Viva Biotech Announces 2019 Interim Results

On August 28, 2019 Viva Biotech Holdings ("the "Group" or "Viva Biotech"; stock code: 1873.HK), reported its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2019 (the "Review Period"). During the Review Period, amid the boom of global patent drug market, Viva Biotech firmly seized the rising opportunities in the industry and realized significant growth leveraging on its world-leading structure-based early stage drug discovery platform (Press release, Viva Biotech, AUG 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234539078]). The Group’s revenue recorded a significant increase of 83.9% to approximately RMB142.3 million compared with the same period last year, and the net profit excluding extraordinary profit or loss increased by 47.4% to approximately RMB98.6 million.

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Upholding the mission of becoming a cradle for promising biotechnology startups around the world, Viva Biotech has developed a scalable business model combining the conventional cash-for service (CFS) model and unique equity-for-service (EFS) model, under which the Group can effectively promote the development of biotech start-ups with promising prospects while maintaining stable cash inflows from CFS customers, and enjoy the rising potential of its intellectual property value.

Solid Growth of CFS Business Provided Sustained and Stable Cash flow

For the CFS business segment, leveraging on its world-leading technology platforms and premium services, sound reputation among peers, and extensively diverse and ever-growing quality customer base, Viva Biotech realized the growth in both the number of customers and customer orders, fueling the revenue from CFS business segment to increase significantly by 72.2% to approximately RMB105 million, contributing a steadily growing cash flow to the Group. As of June 30, 2019, the Company’s orders on hand reached 243 with total contract value amounting to RMB207 million, representing an increase of approximately 59% from the corresponding period last year.

Actively Expand EFS Project Sources for Future Growth

For the EFS business segment, the Group has established a systemic, scientific and modularized incubation platform with strong technical barriers, and participated in the drug discovery process of incubated companies to benefit from their growth. During the Review Period, the Group actively sought for project expansion and subsequent financing channels with greater focus on bio-macromolecule, gene and cell therapy. In the first half of 2019, the Group added 10 startups to its incubation portfolio and contributed additional investment in two incubated companies, building momentum to its future growth. In 1H2019, revenue from the EFS business segment reached approximately RMB36.94 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 127.8%.

Actively Improving Technology Platforms and Incubation Platform Capacity

In terms of technology platforms, the Group is taking the initiative in building new technology platforms such as the Cryo-SEM and HDX MS, and is also committed to further expanding the technology fields such as new drug discovery and biological detection of bio-macromolecules. The Group is expanding the area of its laboratories in the Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, Shanghai, by approximately 5,000 square meters. As of now, the new laboratories are under trial operation. The Group proposes to constantly optimize and improve the scalability and sustainability of its EFS model and enhance the platform capacity of incubation system. It will also strengthen the technology platform linkage of CFS model, participate in and accelerate its research and development progress in real time, and advise the incubated companies on strategy formulation and commercialization channels.

Dr. Mao Chen, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Viva Biotech Holdings said: "The constant boom in the global patent drug market and emergence of innovative biotechnology serves as the major drivers of the drug development outsourcing market. The PRC is also setting the stage for R&D of global innovative drug and attracting capital inflows. Leveraging on Viva Biotech’s R&D services of early stage drug development and incubation services of innovative drug startups, we are well-positioned at the early R&D stage of new drugs and are able to have access to the entrance of the flow of quality customers and potential startups. We will grasp the historical opportunity by enhancing operating efficiency, reinforcing talent recruitment and introducing new technologies, thus to proactively establish and constantly improve the sustainability and scalability of our technology platforms and incubation platforms. The Company will also leverage on its superior positioning in the upstream of the industry, constantly strengthen the penetration to the downstream, and establish a win-win ecological circle through the ‘Service + Capital’ multi-dimensional layout alongside the industry chain integration. We will strive to realize sustainable and quality growth to maximize the return for investors."

"Service + Capital" Multi-dimensional Layout Alongside the Industry Chain Integration

Looking forward to the future, Viva Biotech will be committed to a multi-domain, multi-level and light-asset industrial chain layout, and an investment layout of the whole industrial chain with multi-fund and multi-professional platforms. The Group will maintain a high degree of stickiness with customers and incubation portfolio companies, build an open cooperation platform for global biopharmaceuticals innovators, and establish an ecological circle composed of scientists, biotechnology startups, large pharmaceutical enterprises, research institutes, investment institutions, academic institutions, clinical institutions, hospitals and other industry participants.

Zymeworks to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

On August 28, 2019 Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE/TSX: ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing multifunctional therapeutics, reported that management will participate in three upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Zymeworks, AUG 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234539077]).

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Wells Fargo Securities’ 14th Annual Healthcare Conference is scheduled for September 4-5, 2019 in Boston, MA. Zymeworks is presenting on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Citi’s 14th Annual Biotech Conference is scheduled for September 4-5, 2019 in Boston, MA.
Ladenburg Thalmann’s Healthcare Conference is scheduled for September 24, 2019 in New York, NY. Zymeworks is presenting on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The Company will provide a corporate update and present upcoming catalysts. Interested parties can access a live webcast of the presentations via a link from Zymeworks’ website at View Source, which will also host recorded replays available afterwards.

Veracyte to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On August 28, 2019 Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT) reported that Bonnie H. Anderson, chairman and chief executive officer, will present at the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Veracyte, AUG 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234539076]):

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2019 Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference, Boston
Presentation on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at 9:10 a.m. ET
3rd Annual Janney Healthcare Conference, New York
Presentation on Monday, September 9, 2019, at 11:50 a.m. ET
Morgan Stanley 17th Annual Global Healthcare Conference, New York
Fireside Chat on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Live audio webcasts of the company’s presentations will be available by visiting Veracyte’s website at View Source Replays of the webcasts will be available for 90 days following the conclusion of each live presentation broadcast.

Oncternal Expands Leadership Team with Appointment of Frank Hsu, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, and Rajesh Krishnan, Ph.D., as Senior VP CMC and Manufacturing

On August 28, 2019 Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONCT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing potential first-in-class product candidates for cancers with critical unmet medical needs, reported the appointment of Frank Hsu, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, and Rajesh Krishnan, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) and Manufacturing (Press release, Oncternal Therapeutics, AUG 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234539075]).

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Dr. Hsu brings to Oncternal extensive experience in cancer drug development, most recently from Immune Design Corporation, where he served as Vice President and Head of Oncology, responsible for development and execution of the company’s clinical programs, supporting preclinical and business efforts. Dr. Krishnan brings a wealth of experience in manufacturing, process development, technology transfer and technical operations, most recently from Dynavax Technologies Corporation, where he served as Vice President, Process Development and Manufacturing Sciences.

"I am very excited to announce these two key executive appointments. Frank Hsu’s arrival reflects the growing importance of clinical drug development at Oncternal," said James Breitmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., Oncternal’s President and CEO. "We believe that Frank’s wealth of expertise in oncology drug development and regulatory approval, his deep academic oncology background and proven ability to collaborate and lead teams make him an ideal fit for Oncternal as we advance our pipeline of potential first-in-class targeted therapies. Raj Krishnan’s appointment also reflects Oncternal’s commitment to advancing its diverse targeted therapeutic candidates. Raj has extensive experience and a proven track record of innovation and success in cross-functional CMC programs involving biologic and small molecule product candidates. We believe that the addition of these two outstanding professionals to the Oncternal executive team will be instrumental as we continue to advance our lead clinical product candidate, cirmtuzumab, along with our clinical TK216 product candidate and our preclinical ROR1 targeted CAR-T program."

Dr. Hsu stated, "This is an exciting time at Oncternal, with its diversified clinical pipeline targeting emerging cancer biology and multiple indications, including both hematological and solid tumor programs. I look forward to working with the talented individuals at Oncternal to execute the Company’s clinical development programs."

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring my extensive experience with process development and manufacturing of both biologic and small molecule product candidates to Oncternal," said Dr. Krishnan.

Dr. Hsu has held positions of increasing responsibility in both biotech and academic settings. From 2013 through 2018, he served as Vice President and Head of Oncology at Immune Design Corporation prior to its acquisition by Merck Co., Inc., where he was responsible for development of several immuno-oncology programs. From 2012 until 2013, Dr. Hsu served as Chief Medical Officer at Zyngenia, Inc., where he was responsible for development of its multivalent protein therapeutics. From 2002 through 2012, he served as Senior Medical Director at Genzyme Corporation prior to its acquisition by Sanofi, S.A. Previously, Dr. Hsu was a faculty member at Yale University, serving as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Oncology and co-Director/Director of the Immunology Research Program of the Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Hsu holds a B.S. degree in biology from Stanford University, and an M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School and the Health Science and Technology Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed his internship/residency in Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and his oncology training at Stanford University.

Dr. Krishnan has experience across a range of CMC and manufacturing technologies for U.S. and international manufacturing sites, involving both internal and partnered programs. From 2018 until 2019, he served as Vice President, Process Development and Manufacturing Sciences at Dynavax Technologies Corporation, where he led manufacturing, drug process development, process validation and technology transfer efforts for commercial and clinical development programs. From 2012 through 2017, Dr. Krishnan served in several positions at Gilead Sciences, Inc., most recently as Head, Biologics Drug Substance Process Development. Previously, he served in positions of increasing responsibility at Merck & Co., Inc., Amgen Inc. and Pfizer from 2000 through 2012. Dr. Krishnan holds a B.S.E. degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University, an M.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. degree in Biochemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis.

Physicians’ Education Resource® Presents the 14th Annual New York Lung Cancers Symposium®

On August 28, 2019 Physicians’ Education Resource (PER), a worldwide leading resource for continuing medical education (CME), reported that it will host the 14th Annual New York Lung Cancers Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City (Press release, Physicians’ Education Resource, AUG 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234539074]).

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This year’s program will be once again be co-chaired by renowned oncologists, Mark G. Kris, M.D., attending physician, thoracic oncology service, William and Joy Ruane Chair in Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Roman Perez-Soler, M.D., chairman, department of oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, professor of medicine and molecular pharmacology, deputy cancer center director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

"We are excited to host our annual New York Lung Cancers Symposium in New York City again this year," said Phil Talamo, president of PER. "We look forward to presenting this exciting meeting, centered on lung cancers, that will foster collaboration between members of the multidisciplinary oncology team."

The 14th Annual New York Lung Cancers Symposium is a one-day educational and interactive program that provides a comprehensive overview of lung cancer diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment. Experts will discuss optimal approaches for early-stage and locally advanced disease as well as present the latest data on immunotherapy and targeted agents in metastatic lung cancers. Attendees will also get a preview of upcoming advances in local and systemic therapies for thoracic malignancies. As with previous years, this meeting will feature a special breakfast session for nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants that will provide opportunities for learning and networking with the faculty about their most challenging cases.

Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, this symposium provides attendees with the opportunity to earn up to 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits and nursing contact hours.