Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Agreement with ICON plc to Conduct Phase II Clinical Trial for COVID-19 Drug Candidate

Bethesda, Maryland , June 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc. (“Evergreen,” or the “Company”), a fast-growing clinical stage company focused on the development of new drugs for unmet medical needs, today announced a clinical service agreement with ICON plc (“ICON”) to conduct a global, multi-center Phase II clinical trial for Evergreen’s COVID-19 drug therapy candidate EG-009A.

ICON plc has been hired as Evergreen’s Clinical Research Organization (“CRO”), to take the lead role in managing the company’s Phase II clinical trial and overseeing the study’s medical testing responsibilities. The first patients with COVID-19 are expected to be enrolled in early August 2021, and the Phase II clinical trial is expected to be completed by the middle of 2022.

This clinical trial will be conducted in the United States, Brazil, and Argentina, and will be a randomized, double-blinded, and controlled study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Evergreen’s EG-009A drug candidate for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 cases. According to the requirements and recommendations of the FDA, the phase II clinical trial should be designed to show evidence of clinical significance in reducing pulmonary failure and improving the survival rate of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Dr. David Du, CEO of Evergreen Therapeutics, commented, “Evergreen Therapeutics is pleased to partner with ICON plc, the world’s second largest clinical trial service organization, to serve as our CRO and arrange the Company’s Phase II clinical study for our COVID-19 injection drug candidate EG-009A. ICON was the clear partner of choice for Evergreen, given their extensive experience in the research and development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.”

Dr. Du further commented, “We are excited that our pipeline EG-009A has achieved a clinical breakthrough while the COVID-19 pandemic is raging around the world. EG-009A is an innovative drug candidate to treat moderate to severe coronavirus caused pneumonia, and to inhibit the cytokine release syndrome (CRS). CRS is a critical and primary cause of death in a variety of viral infectious diseases, such as Ebola, SARS, viral influenza and other conditions. Since the beginning of 2020, we have conducted significant fundamental research and secured patent protection for the clinical development of EG-009A, and we are now entering the clinical stage for this drug candidate. We are very grateful for the guidance of the FDA, the partnership with ICON, and the strong support of investors. In March of 2021, we completed a $15 million USD equivalent Series A financing with several institutional investors. The proceeds from this offering will allow Evergreen to fund this Phase II clinical study.”

About Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc.

Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc. is a bio-tech pharmaceutical company founded by highly experienced pharmaceutical executives including 5 former FDA senior reviewers. The Company is committed to the development and commercial operation of clinical stage drug therapies. Evergreen is committed to the clinical research, development, and commercialization of innovative drugs that have urgent and unmet clinical needs. Evergreen is developing more than 10 drug candidates and possesses a world class management team with top research & development capabilities.

For more information on Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc., please visit the Company’s website at http://www.egpharm.com/.

About ICON plc

ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced drug and device development and commercialization services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and government and public health organizations. The company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development – from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 16,070 employees in 89 locations in 43 countries as at March 31, 2021. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com and www.iconplc.com/pra.

Forward-Looking Statements          

This press release contains statements, which may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. When the Company uses words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements.  Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact:

Company:
Evergreen Therapeutics, Inc.
China：
33A, Media Finance Center
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, PRC
+86 18688785126 
USA：
10411 Motor City Dr., Suite 500 
Bethesda MD 20817
+1 301-637-6781 

Investor Relations Agency Contact:

William Tu / Scott Powell
Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
One Rockefeller Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Office: (646) 893-5835
Email: wtu@skylineccg.com
Email: info@skylineccg.com