BURZYNSKI RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC (BZYR)
• Business: Burzynski Research Institute (BZYR) researches Antineoplastons, experimental cancer therapy. No FDA approvals, no commercial revenue.• Funding: Fully funded by Dr. Stanislaw R. Burzynski’s medical practice; 100% dependent.• Pipeline: Promising Phase II data in brain tumors (complete/p...
Burzynski Research Institute, Inc.: 2025 10-K Deep Dive
Welcome to an in-depth review of Burzynski Research Institute, Inc.(BZYR), the Texas-based biotech focusing on Antineoplaston-based cancer therapies. In this post, we explore the most important aspects of the company’s fiscal 2025 Form 10-K:
Warren.AI 💰 3.0 / 10
- Business model and pipeline (Item 1)
- Clinical progress and FDA interactions (Item 1A)
- Financial performance and cash flows (Items 7 & 8)
- Key agreements with Dr. Stanislaw R. Burzynski
- Risk factors and near-term catalysts
- Investment score and conclusion
1. Business Overview (Item 1)
Burzynski Research Institute, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1984 to research, develop and potentially commercialize a family of biochemical compounds called Antineoplastons, discovered by Dr. Stanislaw R. Burzynski. These compounds are peptides, amino acid derivatives and organic acids believed to inhibit cancer cell growth without harming normal tissues.
- No approved products. Antineoplastons have not received FDA approval for marketing anywhere in the world.
- Orphan Drug Designation. In 2004 and 2008, the FDA granted orphan status for Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 in brainstem gliomas and gliomas (7 years of market exclusivity if approved).
- Revenue. To date, zero FDA-approved sales.
- Funding. The institute is funded entirely by Dr. Burzynskifrom his private medical practice. The company has no employees; all scientists and clinical staff are employed (and paid) by Dr. Burzynski’s clinic and allocated back to BRI as research expenses.
Pipeline and Clinical Trials
- Phase II Trials. Since 1994, 37 peer-reviewed publications have reported complete and partial responses in various primary and recurrent brain tumors using Antineoplaston A10 & AS2-1. Overall response rates in key protocols range from 12% to 50%.
- Historical Controls. BRI relies on historical comparison groups, not randomized double-blind trials.
- Endpoints. Tumor shrinkage (complete/partial responses), stable disease, and survival metrics have served as primary endpoints.
- Phase III (BT-52). The institute received a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement in 2009 for a pivotal Phase III trial in newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Enrollment is on full clinical hold by FDA pending resolution of manufacturing deficiencies at the S.R. Burzynski facility.
2. FDA Interactions & Risk Factors (Item 1A)
- Clinical Holds
- July 2012: Partial hold on enrollment of pediatric and adult patients due to safety data concerns and missing investigator financial disclosures.
- January 2013: FDA imposed broader partial holds, citing insufficient investigator brochures and unreasonable risk.
- June 2014: Partial hold lifted on one trial (BT-52 revised to DIPG only).
- April 2016: Full clinical hold imposed after FDA inspected the manufacturing facility.
- May 2016: Temporary restraining order allowed one patient to resume therapy.
- August 2017: Full clinical hold reimposed pending GMP compliance.
- Manufacturing Deficiencies. FDA Form 483 observations cited inadequate process controls and microbial contamination risks at the SRB facility.
- Warning Letter (Dec 2013). The FDA admonished the company for failing to properly monitor IND studies and to collect accurate investigator financial disclosures.
- Trial Design Risks. Nearly all BRI trials use historical controls, no double-blind or randomized arms, and small sample sizes—making FDA acceptance of efficacy endpoints uncertain.
Risk Factors (key highlights):
- No guaranteed FDA approval; late-stage trial failures are common in oncology.
- Entirely dependent on a single person (Dr. Burzynski) for funding, IP, and manufacturing.
- Clinical holds and regulatory scrutiny have stalled enrollment for nearly a decade.
- No internal sales, marketing, or distribution infrastructure.
- Potential liability for manufacturing and patient safety issues.
3. Financial Analysis (Items 7 & 8)
Income Statement Snapshot (Year Ended February 28, 2025)
2025 | 2024 | Change | |
---|---|---|---|
Research & Development | $1.046 M | $0.865 M | +21% |
General & Admin. | $0.340 M | $0.470 M | –28% |
Net Loss | $(1.386) M | $(1.335) M | +4% |
Loss per share | $(0.01) | $(0.01) | — |
- R&D increase. Driven by higher personnel, facility, and quality-control costs to address FDA requirements.
- G&A decrease. Lower legal and compliance fees partially offset by higher regulatory consulting costs.
- No revenue. The company continues to rely on Dr. Burzynski’s practice for funding.
Funding & Cash Flows
- Cash balance: $0.85 K as of Feb 28, 2025.
- Operating cash use: $(388.5) K in 2025; $(523.8) K in 2024.
- Financing: All capital contributed via Dr. Burzynski—$388.1 K in 2025; $524.2 K in 2024.
- Working capital deficit: $41.6 K as of Feb 28, 2025.
- NOL carryforwards: $595.7 K total (expiring through 2038 and indefinite)
- No debt, no capital markets activity outside the license and funding agreements.
4. Related-Party Agreements (Note 2)
Research Funding Agreement
- Parties. BRI & Dr. Stanislaw R. Burzynski.
- Scope. Dr. Burzynski fully funds R&D and clinical trial expenses; provides facility, equipment and administrative services free of charge.
- Term. Automatically renewable annual term through Feb 28, 2026 (and thereafter annually), unless 30-day notice.
- Termination. If Dr. Burzynski’s ownership falls below 50% or he is removed from office (without his consent).
Royalty Agreement
- Incentive. Upon FDA approval, BRI will pay Dr. Burzynski a 10% royalty on gross sales of Antineoplastons in the U.S. & Canada.
- Clinic carve-out. Dr. Burzynski may treat up to 1,000 patients at cost or at no fee outside the BRI commercial channel.
- Facilities & equipment. BRI may lease or purchase Burzynski facilities and manufacturing assets at market terms once products are approved.
New License Agreement (May 2023)
- Grants to BRI exclusive U.S. & Canadian rights to five new U.S. patents covering Antineoplaston methods in gliomas and leptomeningeal disease through 2037–38.
- Dr. Burzynski retains rights until FDA approval for his practice use.
Note: BRI does not control its IP prosecution or key assets. All licensed patents remain owned by Dr. Burzynski.
5. Key Strengths and Catalysts
- Orphan Drug status. Seven-year marketing exclusivity for DIPG and gliomas if approved.
- Published Phase II data. Dozens of peer-reviewed case reports and protocols demonstrating complete and partial responses in multiple brain tumor types.
- Low operating burn. <$1.5 M annual loss; modest cash needs for trials.
- Clear clinical pathway. Phase III design under SPA for DIPG, if manufacturing hold resolved.
6. Primary Risks
- No approved products. No evidence yet of a pathway to FDA approval.
- Clinical hold. Trials halted since 2016; no new enrollment until manufacturing & GxP issues are fixed.
- Concentrated control. Single majority owner who also manufactures, funds, licenses IP and prescribes medicine—extreme operational risk.
- Trial design. Relies heavily on historical controls, small sample sizes, unblinded data.
- No sales or marketing capability. BRI would require substantial investment or licensing partnerships post-approval.
- Stock liquidity. OTCQB trading, sub-$0.05 share price and penny stock rules limit investor access and liquidity.
7. Valuation & Investment Score
Given the high execution risk, uncertain FDA pathway, lack of independent operations, and no near-term revenue, we assign Burzynski Research Institute, Inc. an investment score of 3.0/10:
Factor | Weight | Rating (1–10) | Weighted |
---|---|---|---|
Clinical Program | 30% | 3 | 0.9 |
Regulatory Progress | 20% | 2 | 0.4 |
Financial Strength | 20% | 4 | 0.8 |
Management & Governance | 15% | 2 | 0.3 |
Market Opportunity | 15% | 5 | 0.75 |
Total | 100% | 3.0 |
Key takeaways:
- A long shot with orphan-drug potential for aggressive brain tumors.
- Requires approval of manufacturing processes and robust Phase III data.
- Dependent on a single visionary founder with all the IP and cash flow.
- Not suitable for risk-averse investors seeking predictable returns.
Recommendations for Investors
- Speculative buy only if you have a high tolerance for binary outcomes and belief in Dr. Burzynski’s Antineoplaston approach.
- Monitor FDA correspondence closely for a path to lifting the clinical hold.
- Watch for any licensing or partnership announcements with major pharma (would de-risk funding).
- Avoid without clear Phase III readouts or GMP compliance.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes and not investment advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
**Investment Score: 3.0 / 10**