On January 3, 2024 BridGene Biosciences, Inc., a leader in the discovery of small molecule drugs for traditional "hard-to-drug" targets, reported a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG) (Press release, Bridgene Biosciences, JAN 3, 2024, View Source [SID1234638930]). Under the collaboration, BridGene will use its chemoproteomics platform, IMTAC, to discover novel small molecule drug candidates against the collaboration targets. The parties will collaborate to advance the molecules to clinical candidates, which Galapagos has the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize.

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The preclinical research collaboration will focus on oncology targets named by Galapagos. Galapagos will pay BridGene up to $27 million in upfront and preclinical research milestone payments and more than $700 million in clinical and commercial milestones, assuming success of the programs. BridGene is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on net sales of each product resulting from the collaboration.

"BridGene’s proven expertise in discovering small molecule drugs for challenging targets positions them as an ideal partner in pioneering new avenues in oncology drug discovery," said Pierre Raboisson, PhD, Senior Vice President and Head of Small Molecules Discovery at Galapagos. "By integrating BridGene’s innovative platform with our robust capabilities in drug discovery and clinical development, we are poised to develop breakthrough cancer therapies. Our goal is to deliver transformative precision medicines for cancer with limited treatment options."

"We are excited to collaborate with Galapagos in the discovery of new drugs targeting critical and challenging targets in oncology. The depth of Galapagos’ scientific expertise in oncology aligns perfectly with our capabilities and this collaboration will further reinforce our strong track record in identifying drugs for difficult targets," stated Ping Cao, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of BridGene Biosciences. "Partnering is a fundamental strategy for BridGene. We aim to create collaborations that significantly boost the likelihood of success. This is achieved by integrating our innovative discovery platform and expertise in tackling "hard-to-drug" targets with the wide-ranging scientific, clinical, and commercial expertise of partners like Galapagos."

On January 3, 2024 IASO Biotherapeutics ("IASO Bio"), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative cell therapies and antibody products, reported a new set of collaborations with Umoja Biopharma, Inc. ("Umoja"), a transformative immunotherapy company creating off-the-shelf treatments that aim to extend the reach and effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapies in oncology and autoimmunity, for the development and commercialization of novel ex vivo and in vivo cell and gene therapies (Press release, IASO Biotherapeutics, JAN 3, 2024, View Source [SID1234638929]).

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Under the terms of the collaborations, IASO Bio will receive exclusive access to the rapamycin-activated cytokine receptor (RACR) platform, Umoja’s synthetic cytokine receptor technology, for the development of two ex vivo iPSC-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-bearing cell therapies. IASO will be responsible for worldwide product development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercialization of both ex vivo products. In exchange, Umoja will receive exclusive rights to CAR cassettes for two targets for the advancement of two in vivo product candidates incorporating VivoVec, Umoja’s proprietary lentiviral in vivo gene delivery technology. Umoja will be responsible for product development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercialization in territories outside of Greater China, and IASO for the Greater China territory. In addition, each party is entitled to customary development and sales milestones and royalties in the relevant collaborations. Collectively, this set of collaborations seeks to advance off-the-shelf cell and gene therapies that are rooted in innovative scientific advancements with applications in oncology and immunology.

Alan Fu, Chief Financial Officer of IASO Bio, stated, "We are excited to collaborate with Umoja on the investigation and development of our allogeneic cell therapies. By combining Umoja’s RACR platform, which aims to improve the patient experience by removing the need for lymphodepletion while also optimizing product development through improved cell differentiation and scalability, with our validated CAR constructs, we aim to bring novel allogeneic treatments to patients globally who are underserved by current therapies. Additionally, Umoja gains access to our clinically validated best-in-class CAR constructs to advance their in vivo CAR-T therapeutics with the potential to fundamentally transform the cell and gene therapy treatment landscape for patients."

"This agreement advances two complementary approaches that embody Umoja and IASO Bio’s shared commitment to making cell therapies more accessible to patients. Together, we are pushing beyond traditional development and collaboration approaches to realize the full potential of CAR-T cell therapies," added Umoja’s Chief Operating and Chief Business Officer, David Fontana, PhD. "By incorporating IASO’s best-in-class CARs with Umoja’s VivoVec technology, we have the opportunity to expand the potential reach of our in vivo gene delivery technology to new indications and provide much needed options for patients who need them."

On January 3, 2024 Nektar (Nasdaq: NKTR) reported that management is scheduled to present at the upcoming 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time (Press release, Nektar Therapeutics, JAN 3, 2024, View Source [SID1234638928]). The presentation and Q&A session will be accessible via a Webcast through a link posted on the Investor Events Calendar section of the Nektar website: View Source This webcast will be available for replay until February 9, 2024.

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On January 3, 2024 Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARWR) reported the pricing of an underwritten registered offering of 15,790,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Stock"), offered at a price of $28.50 per share, before underwriting discounts (Press release, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, JAN 3, 2024, View Source [SID1234638927]). The offering is expected to close on or about January 5, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Gross offering proceeds will be approximately $450.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

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Jefferies, BofA Securities and TD Cowen are acting as bookrunning managers for the offering. Arrowhead intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for research and development, general corporate expenses and working capital needs.

A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-268665) relating to the offering of the shares of common stock described above was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and became automatically effective upon filing on December 5, 2022. A final prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement may also be obtained from Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at [email protected]; from BofA Securities, Inc. NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department or by email at [email protected]; or from Cowen and Company, LLC, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (833) 297-2926 or by email at [email protected].

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

On January 3, 2024 Sana Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: SANA), a company focused on changing the possible for patients through engineered cells, reported that it will webcast its presentation at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference at 9:45 a.m. PT on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 (Press release, Sana Biotechnology, JAN 3, 2024, View Source [SID1234638926]). The presentation will feature a business overview and update by Steve Harr, Sana’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

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The webcast will be accessible on the Investor Relations page of Sana’s website at View Source A replay of the presentation will be available at the same location for 30 days following the conference.