"Dallas Hartman, AdAlta’s Chief Operating Officer, resigned during the quarter to pursue interests as a chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC) consultant."
That little gem in the 1AD quarterly has given me new hope for a company that has been kicking more dirt than goals of late with its lead candidate AD-214. As far as I can tell Mr Hartman was appointed during the Sam Cobb era and came to 1AD with experiences in FC fusion proteins that was needed to develop AD-214 from AD-114. Perhaps what was not obvious then is the propensity of the liver to clear FC fusion proteins. Not much of an improvement to longevity when the molecule gets knocked out by efficient hepatic clearance.
The company has gone back to the future with a strategy that is more appropriately focused on its core competency of binding to difficult targets. In looking at this company again it appears to be now more receptive to engaging with other players that can benefit from this competency for value creation.
Internally, it would not be unsurprising if the five year FC fusion journey is put aside, forgotten and development reverts to AD-114 for a fresh start. Apart from commercial and face saving reasons, the serum longevity that comes from FC fusion is probably not that relevant for inhalation where smaller might actually be better.
It is also more likely that the smaller AD-114 without the FC fusion baggage will be renal cleared making it suitable for kidney fibrosis. Below is a recent article that goes into AD-114 in kidney fibrosis. Not sure why the company did not publicise it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8876455/
Unfortunately shareholders have taken haircuts for the FC fusion garden path but the changed strategy can only increase the chance of success.
Good luck all.
(20min delay)