GenFleet Therapeutics Raises $75 Million in Series C Financing Led by Huagai Capital, to Advance Innovative Pipeline Highlighting Cutting-edge Therapies

On December 31, 2021 GenFleet Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a focus in cutting-edge therapies in oncology and immunology, reported the completion of $75 million (~500 million RMB) series C financing (Press release, GenFleet Therapeutics, DEC 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234597889]). This round of financing is led by Huagai Capital, with participation by new investors including Suxin Venture Capital, Cherami Investment Group, ABC International, DYEE Capital, Qiaojing Eastern Investment, Baidu Venture, and Wenzhou Capital. Existing investors including Lake Bleu Capital, Panlin Capital, Shanjin Asset, CDH Venture and Growth Capital, HM Capital also participated. Start Point Advisors act as the sole financial advisor.

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"We are grateful to Huagai Capital and other investors for their recognition of our strategy to develop cutting-edge therapies, our innovative discovery platform, and our differentiated pipeline in both small molecules and biologics. We believe that it is our unique strategy, platform and pipeline that can not only minimize but may even eliminate the uncertainties induced by the market fluctuations or investment cycles. We can therefore provide a sound foundation for continuous growth and to distinguish ourselves from an extremely competitive environment to bring to patients globally innovative therapies from China." said Dr. Qiang Lu, Co-founder and Chairman of GenFleet Therapeutics.

"GenFleet’s pipeline highlights our focuses in cutting-edge therapies with novel mechanisms and global IP. We have built a highly differentiated pipeline sustained by our proprietary discovery platform. As we expect more programs to move into late-stage clinical development in 2022, GenFleet will continue to march toward commercialization and globalization. We hope to help patients across the world through scientific breakthroughs and achieve positive financial results for our stakeholders." said Dr. Jiong Lan, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GenFleet Therapeutics.

"HuaGai Capital feels honored to join GenFleet and to lead this round of financing. GenFleet is dedicated to serving unmet medical needs and we are impressed with its industry-leading progress as well as its efficient execution. Under the leadership of Dr. Lu and Dr. Lan, GenFleet truly stands out among competitors to bring life-saving treatments and better healthcare solutions to global patients." said Zhiqiang Zeng, Managing Partner of HuaGai Healthcare.

"We are pleased to lead this round of financing. GenFleet has established its proprietary R&D platform based on the deep understanding of disease biology and translational medicine. Its cutting-edge portfolio highlights innovative therapies with global IP, and we look forward to its prospects of globalization and long-term development in the industry." said Jingyang Zhu, Vice President of HuaGai Healthcare.

I-Mab Announces Upcoming Participation at January Conferences

On December 31, 2021 I-Mab (the "Company") (Nasdaq: IMAB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel biologics, reported its participation in the following conferences in January 2022 (Press release, I-Mab Biopharma, DEC 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234597890]). Details of the conferences and management presentation are as follows:

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40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Presentation: Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. E.S.T.

Presenter: Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder, Chairman, Acting CEO and Director

Webcast link: View Source;kiosk=true The webcast will also be available under "Event Calendar" on IMAB’s IR website at View Source .

One-on-one and small group meetings: January 19-21, 2022

Management participants: Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder, Chairman, Acting CEO and Director, Dr. Andrew Zhu, Director and President, Mr. John Long, Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Tianyi Zhang, Vice President Investor Relations, Mr. Tyler Ehler, Senior Director Investor Relations and Phoebe Peng, Associate Director Investor Relations

For more information, please contact your J.P. Morgan representative.

Morgan Stanley Virtual China New Economy Summit 2022

One-on-one and small group meetings: January 5-7, 2022

Management participants: Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder, Chairman, Acting CEO and Director, Dr. Andrew Zhu, Director and President, Mr. John Long, Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Tianyi Zhang, Vice President Investor Relations, Mr. Tyler Ehler, Senior Director Investor Relations and Phoebe Peng, Associate Director Investor Relations

For more information, please contact your Morgan Stanley representative.

H.C. Wainwright Virtual BioConnect Conference

One-on-one and small group meetings: January 10 – 13, 2021

Management participants: Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder, Chairman, Acting CEO and Director, Dr. Andrew Zhu, Director and President, Mr. John Long, Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Tianyi Zhang, Vice President Investor Relations, Mr. Tyler Ehler, Senior Director Investor Relations and Phoebe Peng, Associate Director Investor Relations

For more information, please contact your H.C.Wainwright representative.

UBS Greater China Conference 2022

One-on-one and small group meetings: January 11-14, 2022

Management participants: Dr. Jingwu Zang, Founder, Chairman, Acting CEO and Director, Dr. Andrew Zhu, Director and President, Mr. John Long, Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Tianyi Zhang, Vice President Investor Relations, Mr. Tyler Ehler, Senior Director Investor Relations and Phoebe Peng, Associate Director Investor Relations

For more information, please contact your UBS representative.

Akari Therapeutics, Plc Announces $6.0 Million Registered Direct Offering

On December 30, 2021 Akari Therapeutics, Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX) ("Akari" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapeutics to treat orphan autoimmune and inflammatory diseases where the complement and/or leukotriene systems are implicated, reported that it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors and accredited investors, led by existing investors of the Company, including Dr. Ray Prudo, the Company’s Chairman, to receive gross proceeds of approximately $6.0 million (Press release, Akari Therapeutics, DEC 30, 2021, View Source [SID1234598027]).

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In connection with the offering, the Company will issue approximately 4,310,839 registered American Depository Shares (ADSs) of Akari at a purchase price of $1.40 per ADS in a registered direct offering. Additionally, for each ADS purchased by investors, the investors will receive a registered warrant to purchase one-half ADS. The warrants will have an exercise price of $1.65 per ADS, will be exercisable upon their issuance and will expire five years from the issuance date. The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about January 4, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Paulson Investment Company, LLC, is acting as the exclusive placement agent in connection with this offering.

The securities described above are being offered by Akari pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-251673) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on December 23, 2020 and declared effective by the SEC on December 31, 2020. The offering of the securities will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement.

The Company will file a prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus with the SEC relating to the securities being offered. When available, electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may be obtained at the SEC’s website at View Source, or by contacting Donald A. Wojnowski Jr. of Paulson Investment Company, LLC, at (855) 653-3444 or at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein. There shall not be any offer, solicitation of an offer to buy, or sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offering, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

BeyondSpring Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update

On December 30, 2021 BeyondSpring Inc. (the "Company" or "BeyondSpring") (NASDAQ: BYSI), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, and provided an update on recent corporate events (Press release, BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals, DEC 30, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=beyondspring-announces-third-quarter-2021-financial-results-and-provides-a-corporate-update [SID1234597851]).

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"In the third quarter, we continued to move forward in developing plinabulin’s potential as a ‘pipeline in a drug’ for patients in need. We are developing a wealth of clinical data showing plinabulin’s dual benefit as an anti-cancer agent, shown with OS benefit in Dublin-3 study, with additional benefit in preventing CIN, which we believe will support the important role of plinabulin as a versatile cancer treatment option, and potentially, as a ‘cornerstone’ therapy in IO combinations," said Dr. Lan Huang, co-founder, chairwoman and chief executive officer of BeyondSpring.

"We look forward to executing on our plans for the potential commercial launch of plinabulin in CIN, our first indication in China, where we are excited to work with a leading oncology company, Hengrui, in the commercialization and co-development of plinabulin. Our discussions will continue with the U.S. FDA regarding the potential regulatory pathway for CIN in the U.S. market. At the same time, we are very focused on preparing for our NDA filing for plinabulin in NSCLC. Based on discussions with regulatory agencies in the U.S. and in China, we now anticipate submitting our NDA in the 2H 2022. The year ahead will be very busy and significant for BYSI, and we remain dedicated to enabling plinabulin to achieve its full potential and to bringing added value to the treatment of cancer patients," concluded Dr. Huang.

Recent Clinical and Corporate Highlights

Presented positive final Phase 3 DUBLIN-3 data with the plinabulin/docetaxel combination versus docetaxel alone in 2nd/3rd line non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR Wild Type at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2021 Congress
The combination showed superior efficacy benefit in overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and significant reduction of grade 4 neutropenia vs. docetaxel alone.
The combination also demonstrated superior and clinically meaningful Quality of Life benefit: 18.4% of relative improvement in Q-TWiST (Quality-adjusted Time Without Symptoms of Disease and Toxicity).
Presented new data on plinabulin from its Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia (CIN) prevention program in three posters at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2021 Congress (titles below):
Severe Neutropenia (Grade 4, Gr4N) as a Population-Based Predictor for Adverse Clinical Outcome of Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia (CIN)
Prediction of Febrile Neutropenia (FN), Hospitalization (Hosp) Rates, and Infection (Inf) Rates in Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia (CIN) Patients (pts) Treated with the Plinabulin and Pegfilgrastim Combination (Plin+Peg) using a Meta-Analysis (MA)-based Tool
Impact of Adding Plinabulin to Pegfilgrastim for the Prevention of Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia (CIN), on Patient Quality of Life (QoL)
Announced first patient treated in its Phase 2 study of plinabulin in combination with nivolumab + ipilimumab in patients in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who progressed after at least one platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and checkpoint inhibitors
The investigator-initiated study (IIT) is being conducted through the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium in 7 U.S. clinical centers.
In Phase 1 study, plinabulin combination with nivolumab + ipilimumab had ORR of 43% in SCLC patients who had progressed on platinum and checkpoint inhibitors (presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2021).
Announced new patient-derived (PDX) cancer model data for plinabulin monotherapy, which further supports the positive clinical data in the treatment of SCLC
At the 2021 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC virtual international conference on molecular targets and cancer therapeutics, the Company presented additional preclinical data in plinabulin monotherapy activity in PDX models in glioblastoma multiforme, bladder cancer, gastric cancer, sarcoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and SCLC, with IC70 at 35 nM in SCLC.
Entered into an exclusive commercialization and co-development partnership between Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. ("Hengrui") and Wanchunbulin, BeyondSpring’s China subsidiary, for plinabulin in Greater China
Hengrui, a leading oncology R&D and commercial company in China, has exclusive commercialization and co-development rights to all indications for plinabulin. Hengrui will pay all commercialization costs for all indications of plinabulin, and half of clinical development costs for new indications.
Wanchunbulin will supply plinabulin, retaining manufacturing rights. Wanchunbulin will receive all proceeds from sales of plinabulin products and pay Hengrui a pre-determined percentage of such sales.
Wanchunbulin received 200M RMB (est. US$30M) upfront, and will be eligible to receive up to 1.1B RMB (est. US$170M) in regulatory and sales milestones.
NDA for plinabulin-G-CSF combination in CIN Prevention under review in China; received complete response letter from U.S. FDA, with plans for further discussions with FDA on future regulatory pathway
Changes to the Company’s Board of Directors
Mark Santos, RPh joined the Company’s Board of Directors in November 2021. Mr. Santos has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare industries. He is SVP of Pharma Strategy & Contracting at OneOncology and past President of ION Solutions, the leading group purchasing organization (GPO) in the U.S. He serves as a board member for the American Cancer Society (South Texas Center), NY Cancer Foundation, and Leukemia Texas Foundation, among other organizations.
On December 22, 2021, Dr. Ravi Majeti resigned from the Board.
On July 27, 2021, Dr. Quanqi Song resigned from the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, and Brendan Delaney, an independent Director, was appointed to the Audit Committee.
Upcoming Milestones

1H 2022: expected regulatory update for CIN indication in China; continuing discussions with FDA on regulatory pathway for CIN in the U.S.
2H 2022: NDA Submission for plinabulin in NSCLC
2H 2022: Phase 2 data from the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, IIT study expected in plinabulin + nivolumab + ipilimumab in platinum and checkpoint inhibitor-resistant SCLC.
2H 2022: Preliminary Phase 1 data and plinabulin immune mechanism data from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, IIT study expected in plinabulin + PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors + radiation in patients with seven cancer types.
Third Quarter Financial Results

Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $8.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $8.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to lower clinical development expenses, which were partially offset by higher personnel and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses.
General and administrative ("G&A") expenses were $10.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $6.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The $3.5 million increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs and expenses associated with plinabulin pre-commercialization activities.
Net loss attributable to the Company was $18.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $14.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $91.6 million. The Company believes it has sufficient cash to support its ongoing clinical programs over the next year, including its immuno-oncology pipeline.
Year-to-Date Financial Results

R&D expenses were $31.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $33.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. The $2.3 million decrease was primarily due to lower clinical development expense, partially offset by higher personnel and professional services expenses, as well as PDUFA NDA application fees to FDA.
G&A expenses were $25.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $12.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. The $13.5 million increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs, non-cash stock-based compensation expense and pre-commercialization expenses for plinabulin.
Net loss attributable to the Company was $54.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to $43.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On December 30, 2021, Personalis, Inc., or the Company, reported that entered into an At-the-Market Sales Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with BTIG, LLC, or BTIG, under which it may offer and sell its common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $100.0 million from time to time through BTIG as its sales agent (Filing, 8-K, Personalis, DEC 30, 2021, View Source [SID1234597952]). Sales of the Company’s common stock through BTIG, if any, will be made by any method permitted by law deemed to be an "at the market offering" as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including without limitation sales made directly on the Nasdaq Global Market or any other existing trading market for its common stock. BTIG will use commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Company’s common stock from time to time, based upon instructions from the Company (including any price, time or size limits or other customary parameters or conditions the Company may impose). The Company will pay BTIG a commission of up to 3.0% of the gross sales proceeds of any common stock sold through BTIG under the Sales Agreement. The Company has also provided BTIG with customary indemnification rights.

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The Company is not obligated to make any sales of common stock under the Sales Agreement. The offering of shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all common stock subject to the Sales Agreement, or (ii) termination of the Sales Agreement in accordance with its terms.

The foregoing description of the Sales Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sales Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. This Current Report on Form 8-K also incorporates by reference the Sales Agreement into the Registration Statement (as defined below).

The Company’s common stock is being offered and sold pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and an accompanying prospectus (Registration Statement No. 333-251824) declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on January 8, 2021, or the Registration Statement, and a prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2021.