Two well-received precision oncology IPOs closed out the week, joined by a successful ophthalmic specialty IPO and an immunotherapy debut that fell flat. P53 mutation hunter PMV Pharmaceuticals Inc. charged out the gate, raising $211.8 million, while Prelude Therapeutics Inc. took in $158.2 million.
Nutcracker Therapeutics Inc., a startup developing a "push-button GMP-in-a-box" platform to manufacture mRNA therapeutics, has raised $60 million in series B financing led by Arch Venture Partners.
A new randomized controlled trial (RCT) of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) treatment for moderately ill COVID-19 patients run at 39 Indian hospitals found no association between CCP therapy and reduced mortality or progression to severe disease.
Shares of Vaccinex Inc. fell to an all-time low on Sept. 22 after top-line results of the phase II trial, Signal, found its SEMA4D inhibitor, pepinemab, failed to improve measures of cognition in people with early manifest Huntington's disease following 18 months of treatment.
Immune Regulation Ltd., a U.S.-U.K. venture advancing peptide-based therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and allergic diseases, has closed a £40.6 million (US$53.4 million) series B financing that will support its preparation for multiple phase II studies next year, as well as an evaluation of one candidate in COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. Morningside Ventures led the round, along with existing shareholders, including London-based 24Haymarket.
Upsized IPOs for high-profile psychedelics venture Compass Pathways plc and the neurodegenerative specialist Athira Pharma Inc. debuted on Nasdaq on Sept. 18, climbing fast alongside a forward-looking follow-on offering from cytokine storm fighter Humanigen Inc. Compass (NASDAQ:CMPS) raised $127.5 million, while Athira (NASDAQ:ATHA) brought in $204 million. Humanigen (NASDAQ:HGEN) raised $68 million.
Synthekine Inc., a California startup developing new medicines for cancer and autoimmune disorders, has closed an $82 million series A financing. The funds will help the company move its two lead programs into the clinic, expand its discovery pipeline and hone its cytokine engineering platforms.
A new randomized controlled trial (RCT) of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) treatment for moderately ill COVID-19 patients run at 39 Indian hospitals found no association between CCP therapy and reduced mortality or progression to severe disease.
Shares of Marinus Pharmaceuticals Inc. climbed 51.7% to close at $3.20 on Sept. 15 following news that the company's sole clinical asset, ganaxolone, met the primary endpoint of its phase III Marigold study in CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a rare genetic condition that can leave children unable to walk, talk or feed themselves.
A new analysis of biomarkers, superseding confusing results released in May, appears to have re-ignited enthusiasm for the experimental Alzheimer’s disease (AD) candidate, sumifilam, the lead development candidate at Texas-based Cassava Sciences Inc.
