-Barzolvolimab met primary endpoint with clinically meaningful and statistically significant decreases in urticaria disease activity across multiple dose groups-
-Mean change from baseline to week 12 in UAS7 of -23.87 in 300 mg q8w dose group and -23.02 in 150 mg q4w dose group-
-Barzolvolimab was generally well tolerated with a favorable safety profile-
-Treatment will continue to 52 weeks; results support further development of barzolvolimab in Phase 3 CSU studies-
- Company to host webcast call today at 8:00 am ET-

HAMPTON, N.J., Nov. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) announced today positive topline results from the Company’s Phase 2 clinical trial of barzolvolimab in patients with moderate to severe chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refractory to antihistamines, including patients who received prior biologics. Barzolvolimab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT with high specificity and potently inhibits its activity, which is required for mast cell function and survival. CSU is characterized by the occurrence of hives or wheals for 6 weeks or longer without identifiable specific triggers or causes. Treatment options for patients with CSU are limited and there are no approved therapies for patients who do not respond to omalizumab.

"We are thrilled to share these positive results which we believe further establish barzolvolimab as a potential transformative treatment option for patients suffering with CSU," commented Anthony S. Marucci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Celldex Therapeutics. "These data reinforce barzolvolimab's unique mechanism targeting a key underlying pathway of the disease. Based on the strength of these results, which included patients refractory to omalizumab, we are excited to continue the development of this program and move towards registrational trials. We would like to thank the patients and investigators for their participation in this trial and look forward to presenting full 12 week data from this study at an upcoming medical meeting.”

Data from the 208 patients randomized in the study showed that barzolvolimab achieved the primary efficacy endpoint, with a statistically significant mean change from baseline to week 12 of UAS7 (urticaria activity score) compared to placebo. Barzolvolimab demonstrated rapid, durable and clinically meaningful responses in patients with moderate to severe CSU refractory to antihistamines, including patients with prior omalizumab treatment. Demographics and baseline disease characteristics were well balanced across treatment groups.

Approximately 20% of enrolled patients received prior treatment with omalizumab. These patients experienced a similar clinical benefit as the overall treated population within their individual dosing groups.

Barzolvolimab was generally well tolerated with a favorable safety profile. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity; through 12 weeks, the most common treatment emergent adverse events in barzolvolimab treated patients were hair color changes (9%), urticaria (9%) and neutropenia (8%). The rate of infections was similar between barzolvolimab-treated patients and placebo with no apparent association between neutropenia and infections.

Phase 2 Study Design
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group Phase 2 study is evaluating the efficacy and safety profile of multiple dose regimens of barzolvolimab in patients with CSU who remain symptomatic despite antihistamine therapy, to determine the optimal dosing strategy. 208 patients were randomly assigned on a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous injections of barzolvolimab at 75 mg every 4 weeks, 150 mg every 4 weeks, 300 mg every 8 weeks or placebo during a 16-week placebo-controlled treatment period. After 16 weeks, patients then enter a 36-week active treatment period, in which patients not already randomized to barzolvolimab at 150 mg every 4 weeks or 300 mg every 8 weeks are randomized 1:1 to receive one of these two dose regimens; patients already randomized to these treatment arms remain on the same regimen as during the placebo-controlled treatment period. After 52 weeks, patients then enter a follow-up period for an additional 24 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study is mean change in baseline to Week 12 in UAS7. Secondary endpoints include other assessments of safety and clinical activity including ISS7, HSS7 and AAS7.

For additional information on this trial (NCT05368285), please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov

Webcast and Conference Call  
The Company will host a conference call/webcast today to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. ET. The event will be webcast live and can be accessed by going to the "Events & Presentations " page under the "Investors & Media” section of the Celldex Therapeutics website at www.celldex.com. The call can also be accessed by dialing (646) 307-1963 or (800) 715-9871 (toll free). The conference ID is 3272134.

About Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.
Celldex is a clinical stage biotechnology company leading the science at the intersection of mast cell biology and the development of transformative therapeutics for patients. Our pipeline includes antibody-based therapeutics which have the ability to engage the human immune system and/or directly affect critical pathways to improve the lives of patients with severe inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune and other devastating diseases. Visit www.celldex.com.

Forward Looking Statement
This release contains "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are typically preceded by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "will," "may," "should," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct or that those goals will be achieved, and you should be aware that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of Company drug candidates, including barzolvolimab (also referred to as CDX-0159), in current or future indications; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing and accruing patients for clinical trials; our limited experience in bringing programs through Phase 3 clinical trials; our ability to manage and successfully complete multiple clinical trials and the research and development efforts for our multiple products at varying stages of development; the effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 on our business and results of operations; the availability, cost, delivery and quality of clinical materials produced by our own manufacturing facility or supplied by contract manufacturers, who may be our sole source of supply; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; the failure of the market for the Company's programs to continue to develop; our ability to protect the Company's intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company's products; our ability to continue to obtain capital to meet our long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials that we have initiated or plan to initiate; and other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We have no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact
Sarah Cavanaugh
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Administration
(508) 864-8337
scavanaugh@celldex.com

Patrick Till
Meru Advisors
(484) 788-8560
ptill@meruadvisors.com