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Fly News Breaks for November 27, 2018
RGNX, IONS, WVE, RCKT, NTLA, EIDX, DRNA, BLUE, AVRO, ALNY, PFE
Nov 27, 2018 | 17:02 EDT
Leerink analyst Mani Foroohar initiated select Genetic Medicine stocks, stating that the field is "is rich with companies developing drugs" to treat rare diseases and that he is increasingly more bullish on "innovation velocity and increasing regulatory clarity in the sector. Based on his "balanced view of pricing dynamics", the analyst issues an Outperform rating on Wave Life Sciences (WVE), Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT), Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA), Eidos Therapeutics (EIDX), Dicerna (DRNA) and Bluebird Bio (BLUE). The analyst likes Wave Life Sciences as a pure play on Oligotherapeutics and its stereopure chemistry platform as a differentiated approach to oligo drug design. Foroohar is positive on Rocket Pharma's lead assets in gene therapies for Fanconi Anemia and Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I "which will likely be the company's first potential approved product." The analyst is positive on Intellia Therapeutics' "robust balance sheet to support development, trading at a material discount to closest comps peers". For Eidos, the analyst cites the prospects of its drug candidate for TTR amyloidosis currently in a placebo-controlled Phase 2 study that may offer a competitive profile relative to Pfizer's (PFE) tafamidis. For Dicerna, Foroohar notes that its DCR-PHXC "is an RNAi therapeutic that targets lactate dehydrogenase A for the treatment of all subtypes of Primary Hyperoxaluria vs. competitor Alnylam's (ALNY) lumasiran, which only treats PH Type 1. For Bluebird Bio, the analyst is positive on its position as a "leader in ex vivo gene therapy, with four programs with visibility towards near-term regulatory approval". Foroohar initiates Avrobio (AVRO), Alnylam (ALNY), and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) with Market Perform rating based on competitive launches for their products along with "mixed" early signs of their results. The analyst also rates Regenxbio (RGNX) at underperform, saying that its "current valuation more than accounts for robust royalty streams from sales in spinal muscular atrophy" and other partnered assets.
News For PFE;ALNY;AVRO;BLUE;DRNA;EIDX;NTLA;RCKT;WVE;IONS;RGNX From the Last 2 Days
IONS
Mar 28, 2024 | 10:40 EDT
Meetings to be held in Los Angeles on April 2 and in San Francisco on April 3 hosted by Piper Sandler.
PFE
Mar 27, 2024 | 08:27 EDT
Pieris Pharmaceuticals (PIRS) provided a corporate update announcing a strategy to maximize its ability to capture the potential milestones from its 4-1BB bispecific Mabcalin protein immuno-oncology assets partnered with Pfizer (PFE), Boston Pharmaceuticals, and Servier. After considering an extensive range of options, the Company's Board of Directors decided to implement this new strategy along with relevant cost-saving measures that are expected to extend the Company's cash runway into 2027. The Company's strategic review process has focused on maximizing stockholder value, which includes the preservation of potential milestone and royalty payments the Company is eligible to receive. Management and the Board of Directors evaluated a broad spectrum of potential options, including asset in-licensing, out-licensing, royalty monetization, strategic transactions, and liquidation. With the assistance of the Company's retained strategic advisor, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, more than 500 companies were contacted regarding a strategic transaction, and the Company underwent a robust process to identify and negotiate with a select number of final candidates. The Company entered into extended exclusivity with one party contemplating a strategic merger, which centered on that party's interest in developing the Company's clinical-stage asset cinrebafusp alfa, but after extensive diligence and negotiations, that counterparty was unable to secure adequate capitalization and offer acceptable terms. The Company ultimately determined that the Company's planned repositioning offers the best opportunity to maximize stockholder value. In support of optimizing potential milestones and royalties, the Company's strategic repositioning includes: A plan to maintain strategic capability by maintaining a lean and experienced Board and management profile to actively pursue the Company's strategy and consider strategic options; The discontinuation of all the Company's research and development efforts, which is expected to be completed by the middle of 2024; A workforce reduction that affects additional employees and the executive leadership team, expected to be implemented in the second quarter; A plan to reduce the size of the Company's Board of Directors, to be better aligned with the nature of the Company's continuing operations, also expected to be implemented in the second quarter. Since initiating the strategic review in July 2023, the Company implemented several steps, including scaling back operational costs, inclusive of associated headcount reductions, ceasing development of PRS-220 and PRS-400 within its respiratory franchise, and suspending investments associated with co-development of partnered assets. The Company has also eliminated its material long-term obligations through the previously disclosed termination of its lease obligation in Germany, while simultaneously continuing to improve its cash position through the sale of its laboratory and office equipment.
BLUE
Mar 26, 2024 | 08:57 EDT
Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.  HIGHER - Krispy... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here