Oncolytics Biotech® Enters into Common Stock Purchase Agreement for up to US$26 Million with Lincoln Park Capital, LLC

On September 28, 2018 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY), (TSX: ONC), currently developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus turning cold tumors hot, reported the execution of a Common Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") for up to US$26.0 million with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC ("LPC"), an institutional investor (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, SEP 28, 2018, View Source [SID1234532280]).

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Upon signing of the Agreement, dated September 27, 2018, LPC initially purchased 248,762 shares for $1,000,000, representing a purchase price of approximately $4.02 per share. Thereafter and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Oncolytics has the right to sell and LPC is obligated to purchase, up to $25 million worth of common stock over a 30-month period at prices that are based on the market price at the time of each sale to LPC. Oncolytics, in its sole discretion, controls the timing and amount of all sales of common stock and there are no warrants, derivatives, or other share classes associated with this Agreement.

"We are pleased to enter this agreement with Lincoln Park Capital, an existing investor, which provides Oncolytics with additional access to capital and financial flexibility, if needed, as we conduct our clinical programs and approach multiple milestones over the next twelve to eighteen months," said Kirk Look, CFO at Oncolytics Biotech. "Importantly, this facility is completely at our discretion and supports our strategy in negotiating future collaborations and, or, a potential partnership."

Oncolytics has the right to terminate the Agreement at any time, at no cost or penalty. Additionally, LPC has covenanted not to cause or engage in any manner whatsoever, any direct or indirect short selling or hedging of the Company’s common stock. As consideration for LPC’s obligation under this Agreement, Oncolytics has and may issue additional shares as a commitment fee. Proceeds are intended to be used for general corporate purposes and working capital requirements.

The Company has filed a prospectus supplement, dated September 28, 2018, with respect to its U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (333-224432) (the "Registration Statement") and Canadian final base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), each dated May 4, 2018, pursuant to which the Company may issue up to US$26,910,000 of common shares pursuant to the terms of the Agreement (representing an aggregate market value of not more than 10% of the market value of the Company’s outstanding common shares based on the determination date under applicable securities laws). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company may file additional prospectus supplements in the United States and in Canada in the future to qualify the sale of additional common shares to LPC that would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to US$26,000,000. No offers or sales of any common shares will be made in Canada or on the Toronto Stock Exchange pursuant to the Agreement or the prospectus supplement. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus are available on the SEC’s website at View Source or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department at (403) 670-7377.

The common shares to be issued in the Financing have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ and on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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

Tusk Therapeutics to be acquired by Roche

On September 28, 2018 Tusk Therapeutics Ltd ("Tusk") reported that acquired by Roche (Press release, Tusk Therapeutics, SEP 28, 2018, View Source [SID1234533243]). Tusk has developed an antibody with a novel mode of action aimed at depleting regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Tregs suppress immune responses, including those against cancer cells. Preclinical data has shown that depleting Tregs from the tumor microenvironment can enhance and/or restore anti-tumor immunity. Tusk’s antibody has been designed to deplete these harmful Tregs, while not interfering with other immune cells acting against the tumor. Tusk’s program is expected to start clinical trials in cancer patients towards the end of 2019.

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Tusk was founded in 2014 by Droia Oncology Ventures, Tusk’s majority shareholder. Under the terms of the agreement, Tusk’s shareholders will receive an upfront cash payment of Euro 70 million, plus additional contingent payments of up to Euro 585 million based on achievements of certain predetermined milestones.

Luc Dochez, Chief Executive Officer of Tusk Therapeutics, said: "We are delighted that Roche will further develop this novel antibody and drive the development ahead. The remaining portfolio of our immune-oncology targets will be further developed by Black Belt Therapeutics, a newly formed company spun out of Tusk Therapeutics."

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals to Present Corporate Update at the 2018 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on October 2

On September 27, 2018 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, reported that an overview of the company’s business strategy and commercial and development-stage programs will be given at the 2018 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference being held in New York (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, SEP 27, 2018, http://investor.sppirx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/spectrum-pharmaceuticals-present-corporate-update-2018-cantor [SID1234529621]). The company presentation is on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at 9:45 AM ET.

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A live webcast of Spectrum’s presentation will be available at View Source

Targovax Announces Interim Results From Phase I Trial of ONCOS-102 in Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Melanoma

On September 27, 2018 Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing immune activators to target hard to treat solid tumors, reported interim tumor response data from the first six patients treated with ONCOS-102 followed by the checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) in patients with advanced melanoma whose disease has progressed after prior CPI treatment (Press release, Targovax, SEP 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234529606]). Results show that one of the six patients had a complete response to the treatment.

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One of the main aims of the trial has been achieved, which is to demonstrate that ONCOS-102 has the potential to immune activate CPI refractory patients to respond to PD-1 blockade. Complete responses are rarely seen in this patient population. The patients received three ONCOS-102 injections prior to KEYTRUDA treatment, which may be insufficient in highly advanced disease. As such, Targovax and the investigators now intend to optimize the dosing schedule by increasing the number of ONCOS-102 injections and expand the trial with additional patients.

Dr. Magnus Jäderberg, CMO of Targovax, said: "Given the limited number of patients who have completed the study to date, it is encouraging to already see a complete response to ONCOS-102 primed KEYTRUDA treatment in this CPI refractory patient population. This case is particularly interesting, as the patient became refractory to KEYTRUDA before entering our trial. At the same time, five patients progressed, which we believe may be partly due to an insufficient number of ONCOS-102 injections. Consequently, we have agreed with the investigators to expand the trial with additional patients, who will receive an increased number of ONCOS-102 injections. The complete response, combined with the optimized dosing regimen, makes us optimistic that we may demonstrate the full potential of ONCOS-102 in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory setting."

The results will be presented at a KOL event hosted by Targovax in New York City on 11 October 2018, which will also be available by webcast. Invitation and full event details has been issued separately and is posted on www.targovax.com.

Conference call

At 14:00 CET (08:00 EST) today, Targovax will host a conference call to answer questions about the results. Call-in details can be found below.Call-in numbers:

Norway Toll-Free Number: 80062196
Norway Toll Number: +47-23500243
UK Toll-Free Number: 08003589473
UK Toll Number: +44-3333000804
US Toll-Free Number: +1-855-85-70686
US Toll Number: +1-6319131422

Access code: 60258218#

Please make sure to dial in at least 5-10 minutes ahead to complete your registration.

See attached list for more dial-in numbers:

View Source

About the trial

In this open label trial running in three centers in the USA, patients that have progressed on CPI treatment receive three intra-tumoral ONCOS-102 injections during the first week, followed by eight infusions of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blocking CPI pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA). As reported in December 2017 and January 2018, the first planned safety review passed without any issues. Both local and systemic immune activation, which includes T-cell tumor infiltration and increased PD-1 expression on CD8+ T-cells, has been confirmed in all evaluated patients.

Verastem Oncology to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On September 27, 2018 Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq:VSTM) (Verastem Oncology or the Company), focused on developing and commercializing medicines to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, reported that the Company will present at the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Verastem, SEP 27, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2369325 [SID1234529622]):

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The Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 4:00pm EDT in New York City, NY, USA
The Leerink Partners Roundtable Series: Rare Disease & Oncology on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 8:00am EDT in New York City, NY, USA
A live webcast of each presentation will be available on the investors section of the Company’s website at www.verastem.com. An archived presentation will be available for 90 days.