Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA), a biopharmaceutical company developing personalized immunotherapies for autoimmune disorders, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, and provided an update on the Company’s clinical development and corporate activities.

“Over the past several years, Opexa has dedicated itself to developing therapies to treat patients with high unmet medical needs, such as those with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis,” stated Neil K. Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opexa. “We are extremely disappointed that the Abili-T trial did not meet the predefined endpoints, and we are evaluating strategic alternatives for the Company in order to determine the best path forward.”

Clinical Activities

On October 28, 2016, Opexa announced that the Phase 2b Abili-T clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tcelna (imilecleucel-T) in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) did not meet its primary endpoint of reduction in brain volume change (atrophy), nor did it meet the secondary endpoint of reduction of the rate of sustained disease progression. Tcelna did show a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Further details surrounding the Abili-T trial results can be found in Opexa’s 3rd Quarter Form 10-Q, filed this morning with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Opexa is currently analyzing the complete data set from the Abili-T trial. However, based on the top-line results, it is unlikely that the Company will continue with further development of Tcelna.

The Company is conducting a review of its other research and development programs, including the preclinical program for OPX-212 in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), to assess the viability of continuing to pursue one or more of these programs.

Corporate Activities

On November 2, 2016, Opexa announced a reduction in workforce of 40% of the Company’s then 20 full-time employees while the Company evaluates its programs and various strategic alternatives in light of the disappointing Abili-T study data. The Company estimates that it will incur incremental aggregate cash charges of approximately $95,000 associated with workforce reduction. The Company expects that additional restructuring will occur by year-end.

On November 2, 2016, Opexa announced that the Company had accepted the resignations of Ms. Donna Rill, Opexa’s Chief Development Officer, and Mr. Scott Seaman, a member of Opexa’s Board of Directors.

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2016

Cash position: Cash and cash equivalents were $5,814,300 as of September 30, 2016, compared to $12,583,764 as of December 31, 2015. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2,121,043.

R & D Expense: Research and development expenses were $2,165,728 for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared with $2,420,220 for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The decrease in expenses is primarily due to cost reductions in connection with the winding down of the clinical trial of Tcelna in SPMS, including site expenses as well as additional expense reduction due to a pause in NMO study development cost. Additionally, there was a decrease in legal patent protection expenses, and the March 2016 workforce reduction further reduced third quarter expenses. These reductions were almost completely offset by the increase in monthly expenses to Pharmaceutical Research Associates, Inc. (PRA), as well as an execution payment and additional milestone payments relating to an amendment entered into for a change order relating to the clinical trials management services agreement for the Abili-T study.

G & A Expense: General and administrative expenses were $512,727 for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared with $1,023,848 for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Net loss: Net loss reported for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was approximately $2.0 million, or $0.28 loss per share (basic and diluted), compared with a net loss of approximately $2.8 million or $0.42 loss per share (basic and diluted) for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Financial Guidance

Based on the current activities of the Company and projected burn, Opexa believes it has sufficient liquidity to support current activities in winding down the Abili-T trial and for general operations to sustain the Company and support such activities into the first quarter of 2017.

For additional information please see Opexa’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed today with the SEC.

About Opexa

Opexa Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing personalized immunotherapies based on ImmPath®, its proprietary T-cell technology, with the potential to treat autoimmune diseases. Opexa’s staff of cell therapy experts operates in a stand-alone facility located on one acre in the Woodlands, Texas. The facility is comprised of over 10,000 sq. ft. of state of the art space for cGMP manufacturing suites, a quality control laboratory, a research and development laboratory, quality assurance, specialized flow cytometry, a microscopy lab and clinical and regulatory affairs, as well as warehouse space for materials management. Opexa’s patent estate is currently comprised of over 160 issued patents (domestic and international).

For more information, visit the Opexa Therapeutics website at www.opexatherapeutics.com or follow company news on Twitter via @OpexaCEO or LinkedIn.