Here's a roundup of top developments in the biotech space over the last 24 hours:
Stocks In Focus
China-Based Sino Biopharma Buys Cancer-Focused F-Star Therapeutics
invoX Pharma, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited, has agreed to acquire F-star Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:FSTX) for $7.12 per share.
The proposed acquisition values F-star at approximately $161 million.
The invoX and F-star boards have unanimously approved the transaction. It is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
VBI Vaccines Brain Cancer Vaccine Candidate Gets Orphan Drug Status
The FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation for VBI Vaccines Inc (NASDAQ:VBIV)'s VBI-1901, a bivalent gB/pp65 immunotherapeutic vaccine candidate for glioblastoma (GBM).
In June 2021, the FDA also granted Fast Track Designation for VBI-1901 for recurrent GBM patients with first tumor recurrences.
Xenon's Epilepsy Candidate Rapidly Reduces Focal Onset Seizure Frequency
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:XENE) announced new efficacy data supporting the Phase 3 development of XEN1101.
XEN1101 rapidly reduced focal onset seizure frequency within one week for all doses compared with placebo.
"Additionally, within our analysis of the open-label extension (OLE) population, we are seeing seizure frequency continuing to improve after the double-blind period with patients experiencing increased periods of seizure freedom," said Christopher Kenney, Xenon's chief medical officer.
Rockwell Medical Receives Additional FDA Feedback On Anemia Candidate
Last week, Rockwell Medical Inc (NASDAQ:RMTI) closed the second $7.5-million tranche of the previously announced DaVita Inc (NYSE:DVA) stock purchase agreement of up to $15 million in convertible preferred stock in two tranches.
The planned Phase 2 proof of concept study design for ferric pyrophosphate citrate in home infusion patients for iron deficiency anemia and maintaining hemoglobin requires three units of the existing FDA-approved IV product to be compounded into a single unit for each patient dose.
As this is a necessary step, the FDA requested that Rockwell perform a microbial challenge study.
Radius Health Submits US Application For Breast Cancer Candidate
The Menarini Group and Radius Health Inc (NASDAQ:RDUS) have submitted a marketing application to the FDA seeking approval for elacestrant in patients with ER+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
As part of the submission, the companies have requested a Priority Review with the FDA. If Priority Review is granted, the companies anticipate that the FDA will conduct an eight-month review.
Amryt's Skin Disease Treatment Scores European Approval
The European Commission (EC) has approved Amryt Pharma PLC's (NASDAQ:AMYT) Filsuvez for partial thickness wounds associated with dystrophic and junctional epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in patients six months and older.
The EC approval of Filsuvez is supported by Phase 3 data from the EASE trial, the largest ever global trial conducted in patients with EB, performed across 58 sites in 28 countries.
FDA Gives Nod To Fusion Pharma's Radiopharmaceutical Trial For Solid Tumors Expressing NTSR1
The FDA has signed off Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc's (NASDAQ:FUSN) Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for FPI-2059 and the corresponding imaging analog FPI-2058.
FPI-2059 is a targeted alpha therapy that uses a small molecule to target and deliver actinium-225 to tumor sites expressing neurotensin receptor 1, a protein overexpressed in multiple solid tumors.
CDC Backs Merck's Vaxneuvance As Recommended Vaccine Option
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee unanimously voted to include Merck & Co Inc's (NYSE:MRK) Vaxneuvance (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) as a recommended option for vaccination in infants and children, including routine use in children under two years of age.
Yesterday, the FDA approved an expanded indication for Vaxneuvance to include children six weeks through 17 years of age, making it the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine approved in almost a decade to help protect pediatric populations against invasive pneumococcal disease.
Offerings
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:XENE) priced its underwritten public offering of 7.9 million shares and prefunded warrants to purchase up to 327,868 shares at $30.50, with gross proceeds of $250 million.
Shares closed 7.78% lower at $32 during the after-hours session.
Applied Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:APLT) priced its underwritten public offering of 20 million shares, 10 million pre-funded warrants and accompanying warrants to purchase up to 30 million shares at a combined value of $1 each, with gross proceeds of $30 million.
Summit Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SMMT) approved a rights offering as a record date of July 5. Assuming that the rights offering is fully subscribed, Summit will receive gross proceeds of up to $100 million.
Earnings
RedHill Biopharma Ltd (NASDAQ:RDHL): Before the market open.
