On February 26, 2021 Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies based on primary allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells that have been optimized for their ability to kill tumors, reported the closing of a $120 million Series B financing (Press release, Artiva Biotherapeutics, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580588]). New investor Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners led the financing. Other new investors participating in the financing included Acuta Capital Partners, Cormorant Asset Management, EcoR1 Capital, Franklin Templeton, Janus Henderson Investors, Logos Capital, RTW Investments, LP, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel Company), Wellington Management Company, and an undisclosed leading global investment firm. Existing investors, 5AM Ventures, RA Capital Management, and venBio Partners, along with strategic partners GC LabCell (Green Cross LabCell Corporation, KRX: 14451) and GC (Green Cross Holdings Corporation, KRX: 005250), also participated in the financing. Artiva plans to use the proceeds from the financing to advance its NK cell therapy development programs and expand ongoing research and development activities.

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"The quality and support of the investor groups participating in this financing further validates the promise of our manufacturing first strategy, the potential of our NK cell platform, and our goal to provide safe, effective, and truly off-the-shelf cell therapy treatments that are immediately accessible to cancer patients," said Fred Aslan, M.D., CEO of Artiva. "I would also like to welcome Bong Koh to our board of directors and look forward to drawing upon his expertise as we continue to advance our clinical and other development activities."

"Artiva is a promising company with differentiated technology, strong manufacturing capabilities and a talented management team," said Bong Koh, M.D., with Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners. "I look forward to working closely with Artiva’s board and management during this exciting period of growth for the company."

Artiva’s cell therapies are designed to leverage the innate anti-tumor biology and safety features of NK cells. The therapies are optimized for targeted anti-cancer activity through CARs, or ADCC enhancement through therapeutic antibody or innate-cell engager combination therapy. Artiva’s manufacturing platform supports large-scale production and cryopreservation of off-the-shelf allogeneic NK cell therapies, and proprietary CAR-NK and NK-specific gene-editing technologies to augment therapeutic activity.

On February 26, 2021 BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX-V:BCT) (NASDAQ: BCTX, BCTXW) ("BriaCell" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in targeted immunotherapies for advanced breast cancer, reported its previously announced underwritten public offering in the United States. The Company offered 4,852,353 common units at a public offering price of US$4.25 per unit, consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock ("Warrant"), and 1,030,000 pre-funded units at a public offering price of US$4.24 per unit, consisting of one pre-funded common stock purchase warrant ("Pre-Funded Warrant") and one Warrant (Press release, BriaCell Therapeutics, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575804]). The Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable at any time after the date of issuance at an exercise price of US$0.01 per common share. The Warrants have a per share exercise price of US$5.3125, can be exercised immediately, and expire five years from the date of issuance.

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The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately US$25 million, before deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. The Company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 882,352 additional shares of common stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants and/or 882,352 additional warrants to cover over-allotments, if any. In connection with the closing of this offering, the underwriter has exercised its over-allotment option to purchase an additional 882,352 warrants. The underwriter has retained the right to exercise the balance of its over-allotment option within the 45-day period.

The common shares and warrants began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols BCTX and BCTXW respectively, on February 24, 2021.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds to fund clinical trials, research and development, and for general working capital and general corporate purposes.

ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc., acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

A registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234292) relating to the shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and became effective on February 23, 2021. This offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus may be obtained from ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc., 17 State Street, 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10004, by telephone at (877) 436-3673, by email at [email protected]. Investors may also obtain these documents at no cost by visiting the SEC’s website at View Source

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

On February 26, 2021 Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) reported that the Company will participate in the following conference in March (Press release, Horizon Pharma, FEB 26, 2021, https://ir.horizontherapeutics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/horizon-therapeutics-plc-present-cowen-and-company-41st-annual [SID1234575793]):

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Cowen and Company 41st Annual Health Care Conference (Virtual)

Date: Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2021
Presentation Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
The conference presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting Horizon’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available following the event.

On February 26, 2021 Novartis reported The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended routine access to Kisqali in certain advanced breast cancer patients (Press release, Novartis, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575790]).

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NICE’s draft guidance recommends Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative.

It will be routinely available on the NHS for adults who have had previous endocrine therapy and where exemestane plus everolimus is the most appropriate alternative treatment.

Kisqali is taken as a once-daily pill and belongs to a class of drugs known as cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors.

The drug has been available to patients via the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) since 2019, while more evidence was collected to address uncertainties around how much it extends overall survival and its cost-effectiveness.

In a statement, NICE said that the new evidence demonstrates that people receiving Kisqali treatment live longer and experience longer periods before disease progression compared to fulvestrant alone.

"We are pleased therefore that our original decision to make Kisqali available through the CDF not only gave people access to it earlier than would otherwise have been possible, but has now, through the data collected during that time, allowed us to recommend it for routine use on the NHS," said Meindert Boysen, deputy chief executive and director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation.

Following the recommendation for routine NHS funding, Kisqali treatment could now be an option for up to 3,300 women.

"It’s fantastic news that NICE has approved [Kisqali] ribociclib with fulvestrant for routine use on the NHS – this life-changing treatment will now bring thousands more women living with incurable secondary breast cancer hope of precious extra time to live well" said Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now.

"As well as offering certain patients with incurable breast cancer extra time with loved ones, this innovative drug combination can help delay the need for chemotherapy and its debilitating side effects," she added.

On February 26, 2021 LISCure Biosciences Inc., a biotech company that focuses on developing bacteria-mediated immunotherapy, reported that it has successfully completed $21 million of a Series B funding round (Press release, LISCure Biosciences, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575785]). Participants include institutional investors, venture capitals, and KOSDAQ listed companies (as strategic investors).

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"This investment was made after reviewing the promising pre-clinical results of LISCure’s new drug candidates for each indication and we verified its potential as a new therapeutic treatment. Based on the technologies of both companies, we will actively cooperate in research and development for these innovative new drug candidates in the microbiome field", one of the strategic investors said.

This funding round will help LISCure further develop its pipeline and enhance its R&D capabilities of key technologies. LISCure uses a single strain approach whose strain is a naturally derived as well as non-pathogenic substance so it has a great advantage over other microbiome competitors in terms of safety. LISCure is developing the world’s first microbiome-based NASH(non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) treatment, LB-P8, as well as the rheumatoid arthritis treatment, LB-P6, for global clinical trials.

LISCure’s drug candidates have already been tested for efficacy and safety by a third CRO, and the four of the candidates have been completed the process development by CDMO based in the United States. Two of the candidates are currently in the process of cGMP manufacturing under CDMO based in France. LISCure is expecting the four lead candidates to enter global clinical trials in the next two years and possibly begin phase 2 with two of the candidates. In addition to the funding, LISCure has completed the establishment of corporations in the US and Australia for global clinical development. LISCure is planning to expand indications of each program through the US subsidy, working with global top research institutes.