Theriva Biologics, Inc.

Theriva Biologics, Inc.

$1.51
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Biotechnology

Theriva Biologics, Inc. (TOVX) Q4 2021 Earnings Call Transcript

Published at 2022-03-16 16:30:00
Operator
Greetings and welcome to the Synthetic Biologics Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn this conference over to your host, Mr. Chris Calabrese with LifeSci Advisors. Thank you, sir. You may begin.
Chris Calabrese
Thank you, operator and good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Synthetic Biologics 2021 year-end investor conference call. Leading the call today will be Steven Shallcross, Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of Synthetic Biologics; Dr. Vince Wacher, Head of Corporate and Product Development of Synthetic Biologics; Dr. Manel Cascallo, General Director of VCN and European Operations; and Dr. Frank Tufaro, currently Head of Operations of VCN, are also on the call and will be available to answer questions during the Q&A session. Synthetic Biologics issued a press release this afternoon which provided operational highlights and included the financial results for the quarter and year ending December 31, 2021. The press release can be found in the Investors section of the company website at www.syntheticbiologics.com, together with the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 which was filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC. In addition to the phone line, this call is being streamed live via webcast which will be archived on the company website for 90 days. During this call, certain forward-looking statements regarding Synthetic Biologics and VCN Biosciences' current expectations and projections about future events will be made. Generally, the forward-looking statements can be identified by terminologies such as may, should, expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, estimates and similar expressions. These statements are based upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in Synthetic Biologics' filings with the SEC, many of which are difficult to predict. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information on this call is provided only as of the date of this call and Synthetic Biologics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained on this conference call on account of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Steve. Steve?
Steven Shallcross
Thanks, Chris. Good afternoon, everyone and thank you for joining our 2021 year-end investor conference call. We are extremely pleased with the significant advances over the past year that propelled our business forward, offer dual opportunities to enhance our existing pipeline and positioned us at the forefront of oncolytic virus development for cancer indications with high unmet needs. I'd like to begin by highlighting the recently completed acquisition of VCN Biosciences, a privately held clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing a new oncolytic adenovirus or OV platform. With the VCN acquisition, the newly combined company is developing a portfolio of systemically administered selectively replicating adenovirus therapies designed to break down the tumor stroma which is a protective barrier that limits the efficacy of many cancer therapeutic agents. Breaking down this stroma is intended to increase tumor access by OVs, chemotherapies and immuno-oncology products, ideally improving their antitumor effects. Importantly, degrading the stroma can also expose tumor antigens, turning cold tumors hot and enabling a sustained antitumor response by the patient's immune system. I'd like to now provide an overview of our pipeline and walk you through key updates. Our lead oncology product, VCN-01, is a next-generation OV designed for intravenous, intratumoral and intravitreal delivery. VCN-01 has been administered to 72 cancer patients in Phase I clinical studies to date with a focus on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, also known as PDAC and retinoblastoma. VCN-01 was granted orphan drug designation in 2011 by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of PDAC. It was granted an orphan drug designation by the FDA in February this year for the treatment of retinoblastoma. If approved, orphan drug designation provides critical marketing exclusivity and we plan to take full advantage of the development benefits to which we are eligible under the drug's orphan drug designation. We are highly encouraged by the regulatory support and the promising clinical safety and efficacy data generated to date. Building on this, in the second half of 2022, we plan to initiate an international multicenter Phase II clinical study of intravenous VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel is -- are the two chemos that we plan to use in this clinical trial as first-line therapy in newly diagnosed metastatic PDAC patients. The study will be led by Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, an internationally renowned physician, scientists and academic and Chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital as well as a member of the Board of Directors at Bristol-Myers Squibb. The proposed Phase II clinical trial comprises a randomized, open-label study to be conducted at sites across the U.S. and Europe. The study is projected to enroll up to 92 adult patients with first-line metastatic PDAC for whom established clinical standard-of-care therapy is chemotherapy. The proposed study which has not yet been agreed to by regulators, is expected to have two treatment arms. In arm 1, patients will receive standard-of-care chemotherapy. In arm 2, patients will receive VCN-01 administered seven days prior to standard-of-care chemotherapy. It is proposed that two doses of VCN-01 will be administered approximately three months apart. If this study design is agreed to by regulatory agencies, we believe that will be one of the first clinical trials to include repeated systemic dosing of an oncolytic virus. Primary endpoints for the proposed study may include overall survival and safety and tolerability. Additional endpoints may include progression-free survival, objective response rate and measures of biodistribution [indiscernible] reapplication and immune response. Since this is anticipated to be a two arm open-label study, we plan to monitor the study's progress very closely and may conduct an interim analysis as supported by the emerging data. Now, moving to our planned clinical study in advanced retinoblastoma. We believe VCN-01 holds tremendous promise as a novel rescue therapy for patients who fail standard therapy or is an adjunct to chemotherapy to improve outcomes for these patients. We are working closely with key opinion leaders and regulatory agencies to finalize the protocol for a Phase II/III pivotal study of intravitreal VCN-01 as either an adjunct chemotherapy or a potential rescue therapy in pediatric patients with advanced retinoblastoma. In addition to the planned company-sponsored studies in PDAC and retinoblastoma, VCN-01 will also be evaluated in a number of investigator-sponsored studies, including a study at the University of Pennsylvania combining VCN-01 with mesothelin-directed CAR-T cell therapy in pancreatic and ovarian cancer patients and separate studies at the University of Leeds and University of Navarra evaluating VCN-01 in patients with brain tumors. We look forward to a number of potentially exciting upcoming milestones from the planned diverse VCN-01 clinical programs over the next 12 to 24 months. Our next product candidate, VCN-11, is a modified version of VCN-01 that incorporates a proprietary albumin binding domain in the virus's outer shell. VCN-11 was designed to improve systemic delivery by enabling the virus to code itself with host serum albumin and prevent inactivation by antiviral neutralizing antibodies. IND-enabling studies are being planned and are expected to commence following the completion of ongoing preclinical studies and CMC activities. In parallel, while we drive our OV programs forward, clinical development for SYN-004 and SYN-020 continue to progress. Washington University continues to screen and enroll patients in our Phase Ib/IIa clinical study of SYN-004 ribaxamase and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant or HCT recipients for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host-disease in bone marrow transplant patients. The Phase Ib/II study is designed to assess the feasibility of using SYN-004 in this specific patient population and to provide key information requested by the FDA regarding the safety and tolerability of SYN-004 in patients with impaired intestinal barrier function. Last year, we announced the enrollment in patient dosing has commenced in the first of three sequential antibiotic cohorts that will each be administered a different IV beta-lactam antibiotic to treat fever following conditional therapy. In total, eight participants in each cohort will receive SYN-004 and four will receive placebo. To date, we have dosed 15, 10 that are considered available patients in this study. If enrollment proceeds as planned, we may be positioned to announce as many as three interim data readouts during the next 12 to 18 months with the first one anticipated from this first antibiotic cohort towards the end of the first half of 2022, pandemic conditions permitting. We have also advanced our SYN-020 intestinal alkaline phosphatase program. The Phase I placebo-controlled multiple ascending dose study of SYN-020 in healthy volunteers has completed dosing and follow-up and patient samples are undergoing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis. We expect to report top line data during the second quarter of 2022. Results from this study and the previously completed Phase I single ascending dose clinical study of SYN-020 will guide the clinical development of SYN-020 across multiple potential clinical indications that may include radiation neuropathy, celiac disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and NASH. As part of our strategic transformation into an oncology-focused company, we are exploring value-creating options around SYN-004 and SYN-020. SYN-004 and SYN-020, both have significant potential opportunity in non-oncology related indications. We are currently evaluating the best path forward for these assets and whether to advance these programs internally or by out-licensing or partnering them. As we look to the year ahead, the projected progress of our newly combined clinical development pipeline is expected to deliver numerous upcoming milestones that have the potential to drive significant value for shareholders. Key near term clinical milestones over the next six months include: the initiation of VCN-01 dosing in an investigator-sponsored study of brain tumors at the University of Leeds, the initiation of VCN-01 dosing in combination with mesothelin-directed CAR-T cells in the investigator-sponsored study of pancreatic and ovarian cancer at the University of Pennsylvania, a data readout from the first cohort of the SYN-004 study in allogeneic HCT patients and top line data from the multiple ascending dose study of SYN-020 in healthy volunteers. During the second half of 2022, we expect to initiate key clinical trials, including the Phase II study of VCN-01 in PDAC patients and possibly a Phase IIa study of SYN-020. Additionally, we anticipate the initiation of a Phase IIb/IIIa pivotal study of VCN-01 in retinoblastoma either by the end of the year or very early in 2023. Now, I'd like to turn briefly to our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021. General and administrative expenses increased to $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase is primarily comprised of consulting and legal costs related to the VCN acquisition, higher insurance costs, audit fees and public relations expenses. Research and development expenses increased to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily the result of increased clinical trial expenses as we continue dosing patients in the Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial of SYN-004, the dosing of healthy volunteers in the SAD and MAD Phase I clinical studies for SYN-020 and higher indirect program costs for the year ended December 31, 2021, including an increase in manufacturing costs for SYN-020. Turning briefly to the balance sheet. We ended 2021 with over $67 million of cash on hand at December 31, 2021 which we believe will provide a significant runway to build support our existing programs as well as help accelerate the development of VCN clinical pipeline, including VCN-01 and VCN-11 through the end of 2023, during which time we expect to achieve a number of important milestones, as I mentioned earlier. As previously announced, the VCN transaction was structured to preserve our strong balance sheet and enable the planned advancement of our combined clinical development pipelines. As previously disclosed, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of VCN which will now operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synthetic Biologics. The upfront consideration for the acquisition was $4.7 million in cash plus the assumption of $2.4 million of VCN liabilities. In addition, certain VCN shareholders received 19.99% of the total outstanding shares of Synthetic Biologics common stock as of December 14, 2021. The balance of the VCN purchase price includes up to $70.25 million in future payments contingent upon the achievement of specific Phase II and Phase III clinical and regulatory approval milestones. There will be no additional royalties or commercial sales milestones to the sellers. Assuming we meet these milestones, we believe the value created for shareholders will far exceed the payments made to VCN. With an advanced clinical pipeline and a strong cash position, we are more excited than ever about the outlook for the newly combined company. We believe the VCN acquisition will be truly transformational and we look forward to providing further updates as we continue to advance our combined technologies and products. With that, we're happy to take some questions.
Operator
[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Jim Molloy with Alliance Global Partners. You may proceed with your question.
Jim Molloy
Hey guys, good afternoon. Thank you so much for taking my question. One question on VCN-11, what's the expectation for timing to wrap up of the preclinical and sort of file INDs and start going in Phase Is?
Steven Shallcross
So right now, we're in the middle of completing some animal work on that asset. And we're also aligning ourselves with the CMOs today we can produce some additional supply and validate those runs for future use in human clinical trials. The idea is that sometime, hopefully by the middle of 2023, we will be positioned as a result of those activities probably in the second half of 2023 to file an IND.
Jim Molloy
Excellent. And then on looking at potential partnerships or licensing or [indiscernible] selling the SYN programs, could you speak a little bit to how the market is looking? And are you able to talk -- give us some color around interested parties for those programs?
Steven Shallcross
Sure. So the reason going back over the last couple of years that we continue to work diligently to advance the SYN-004 and the SYN-020 program is that in order to attract the right interest at the right value, we needed to generate some additional clinical data. So as it relates to ribaxamase, we're still ongoing in that trial. We'll have our first cohort reporting out in first half year. We still have two more cohorts to get through. So I think it's a little premature to discuss how much time and who may be interested in that program until we completed and generate the necessary clinical data that will sort of give us a tight package to have a legitimate discussion around. The SYN-020 program is really interesting that's the intestinal alkaline phosphatase program. We have had continued interest around this program over the, I would say, the last 1.5 years or so. Again, rather than jumping into a partnership with somebody on that, we needed to generate additional clinical data and complete additional manufacturing work around that asset. We've completed both of those Phase I studies. We'll have the top line data coming out very, very shortly. The CMC work continues. We've been aggressively scaling up production -- we're quite promised -- it's quite promising what we've been able to observe already. All I'll say is there's continued interest from multiple parties on the SYN-020 asset. And as we've said in the past, when we have something to talk about further about it, we'll make sure we communicate that effectively to all of our shareholders.
Jim Molloy
Last question then. You guys are excellent stewards of shareholder capital, ending the year with a good number. Does -- I think -- I believe your guidance was the cash through 2023. Does that include sort of any of the payouts for the VCN milestones that you could hit? And then maybe wrapped up and I think you guys did about $14 million of burn in '21. Is that the rate we should anticipate you guys staying at with the new VCN programs? Or is that going to go up or down through the next couple of years?
Steven Shallcross
So right now, we're only prepared to give us -- give the guidance through 2023. For modeling purposes, at this point, you could probably divide it in half. Yes, the guidance through '23 includes the deal payments and the milestones that are scheduled out as we advance the VCN programs. There's going to be a slight increase in our fixed burn. As you guys know, historically, we've been operating SYN at around $400,000 a month in fixed burn, that will scale up to probably closer to $650,000 to $700,000 a month with the addition of the VCN organization. They're a very lean organization, as we are. There's no duplicity. Both of our teams will complement each other very, very nicely. And then you can kind of back into what the rest of the burn looks like as it relates to CMC and CRO work -- and as we contract with these organizations, we'll be in a position at a later date to give some more detailed guidance around each of those line items.
Jim Molloy
Understood. Thank you very much for taking the questions.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Jason McCarthy with Maxim Group. You may proceed with your question.
Jason McCarthy
Hey Steve, thanks for taking the question. Can you talk a little bit or in a little bit more detail about the PDAC program? I think you said it was going to be first line metastatic PDAC. And if so, what are some general expectations around what gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel survival or PFS should be where we start to think about what a benchmark might be per upcoming program? And the second part to that question is related to the multi dosing part, a potential multi-dosing part given that there could be some immunity on a repeat dose of an oncolytic virus which I think is the basis of trying to do the VCN-11 program. So a bit of a complicated two part question but if you can give us some more color, that would be helpful.
Steven Shallcross
Okay. Thanks. Manel, I'll let you take that question.
Manel Cascallo
Sure. So just to give you a bit more color around the trial, that's designed to be a controlled trial with two arms, okay? So obviously, the data, the historical data for overall survival for the control arm, so the gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel arm, it's around normally between 8 and 11 months, okay? That's expected overall survival that has been validated in several studies from the drug approval to right now with different studies, just confirming this number. So our Phase I data in the reduced group of patients that we have treated with the same dose that we are planning to conduct a Phase II study indicates that these numbers can be larger. And we think that probably we can get closer at least to 15 months or even more. In fact, in our Phase I trial in this reduced population is close to 20 months. So we are quite optimistic about that but obviously, the trial has to confirm this data. And then that could be really impressing. In terms of response rate, for instance, we are expecting to be in one year overall response rate around, let's say, 65% probably is the number that we are contemplating for statistical purposes, at least, okay? Coming back to your question about the role of immunity and I assume you referred to neutralizing antibodies against the first administration. It's a very interesting question. And you are right in the sense that it has been previously demonstrated that clinical administration of adenoviruses, in general, several oncolytic viruses in general, generates a peak of neutralizing antibodies. We have a lot of data collected from our Phase I program in different trials, where we have monitored quite closely with the kinetics of generation and degradation of neutralizing antibodies in patients. And we have observed that after the first administration, we see a peak that normally, of course, between 15 and -- day 15 and day 30 but normally by, let's say, 12 weeks, this peak decreased significantly and decreased to a level of neutralizing antibodies that we know that we are able to overcome with the doses of VCN-01 that we inject. And that's something that we have validated in Phase I trial. That's why in our schema with VCN-01, the repeated administration occurs in three month period. That's quite consistent with has been observed in other applications of adenovirus. For instance, a very popular administration is, for instance, the COVID vaccine for AstraZeneca that it's also based on adenovirus. And as you probably know, the lag time between the two administration of this vaccine fits also in this three month period which is basically the period when the levels of neutralizing antibodies decrease significant. So we are quite confident because our data previously generated with VCN-01 by systemic administration, confirms that the second dose can be as effective as the first dose is.
Jason McCarthy
Got it. And just as a brief follow-up to that. What is the expected timing for an outcome with regulators on the trial and getting things started? And about how long do you think it would take to run that trial?
Steven Shallcross
So maybe I'll let Frank take that piece of the question.
Frank Tufaro
Yes. So if I understand the question correctly then, this is a standard submission to the FDA which -- of the protocol which was then they have 30 days to respond. We're not really waiting for an approval, just a nonresponse means we can proceed. And during that period of time, we'd be launching -- initiating the sites and getting ready to enroll patients. We need to enroll the patients in, I think the latest number was between 12 and 18 months and that's for statistical reasons, you have to get the patients in the trial fairly quickly. However, as Steve mentioned before, this is also open label. So we're going to be able to start seeing the outcome much earlier than the completion of enrollment. So we're pretty excited about the trial design. And we're going to -- because of the unique nature of the VCN product, we're actually able to measure the effect of the second dose, for example. We can actually take a blood test and show that, that's working. So we think we have -- we're going to be learning a lot during the trial as well but we should be able to enroll within 12 to 18 months. And Manel, correct me on that timing, is that the enrollment time we have set up currently?
Manel Cascallo
Yes, yes. That's it. So we are planning to finish enrollment between 12 to 15 months, okay? And we are quite optimistic on that. We are taking quite aggressive strategy, just combining European and U.S.-based sites that allows certain flexibility between both geographic indications. And our first approach to different sites, it's going -- it's been very, very promising in terms of the sites are very interested in the trial; so we expect to really comply with this time line.
Jason McCarthy
Great. Thank you for taking the questions, guys.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Vivan [ph] with Oppenheimer. You may proceed with your question.
Unidentified Analyst
Hi, good afternoon. Thanks Steve for this update and for taking my question. First question on the PDAC study, Manel [ph], you had mentioned you may opt to include an interim analysis there. Wondering when we might hear on that decision to potentially do so? And what you may use -- what information may come to inform that decision?
Steven Shallcross
Manel, do you want to go ahead?
Manel Cascallo
Yes. The trial does not contain a formal interim analysis because it's an open-label study. So we have access to the data in a like [ph] basis. okay? So we are expecting to have a significant number of patients for generating significant numbers probably in 12 months after the initiation of the trial where, obviously, it depends on the survival with the patients, the active survival of patients. But taking into account the data that is historical data for the standard of care for Abraxane, we assume that probably in a period of 12 to 15 months, we are going to have that position, with probably we have some data to show, yes.
Unidentified Analyst
Okay. And then my next question with respect to retinoblastoma. Wondering if you could share the end points that will be key for that trial if you have thoughts there or know what that design will look like. And if you'll be able to take any advantage in terms of the FDA regulatory mechanisms to expedite approval perhaps through accelerated approval from that study.
Steven Shallcross
Go ahead, Manel.
Manel Cascallo
Yes. So we are just finalizing the conceptual of this trial. And it's true that the endpoint of this trial, it has to be definitively agreed with the FDA because there has not been any formal trial in retinoblastoma to date. So that's something that definitely we will have to discuss with FDA and we are planning a discussion with them. Our idea right now is the reduction of vitreous seeds as a primary endpoint of this trial and maybe the ocular survival as a secondary endpoint but as anticipated. That's not definitive yet because that needs to be agreed with the FDA. And we are, however, quite confident that, that's going to be accepted because there's no formal approval for any retinoblastoma product at this point. So we anticipate that if we are able to demonstrate a significant reduction in the number of vitreous seeds in these patients that's going to be considered and marketing-enabling endpoint.
Unidentified Analyst
Great. That’s very helpful. Thanks for taking the question.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Michael Okunewitch with Maxim Group. You may proceed with your question.
Michael Okunewitch
Hey guys, thanks for taking the question. So, I'd like to start to ask a bit about the program with the mesothelin CAR-T. Who's developing that? Is that coming from Carl June over at UPenn. And if so, is that similar in design to the Juno, Celgene Bristol CAR-T?
Steven Shallcross
Go ahead, Manel.
Manel Cascallo
Okay. Yes, you're right. So the product comes from UPenn and it comes from Carl June's lab and that's the mesothelin-directed CAR-T cells. As you probably know, the program from Novartis is basically focused on hematological, the cancer and that's the approval indication for this product. However, Carl June group is working since the last year in treating solid tumors, okay? And that represents additional limitations for the CAR-T therapy because it's easy to treat to liquid [ph] tumor, so hematological tumors because the accessibility of the CAR-T cells to the tumor cells is immediate. However, when you are dealing with solid tumors, that can be ovarian or pancreatic, you need to have the CAR-T cells able to reach the tumor and to penetrate the tumor. And these two limitations are basically the major assets that our product contains because VCN-01, it's a virus that express a tumor degrading enzyme; this can [indiscernible] on the base. And moreover, we have demonstrated in our Phase I program that the product is able to inflame the tumors when replicating okay? So the inflammation of the tumor by effect of replication, it's powering the homing of CAR-T cells into the solid tumor and the expression of [indiscernible] is going to help CAR-T cells to go into the tumor. So that's why there's a real, very impressive synergy between the programs of Carl June's lab with our product and that's the focus of the trial.
Michael Okunewitch
I'd also like to see if there are any plans for combinations with additional immunotherapies like say checkpoints or therapeutic monoclonals due to the potential to expose tumor antigens and cold tumors.
Steven Shallcross
So I don't know, maybe Frank, that's best suited for you.
Frank Tufaro
Yes. So that's a good question. We are considering other immune therapies. As you know, many oncolytic viruses typically try to combine with checkpoint inhibitors, in particular, we would be interested in doing the same. We've started it internally at least, discuss what that would look like. The difference though between this program and some of the others is the initial data on PDAC that VCN has already generated has a signal, we believe. So -- and checkpoint doesn't typically work in that indication. So we think that's going to be kind of an additive trial that we could do. We wouldn't likely add it to the existing trial because we think we're going to see a signal compared to control. But we could do another trial with something like pembrolizumab, for example, or a PD-L1 inhibitor. And even other immune drugs, the beauty of -- again, I'm a bit biased here but the interesting thing about VCN hyaluronidase is it actually opens up the tumor to allow other things to get in like drugs, like pembrolizumab and chemotherapy. So it's almost like a radiation sensitizer or something where you're adding something that then allows other drugs to work. So we're -- to answer your question, we're very excited about the opportunity. We know that it can be done and VCN is already doing a different trial with combination therapy with a checkpoint drug.
Michael Okunewitch
Very interesting stuff. And then just one last one. I'd like to ask us strategically on deployment of capital. Obviously, you have a lot of cash in your balance sheet. So how do you view your capital allocation going forward? Is it more focused on advancing the current programs that you have in the book and maintaining that nice cash cushion to 2023? Are you looking more to expand the platform into additional indications and settings for the VCN programs or potentially expansion of your oncology pipeline with further M&A opportunities especially given the current pressure in the biotech market?
Steven Shallcross
Boy, that's a big question there, Mike. So the guidance that we've given right now is that we have cash on hand to get us through 2023. The focus right now is to complete what we started on the SYN-004 and the SYN-020 programs. And a majority of the deployment of capital is going to be focused on the VCN pipelines. So right now, I mean, we've got a lot on our plate. We'll work diligently to get the WashU trial over the line. We'll have the data coming out on SYN-020 very shortly. And I would say 85% of our focus this year is going to be getting the PDAC trial up in the last quarter of this year and work diligently to get agreement with the agency on what a retinoblastoma pivotal trial looks like so we can get that going either by the end of this year or early on '23.
Michael Okunewitch
All right. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. A lot of interesting stuff going on.
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the end of today's question-and-answer session. I would like to turn this call back over to Mr. Steven Shallcross for closing remarks.
Steven Shallcross
Thank you, Laura and thank you, everybody, for taking the time to join us today on our call. We're extremely excited about the continued growth of our company. And I hope you share our enthusiasm around the outlook for the business, including the prospects following the VCN transaction. We look forward to executing, as we stated earlier, on a number of key objectives that we believe will drive significant value for our shareholders in the months and years ahead. I'd like to thank our shareholders for their ongoing support and we look forward to providing additional updates on our progress. Before we conclude today's call, I'd also like to thank our entire combined SYN and VCN team and to the many people who have been supportive along the way, including our patients, patient volunteers and their families. Thank you again and have a great week.
Operator
This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation. Enjoy the rest of your day.