Tourmaline Bio (TRML) 2024 Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference summary

Company overview and strategy

• Focuses on inflammation-driven diseases, aiming for standard of care-changing therapies.

• Built around pacibekitug, a long-acting, fully human anti-IL-6 antibody licensed from Pfizer.

• Targets large indications with high unmet need, including cardiovascular disease and thyroid eye disease.

• Leverages recent scientific insights into IL-6 biology to guide development.

• Well-capitalized, with cash runway into 2027 and flexibility to pursue multiple programs.

Cardiovascular disease program (TRANQUILITY trial)

• TRANQUILITY is a phase 2 trial in high-risk patients with chronic kidney disease and elevated hs-CRP, testing quarterly and monthly dosing.

• Trial aims to confirm quarterly dosing, select optimal dose, and generate safety data for phase 3 readiness.

• Data expected in the first half of 2025; trial design informed by FDA alignment.

• Differentiation from competitors includes longer dosing interval and nuanced trial design.

• Sees potential for broader application in other vascular diseases if IL-6 inhibition proves effective.

Scientific rationale and competitive landscape

• Inflammation, particularly IL-6, is increasingly recognized as a key driver of residual cardiovascular risk.

• Genetic markers like CHIP and elevated hs-CRP are used to identify high-risk patients.

• CANTOS trial validated anti-inflammatory approach, with greatest benefit seen in those with largest CRP/IL-6 reduction.

• Novo Nordisk is running outcomes trials with IL-6 inhibitors; results are highly anticipated.

• Believes quarterly dosing and trial design can differentiate from first-mover competitors.