Appili Therapeutics Announces Alignment with FDA on Development Requirements for ATI-1801 Topical Antiparasitic Product NDA Submission

Demonstrated safety and efficacy across multiple Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies

Appili provides update on Aditxt transaction and encourages shareholders to vote their shares as soon as possible for the November 6, 2024 shareholders meeting

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appili Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:APLI, OTC:APLIF) (the "Company" or "Appili"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on drug development for infectious diseases and medical countermeasures, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has provided positive feedback regarding the development strategy for ATI-1801, and agreed on the necessary registration package to support a New Drug Application ("NDA"). ATI-1801, a novel topical formulation of paromomycin (15% w/w), is under advanced clinical development for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disfiguring skin infection affecting hundreds of thousands globally.

"This positive response from the FDA simplifies and de-risks our development program for ATI-1801," said Don Cilla, President and CEO of Appili Therapeutics. "The agency's agreement with our proposed strategy enables Appili to leverage key results from the clinical dossier for ATI-1801 licensed from U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity ("USAMMDA"), including the successful results of a Phase 3 study, and provides a clear path towards an NDA submission."

In a recent response to Appili's Type B meeting request, the FDA agreed with the Company's proposed strategy to establish a scientific bridge between previous clinical trial material and new drug product batches. This approach includes developing an appropriately validated in-vitro release test ("IVRT") method and manufacturing a new reference standard to use in IVRT studies to support the scientific bridge to products used in prior studies. This will allow completion and submission of an NDA much sooner than if additional clinical data were required.

Subject to securing the requisite funding Appili expects to implement the agreed-upon strategy and continue to advance ATI-1801 topical paromomycin cream (15% w/w) program to NDA submission.

ATI-1801 has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for certain forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The company is evaluating ATI-1801's eligibility for a priority review voucher ("PRV"), which, if confirmed, would make it the second PRV-eligible program at Appili, alongside ATI-1701, which is potentially eligible for a PRV pending renewal of certain U.S. legislation.

Aditxt Arrangement

On April 2, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") pursuant to which Aditxt Inc. (NASDAQ:ADTX) ("Aditxt"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Adivir, Inc., agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding Class A common shares of the Company. Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, shareholders of the Company will receive (i) US$ 0.0467 in cash and (ii) 0.0000686251 of a share of Adixt common stock (the "Transaction").

This Transaction represents a premium to Appili's recent trading price, and assuming the completion of the transaction, provides shareholders with immediate value.

On October 1, 2024, the Company obtained an interim order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in connection with the Transaction. The order permits the mailing of all requisite meeting materials in connection with the special meeting of Appili shareholders (the "Meeting") scheduled to be held virtually on November 6, 2024 at 11:00 am ET.

Shareholders are encouraged to vote their shares as soon as possible.

The notice of the special meeting of shareholders and management information circular containing all relevant details with respect to the Meeting (including voting instructions) and the Transaction are available on the Company's website at: www.appilitherapeutics.com/proxy-info/ as well as under Appili's profile on SEDAR+ www.sedarplus.ca.

About ATI-1801

Licensed from the U.S. Department of Defense through the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, Appili's ATI-1801 is a novel topical product with demonstrated safety and efficacy across multiple Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies. As current treatments are often invasive and require hospitalization, ATI-1801 has the potential to significantly reduce suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis by providing patients in need with a safe and effective topical therapy that can be used in the outpatient setting.

About Appili Therapeutics

Appili Therapeutics is an infectious disease biopharmaceutical company that is purposefully built, portfolio-driven, and people-focused to fulfill its mission of solving life-threatening infections. By systematically identifying urgent infections with unmet needs, Appili's goal is to strategically develop a pipeline of novel therapies to prevent deaths and improve lives. The Company is currently advancing a diverse range of anti-infectives, including an FDA approved ready-made suspension of metronidazole for the treatment of antimicrobial infections, a vaccine candidate to eliminate a serious biological weapon threat, and a topical antiparasitic for the treatment of a disfiguring disease. Led by a proven management team, Appili is at the epicenter of the global fight against infection. For more information, visit www.AppiliTherapeutics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements", including with respect to (i) the potential for ATI-1801 as a treatment for leishmaniasis and the proposed development plan for ATI-1801(including the NDA submission and the expected timing thereof) and (ii) the potential that certain of Appili's programs may be PRV-eligible. Wherever possible, words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "potential for" and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Company's management for future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, those listed in the annual information form of the Company dated June 25, 2024, and the other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedarplus.ca). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media Contact:

Jenna McNeil, Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager

Appili Therapeutics

E: [email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Don Cilla, Pharm.D. M.B.A.

Appili Therapeutics

E: [email protected]