 13/12/2024

SEK8.70

−0.29 (−3.23%)

Market capitalisation

SEK453m

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Research: Healthcare

Mendus — Collaboration unveils path forward for ilixadencel

Mendus has announced a collaboration with Institut Bergonié, an established comprehensive cancer centre in France, to test ilixadencel in soft tissue sarcomas (STS) as part of an ongoing Phase I/II basket trial (REGOMUNE). The trial is a multi-centre, prospective open-label study assessing the combination of regorafenib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and avelumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor) in various solid tumours. Ilixadencel will be evaluated along with a combination in one of the treatment arms and the trial will involve up to 43 STS patients. The trial is sponsored by Institut Bergonié and Mendus will supply ilixadencel to the STS cohort (regorafenib and avelumab will be supplied by Bayer and Merck KGaA, respectively). Management expects trial preparations for the ilixadencel arm to be completed in H224, with the first patient data expected in H126. We anticipate that trial readouts will influence the clinical path forward.

Soo Romanoff

Written by

Soo Romanoff

Managing Director - Head of Content, Healthcare

Healthcare

Mendus

Collaboration unveils path forward for ilixadencel

Clinical update

Pharma and biotech

24 July 2024

Price

SEK8.25

Market cap

SEK416m

SEK10.8/US$

Pro forma net cash at 31 March 2024

SEK156.4m

Shares in issue (following 20:1 share consolidation in June 2024)

50.4m

Free float

37%

Code

IMMU

Primary exchange

Nasdaq Stockholm

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Mendus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Sweden and the Netherlands. It specialises in allogeneic dendritic cell biology and has two lead cell-based, off-the-shelf therapies under development for haematological and solid tumours.

Analysts

Soo Romanoff

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dr Arron Aatkar

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Jyoti Prakash, CFA

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Mendus is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Mendus has announced a collaboration with Institut Bergonié, an established comprehensive cancer centre in France, to test ilixadencel in soft tissue sarcomas (STS) as part of an ongoing Phase I/II basket trial (REGOMUNE). The trial is a multi-centre, prospective open-label study assessing the combination of regorafenib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and avelumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor) in various solid tumours. Ilixadencel will be evaluated along with a combination in one of the treatment arms and the trial will involve up to 43 STS patients. The trial is sponsored by Institut Bergonié and Mendus will supply ilixadencel to the STS cohort (regorafenib and avelumab will be supplied by Bayer and Merck KGaA, respectively). Management expects trial preparations for the ilixadencel arm to be completed in H224, with the first patient data expected in H126. We anticipate that trial readouts will influence the clinical path forward.

Year
end

Revenue
(SEKm)

PBT*
(SEKm)

EPS*
(SEK)

DPS
(SEK)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/22

3.4

(138.8)

(14.0)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/23

29.6

(101.6)

(4.4)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/24e

3.1

(124.6)

(2.6)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/25e

0.0

(125.7)

(2.4)

0.0

N/A

N/A

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments. EPS adjusted for the 20:1 share consolidation undertaken in June 2024.

Ilixadencel is an immune primer comprising pro-inflammatory allogenic dendritic cells, which, when injected into a tumour, generates an immune response by recruiting and activating the patient’s dendritic cells, alongside natural killer cells and T-cells. Pre-clinical data suggest that combining ilixadencel with other treatments could enhance clinical utility, with proof-of-concept established with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. At the start of 2024, management communicated that its strategy for ilixadencel will focus on the broad indication of STS, a group of tumours that appear challenging to manage with current immunotherapy approaches. We note that the FDA has previously granted ilixadencel Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations in this indication.

The collaboration with Institut Bergonié makes strategic sense as it will allow Mendus to evaluate the potential benefit of ilixadencel as part of a combination treatment approach in STS patients, while avoiding the capital commitments normally required for a self-sponsored study. Patient recruitment for the REGOMUNE trial (currently in the Phase I dose escalation phase) is ongoing and is based across seven cancer hospitals in France. This will be followed by the Phase II portion, which will comprise 17 independent cohorts (aiming to enrol 747 patients in total) focused on various advanced or metastatic tumours. We understand that ilixadencel will be tested in one of these cohorts (c 43 patients), which will include patients with STS.

Given that the study is investigator-sponsored (by the Institut Bergonié), we note that Mendus will likely have limited control over the trial pace and timelines. Nonetheless, management anticipates preparatory activities for the ilixadencel arm to be complete within H224, with first patient data expected in H126. We expect the trial results to help determine a clearer clinical development path for ilixadencel.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Mendus and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Mendus. 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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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.

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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.

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20 Red Lion Street

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London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Mendus and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Mendus. 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 2024 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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