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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 1, 2021

 

Commission File No. 001-40060

 

Longeveron Inc.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   47-2174146
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
     

1951 NW 7th Avenue, Suite 520

Miami, Florida

  33136
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(305) 909-0840
(Issuer’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

  

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share   LGVN   The Nasdaq Capital Market

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On October 1, 2021, Longeveron Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), made available on its website an updated Company presentation. A copy of the Company’s presentation is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01. The presentation is also available on the Company’s website at www.Longeveron.com under the Investor tab. The information contained on the Company’s website shall not be deemed part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

In addition, on September 29, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing potential biomarker data correlating with Lomecel-B bioactivity. The Company also presented this information at the International Conference for Frailty & Sarcopenia Research The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

The information provided under Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K (including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) is being furnished, and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

On September 13, 2021, the Company, and certain of our directors and officers, were named as defendants in a purported securities class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The suit alleges material misstatements in the Company’s initial public offering materials in alleged violation of the federal securities laws and seeks damages on behalf of purchasers of our common stock during the period from our initial public offering on February 12, 2021, through August 12, 2021.

 

We believe that these allegations are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend against them. We do not intend to file further Current Reports on Form 8-K describing any additional lawsuits that may be filed that are based on allegations substantially similar to those described above.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Company Presentation
99.2   Press Release of the Company, dated September 29, 2021
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

1

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

October 1, 2021  
   
  Longeveron Inc.
   
  By:  /s/ Geoff Green
    Geoff Green
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

2

 

 

Exhibit Index

  

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Company Presentation
99.2   Press Release of the Company, dated September 29, 2021
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

3

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Nasdaq: LGVN October 2021 Cell Therapy for Aging - Related Disease & Life - Threatening Conditions

 

 

Forward Looking Statements 2 Certain statements in this presentation that are not historical facts are forward - looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions, and estimates of future performance and economic conditions, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein . Forward - looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of forward - looking terminology such as "believe," "expects," "may," "looks to," "will," "should," "plan," "intend," "on condition," "target," "see," "potential," "estimates," "preliminary," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy or goals or other future events, circumstances, or effects . Moreover, forward - looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements about the ability of our clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of our product candidates, and other potentially positive or negative results ; the timing, focus and potential outcomes of our ongoing and future preclinical studies and clinical trials ; the size of the market opportunity for our product candidates, the beneficial characteristics, safety, efficacy and therapeutic effects of our product candidates ; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates, our plans and ability to obtain or protect intellectual property rights, including extensions of existing patent terms where available and our ability to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of others . Further information relating to factors that may impact the Company's results and forward - looking statements are disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10 - K filed with the SEC on March 30 , 2021 . The forward - looking statements contained in this presentation are made as of the date of this presentation, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation, other than imposed by law, to update or revise any forward - looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise .

 

 

Longeveron At - a - Glance (NASDAQ: LGVN) 3 Biotechnology Regenerative Medicine / Cell Therapy 2014 February 12, 2021 $21.4 million (June 30, 2021) Industry Sect o r Found ed IP O Cash Lo cat ion Miami, Florida (Corporate headquarters, manufacturing, research and development)

 

 

Longeveron: Developing Cell Therapy For Aging - Related Disease & Life - Threatening Conditions • Lead investigational therapeutic: Lomecel - B Œ (Allogeneic (donor - derived) medicinal signaling cells (MSCs)) – MSCs isolated from the bone marrow of young healthy adult donors • Lomecel - B produced in Longeveron’s state - of - the - art cGMP facility (Miami, FL) • Research Programs in U.S., Japan and the Bahamas • Clinical trial data evaluating Lomecel - B in three indications/conditions: • Alzheimer’s disease (Ph. 1): Well - tolerated; no evidence of ARIA; exploratory cognitive function & biomarker data • Aging Frailty (Ph. 2b): Well - tolerated; significant, dose - dependent increase in walking distance • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (Ph. 1): W ell - tolerated; no Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) • Programs awarded ~$15 million in non - dilutive grant funds to date (NIA, NHLBI, Alz. Association & MSCRF) • Anticipated* near - term events/milestones: » Q4: Additional biomarker data from Phase 2b Aging Frailty US Trial » Q4 ‘21/Q1 ‘22: Top line data from Aging Frailty Influenza Vaccine Phase 1/2 “HERA” Trial » Q4 ‘21/Q1 ‘22: Initiate Alzheimer’s Disease Phase 2 Trial » Q4 ‘21/Q1 ‘22: Initiate Japan Phase 2 Aging Frailty Trial 4 *Anticipated event timeline, subject to adjustment and change. ARIA=amyloid related imaging abnormalities; NIA=National Institute on Aging; NHLBI=National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; MSCRF - Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund

 

 

Lomecel - B Medicinal Signaling Cells (MSC) Cell Therapy 5

 

 

Lomecel - B: Multimodal Mechanisms of Action (MOA) Pro - vascular, Pro - regenerative and Anti - inflammatory: Repairs Tissue & Promotes Healing 6 1 A nt i - i nf l ammator y cytokines 2 3 Exosome and m ic ro RNA re l ease 4 Mitochondrial transfer (somatic cells) Cell - cell interactions (stem cells) 1 2 3 4 Potential MOAs: Jimenez - Puerta GJ, et al. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2020 Feb;9(2):445. Mazhari R and Hare JM. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine. 2007 Feb;4(1):S21 - 6.

 

 

Lomecel - B Production and Administration 7 Healthy Adult Donors 18 - 45 Years; Rigorously Screened MSCs Isolated from Bone Marro w Aspi rat e MSCs Culture - Expanded into Billions of Cells 40 Minute IV Infusion

 

 

Lomecel - B: Proprietary, Scalable, “Off - the - Shelf” Cellular Therapy 8 • Robust quality assurance processes ensure batch - to - batch consistency • Cryogenically stored long - term, easy to prepare and administer • Delivered systemically or locally • In response to inflammatory mediators, MSCs home to sites of tissue damage 1 • Not perceived by the host as foreign (Immuno - evasive) 2 K e y A dvantages of Lomecel - B 1 Rustad KC, and Gurtner GC. Advances in wound care. 2012 Aug 1;1(4):147 - 52. 2 Ankrum JA, Ong JF, Karp JM. Mesenchymal stem cells: immune evasive, not immune privileged. Nature biotechnology. 2014 Mar;32(3):252 - 60.

 

 

Robust Lomecel - B Clinical Research Pipeline Focus Indication Location Funding/Partner ^ Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Central Nervous System Alzheimer’s Disease U.S. Aging Frailty Aging Frailty Phase 2b U.S. Flu Vaccine in Aging Frailty (Phase 1/2 “HERA” Trial) U.S. Aging Frailty Phase 2 Japan Metabolic Syndrome Substudy * U.S. Congenital Heart Defect Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome U.S. Inflammatory ARDS Due to COVID - 19 U.S. *Sub study of two US Aging Frailty trials; ARDS=Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Central Nervous System ^Alzheimer’s Association Grant for Phase 1; National Institute on Aging Grant for Phase 2b Aging Frailty and Metabolic Substudy; MSCRF grants for Phase 1/2 Aging Frailty “HERA”, Phase 1 HLHS, and Phase 1 ARDS; NHLBI grant for Phase 2 HLHS. 9

 

 

Lomecel - B Clinical Research Alzheimer’s Disease 10

 

 

Alzheimer’s Disease: Targeting Neuroinflammation 11 • Chronic neuroinflammation a hallmark of dysregulated microglia, cause of nerve cell death • Systemic inflammation likely contributes to disease progression • MSCs in animal models of Alzheimer’s: – Cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) – ↓ pro - inflammatory; ↑ anti - inflammatory biomarkers – Improve immune functioning – Promote neurogenesis – Improve endothelial function Pro - inflammatory state appears requisite for disease, neurodegeneration and neuronal death: Lue et al Inflammation, A beta deposition, and neurofibrillary tangle formation as correlates of Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1996;55(10):1083 - 8. Epub 1996/10/01 Pimplikar. Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: from pathogenesis to a therapeutic target. J Clin Immunol. 2014;34 Suppl 1:S64 - 9. Epub 2014/04/09. doi: 10.1007/s10875 - 014 - 0032 - 5. Heneka et al. Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol. 2015;14(4):388 - 405. Epub 2015/03/21. doi: 10.1016/S1474 - 4422(15)70016 - 5. Neves et al. Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells reduces Tau phosphorylation and inflammation in the 3xTg - AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Experimental neurology. Kim et al. The preventive and therapeutic effects of intravenous human adipose - derived stem cells in Alzheimer's disease mice. PloS one. 2012;7(9):e45757. Shin et al. Mesenchymal stem cells enhance autophagy and increase beta - amyloid clearance in Alzheimer disease models. Autophagy. 2014;10(1):32 - 44. Lee JK. Soluble CCL5 derived from bone marrow - derived mesenchymal stem cells and activated by amyloid beta ameliorates Alzheimer's disease in mice by recruiting bone marrow - induced microglia immune responses. Stem Cells. 2012;30(7):1544 - 55. Bae et al. Bone marrow - derived mesenchymal stem cells contribute to the reduction of amyloid - beta deposits and the improvement of synaptic transmission in a mouse model of pre - dementia Alzheimer's disease. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2013;10(5):524 - 31.

 

 

Phase 1 Study Designed for Safety & Exploratory Efficacy 12 Group 1 Placebo Group 2 20M Lomecel - B Group 3 100M Lomecel - B Infusion (randomized, blinded) Clinical Screen Major Eligibility Criteria • 50 - 80 year old male or female • Clinically diagnosed with mild AD according to NIA - AA criteria • MMSE score of 18 - 24 MRI Screen Major Eligibility Criteria • Brain MRI consistent with AD • Exclude other etiologies Major Eligibility Criteria • FDA - approved β - amyloid tracer • Deposits consistent with AD PET Screen • Subject assessments • Caregiver assessments • Randomization Baseline Primary Endpoint: Safety Efficacy Domain 1: Neurocognitive and Neu r ops yc h i a tr i c A ss es sm en ts Efficacy Domain 2 : Quality of Life (QOL) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Efficacy Domain 3: Biomarkers Follow - Up: Weeks 2, 4, 13, 26, 39, 52 N=8 N=15 N=10

 

 

Low Dose Lomecel - B: Slower Decline in MMSE in Phase 1 Trial 13 MMSE: Mini Mental State Exam; 20M: 20 million. † Pl ac eb o ch ang e f rom ba s e li ne , p<0 . 05 * 20M Lomecel - B compared to placebo, p<0.05 * 20M Lomecel - B change from baseline, p<0.05 † Change from baseline, p<0.05 †† Change from baseline, p<0.01 - 4 - 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 13 26 39 52 Change in ADAS - cog (Points) ADAS - cog † †† † † †† Worsening Lo m e c e l - B (20 M ) Placebo V isi t W ee k 0 No. Participants: Placebo 8 8 8 7 6 6 Lomecel - B 20M 15 15 15 13 11 10 Worsening Placebo 8 8 8 7 7 6 Lomecel - B 20M 15 15 15 13 11 10 † Combined change from baseline, p<0.05 †† Combined change from baseline, p<0.01 - 5 - 3 - 1 1 - 7 V isi t W ee k 0 No. Participants: (secondary/exploratory endpoints) MMSE 13 26 39 52 Change in MMSE (Points) * * * † † Lo m e c e l - B (20 M ) Placebo † †

 

 

Safety: Primary Endpoint Met Single infusion of two different doses well tolerated: No Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA) identified Secondary/Exploratory Endpoints Low dose Lomecel - B group’s MMSE score declined more slowly than placebo Low dose Lomecel - B group showed positive change QOL - AD & ADCS - ADL at 6 months Positive changes in provascular biomarkers (VEGF, IL4 and IL6) Positive changes in inflammatory - associated cytokines (sIL - 2Rα, IL - 10, IL - 12) Observations and results from Phase 1 AD Trial 14

 

 

Lomecel - B Robust Clinical Program Aging Frailty 15

 

 

Aging Frailty*: Diminishing Health, Independence and QoL Frailty – Age - associated decline in reserve and function across multiple physiologic systems leading to inability to cope with stressors – Characterized by mobility disability, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, slowness, low activity, etc . Higher risk for poor clinical outcomes – Infections, falls, fracture, hospitalizations, death High unmet need and high prevalence – No approved treatments for frailty – General prevalence of ~15% of individuals > 65 (Bandeen - Roche K, et alJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2015) Performance Normal Aging A cce l e r ate d A g i ng F r ail ty Disability Time (age) Adapted from Ferruci 2002. Frailty Time - Window *Frailty/Aging Frailty” presently does not have a consensus definition of the indication for regulatory purposes, and will therefore require additional clinical data and discussion with FDA and PMDA before conducting a pivotal trial and gaining marketing authorization. 16 F ul l P e rf o rm an ce

 

 

Aging Frailty* Phase 2b Clinical Trial General objectives of the trial: • Can Lomecel - B improve physical function? • Is there a dose - response relationship with Lomecel - B? • Are there patient reported outcomes (PROs) that correlate with change in physical function? • Are there biomarkers that support the mechanisms of action? • Can the potential patient population be refined? • Can a potency assay be developed for the indication? TRIAL COMPLETE Top - Line results announced August 13, 2021 US Phase 2b Trial (n=148) *Frailty/Aging Frailty” presently does not have a consensus definition of the indication for regulatory purposes, and will therefore require additional clinical data and discussion with FDA and PMDA before conducting a pivotal trial and gaining marketing authorization. 17

 

 

Phase 2b Study Aging Frailty Study Design Group 1 Placebo Group 2 25M Lomecel - B Group 3 50M Lomecel - B Single Infusion (randomized, blinded) Clinical Screen Major Eligibility Criteria • 70 - 85 year old male or female • Clinical Frailty Scale score 5 – 6 (mild to moderate) • Can walk 200 to 400 m in 6 min • Serum TNF - α > 2.5 pg/mL • Subject assess m ents • Randomization Baseline Primary Endpoint a) Change in 6MWT (180 days) b) Dose - Response Curve (6MWT) Other Endpoints 6MWT, SPPB, Pulmonary Function, Tinetti POMA, PROs (physical function, mobility, upper extremity, fear and risk of falling), depression, cognitive function, frailty, biomarkers, safety and clinical outcomes. Follow - Up (Weeks 90, 180, 270 days) N=29 N=35 N=30 Group 4 100M Lomecel - B Group 5 200M Lomecel - B N=33 N=16 1R44AG062015 - 01 18

 

 

Lomecel - B Improved Walking Distance Over 9 Months * Change from baseline; p<0.05 ** Change from baseline; p<0.01 # Versus placebo; p<0.05 ## Versus placebo; p<0.01 19

 

 

Lomecel - B led to ~ 50 meter increase in walking distance (200 million cell dose group) - 30m Δ = 19% increased mortality 1 (CHF patients) Day 270 Δ6MWT (200M vs Placebo) = 63.4 meters (CI 95% 17.1 – 109.62), p=0.0077 32m MCID 4 (Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) patients) 17.8m MCID 2 and 20m MCID 3 (older adults) * Change from baseline; p<0.05 ** Change from baseline; p<0.01 ## Versus placebo; p<0.01 MCID: Minimal Clinically Important Difference 1 R. Boxer, A. Kleppinger, A. Ahmad, K. Annis, D. Hager, A. Kenny. The 6 - MinuteWalk Is Associated With Frailty and Predicts Mortality in Older Adults With Heart Failure. (2010) Congest Heart Fail. 16:208. 2 B.C. Kwok,Y.H Pua, K. Mamun, W.P. Wong. The minimal clinically important difference of six - minute walk in Asian older adults. (2013) BMC Geriatrics 13:23 3 S. Perera, S.H. Mody, R.C. Woodman, S.A. Studenski Meaningful Change and Responsiveness in Common Physical Performance Measures in Older Adults. (2006) J Am Geriatr Soc 54:743. 4 M.J. Shoemaker, A.B. Curtis, E. Vangsnes, M.G. Dickinson. Clinically Meaningful Change Estimates for the Six - Minute Walk Test and Daily Activity in Individuals With Chronic Heart Failure. (2013) Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy J. 24:21. 20

 

 

Statistically - significant dose response using 6MWT at 180 days. 21

 

 

Change in PROMIS - Physical Function SF - 20 correlated with change in 6MWT when all Lomecel - B subjects combined 22 Change in PROMIS - PF Change in 6MWT PROMIS - PF: Patient - Reported Outcome Measurement Information System - Physical Function

 

 

Lomecel - B 200M cohort showed decreased serum levels of soluble Tie2 (sTie2) and dose - response @ Day 270: Suggests possible improvement in endothelial function. ##p<0.05 Lomecel - B vs. placebo * p<0.05 vs. baseline Statistically significant dose - response for change in sTie2 @ Day 270. Tie2 and its cleaved soluble form sTie2 are associated with vascular (blood vessel) health 1 - 5 . Elevated levels of sTie2 in the blood can indicate poor vascular health 3 and endothelial dysfunction 5 - 7 , which is associated with frailty 8 - 9 . Subjects in the Lomecel - B 200M dose groups showed a statistically significant decrease in sTie2 in the blood compared to placebo at Day 270, suggesting that Lomecel - B reduces Tie2, and therefore may have a positive effect on endothelial function. 23 1 Ghosh, C.C., et al., Gene control of tyrosine kinase TIE2 and vascular manifestations of infections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2016. 113(9): p. 2472 - 7. 2 Han, S., et al., Amelioration of sepsis by TIE2 activation - induced vascular protection. Sci Transl Med, 2016. 8(335): p. 335ra55. 3 Findley, C.M., et al., Plasma levels of soluble Tie2 and vascular endothelial growth factor distinguish critical limb ischemia from intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral arterial disease. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2008. 52(5): p. 387 - 93 4 Maisonpierre, P.C., et al., Angiopoietin - 2, a natural antagonist for Tie2 that disrupts in vivo angiogenesis. Science, 1997. 277(5322): p. 55 - 60 5 Higgins, S.J., et al., Tie2 protects the vasculature against thrombus formation in systemic inflammation. J Clin Invest, 2018. 128(4): p. 1471 - 1484 6 Idowu, T.O., et al., Identification of specific Tie2 cleavage sites and therapeutic modulation in experimental sepsis. Elife, 2020. 9 7 Thamm, K., et al., Molecular Regulation of Acute Tie2 Suppression in Sepsis. Crit Care Med, 2018. 46(9): p. e928 - e936. 8 Alonso - Bouzon, C., et al., Association between endothelial dysfunction and frailty: the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging. Age (Dordr), 2014. 36(1): p. 495 - 505. 9 Amarasekera, A.T., et al., Does vascular endothelial dysfunction play a role in physical frailty and sarcopenia? A systematic review. Age Ageing, 2021. 50(3): p. 725 - 732.

 

 

Anticipated Next Steps 24 • Continued deeper review of clinical data, subgroup analysis, biomarker analysis; • Work with Longeveron’s Frailty Steering Committee & potentially regulators to determine next steps in clinical development plan; • Publish results in peer - reviewed journal

 

 

“HERA” Trial: Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine in Aging Frailty* 25 *As noted previously, Frailty/Aging Frailty” is currently not a recognized indication by US FDA or Japan PMDA HAI=Hemagglutination Inhibition Objectives • Safety • Can Lomecel - B improve adaptive immunity against influenza virus in subjects with Aging Frailty? Exploratory Endpoints (not full list) • Change from baseline in HAI assay at 4 weeks • Virus - specific antibody production • Incidence of flu/flu - like symptoms • Changes in frailty (e.g. physical function & mobility) US Phase 1/2 Influenza Vaccine Trial (n=61) TRIAL COMPLETE Top - line results anticipated in 2021 or early 2022

 

 

Aging Frailty* Clinical Trial in Japan 26 Objectives • Safety • Can Lomecel - B improve exercise tolerance and mobility? Efficacy Endpoints • Change in 6MWT; grip strength, walking speed, patient - reported outcomes biomarkers, fear and risk of falling, depression, sexual function, clinical outcomes, others Japanese National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology - sponsored trial • NCGG (Nagoya) and Juntendo University (Tokyo) selected as clinical sites Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) accepted by PMDA TRIAL PLANNING ONGOING Anticipated to start in 2021 or early 2022 Japan Phase 2 Trial (n=45) *Frailty/Aging Frailty” presently does not have a consensus definition of the indication for regulatory purposes, and will therefore require additional clinical data and discussion with FDA and PMDA before conducting a pivotal trial and gaining marketing authorization.

 

 

Lomecel - B Robust Clinical Program Congenital Heart Defect 27

 

 

Lomecel - B for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) Normal Heart Left Ventricular Defect • Congenital heart defect (~1,000 babies/year in US) 1 • Characterized by underdeveloped or absent left ventricle • Three staged operations currently standard of care • ~30% mortality rate at 3 years 2 • Lomecel - B injected directly into right ventricle during second stage (Glenn Operation ) – Goal to repair and regenerate cardiac tissue, improve ventricular function 28 1 Mai CT, et al.. Birth defects research. 2019 Nov 1;111(18):1420 - 35. 2 Newburger JW, et al. Circulation. 2014 May 20;129(20):2013 - 20.

 

 

Phase 1 Trial (ELPIS I) HLHS: Phase 1 Complete D e s ign • Open label, single arm, n=10 • Lomecel - B injected during second staged surgery (Glenn Procedure) • • Funded in part by Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) Subjects followed for 12 months Secondary/exploratory endpoints Results * Safety • No major adverse cardiac events • No infections considered related to Lomecel - B • No statistically significant deterioration in cardiac structure or function at 6 or 12 months compared to baseline • Growth consistent with normal development • 100% transplant - free survival one year post surgery – Ongoing follow - up currently ranging from two to 3.5 years Phase 2 Trial (ELPIS II) *Should be viewed with caution due to small sample size and lack of control arm 29

 

 

HLHS: On to Phase 2 • N=38; randomized, controlled, blinded • First infant treated July 7 2021 during Stage II Glenn surgery • Will be enrolling at up to seven major pediatric cardiac centers • Primary endpoint: Change in Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction (RVEF) at 12 months Phase 1 Trial (ELPIS I) Phase 2 Trial (ELPIS II) 30

 

 

Q4 2021 Q1 2022 Biomarker Data from Aging Frailty Phase 2b Data from Aging Frailty Influenza Vaccine Phase 1/2 Trial Initiation of Phase 2 Alzheimer’s Trial Initiation of Phase 2 Japan Aging Frailty Trial Near Term Events for Lomecel - B Program *relative timelines; based on Company’s current forecasts and subject to change. Date Release Trial Initiation 31

 

 

Corporate Overview 32

 

 

Intellectual Property & Barriers to Competition 33 Company - Owned Patent Applications • Allogeneic MSCs for use as a vaccine adjuvant • Allogeneic MSCs for improving humoral immunity • Allogeneic MSCs to treat sexual dysfunction • MSC protein expression from stimuli (potency assay) • MSCs to treat Alzheimer’s disease • Other applications currently confidential Licensed Patents & Applications • Monitoring cardiomyopathy therapy • CD271+ MSCs for cardiac repair – License is for use of CD271+ cells for aging - related disorders Proprietary Manufacturing Process • Exclusively licensed from University of Miami • Improved and optimized by Longeveron • In - house manufacturing to maintain proprietary trade secrets Trademarks and Trademark Applications • Applications pending in multiple jurisdictions for LONGEVERON and LOMECEL - B

 

 

Experienced and Successful Leadership Geoff Green, MBA CEO 25+ years in life sciences, with a variety leadership roles throughout his time in the industry, including operations, business development, clinical affairs. Previously President and Acting CEO of DOR BioPharma, (now Soligenix (NAS: SNGX)), VP of Business Dev. & Clinical Affairs at Accu - Break Pharmaceuticals, VP of Operations at Partikula. Earned a B.A. in biology from Kenyon College, and an M.B.A. from Barry University’s Andreas School of Business. Joshua M. Hare, MD Co - Founder & CSO Co - founded Longeveron in 2014 from the University of Miami, where he is also the Founding Director of the university’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute (ISCI). Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania & Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Served as a research fellow at Harvard University and is Board Certified in cardiovascular medicine. James Clavijo CFO 25+ years of experience as a CFO for pharmaceutical, healthcare and manufacturing companies. Served as Chief Financial Officer for Aeterna Zentaris (NASDAQ:AEZS) & Tri - source Pharma & as Chief Accounting Officer at Soligenix (NASDAQ: SNGX) Dan Gincel, PhD Senior VP, Strategic Collaborations & Scientific Affairs 20+ years leadership experience overseeing development and commercialization of regenerative medicines, including cell therapies, as well as establishing public - private collaborations and corporate partnerships. VP of University Partnerships and a member of the Executive Leadership team at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). Lisa McClain - Moss Vice President, Manufacturing With leadership with Cognate BioServices and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, Ms. McClain - Moss leads Longeveron’s cell therapy manufacturing and product development activity. Paul Lehr, JD General Counsel, International Executive Director 25+ years with legal & executive positions in corporate and research settings. Former President of the Pritikin Longevity Institute and CEO of National YoungArts Foundation.. BA from Brown University, and JD from University of Florida. Anthony Oliva, PhD Senior Scientist 20+ years of basic and clinical research experience, with accumulated experience in regulatory and clinical affairs. Integral in leading Longeveron’s grant application and grant funding process. B.A. in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago; Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Baylor College of Medicine; Post - doctoral research at Oregon Health & Science University. 34

 

 

S um m ary Well - characterized allogeneic MSC product in development Robust clinical pipeline with advanced trials in Alzheimer’s disease, aging related frailty, HLHS and other indications State - of - the - art GMP facility for stringent manufacturing Lomecel - B well - tolerated to date; supportive early clinical data in 3 indications Significant catalysts expected in 2021 - 2022 Proven management, scientific, and manufacturing teams 35

 

 

Thank You 36 www.longeveron.com Nasdaq: LGVN

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

Longeveron Announces Potential Biomarker Correlating with Lomecel-B Bioactivity.

 

·Lomecel-B significantly decreased biomarker Tie-2 in Aging Frailty subjects at 270 days compared to placebo
   
·Significant, dose-dependent decrease in Tie-2 at Day 270
   
·Oral presentation today at the International Conference for Frailty & Sarcopenia Research

 

Miami, FL – September 29th, 2021 – Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) ("Longeveron" or "Company"), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for chronic aging-related and life-threatening conditions, announced preliminary top line results from ongoing biomarker analysis from the Company’s Phase 2b trial of Lomecel-B investigational cell therapy in Aging Frailty subjects.

 

Biomarker analysis, which is considered exploratory in this trial, revealed that administration of Lomecel-B was associated with a statistically significant reduction in serum levels of soluble TIE-2 (sTIE-2) in a dose-dependent fashion at Day 270 compared to placebo. The levels fell by -243.13 ± 1073.21 pg/mL for the combined Lomecel-B arms (95% CI -519.69, -93.61; p=0.0051) at 270 days as compared to an increase of 356.03 ± 1018.95 pg/mL in the placebo group (95% CI -4.06, 786.87; p=0.0524). The difference between the placebo and high dose Lomecel-B (200 million cells) is -936.85 pg/mL (95% CI -1640.27, -233.43; p=0.0095). It is known that reductions in sTIE-2 correlate with anti-inflammatory and pro-vascular effects [1, 2], while elevated levels of sTIE2 have been observed in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) [3].

 

TIE-2 is a cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase that can activate biochemical pathways to promote vascular (blood vessel) health [1, 2, 4]. This receptor is present on cells that line blood vessels, and protects against vascular leakage and inflammation [5, 6]. However, TIE-2 can be cleaved from the cell surface, which increases the levels of sTIE-2 in the blood stream [7]. As such, increased levels of sTIE-2 in the blood stream may be indicative of poor vascular health [3] and endothelial dysfunction [8, 9]. Since poor vascular health and endothelial dysfunction are associated with the onset and development of frailty in older adults [10, 11], the finding that Lomecel-B can reduce sTIE-2 suggests that improving vascular and endothelial function may be a potential mechanism of action of this product. This is the first time that a cell therapy has been associated with a reduction in sTIE-2 in the blood stream.

 

The Company plans to further explore the Tie-2 changes in additional subject populations with Aging Frailty.

 

Virtual Presentation

 

Jorge Ruiz, M.D., Associate Director for Clinical Affairs at the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, and lead investigator in the trial, will present the results from the trial titled: A Phase 2b, Randomized, Blinded and Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lomecel-B Infusion in Patients With Aging Frailty (the “Phase 2b trial”) at the 2021 11th Annual International Conference for Frailty & Sarcopenia (ICFSR).

 

Today’s slide deck will be available on the Company’s “Events & Presentations” page and the webcast of the presentation will be made available on the Company’s website after the conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Phase 2b Trial

 

The Phase 2b trial, which was partially funded by a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), evaluated the safety and efficacy of a single peripheral intravenous infusion of four different doses of Lomecel-B cell therapy (25 million (n=37), 50 million (n=31), 100 million (n=34) and 200 million (n=16) cells. The primary objective of the study was to assess the effect of Lomecel-B treatment on exercise tolerance and endurance via the six-minute walk test (6MWT).

 

·Results showed that frail subjects (average age of 75.2 years) with impaired mobility could walk nearly 50 meters further 180 days after a single infusion of Lomecel-B (200 million Lomecel-B group; p=0.0065). This increase persisted through 270 days (200 million Lomecel-B group change from baseline 47.9 meters; p=0.0115, and p=0.0077 compared to placebo). By comparison, the placebo-treated subjects change from baseline at 180 days and 270 days was 8.0 meters (p=0.5371) and -15.5 meters (p=0.2728), respectively. Additionally, results showed a clear, statistically significant dose-response curve at day 180 using the 6MWT endpoint.

 

References

 

1.Ghosh, C.C., et al., Gene control of tyrosine kinase TIE2 and vascular manifestations of infections. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2016. 113(9): p. 2472-7.
  
2.Han, S., et al., Amelioration of sepsis by TIE2 activation-induced vascular protection. Sci Transl Med, 2016. 8(335): p. 335ra55.
  
3.Findley, C.M., et al., Plasma levels of soluble Tie2 and vascular endothelial growth factor distinguish critical limb ischemia from intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral arterial disease. J Am Coll Cardiol, 2008. 52(5): p. 387-93.
  
4.Maisonpierre, P.C., et al., Angiopoietin-2, a natural antagonist for Tie2 that disrupts in vivo angiogenesis. Science, 1997. 277(5322): p. 55-60.
  
5.Augustin, H.G., et al., Control of vascular morphogenesis and homeostasis through the angiopoietin-Tie system. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol, 2009. 10(3): p. 165-77.
  
6.Kelly-Goss, M.R., et al., Dynamic, heterogeneous endothelial Tie2 expression and capillary blood flow during microvascular remodeling. Sci Rep, 2017. 7(1): p. 9049.
  
7.Reusch, P., et al., Identification of a soluble form of the angiopoietin receptor TIE-2 released from endothelial cells and present in human blood. Angiogenesis, 2001. 4(2): p. 123-31.
  
8.Idowu, T.O., et al., Identification of specific Tie2 cleavage sites and therapeutic modulation in experimental sepsis. Elife, 2020. 9.
  
9.Thamm, K., et al., Molecular Regulation of Acute Tie2 Suppression in Sepsis. Crit Care Med, 2018. 46(9): p. e928-e936.
  
10.Alonso-Bouzon, C., et al., Association between endothelial dysfunction and frailty: the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging. Age (Dordr), 2014. 36(1): p. 495-505.
  
11.Amarasekera, A.T., et al., Does vascular endothelial dysfunction play a role in physical frailty and sarcopenia? A systematic review. Age Ageing, 2021. 50(3): p. 725-732.

 

About Lomecel-B

 

Lomecel-B is a proprietary allogeneic product comprised of medicinal signaling cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow of adult donors and culture-expanded in Longeveron’s current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) cell processing facility.

 

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About Longeveron Inc.

 

Longeveron is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for specific aging-related and life-threatening conditions. The Company’s lead investigational product is the LOMECEL-B™ cell-based therapy product (“Lomecel-B”), which is derived from culture-expanded medicinal signaling cells (MSCs) that are sourced from bone marrow of young, healthy adult donors. Longeveron believes that by using the same cells that promote tissue repair, organ maintenance, and immune system function, it can develop safe and effective therapies for some of the most difficult disorders associated with the aging process and other medical disorders. Longeveron is currently sponsoring Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in the following indications: Aging Frailty, Alzheimer’s disease, the Metabolic Syndrome, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The Company’s mission is to advance Lomecel-B and other cell-based product candidates into pivotal Phase 3 trials, with the goal of achieving regulatory approvals, subsequent commercialization, and broad use by the healthcare community. Additional information about the Company is available at https://www.longeveron.com/.

 

Forward-Looking and Other Statements

 

Certain statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions, and estimates of future performance and economic conditions, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expects," "may," "looks to," "will," "should," "plan," "intend," "on condition," "target," "see," "potential," "estimates," "preliminary," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy or goals or other future events, circumstances, or effects. Moreover, forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements about the ability of our clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of our product candidates, and other positive results; the timing and focus of our ongoing and future preclinical studies and clinical trials; the size of the market opportunity for our product candidates, the beneficial characteristics, safety, efficacy and therapeutic effects of our product candidates; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our product candidates, our plans and ability to obtain or protect intellectual property rights, including extensions of existing patent terms where available and our ability to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of others. Further information relating to factors that may impact the Company's results and forward-looking statements are disclosed in the Company's filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation, other than imposed by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Investor Contact:

 

Brendan Payne

Stern Investor Relations

212-698-8695

[email protected]

 

 

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