On December 16, 2021 Targovax and primary insider,reported that it has on 16 December 2021 purchased 50,000 shares in Targovax ASA ("the Company") at an average share price of NOK 2.137 per share (Press release, Targovax, DEC 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234597310]).

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Following this transaction, Ola Melin and his close associates holds 50,000 shares and 250,000 share options in the Company.

Please see the attached notification of trade for further information.

On December 16, 2021 Menarini Silicon Biosystems (MSB), a pioneer of single cell technologies, reported its new FFPE Rescue Application, to enable molecular testing on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples with low tumor cell contents (Press release, Menarini Silicon Biosystems, DEC 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234597345]). Thanks to the sorting capabilities of the recently launched DEPArray PLUS instrument, it is possible to isolate a sufficient number of tumor cells to generate relevant molecular data, even from FFPE tissues that were previously discarded from conventional Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) processing. Thus, the DEPArray PLUS workflow can reduce the failure rates of FFPE molecular analyses and provide clinical researchers with valuable information about actionable mutations, potentially improving clinical trial recruitment and allowing more patients to access new targeted therapies.

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Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding remains the gold standard preservation method of human tissue for molecular diagnostics. NGS of FFPE tissue is becoming increasingly important to identify targetable mutations and has greatly enhanced the ability of physicians to optimize treatment strategies.

However, not all FFPE samples are suitable for molecular analyses. The failure rate for molecular testing of FFPE tissues ranges between 5 and 15%, with the primary driver being low tumor content. The precise digital sorting capability of DEPArray PLUS allows for the isolation of small pools of only a few hundred tumor cells that are then suitable for NGS library preparation and sequencing.

According to Dr Javier Hernández Losa, Director of the Molecular Biology Laboratory within the Pathology Department at the Vall d´Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain "the DEPArray platform allows us to conduct unambiguous genetic analyses on FFPE samples that failed the standard NGS procedure and identify potentially targetable mutations". MSB and the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital have recently engaged in a research collaboration to expand the types of complex samples that can be analyzed by DEPArray, such as cytologic samples. The Vall d’Hebron University Hospital Pathology lab provides molecular testing for many hospitals throughout Catalonia. It aims to establish a NGS testing service across the entire region to provide the information that will help physicians improve their decision-making and patient care.

Prof Lorenzo Leoncini, MD, Head of the Department of Medical Biotechnology and Director of the Pathological Anatomy Division at the University of Siena, Italy adds that: "the DEPArray technology helped to rescue tissue samples with less than a 5% tumor cell content to generate robust data on cancer mutations. We are now planning to use this technology in different new research projects. For example, we will use DEPArray to study tumor cells in classical Hodgkin Lymphoma tissue biopsies, a setting in which isolation of these rare cells is extremely challenging, as they are present in a very low percentage compared to normal cells".

"We are excited to be able to deliver such a unique technology for the analysis of FFPE biopsies with low tumor cellularity," said Fabio Piazzalunga, President and CEO of MSB. "Our DEPArray platform could help pathology labs reduce the significant burden, caused by FFPE biopsies that are rejected from molecular analysis and support pharma companies involved in clinical trials to expedite recruitment".

On December 16, 2021 Anaveon, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, reported that it has agreed a CHF 110 million Series B financing led by incoming investor Forbion, corner-stoned by founding investor Syncona, also joined by existing investor Novartis Venture Fund, as well as new investors, Cowen Healthcare Investments (a division of Cowen Investment Management), Pfizer Ventures and Pontifax (Press release, Anaveon, DEC 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234597261]). In connection with the Series B financing, Jasper Bos (Forbion), Tim Anderson (Cowen) and Denis Patrick (Pfizer Ventures) will join the Anaveon Board at closing, which is expected before year end.

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Anaveon is undertaking a Phase I/II study to evaluate the safety, dosing and clinical activity of its lead program, ANV419, a powerful and selective interleukin-2 (IL-2) agonist in patients with solid tumors. Proceeds from this financing will enable the Company to pursue multiple parallel Phase II programs in order to explore the full therapeutic potential of ANV419. In addition, it will allow Anaveon to continue its work in developing follow-on compounds to expand on the success of ANV419 by delivering the IL-2 agonist to tumor fighting cells and thus expand the therapeutic potential into less immunogenic tumors. Additionally, the Company is building on its cytokine engineering expertise with preclinical-stage programs harnessing the power of cytokines for therapeutic purposes.

"There is strong momentum behind Anaveon and we are thrilled to welcome leading EU and US investors Forbion, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Pfizer Ventures and Pontifax to the Company. I would also like to personally thank our existing founding investors for their continued guidance and support to bring the company this far," said Andreas Katopodis, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Anaveon. "With this fundraising we have made a clear statement about the scale and nature of our ambitions to bring cancer therapies rapidly to patients with a high unmet medical need, as well as leverage the experience of our in-house cytokine engineering experts to broaden our pipeline for the benefit of patients suffering from diseases with immune dysregulation pathologies."

"We continue to be very encouraged by Anaveon’s strong progress with its lead product, ANV419, as well as its future ambitions for expanding the pipeline," added Martin Murphy, Chief Executive of Syncona Investment Management Limited and Chairman of Anaveon’s Board. "The Company is seeking to develop engineered cytokines in multiple indications and draw on the deep expertise of the experienced team in order to deliver significant benefits to patients with limited therapeutic options."

Jasper Bos, General Partner at Forbion and Anaveon’s incoming Board Director, said, "We have been very impressed by the scientific co-founders, management team, board of directors, and vision of the Company, and we are excited to support Anaveon as they progress ANV419 through the clinic and grow the pipeline into new indications."

Anaveon, founded in December 2017, is developing selective IL-2 Receptor Agonists, which have the potential to therapeutically enhance a patient’s immune system to respond to tumors. In the body, human IL-2 stimulates a type of immune cell, called a T-cell, to multiply and become activated. Activated T-cells are able to attack tumors and, consistent with this approach, human IL-2 is already approved as a therapeutic for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and renal cancer; however, due to lack of specificity, human IL-2 has severe, dose-limiting side effects and a short half-life that requires frequent infusions. The lead compound, ANV419, is designed to preferentially signal through the IL-2 beta/gamma receptor and therefore overcome known challenges of human IL-2. This novel type of therapeutic, if approved, could potentially have a wide utility in oncology, including in combination with cell therapies, vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors and radiotherapy.

On December 16, 2021 Anixa Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIX), a biotechnology company focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases, reported that the Company is participating in the LifeSci Partners 11th Annual Corporate Access Event, which will be held virtually from January 5-7, 2022, and the H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Conference, which will be held January 10-13, 2022 (Press release, Anixa Biosciences, DEC 16, 2021, https://ir.anixa.com/news/detail/989/anixa-biosciences-to-participate-in-upcoming-january-investor-conferences-lifesci-partners-annual-corporate-access-event-and-h-c-wainwright-bioconnect-conference [SID1234597287]).

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Participation and presentation details are below:

LifeSci Partners Corporate Access Event:
Dr. Amit Kumar, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anixa Biosciences will present on a panel entitled, "Cancer Vaccines: Promises, Promises…Has Their Day Come?" on Friday, January 7th, 2:00 pm ET.
During the duration of the LifeSci Corporate Access Event, the Anixa Biosciences management team will be available for 1×1 meetings with interested investors. Register here to submit a meeting request or to hear the panel discussion.
H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Conference:
Anixa Biosciences will present at the H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Conference and a recording of the presentation will be accessible beginning January 10th at 7:00 am ET. To listen to the presentation, visit the Investor Relations/Events & Presentations portion of Anixa’s company website.
The Anixa Biosciences management team will be available for 1×1 meetings with interested investors. Register here for the conference.

On December 16, 2021 Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRX), a precision oncology company targeting virus-associated malignancies, reported that it has been selected for addition to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (Nasdaq: NBI), effective prior to market open on Monday, December 20, 2021 (Press release, Viracta Therapeutics, DEC 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234597312]).

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The NBI is designed to track the performance of a set of securities listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq) that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB). The NBI is re-ranked each year and is calculated under a modified capitalization-weighted methodology. Additionally, the NBI forms the basis for a number of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). More information about the NBI, including eligibility criteria, can be found at View Source