false 0001595248 0001595248 2025-05-07 2025-05-07

Washington, D.C. 20549 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (512) 537-7997

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b–2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b–2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

On May 7, 2025, Genprex, Inc. (“Genprex” or the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that following the recent completion of its two-year Sponsored Research Agreement (“SRA”) with the University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education (“Pitt”) to study Type 1 diabetes (“T1D”) and Type 2 diabetes (“T2D”), the parties have entered into a new SRA in which the Company will sponsor preclinical studies of GPX-002, the Company’s gene therapy for diabetes, for the treatment of T1D and T2D in animal models. 

 

The Company noted in its press release that preclinical data from an animal study of GPX-002 in T1D showed statistically significant decreases in insulin requirements, increases in c-peptide levels and improvements in glucose tolerance in the treated animals compared to baseline. The Company believes these groundbreaking results support the hypothesis that this disruptive gene therapy approach developed by Pitt researchers may be a promising treatment for both T1D and T2D.  GPX-002 is currently being developed using the same construct for the treatment of both T1D and T2D.  The same general novel approach is used in each of T1D and T2D whereby an adeno-associated virus vector containing the Pdx1 and MafA genes is administered directly into the pancreatic duct. In humans, this can be done with a routine endoscopy procedure. In T1D, GPX-002 is designed to work by transforming alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like cells, which can produce insulin but may be distinct enough from beta cells to evade the body’s immune system. In vivo, preclinical studies show that GPX-002 restored normal blood glucose levels for an extended period of time in T1D mouse models. In T2D, where autoimmunity is not at play, GPX-002 is believed to rejuvenate and replenish exhausted beta cells.

 

 

Statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Genprex’s reports that it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review, including those statements under “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in Genprex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Genprex’s ability to advance the clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of its product candidates in accordance with projected timelines; the timing and success of Genprex’s clinical trials and regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, the Company’s diabetes clinical development program; Genprex’s plans, intentions, and expectations for GPX-002 and the new SRA with Pitt, including the Company’s goals and plans for preclinical studies and potential future clinical trials of GPX-002, and the Company’s beliefs about the anticipated effects of GPX-002 and its potential as a therapeutic approach; the effect of Genprex’s product candidates, alone and in combination with other therapies, on cancer and diabetes; the effects of any strategic research and development prioritization initiatives, and any other strategic alternatives or other efforts that Genprex takes or may take in the future that are aimed at optimizing and re-focusing Genprex’s diabetes, oncology and/or other clinical development programs including prioritization of resources, and the extent to which Genprex is able to implement such efforts and initiatives successfully to achieve the desired and intended results thereof; Genprex’s future growth and financial status, including Genprex’s ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and to continue as a going concern and to obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all; Genprex’s commercial and strategic partnerships, including those with its third party vendors, suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to successfully perform and scale up the manufacture of its product candidates; and Genprex’s intellectual property and licenses.

 

These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events and Genprex cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by Genprex or any other person that Genprex will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing. Genprex disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this filing or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

 

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.