The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

  • Regenerative medical company Regeneus has cut its spending in half, to $250,000 a month
  • Company CEO Leo Lee took a large pledge, in reducing his annual salary from $650,000 to $290,000 (including bonuses) – alongside a restructure of the business, reduced staff count and relocation of operations
  • The company believes these cost-cutting decisions will accelerate its pathway to commercialising the lead drug, Progenza, in the Japanese market by 2023
  • Progenza is a cell-therapy technology developed by the company, focused on treating osteoarthritis by mending damaged and diseased tissue

Smallcap medical company Regeneus announced today it has cut spending costs in half, lowering its total costs to $250,000 a month.

The company, which specialises in clinical trial, says the costs were cut through a total restructuring of the business and will help promote its product ‘Progenza’.

“The Board and executive team have put in place a number of initiatives which generate significant savings for the Company and align operations with our new strategic priorities,” company CEO Leo Lee said.

In a bid to help the company carry its weight, Leo has taken a significant cut to his paycheque. The CEO has pledged to cut his annual salary from $650,000 to $290,000.

Subject to approval from the board and shareholders, Leo’s downgraded payment is to be offset through company shares coming into his pocket.

The largest priority for the company currently lies in accelerating its treatment Progenza towards Japanese distribution. – a bid to treat osteoarthritis.

“We remain confident in our ability to bring Progenza to market in Japan by 2023,” Leo added.

Progenza is a cell therapy technology that is said to also help other musculoskeletal conditions as well as general inflammation.

The cells used in the treatment are unaltered adult human cells that promote healing and repair in damaged or diseased tissue.

Before bringing the product to the market, Regneus management will work towards a Phase 2 clinical trial of the treatment’s effectiveness on osteoarthritis.

For some time now, the company has been finalising negotiations with an unnamed major Japanese distributor to commercially licence Progenza.

“The resulting 50 per cent reduction in costs from these initiatives and the restructuring of the business is expected to provide us with sufficient runway to finalise our Japanese commercialisation deal and commercially launch Progenza to this timeline,” Leo said.

Cutting costs in company operations also included reducing employee numbers, restructuring resources and securing smaller premises of operations.

The company also stated in today’s media release to the ASX, further research will be conducted in collaboration with unspecified universities to promote clinical development of additional products.

Regeneus claims not only does this decision promote better clinical growth, but lowers costs in using a partner’s resources to conduct the trials.

Share prices in Regeneus remain unchanged today, continuing to trade for 8.6 cents each. The company’s market cap is currently valued at $20.47 million.

RGS by the numbers
More From The Market Online

BHP confirms £31.1B takeover bid for Anglo American

BHP HAS confirmed its offer to takeover fellow mining giant Anglo American plc, following press speculation…

Judo Bank’s lending book officially hits $10B as UBS issues caution on Big 4

Judo Bank has reported that its lending book now reflects $10B only five years after winning…

Rinehart snaffles major stake in REE-producer Lynas

Lynas Rare Earths has added a significant investment boost to its future, with WA magnate and…

Boart Longyear to disappear from the Australian market

Drilling services company Boart Longyear has announced that its securities would be suspended from close of…