BioPorto Diagnostics — Paediatric NGAL Test submitted with breakthrough

BioPorto Diagnostics (OMX: BIOPOR)

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Research: Healthcare

BioPorto Diagnostics — Paediatric NGAL Test submitted with breakthrough

BioPorto announced that it had submitted an application to the FDA for the paediatric NGAL Test. The application was specifically for the risk assessment of acute kidney injury in children under the age of 21. The application was submitted with breakthrough designation, which we consider very encouraging. The designation shortens the statutory review time to 45 days (from 90) and provides that a portion of data needed be provided after marketing clearance.

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Healthcare

BioPorto Diagnostics

Paediatric NGAL Test submitted with breakthrough

Regulatory update

Healthcare equipment

& services

20 May 2019

Price

DKK3.99

Market cap

DKK661m

DKK6.58/US$

Net cash (DKKm) at 31 March 2019

32.2

Shares in issue

165.7m

Free float

78.35%

Code

BIOPOR

Primary exchange

Nasdaq Copenhagen

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

%

1m

3m

12m

Abs

(0.1)

0.8

26.7

Rel (local)

2.1

0.2

29.6

52-week high/low

DKK6.21

DKK2.99

Business description

BioPorto Diagnostics is a diagnostic company focused on the development and marketing of antibodies and other products for research and diagnostics. This includes a portfolio of products marketed for research use and the NGAL Test, for prediction of acute kidney injury. Two 510(k)s will be submitted to the FDA for clearance of the NGAL test in 2019.

Next events

Paediatric AKI FDA decision

July 2019

Adult AKI application

H219

Analyst

Nathaniel Calloway

+1 646 653 7036

BioPorto Diagnostics is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

BioPorto announced that it had submitted an application to the FDA for the paediatric NGAL Test. The application was specifically for the risk assessment of acute kidney injury in children under the age of 21. The application was submitted with breakthrough designation, which we consider very encouraging. The designation shortens the statutory review time to 45 days (from 90) and provides that a portion of data needed be provided after marketing clearance.

Year end

Revenue (DKKm)

PBT*
(DKKm)

EPS*
(DKK)

DPS
(DKK)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/17

25.2

(34.2)

(0.21)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/18

26.0

(42.5)

(0.24)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/19e

38.6

(42.7)

(0.22)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/20e

53.7

(48.5)

(0.24)

0.0

N/A

N/A

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Sensitivity/specificity as expected

The application was made on the basis of a retrospective study of urine samples previously collected to test the NGAL ELISA assay in paediatrics. The company reported a sensitivity of 65.0% and a specificity of 81.8%, with a negative predictive value in this population, which we consider roughly equivalent to previous data reported in adults (albeit not directly comparable).

Breakthrough designation: An FDA endorsement

The breakthrough designation received for this program is important because as part of the evaluation the FDA deemed that the data provides a ‘reasonable expectation that the device could provide for a more effective…diagnosis’ than the standard of care. We consider this an endorsement from the agency, and encouraging regarding its final marketing decision on the product.

Potential to complete data with postmarketing study

Breakthrough designation is additionally important for this product because it provides for initial clearance of a medical device with a lower threshold of clinical data supported by subsequent postmarketing studies. The company is currently seeking clearance for the test using retrospective clinical data, which the agency is typically more reluctant to accept, but with breakthrough designation, there is the potential to fill any gaps with postmarketing studies.

Valuation: Increased to DKK966m or DKK5.83/share

We have increased our valuation to DKK966m or DKK5.83 per share, from DKK952.8m or DKK5.75 per share. This is driven in part by increasing the probability of success for the paediatric NGAL test to 60% from 45%, based on the breakthrough designation, as well as rolling forward our NPVs. This is offset by an increase to administrative costs and lower cash (DKK32.2m).

Paediatric NGAL Test submitted

On 15 May 2019, BioPorto announced that it submitted an application with breakthrough device designation to the FDA for clearance of the paediatric NGAL Test. The NGAL Test is an assay to measure the presence of the NGAL biomarker in blood or urine for assessing the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), and the current application is specifically for urine based NGAL in patients under 21.

The application was made on the basis of a retrospective study performed by the company using samples that were previously collected by the company from 32 paediatric ICUs. These samples were previously acquired for a study examining the NGAL ELISA assay, a different product also produced by the company. A total of 4,683 samples (of which 1,261 had AKI, 542 severe AKI) were collected for this previous study, of which an undisclosed subset were retested for the current study.

The company reported that the test had a sensitivity of 65.0% and a specificity of 81.8%, and an implied negative predictive value of 95.4% from this sample set. These data are roughly comparable to previously disclosed data on the NGAL Test reported in the literature (Exhibit 1).1 However, it is worth noting several key differences from these data, including that the prior study was performed exclusively in adults. Additionally, the data reported in Tecson et al. only examined the ability of NGAL to detect moderate to severe disease, whereas the current data includes mild (grade 1) disease. We consider this detail encouraging because mild disease detection has been problematic due to naturally lower NGAL concentrations, as well as difficulties confirming the diagnosis using serum creatinine (sCr), which can be inconsistent in these patients. An application for the NGAL Test was previously filed using the data from Tecson et al. and subsequently rejected ‘primarily because the dataset for mild cases of AKI did not support approval,’ according to the company. The inclusion of these patients in the current data suggests that it is less likely that mild disease patients will be cited as a deficiency in this application.

  Tecson KM, et al. (2017) Optimal cut points of plasma and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for the prediction of acute kidney injury among critically ill adults: retrospective determination and clinical validation of a prospective multicentre study. Brit J Med Open 7, e016028.

Exhibit 1: Comparison of sensitivity and specificity for the NGAL Test

Study

Population

Fluid

Disease

Sensitivity

Specificity

NPV

Tecson, et al.

Adults

EDTA plasma

Moderate to severe

78.8%

73.0%

95.7%

Adults

Heparin plasma

Moderate to severe

72.7%

73.8%

94.5%

Adults

Urine

Moderate to severe

69.7%

76.8%

94.0%

Current data

Children <21

Urine

All AKI

65.0%

81.8%

95.4%

Source: Tecson et al., BioPorto

We believe that the data for this application is potentially viable on the basis that the NGAL Test provides a substantive improvement over sCr both in terms of the accuracy of the test as well as how it is expected to be used in practice. There are some issues considering sensitivity and specificity of sCr for AKI given that AKI is defined in terms of sCr, but one study that used post mortem determination of acute tubular injury (ATI), a subtype of AKI, found a sensitivity of 42% and specificity of 61% for detection of any stage ATI.2 When coupled with the ability to detect AKI in hours (as opposed to a day or more), these paediatric data provide a compelling case for clearance, although no assurances can be made.

  Moledina DG, et al. (2017) Performance of serum creatinine and kidney injury biomarkers for diagnosing histologic acute tubular injury. Am J Kidney Dis 70, 807–816.

Breakthrough designation

The company reported that the application received a breakthrough device designation from the FDA. The breakthrough device program was initiated to facilitate and speed the review process for devices that have a high potential to improve care, and so should enter the clinic as soon as possible. There are two criteria that devices must meet to qualify for the designation (Exhibit 2). The first criterion is that the FDA must believe that the device has the capacity to provide more effective diagnosis or treatment of a life-threatening disease. This requires a value judgement on the part of the agency that the data provides at least a reasonable expectation that it will work in practice and provide better results than existing technology. Because of this, receiving the designation is very encouraging (although it does not ensure a favourable review). The second criterion is that the device be either a) based on breakthrough technology, b) have no alternatives, c) be superior to the alternatives, or d) be in the best interests of patients, several of which the NGAL test likely qualifies for.

Exhibit 2: Criteria for breakthrough designation

Criteria

Description

First criterion

The device provides for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human disease or conditions

Second criterion

One of the following:

a) Represents a breakthrough technology

b) No approved alternatives exist

c) Offers significant advantages over existing approved or cleared alternatives

d) Device availability is in the patient’s best interest

Criteria

First criterion

Second criterion

Description

The device provides for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human disease or conditions

One of the following:

a) Represents a breakthrough technology

b) No approved alternatives exist

c) Offers significant advantages over existing approved or cleared alternatives

d) Device availability is in the patient’s best interest

Source: FDA

There are multiple benefits to the program. One benefit highlighted by management is a shortened statutory review time of 45 days (from 90), which should ensure a decision by the end of July. This timeline also includes increased communication with the agency, allowing the company to provide direct feedback on any outstanding issues during the review.

However, a very important benefit for this product in particular is that breakthrough designated devices may receive initial marketing authorisation with reduced clinical data requirements that are subsequently supplemented with postmarketing clinical data. This is important for the current application of the paediatric NGAL test because it is based on retrospective data. The agency is generally reluctant to authorize new devices based on retrospective data because they have a lower degree of statistical rigour than prospective studies. However, there are practical concerns around performing a prospective trial on paediatric AKI in the ICU. The number of clinical sites required and associated expense would be prohibitive. This is not uncommon for paediatric indications and the FDA has a mandate to facilitate reasonable accommodation in this area. We believe that if the test is cleared based on existing data, the FDA is likely to request a prospective postmarketing study, which should be substantially easier than a corresponding premarketing study. In general, we find the breakthrough designation highly encouraging regarding the potential clearance of this test.

The paediatric AKI testing market

As with other estimates of AKI prevalence, there has been significant variability in the rates of AKI in paediatric ICU populations. One of the most recent and comprehensive studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 26.9% of patients admitted to 32 different paediatric ICUs had AKI. 3 11.6% of these patients had severe AKI, which was associated with a 77% increase in the risk of death, underlying the need for effective detection and intervention in this setting. However, the rate of AKI in children associated with hospital stays is small given the lower underlying rate of paediatric ICU admissions. Only an estimated 5% of ICU beds in the US are dedicated to paediatrics, or around 4,000 in total.4 We estimate approximately 240,000 admissions per year, based on reported occupancy of 59 patients per bed per year.5

  Kaddourah A, et al. (2017) Epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children and Young Adults. New Eng J Med 376, 11-20.

  Society of Critical Care Medicine.

  Folafoluwa o, et al. (2005) A National Survey of Pediatric Critical Care Resources in the United States. Pediatrics 115, e382.

Because of these factors, we believe that revenue from the paediatric market will be small compared to the much larger adult markets. Albeit, this is balanced with the low investment needed to date for this application. There are additional factors apart from revenue from paediatrics that we consider valuable. Clearance in paediatrics would allow a unified treatment algorithm where all ICU admissions are treated similarly. We believe this has the potential to aid adoption. Moreover, there is significant value in the goodwill in treating this population. Finally, there is the potential for clearance in paediatrics to translate into a future targeting of neonates. Neonates are hospitalised at significantly higher rates, accounting for 73% of all hospital admissions in patients under 18,6 and approximately 20,000 ICU beds.4 There is increasing awareness of AKI in this population and the associated risks: rates of AKI in very low birth weight infants have been measured as high as 40%.7

  Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

  Carmody JB et al. (2014) Recognition and reporting of AKI in very low birth weight infants. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 9, 2036–2043

Valuation

We have increased our valuation to DKK966m or DKK5.83 per share, from DKK952.8m or DKK5.75 per share. We have increased the probability of success for the paediatric NGAL program to 60% (from 45%) on the basis of the recent submission with breakthrough therapy designation. We believe that the designation signals a willingness on the part of the FDA to consider clearance based on retrospective data, and that both this willingness and the lower clinical barriers are encouraging for the successful clearance of the product. Other adjustments to our model include rolling forward our NPVs, which is offset by lower cash (DKK32.2m vs DKK46.7m) and an increase to our unallocated costs associated with increased administrative costs going forward (more below). We expect to update our valuation following the clearance decision from the FDA for the paediatric test, expected by the end of July.

Exhibit 3: Valuation of BioPorto

Program

Market

Probability of success

Peak revenue ($m)

Valuation (DKKm)

The NGAL Test

ICU

50%

185.4

674.8

ED

30%

173.8

313.6

Post-surgery

30%

55.7

94.2

Research

100%

3.1

19.7

Paediatrics

60%

17.4

24.6

Other products

Research

100%

2.8

18.3

Unallocated costs

(211.2)

Total

934.0

Net cash and equivalents (Q119) (DKKm)

32.2

Total firm value (DKKm)

966.2

Total shares (m)

165.7

Value per share (DKK)

5.83

Dilutive warrants (m)

15.0

Total diluted shares (m)

180.7

Value per diluted share (DKK)

5.66

Source: BioPorto reports, Edison Investment Research

Financials

The company reported revenue of DKK5.5m and an operating loss of DKK17.1m for Q119. Revenue was down sequentially (from DKK8.9m in Q418), albeit roughly in line with previous first quarters (DKK5.7m in Q117, DKK4.6m in Q118). The company continues to expand its operations, including the hiring of a president of its US organisation. We have increased our administrative costs for 2019 and onward slightly (DKK23.0m from DKK21.0m) to account for building out the US apparatus. This has slightly increased our expected financing requirement to DKK40m from DKK35m, which we record as illustrative debt in 2020. The company ended the quarter with net cash of DKK32.2m. The company maintained guidance of approximately DKK 40m in revenue and an operating loss of approximately DKK 45m for the full year.

Exhibit 4: Financial summary

DKK000s

2017

2018

2019e

2020e

Year end 31 December

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

IFRS

INCOME STATEMENT

Revenue

 

 

25,155

26,016

38,597

53,727

Cost of Sales

(6,907)

(8,181)

(10,370)

(12,343)

Gross Profit

18,248

17,835

28,227

41,385

Sales

(18,545)

(20,935)

(30,497)

(32,070)

R&D

(21,930)

(18,676)

(20,487)

(36,578)

Administrative

(14,267)

(20,005)

(23,006)

(24,156)

EBITDA

 

 

(33,134)

(42,103)

(42,672)

(48,328)

Normalised operating profit

 

 

(33,638)

(42,646)

(42,907)

(48,563)

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

0

0

0

0

Exceptionals

0

0

0

0

Share-based payments

(2,856)

865

(2,856)

(2,856)

Reported operating profit

(36,494)

(41,781)

(45,763)

(51,419)

Net Interest

(570)

164

234

48

Joint ventures & associates (post tax)

0

0

0

0

Exceptionals

0

0

0

0

Profit Before Tax (norm)

 

 

(34,208)

(42,482)

(42,673)

(48,515)

Profit Before Tax (reported)

 

 

(37,064)

(41,617)

(45,529)

(51,371)

Reported tax

4,821

3,569

4,670

5,269

Profit After Tax (norm)

(29,758)

(38,124)

(38,297)

(43,539)

Profit After Tax (reported)

(32,243)

(38,048)

(40,860)

(46,102)

Minority interests

0

0

0

0

Discontinued operations

0

0

0

0

Net income (normalised)

(29,758)

(38,124)

(38,297)

(43,539)

Net income (reported)

(32,243)

(38,048)

(40,860)

(46,102)

Basic average number of shares outstanding (m)

145

157

174

183

EPS - basic normalised (DKK)

 

 

(0.21)

(0.24)

(0.22)

(0.24)

EPS - diluted normalised (DKK)

 

 

(0.21)

(0.24)

(0.22)

(0.24)

EBITDA Margin (%)

-131.7

-161.8

-110.6

-90.0

Normalised Operating Margin

-133.7

-163.9

-111.2

-90.4

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed Assets

 

 

2,623

3,563

7,757

7,522

Intangible Assets

1,629

1,374

5,803

5,803

Tangible Assets

263

1,437

1,202

967

Investments & other

731

752

752

752

Current Assets

 

 

62,981

62,638

26,846

25,823

Stocks

3,434

3,631

3,409

4,058

Debtors

6,380

8,036

9,517

13,248

Cash & cash equivalents

47,080

46,709

9,657

4,255

Other

6,087

4,262

4,262

4,262

Current Liabilities

 

 

(8,653)

(9,217)

(13,638)

(55,626)

Creditors

(3,412)

(4,451)

(6,680)

(8,668)

Tax and social security

(182)

(141)

(2,333)

(2,333)

Short term borrowings

0

0

0

(40,000)

Other

(5,059)

(4,625)

(4,625)

(4,625)

Long Term Liabilities

 

 

(883)

(787)

(2,772)

(2,772)

Long term borrowings

0

0

0

0

Other long term liabilities

(883)

(787)

(2,772)

(2,772)

Net Assets

 

 

56,068

56,197

18,193

(25,053)

Minority interests

0

0

0

0

Shareholders' equity

 

 

56,068

56,197

18,193

(25,053)

CASH FLOW

Op Cash Flow before WC and tax

(33,134)

(42,103)

(42,672)

(48,328)

Working capital

2,325

(631)

969

(2,391)

Exceptional & other

(595)

(74)

234

48

Tax

2,005

4,799

4,670

5,269

Net operating cash flow

 

 

(29,399)

(38,009)

(36,799)

(45,402)

Capex

(38)

(1,483)

0

0

Acquisitions/disposals

0

0

0

0

Net interest

0

0

0

0

Equity financing

40,921

39,319

0

0

Dividends

0

0

0

0

Other

(45)

(198)

(252)

0

Net Cash Flow

11,439

(371)

(37,051)

(45,402)

Opening net debt/(cash)

 

 

(35,641)

(47,080)

(46,709)

(9,657)

FX

0

0

0

0

Other non-cash movements

0

0

0

0

Closing net debt/(cash)

 

 

(47,080)

(46,709)

(9,657)

35,745

Source: BioPorto reports, Edison Investment Research

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This report has been commissioned by BioPorto Diagnostics and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by BioPorto Diagnostics. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 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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NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by BioPorto Diagnostics and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by BioPorto Diagnostics. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 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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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

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United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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ReNeuron’s year-end update summarised its recent clinical progress in the human retinal progenitor cell (hRPC) programme in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which has become the focus for investors, and a slight delay to its CTX programme for stroke disability. The announced £26.4m cash position was slightly higher than our prior YE19 forecast of £25.7m and will help ReNeuron’s position in any further partnering discussions.

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