New MGX-001 preclinical data supports advancement into clinical development;
Demonstrated curative FVIII activity in non-human primates
Prioritized later-stage preclinical pipeline including wholly-owned MGX-001 hemophilia A program; pre-IND meeting for MGX-001 expected in 4Q 2025 with IND/CTA submissions expected in 4Q 2026
Organizational restructuring reduced workforce by 25%;
Capital allocation strategy anticipated to extend cash runway into the 4Q 2027
Jian Irish, Ph.D., M.B.A., currently President and Chief Operating Officer, appointed as Chief Executive Officer; Brian Thomas, Ph.D., former Chief Executive Officer, continuing on Board of Directors and Dr. Willard Dere serving as new Board Chair
Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metagenomi, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGX) (the "Company"), an in vivo genome editing company capitalizing on its proprietary technologies to create curative genetic medicines for patients, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and announced a strategic evolution focusing capital on the development of its wholly-owned MGX-001 hemophilia A program and later-stage preclinical pipeline while reducing its workforce by 25%. To support the next phase of development, Jian Irish, Ph.D., M.B.A, the Company's President and former Chief Operating Officer, has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Thomas, Ph.D., the Company's founder and former Chief Executive Officer, will remain on the Board of Directors (the "Board") and current Board member Dr. Willard Dere will serve as the Company's new Board Chair.
"In light of the encouraging preclinical MGX-001 hemophilia A results we reported today, we made the decision to strategically reprioritize our pipeline and discovery efforts to focus resources on driving forward our lead program for hemophilia A and pursuing programs that leverage our most advanced, signature gene-editing capabilities. These include programs addressing additional secreted protein deficiencies that deploy the site-specific genome integration system used in MGX-001, and cardiometabolic indications in collaboration with Ionis." said Jian Irish, Ph.D., M.B.A., President and Chief Executive Officer of Metagenomi. "We are committed to our most compelling programs that have the highest probability of success, and potential to address unmet needs and create near-term value. We are capitalizing on our most advanced gene editing technologies while maintaining financial discipline to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. I am honored to share this vision with a seasoned leadership team as we enter this new phase of the Metagenomi story."
Dr. Irish continued, "As part of this initiative, we are streamlining our organization to optimize our R&D efforts and cost structure, which is anticipated to extend our cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2027. I want to express my deepest gratitude to every member of the Metagenomi team, including those who were impacted by the workforce reduction, for their invaluable contributions toward advancing our mission. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Thomas, whose novel vision in applying metagenomics towards drug discovery led to all we have accomplished to date. I look forward to continuing to work with him and the other members of the Board and appreciate their ongoing support."
"The Board of Directors is pleased that Dr. Irish is assuming the role of CEO as Metagenomi advances toward the clinic and its next stage of development," added Willard Dere, M.D., current director and newly appointed Board Chair. "She brings a wealth of experience having held development and global operations positions with Kite Pharma / Gilead, Sanofi and Amgen, and having played key roles in the launch of several breakthrough medicines. As a co-founder of Metagenomi, we believe this is the right time for her to step into this role."
Third Quarter 2025 Updates
MGX-001 Hemophilia A Program and Other Secreted Protein Deficiencies
-- New dose range finding data presented today from the Company's
wholly-owned MGX-001 hemophilia A program demonstrated curative factor
VIII (FVIII) activity in non-human primates (NHPs) and informs a clinical
dose regimen strategy for a therapy with best-in-class treatment
potential. Metagenomi intends to advance MGX-001 into clinical
development.
-- On track to achieve NHP proof-of-concept data for lead secreted protein
deficiency target in 2025, leveraging the MGX-001 site-specific genome
integration system.
Cardiometabolic Indications
-- On track to nominate one DC from the four Wave 1 collaboration targets in
2025.
-- Plan to initiate IND-enabling activities for nominated DC and nominate
additional DCs from the remaining Wave 1 targets in 2026.
Corporate Updates
-- The Company has strategically evolved its pipeline and discovery efforts
to focus on the advancement of its leading in vivo therapeutics including
the MGX-001 program in hemophilia A, other secreted protein disorders
leveraging the MGX-001 approach, and cardiometabolic indications in
collaboration with Ionis. In line with this strategic focus, the Company
deprioritized early discovery and platform research and reduced its
workforce by 25%. As a result of these actions and its revised capital
allocation strategy, the Company expects to extend its cash runway into
the fourth quarter of 2027.
-- In conjunction with the strategic evolution, Jian Irish, Ph.D., M.B.A,
the Company's President and former Chief Operating Officer, has been
promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Brian Thomas, Ph.D., the
Company's former Chief Executive Officer, will continue as a member of
the Board; and Willard Dere, M.D., current director, will serve as Board
Chair.
Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale marketable securities were $184.1 million as of September 30, 2025, which is anticipated to support operations into the fourth quarter of 2027.
R&D Expenses: Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $25.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, as compared to $26.3 million for the comparable period in 2024.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative ("G&A") expenses were $6.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, as compared to $7.6 million for the comparable period in 2024.
Conference Call
Metagenomi will host a live webcast today, Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET, to discuss the MGX-001 preclinical results and business updates. The live event can be accessed in the "Events" section of Metagenomi's website at ir.metagenomi.co.The webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 30 days after the event.
About Hemophilia A
Hemophilia A is the most common X-linked inherited bleeding disorder, caused by a large variety of mutations in the FVIII gene leading to a loss of functional FVIII protein. Intracranial bleeding is of greatest concern as this can lead to major morbidity and mortality. Bleeding into joints leads to cumulative joint damage and is a major cause of morbidity. Diagnosis of severe disease typically occurs in infancy due to exaggerated bleeding in response to minor injury or routine medical procedures. Prevalence is estimated to be up to 26,500 patients in the US and more than 500,000 patients globally according to the World Federation of Hemophilia, with the vast majority of patients being male.
About Metagenomi
Metagenomi is an in vivo genome editing company capitalizing on its proprietary technologies to create curative genetic medicines for patients. The Company was founded on the science of metagenomics, the study of genetic materials recovered from the natural environment, to discover and develop a suite of novel editing tools potentially capable of correcting any type of genetic mutation found anywhere in the human genome. The Company focuses on high value programs in disease indications with well-understood biology and clearly defined clinical development and regulatory pathways. Going forward, the Company intends to continue to expand its pipeline by leveraging its proprietary genetic editing capabilities in site specific deletion, integration and correction.
MGX-001, the Company's lead, wholly-owned development program in hemophilia A, has demonstrated a preclinical profile potentially competitive with best-in-class treatment options, including targeted genome editing and durable gene expression in a one-time treatment. MGX-001 is designed to provide curative, life-long protection from bleeding events and joint damage in adults and children with hemophilia A. The Company is also currently pursuing other secreted protein deficiencies leveraging the MGX-001 site-specific genome integration system and partnered assets targeting cardiometabolic diseases. For more information, please visit https://metagenomi.co.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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