GlobeNewswire Inc | Jun 28, 2021 07:00AM EDT

June 28, 2021

SOMERVILLE, Mass., June 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc. (Finch or Finch Therapeutics) (Nasdaq: FNCH), a clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company leveraging its Human-First Discovery platform to develop a novel class of orally administered biological drugs, today announced that it was added to the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 Indexes as part of the 2021 Russell indexes annual reconstitution that took effect after the market close on June 25, 2021.

The annual Russell indexes reconstitution captures the 4,000 largest US stocks as of May 7, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership in the US all-cap Russell 3000 Index, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the large-cap Russell 1000 Index or small-cap Russell 2000 Index as well as the appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes. Approximately $10.6 trillion in assets are benchmarked against Russells US indexes.

We are pleased to be added to the Russell indexes, said Greg Perry, Chief Financial Officer of Finch Therapeutics. Finchs inclusion will help broaden our exposure to the investment community as we continue to advance the development of several novel microbiome therapeutics, with our lead product candidate positioned to enter a Phase 3 clinical trial and two other innovative development programs slated to enter the clinic this year.

About Finch Therapeutics

Finch Therapeutics is a clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company leveraging its Human-First Discovery platform to develop a novel class of orally administered biological drugs. With the capabilities to develop both complete and targeted microbiome therapeutics, Finch is advancing a rich pipeline of candidates designed to address a wide range of unmet medical needs. Finchs lead candidate, CP101, is in late-stage clinical development for the prevention of recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI), and has received Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In June 2020, Finch announced that CP101 met its primary efficacy endpoint in PRISM3, the first of two pivotal trials to support the development of CP101 for the prevention of recurrent CDI. Finch plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial, referred to as PRISM4, as its second pivotal trial of CP101 for recurrent CDI. Finch is also developing CP101 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus, and FIN-211 for the treatment of the gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. In partnership with Takeda, Finch is advancing FIN-524 and FIN-525 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," plans, potential, "projects, would and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the initiation and timing of Finchs clinical trials, and Finchs ability to advance the development of several novel microbiome therapeutics. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Finchs limited operating history and historical losses; Finchs ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Finchs dependence on the success of its lead product candidate, CP101; the possibility that Finch may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; results of clinical trials may not be sufficient to satisfy regulatory authorities to approve Finchs product candidates in their targeted or other indications (or such authorities may request additional trials or additional information); results of clinical trials may not be indicative of final or future results from later stage or larger clinical trials (or in broader patient populations once the product is approved for use by regulatory agencies) or may not be favorable or may not support further development; Finchs product candidates, including CP101, may not generate the benefits to patients that are anticipated; anticipated regulatory approvals may be delayed or refused; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Finchs ability to maintain patent and other intellectual property protection and the possibility that Finchs intellectual property rights may be infringed, invalid or unenforceable or will be threatened by third parties; Finchs ability to qualify and scale its manufacturing capabilities in anticipation of commencement of multiple global clinical trials; Finchs lack of experience in selling, marketing and distributing its product candidates; Finchs dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies; and risks relating to the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on Finchs business. These and other risks are described more fully in Finchs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the section titled Risk Factors in Finchs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Finchs other filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Finch undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Human-First Discovery is a registered trademark of Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc. Russell 3000, Russell 2000, and Russell 1000 are registered trademarks of FTSE Russell.

Media Contact:Jenna UrbanBerry & Company Public Relationsjurban@berrypr.com212-253-8881

Investor Contact:Greg Perryir@finchtherapeutics.com