Opthea (ASX:OPT) Initiates Cost-Cutting Measures Following Clinical Trial Setback

Highlights 

• Opthea (OPT) ends development of sozinibercept after trial misses endpoints. 
• Announces workforce reduction by 65% to manage finances. 
• Continues discussions with investors to navigate future strategies. 

In a recent business update, Opthea (ASX:OPT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing therapies for retinal diseases, shared some crucial developments with its stakeholders. The company, known for its efforts in treating conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), faced a setback as its primary clinical trial did not achieve the expected outcomes. 

Opthea's pivotal trial aimed to assess the efficacy of sozinibercept in improving vision for wet AMD sufferers. Unfortunately, the treatment did not meet the primary endpoint of enhancing best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 52 weeks. This result prompted Opthea to halt the development of sozinibercept in this application. 

In response to these outcomes, Opthea announced a significant reduction in its workforce, which will be cut by approximately 65% starting May 1, 2025. This decision is part of a broader strategy to decrease monthly expenditures, with the company projecting savings of about US$1 million per month in employee costs. The one-time expense associated with this reduction is estimated at US$4.5 million. 

Financially, Opthea reported having around US$100 million in cash reserves as of the end of March 2025. Despite these funds, the company faces considerable financial challenges, exacerbated by obligations under its development funding agreement (DFA). Should the DFA be terminated, the company could be liable to repay a multiple of the funds provided by investors, a scenario that could impact its solvency. 

The company is actively engaged in discussions with DFA investors to explore options that could deliver favorable outcomes for all parties involved. These talks are crucial as they will help determine the company's ability to continue operations under the 'going concern' assumption. 

Trading in Opthea shares has been suspended, pending a detailed announcement from the company that will provide greater clarity on its financial status and strategic direction post-trial. 

As Opthea navigates through these challenging times, the focus remains on managing resources effectively and securing a stable path forward for the company and its shareholders. The outcomes of ongoing negotiations with investors will be pivotal in shaping the company's future strategies and operational capabilities.