Windtree Announces Partnership with New Growth Advisors to Leverage Positive Phase 2 Istaroxime Study in Cardiogenic Shock for a Potential Strategic Transaction

WARRINGTON, Pa., Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. (“Windtree” or the “Company”) (NasdaqCM: WINT), a biotechnology company focused on advancing early and late-stage innovative therapies for critical conditions and diseases, today announced that it has engaged New Growth Advisors (“NGA”), a leading life sciences consulting firm chosen by companies seeking discreet, conflict-free, and knowledgeable advice on complex M&A, asset sale, research, capital markets, and licensing transactions, as its strategic advisor to lead a process in respect of Windtree’s cardiovascular portfolio, including a potential out-licensing transaction or asset sale. NGA has advised on transactions with an aggregate value approaching $400 million from 2023 through 2024.

The Company seeks to leverage the positive early cardiogenic shock and acute heart failure results (including the recent positive Phase 2b in early cardiogenic shock) to better address the breadth of opportunities and secure potentially non-dilutive funding via a partnership for istaroxime as well as the next generation, oral SERCA2a activators for all global territory ex-Greater China. NGA has been engaged to manage the current inbound interest as well as to run an expanded out-licensing process.

The Company currently has a licensing agreement for the Greater China territory for istaroxime, dual mechanism SERCA2a activators and rostafuroxin with Lee’s Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited (“Lee’s”) for which it may receive up to $138 million in potential milestones and low double-digit royalties. Lee’s pays for all development costs and is working with Windtree on the planning, Lee’s expects to start Phase 3 in acute heart failure in its licensed territory in the first half of 2025.

“It seems that there has been a heightened focus on cardiovascular assets and programs by the larger pharmaceutical companies and with our four positive Phase 2 istaroxime studies, including the recent positive Phase 2b SEISMiC study in early cardiogenic shock, we believe it is a good time to run a rigorous outreach and process with an experienced, well-connected business development advisor,” said Jed Latkin, CEO of Windtree. “We look forward to discussions with pharmaceutical companies to evaluate the opportunities with our first-in-class cardiovascular assets. If a deal is consummated, Windtree plans to leverage the partner to progress the cardiovascular program and use some of the proceeds to support advancement of its novel, preclinical oncology platform.”

About New Growth Advisors

NGA is a strategic advisor to emerging companies in the life sciences industry. Partners and team members are veteran bankers and executives with deep industry experience, knowledge, and networks. NGA is chosen by companies seeking discreet, conflict-free, and knowledgeable advice on complex M&A, asset sale, research, capital markets, and licensing transactions. The firm is further differentiated from boutique life sciences advisory practices by the breadth of global relations – clients and strategic partners. Approximately 1/3 of transactions advised on are cross-border. NGA has advised on transactions with an aggregate value approaching $400 million from 2023 through 2024.

About Istaroxime

Istaroxime is a first-in-class dual-mechanism therapy designed to improve both systolic and diastolic cardiac function. Istaroxime is designed as a positive inotropic agent that increases myocardial contractility through inhibition of Na+/K+- ATPase with a complimentary mechanism that facilitates myocardial relaxation through activation of the SERCA2a calcium pump on the sarcoplasmic reticulum enhancing calcium reuptake from the cytoplasm. Data from multiple Phase 2 studies in patients with early cardiogenic shock or acute decompensated heart failure have demonstrated that istaroxime infused intravenously significantly improves cardiac function and blood pressure without increasing heart rate or the incidence of cardiac rhythm disturbances.

About Windtree Therapeutics, Inc.

Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on advancing early and late-stage innovative therapies for critical conditions and diseases. Windtree’s portfolio of product candidates includes istaroxime, a Phase 2 candidate with SERCA2a activating properties for acute heart failure and associated cardiogenic shock, preclinical SERCA2a activators for heart failure and preclinical precision aPKCi inhibitors that are being developed for potential in rare and broad oncology applications. Windtree also has a licensing business model with partnership out-licenses currently in place.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements related to the potential clinical effects of istaroxime; the potential benefits and safety of istaroxime; the clinical development of istaroxime; and our research and development program for treating patients in early cardiogenic shock due to heart failure. Such statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the Company’s current expectations. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company’s ability to secure significant additional capital as and when needed; the Company’s ability to achieve the intended benefits of the aPKCi asset acquisition with Varian Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.; the Company’s risks and uncertainties associated with the success and advancement of the clinical development programs for istaroxime and the Company’s other product candidates, including preclinical oncology candidates; the Company’s ability to access the debt or equity markets; the Company’s ability to secure and successfully complete an out-licensing or asset acquisition transaction; the Company’s ability to manage costs and execute on its operational and budget plans; the results, cost and timing of the Company’s clinical development programs, including any delays to such clinical trials relating to enrollment or site initiation; risks related to technology transfers to contract manufacturers and manufacturing development activities; delays encountered by the Company, contract manufacturers or suppliers in manufacturing drug products, drug substances, and other materials on a timely basis and in sufficient amounts; risks relating to rigorous regulatory requirements, including that: (i) the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authorities may not agree with the Company on matters raised during regulatory reviews, may require significant additional activities, or may not accept or may withhold or delay consideration of applications, or may not approve or may limit approval of the Company’s product candidates, and (ii) changes in the national or international political and regulatory environment may make it more difficult to gain regulatory approvals and risks related to the Company’s efforts to maintain and protect the patents and licenses related to its product candidates; risks that the Company may never realize the value of its intangible assets and have to incur future impairment charges; risks related to the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s product candidates, and the Company’s ability to service those markets; the Company’s ability to develop sales and marketing capabilities, whether alone or with potential future collaborators; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, if approved; the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of political unrest, including as a result of geopolitical tension, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the evolving events in the Middle East, and any sanctions, export controls or other restrictive actions that may be imposed by the United States and/or other countries which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations, including through disruption in supply chain or access to potential international clinical trial sites, and through disruption, instability and volatility in the global markets, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s ability to access the capital markets. These and other risks are described in the Company’s periodic reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact Information:

Windtree:

Eric Curtis

New Growth Advisors:

Stephen Cervieri