Olema Oncology to Present at the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference

On February 19, 2025 Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Olema" or "Olema Oncology", Nasdaq: OLMA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted therapies for breast cancer and beyond, reported that Sean P. Bohen, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. ET (Press release, Olema Oncology, FEB 19, 2025, View Source [SID1234650379]).

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A live webcast of the presentation and any accompanying materials will be available under the Events and Presentations section of Olema’s Investor Relations website at ir.olema.com. A recording of the presentation will be made available in the same location.

Reverb Therapeutics Raises USD $12 Million Seed Round Financing to Harness Cytokine Signaling With its Amplify•R™ Platform

On February 19, 2025 Reverb Therapeutics, a leader in harnessing the natural immune system and cytokine signaling to treat life-threatening diseases, reported it has closed a USD $12 Million financing led by founding investor Amplitude Ventures (Press release, Reverb Therapeutics, FEB 19, 2025, View Source [SID1234650396]). Other participants in the round include the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s venture philanthropy arm, the Myeloma Investment Fund, KdT Ventures, Finchley Healthcare Ventures, InBC Investment Corp. (InBC), and Seido Capital.

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Reverb’s novel Amplify•R platform combines bispecific antibody engineering with data-driven modelling of antibody interactions to modulate the actions of endogenous cytokines and redirect them to tissues of interest. This approach avoids the hurdles that have blocked other attempts to enlist cytokines to treat disease, which include systemic toxicity, immunogenicity, and manufacturing issues. Reverb’s initial focus is on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

In vivo preclinical studies have established proof-of-concept for the Amplify•R platform’s ability to redirect endogenous cytokines and shrink tumors. The data supports a growing body of evidence for the potency of bispecific antibodies redirecting cytokines to PD-1-positive cells. Reverb’s lead AMP01 program blocks PD-1 while delivering endogenous IL-15, a key protein that expands and activates cytotoxic T cells.

"We are excited to have the backing of this standout group of investors as we advance the Amplify•R platform," said David de Graaf, Ph.D., CEO of Reverb Therapeutics. "The Amplify•R platform has broad potential across many cytokines. With this funding, we will take our lead IL-15 bispecific program to the candidate stage and will develop additional bispecific programs spanning other cytokines and additional cellular targets."

"Since its launch, Reverb has made significant progress in demonstrating the superiority of the Amplify•R platform," said Bharat Srinivasa, Ph.D., principal at Amplitude Ventures. "The preclinical data generated to date are extremely exciting and we believe that the Amplify•R platform will enable Reverb to succeed where many attempts using exogenous cytokines ran into insurmountable obstacles."

With the financing complete, Reverb welcomes two new members to its board of directors:

Maude Tessier, Ph.D., is a longtime biopharma executive, two-time chief business officer and an experienced company builder

Stephan Kontos, Ph.D., a biotech executive and entrepreneur, chairs the scientific advisory board at Anokion.

Vir Biotechnology to Participate in TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference

On February 19, 2025 Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIR) reported that members of the executive team are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 4 at 8:50 a.m. PT / 11:50 a.m. ET in Boston, Massachusetts (Press release, Vir Biotechnology, FEB 19, 2025, View Source [SID1234650397]).

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A live webcast of the fireside chat will be made available under Events & Presentations in the Investors section of the Vir Biotechnology website and will be archived for 30 days.

Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement

On February 18, 2025 Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") reported the company entered into a Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement (the "SPEA") with certain existing accredited investors (the "Purchasers") (Filing, Cytori Therapeutics, FEB 18, 2025, View Source [SID1234650333]). Pursuant to the SPEA, on the Closing Date the Company issued secured convertible promissory notes (the "Funding Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $3,362,251 together with common stock purchase warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase 3,002,009 shares of the Company common stock, par value $0.001 (the "Common Stock") at an exercise price of $1.12 per share (the "Warrant Exercise Price"). The aggregate purchase price for the Funding Note and Warrants was approximately $3.7 million (the "Aggregate Purchase Price") and included payment of $0.125 per Warrant in accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

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The Funding Notes mature on February 13, 2026, and bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum, subject to increase upon Events of Default.

The Warrants are exercisable for five-years from the date of issuance.

Secured Interest

The obligations of the Company under the SPEA and the Notes (as defined below) are secured by a pledge of substantially all of assets of the Company pursuant to a security agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Company, CNSide Diagnostics, LLC (a subsidiary of the Company, "CNSide"), and Iroquois Master Fund Ltd., as collateral agent for the Purchasers (the "Security Agreement), subject to certain exceptions. The Security Agreement contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on the Company’s and CNSide’s ability to dispose of assets, subject to customary exceptions. The repayment of the Company’s obligations under the SPEA and Notes are guaranteed pursuant to a subsidiary guarantee, dated as of the Closing Date (the "Subsidiary Guarantee"), by and among CNSide and the Purchasers.

Mandatory Conversion

In the event of a Common Stock financing by the Company on or before March 31, 2025, in which the Company receives at least $10.0 million in gross proceeds and that meets certain other conditions specified in the SPEA (a "Qualified Financing"), at the election of the Company seventy-five percent of the principal amount and interest of the Funding Notes, or at the election of the Purchaser, all of the principal amount and interest of the Funding Notes, will convert into the securities issued in the Qualified Financing (the "Mandatory Conversion"). The Mandatory Conversion does not apply, however, in the event that per share of Common Stock price in the Qualified Financing is $2.00 or greater (the "Maximum Amount").

Upon a consummation of a Qualified Financing, any portion of the Funding Notes not mandatorily converted in the Qualified Financing by the Company, at each Purchaser’s option, will either be voluntarily converted into such securities issued in the Qualified Financing or redeemed in cash.

Voluntary Conversion

Each Funding Note is convertible at any time after the Closing Date, at the option of each Purchaser, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Funding Notes, into shares of Common Stock, or to comply with certain beneficial ownership limitations, into pre-funded warrants (the "Pre-Funded Warrants"), exercisable immediately at an exercise price of $0.001 per share. The initial conversion price for the Funding Notes is $1.12 per share (the "Conversion Price").

Anti-Dilution

Subject to obtaining stockholder approval, the Conversion Price and the Warrant Exercise Price are subject to anti-dilution protection upon any subsequent transaction at a fixed price lower than the Conversion Price or Warrant Exercise Price, as applicable, then in effect and standard adjustments in the event of any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction.

Covenants

The Funding Notes provide for certain customary negative covenants regarding the incurrence of certain indebtedness, the creation of liens, the repayment of indebtedness, the payment of cash or assets in respect of dividends, distributions or redemptions, and the transfer of assets, among other matters.

Company Optional Redemption Rights

Subject to Equity Conditions (as such term is defined in the Funding Notes), each Funding Note may be prepaid, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, by paying in cash to the Purchaser the Mandatory Default Amount (as such term is defined in the Funding Notes) or 120% of the principal amount of the Funding Note, together with any accrued and unpaid interest and unpaid late charges thereon. In addition, the Company may prepay each Funding Note upon a Fundamental Transaction (as such term is defined in the Funding Notes) or a Change of Control Transaction (as such term is defined in the Funding Notes), provided that shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Funding Notes are then registered under an effective registration statement, by paying to the Purchasers the Mandatory Default Amount.

Terms of the SPEA

The SPEA contains certain representations and warranties, covenants and indemnities customary for similar transactions.

Under the SPEA, the Company agreed, among other conditions, to not effect or enter an agreement to effect any variable rate transaction, except for certain exempt issuances of equity securities, until the later of the two year anniversary of the Closing Date or such date that the Notes are no longer outstanding. The Company also agreed to hold a stockholder meeting by no later than May 30, 2025, to seek approvals for future adjustments of the Warrant Exercise Price and Conversion Price for anti-dilution adjustments and similar matters, the reduction of the exercise price of the Warrants by $0.125, the extension of the period of exercise for the Series B common warrants issued pursuant to the May 2024 Purchase Agreement until five years from the original issue date of those warrants, and other matters necessary for compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (the "Stockholder Approvals"). Pursuant to the SPEA, the Company will be obligated to continue to seek the Stockholder Approvals at least three times each year until the Stockholder Approvals are obtained.

In addition, the Company granted the Purchasers participation rights in future offerings of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as such term is defined in the SPEA) for cash consideration, during the later of 18 months after the Closing Date or such time as less than 50% of the Warrants remain outstanding, in an amount of up to 50% of the securities being sold in such offerings.

Exchange Notes

As previously disclosed, the Company entered into that certain securities purchase agreement, dated May 5, 2024, as amended on May 8, 2024 (the "May 2024 Purchase Agreement"), with the Purchasers, among other investors, for the private placement of securities, including Series A common warrants ("Series A Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of up to 3,591,532 shares of common stock. The May 2024 Purchase Agreement included certain limitations and restrictions on the Company’s ability to issue securities and provided the Purchasers and the other investors signatories to the May 2024 Purchase Agreement participation rights in future equity and equity-linked offerings of securities, subject to certain limited exceptions (the "Financing Restrictions"). On the Closing Date, pursuant to the SPEA, the Company issued to the Purchases secured convertible promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $3,188,922 (the "Exchange Notes" and together with the Funding Notes, the "Notes") in exchange for cancellation of the Series A Warrants of the Purchasers, and the Purchasers entered into a second amendment to the May 2024 Purchase Agreement to eliminate the Financing Restrictions (the "Financing Waiver").

The terms and conditions of the Exchange Notes are substantially identical in all material respects to the Funding Notes, except that the Mandatory Conversion applies to all of the principal amount of the Exchange Notes instead of being limited to seventy-five percent, and the Maximum Amount does not apply. The Security Agreement and Subsidiary Guarantee also apply to the obligations under the Exchange Notes.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the SPEA, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), dated as of the Closing Date, with the Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") covering the resale of the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Notes and Warrants (the "Registration Statement") at the earlier of the fifteenth calendar day after the Company has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the calendar year ended December 31, 2024, or April 15, 2025 (the "Filing Due Date"), and to have the registration statement declared effective as promptly as practical thereafter, and in any event no later than June 30, 2025 (the "Effectiveness Due Date"), provided, however, that the Effectiveness Due Date for the shares of common stock issuable under the Exchange Notes is the earlier of the fifteenth calendar day after the Company has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the calendar year ended December 31, 2024, or April 15, 2025. In addition, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is required to use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective from the date on which the Commission declares the Registration Statement to be effective until such date that all Registrable Securities (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) covered by the Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), under Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act ("Rule 144"), or otherwise shall have ceased to be Registrable Securities.

In the event that (i) the Company fails to file the Registration Statement by the Filing Due Date, (ii) the Company fails to file with the Commission a request for acceleration of the Registration Statement within 5 Trading Days (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) of the date that the Company is notified by the Commission that such Registration Statement will not be "reviewed" or will not be subject to further review, (iii) the Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the Effectiveness Due Date, (iv) after being declared effective, (A) the Registration Statement ceases to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities for which it is required to be effective, or (B) the holders are not permitted to utilize the prospectus in the Registration Statement to sell Registrable Securities, other than certain allowed delays, or (v) an allowed delay exceeds beyond the length permitted for an allowed delay, then the Company has agreed (unless the Registrable Securities are freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144) to make payments to each Purchaser as liquidated damages in an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate amount invested by each such holder in the Registrable Securities, subject to a 12% cap in the aggregate as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Company has granted the Purchasers customary indemnification rights in connection with the Registration Rights Agreement. The Purchasers have also granted the Company customary indemnification rights in connection with the Registration Rights Agreement.

The foregoing descriptions of the SPEA, Funding Notes, Exchange Notes, Security Agreement, Subsidiary Guarantee, Warrants, Pre-Funded Warrants, Financing Waiver, and Registration Rights Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such documents, copies of which are attached hereto as exhibits, and each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreements were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above relating to the SPEA and Notes is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the sale and issuance of the securities is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 3.02.

The Company issued the Exchange Notes in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, The Company otherwise sold the securities to "accredited investors," as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder, and corresponding provisions of state securities or "blue sky" laws. The Purchasers represented that they were acquiring the securities pursuant to the SPEA for investment only and not with a view towards the resale or distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act. Accordingly, the securities issued pursuant to the SPEA have not been registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

Neither this Current Report on Form 8-K, nor the exhibits attached hereto, is an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 18, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the private placement and exchange described above and a $2.0 million advance payment from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), as part of its existing $17.6 million grant.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number
Description of Document

4.1 Form of Pre-Funded Warrant
4.2 Form of Warrant issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein
10.1* Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein
10.2 Form of Secured Convertible Note for Funding Notes issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein
10.3 Form of Secured Convertible Note for Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase and Exchange Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein
10.4* Security Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc., CNSide Diagnostics, LLC, and Iroquois Master Fund Ltd., as collateral agent for the purchasers named therein
10.5 Subsidiary Guarantee, dated as of February 13, 2025, by and among CNSide Diagnostics, LLC and the purchasers named therein
10.6 Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 13, 2025, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein
10.7 Second Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated May 5, 2024, as amended on May 9, 2024, by and among Plus Therapeutics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded with the Inline XBRL document)

*
Schedules and exhibits have been Omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the Omitted schedules or exhibits upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedules or exhibits so furnished.

Aadi Bioscience Appoints David Dornan, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer

On February 18, 2025 Aadi Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: AADI) reported the appointment of David Dornan, PhD as the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) (Press release, Aadi Bioscience, FEB 18, 2025, View Source [SID1234650351]). Dr. Dornan contributes more than two decades of experience in oncology drug discovery and development, with deep expertise in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other targeted cancer therapies.

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"David’s extensive experience in ADC development and track record of translating novel oncology discoveries into clinical programs make him an ideal leader as we seek to rapidly advance our newly in-licensed ADC portfolio," said David Lennon, PhD, President and CEO of Aadi Bioscience. "We are thrilled to welcome David to our growing ADC-experienced team, which also boasts board members from leading ADC companies, Behzad Aghazedeh, former CEO and Executive Chair of Immunomedics, and recently appointed Baiteng Zhao, PhD, co-founder and former Chairman and CEO of ProfoundBio."

Dr. Dornan joins Aadi at a pivotal time as the company implements a new strategic plan, which was first announced in December 2024, including three proposed transactions: the sale of FYARRO and its associated infrastructure to Kaken Pharmaceuticals for $100 million in cash; the in-licensing of a thoughtfully selected, promising portfolio of ADCs from WuXi Biologics; and a $100 million private placement financing to help facilitate the development of these ADC assets. Aadi filed its definitive proxy statement on January 31, 2025, in connection with the Company’s upcoming Special Meeting of Stockholders which is scheduled to be held on February 28, 2025. The proxy statement includes proposals on the sale of FYARRO and the financing.

"The field of ADCs is undergoing a transformation and we believe that Aadi is well-positioned to contribute with a creative tumor-targeting strategy that utilizes a next-generation linker-payload platform," said David Dornan, PhD, CSO of Aadi Bioscience. "What drew me to Aadi wasn’t just its cutting-edge science—it’s the unwavering commitment to translating innovation into real impact for patients. With a pipeline targeting PTK7, MUC16 and SEZ6, we have an opportunity to redefine what is possible in cancer treatment. I’m eager to collaborate with this outstanding team to accelerate the development of therapies that can truly make a difference in patients’ lives."

Dr. Dornan has a successful track record of shepherding drugs from discovery stage through the clinic for advanced modalities, including ADCs, encompassing numerous Initial New Drug (IND), New Drug Application and Biologic License Application filings. Most recently, he served as CSO at Elevation Oncology where he spearheaded the company’s strategic pivot toward a portfolio of ADCs, including the in-licensing and nomination of differentiated ADC assets. As the CSO of Bolt Biotherapeutics he led the cutting-edge research and development of novel immune-stimulating ADCs and immune agonist antibodies that led to multiple INDs and clinical trials. Previously, he was the Director and Head of Oncology Research at Gilead Sciences where he oversaw the identification, validation and translation of oncogenic targets into biologic and small molecule therapeutics. Dr. Dornan began his industry career at Genentech where he spent a decade in roles of increasing responsibility focused on target discovery and validation efforts for numerous tumor antigen targets and ADCs, including POLIVY (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq), an ADC approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.