On July 19, 2021 Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq:CYTK) reported plans to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $200,000,000 of shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering (Press release, Cytokinetics, JUL 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234584979]). There can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or the actual size or terms of the offering. Cytokinetics expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of shares of common stock sold in connection with the offering. All of the shares of common stock in the offering will be sold by Cytokinetics.

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J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Mizuho Securities and JMP Securities are acting as passive book-runners.

The securities described above are being offered by Cytokinetics pursuant to a shelf registration statement (including a prospectus) filed on November 6, 2019 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which has become automatically effective. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available for free on the SEC’s website at View Source Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering, when available, may be obtained from: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone: 1-866-803-9204, or by email at [email protected]; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, by telephone at 866-718-1649 or by email at [email protected].

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

On July 10, 2021 Verastem Oncology (Nasdaq: VSTM), a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing new medicines for patients battling cancer, reported that it has converted all of the $28.0 million aggregate principal of the Company’s 2020 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2048 (the 2020 Notes) in exchange for approximately 8.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock, based on the Company’s existing Mandatory Conversion right (Press release, Verastem, JUL 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234584947]). This transaction, which eliminates substantially all of the Company’s outstanding debt, preserves approximately $31.2 million in cash, including $3.2 million in future interest payments that would have been payable through November 1, 2023.

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Robert Gagnon, Chief Financial Officer of Verastem Oncology, commented: "This conversion of our 2020 Notes eliminates substantially all outstanding debt and provides us with greater financial flexibility, all while reducing future cash needs for interest payments and to repay the notes at maturity. We now enter the second half of 2021 with a stronger balance sheet and believe we are well positioned to execute on our corporate objectives, including the advancement of VS-6766 and defactinib through registration-directed Phase 2 clinical trials in low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) and KRAS G12V-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)."

On November 6, 2020, the Company entered into a privately negotiated agreement with an investor who held the Company’s 2018 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2048 (the 2018 Notes), and exchanged approximately $28.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Notes for approximately $28.0 million aggregate principal amount of newly issued 2020 Notes. Under the terms of the 2020 Notes, Verastem became eligible to exercise its right to cause all outstanding 2020 Notes to be converted automatically because the daily volume weighted average price (VWAP) per share of the Company’s common stock was equal to or exceeded 123.08% of the conversion price on each of at least 20 VWAP trading days during a 30 consecutive VWAP trading day period. The conversion rate for the 2020 Notes was 307.6923 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2020 Notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $3.25 per share, representing an approximately 153.9% premium to the sale price of $1.28 per share of the Company’s common stock on November 5, 2020.

Verastem Oncology ended the first quarter 2021 with cash, cash equivalents and investments of $127.1 million. With the anticipated proceeds from the sale of COPIKTRA, the Company expects that it will have a cash runway until at least 2024 to deliver on the current programs for VS-6766 and defactinib, including clinical and regulatory milestones and development in LGSOC and KRAS mutant NSCLC.

On July 19, 2021 Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) reported that data from an ongoing clinical trial of investigational cancer immunotherapy PV-10 (rose bengal disodium) for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) metastatic to the liver (mNET) refractory to somatostatin analogs (SSAs) and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) (NCT02693067) will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress, to be held online from September 16-21, 2021 (Press release, Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, JUL 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234584948]).

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The abstract accepted for electronic poster presentation is entitled:

"Phase I study of hepatic intralesional rose bengal disodium (PV10), an autolytic immunotherapy, in metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms" (#4354).
About PV-10

Intralesional (IL) administration of PV-10 for the treatment of solid tumor cancers can yield immunogenic cell death within hours of tumor injection, and induce tumor-specific reactivity in circulating T cells within days.1,2,3 This IL PV-10-induced functional T cell response may be enhanced and boosted in combination with immune checkpoint blockade (CB).4 In CB-refractory advanced cutaneous melanoma, IL PV-10 may restore disease-specific T cell function, which may also be prognostic of clinical response. IL PV-10 has been administered to over 450 patients with cancers of the skin and of the liver. It is administered under visual, tactile or ultrasound guidance to superficial malignancies, and under CT or ultrasound guidance to tumors of the liver. Systemic administration of PV-10 is also undergoing preclinical study as prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for refractory and high-risk adult solid tumor cancers, and as a treatment for relapsed and refractory blood cancers.

About Rose Bengal Disodium

RBD is 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2′,4′,5′,7′-tetraiodofluorescein disodium, a halogenated xanthene and Provectus’ proprietary lead molecule. Provectus’ current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) RBD is a proprietary pharmaceutical-grade drug substance produced by the Company’s quality-by-design (QbD) manufacturing process to exacting regulatory standards that avoids the formation of uncontrolled impurities currently present in commercial-grade rose bengal. Provectus’ RBD and cGMP RBD manufacturing process are protected by composition of matter and manufacturing patents as well as trade secrets.

An IL formulation (i.e., by direct injection) of cGMP RBD drug substance, cGMP PV-10, is being developed as an autolytic immunotherapy drug product for solid tumor cancers.

IL PV-10 is also undergoing preclinical study for relapsed and refractory pediatric solid tumor cancers, such as neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.5,6

A topical formulation of cGMP RBD drug substance, PH-10, is being developed as a clinical-stage immuno-dermatology drug product for inflammatory dermatoses, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. RBD can modulate multiple interleukin and interferon pathways and key cytokine disease drivers.7

Oral formulations of cGMP RBD are undergoing preclinical study for relapsed and refractory pediatric blood cancers, such as acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myelomonocytic leukemia.8,9

Oral formulations of cGMP RBD are also undergoing preclinical study as prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for high-risk adult solid tumor cancers, such as head and neck, breast, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancers.

Different formulations of cGMP RBD are also undergoing preclinical study as potential treatments for multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, such as Gram-negative bacteria.

Topical formulations of cGMP RBD are also undergoing preclinical study as potential treatments for diseases of the eye, such as infectious keratitis

Tumor Cell Lysosomes as the Seminal Cancer Drug Target

Lysosomes are the central organelles for intracellular degradation of biological materials, and nearly all types of eukaryotic cells have them. Discovered by Christian de Duve, MD in 1955, lysosomes are linked to several biological processes, including cell death and immune response. In 1959, de Duve described them as ‘suicide bags’ because their rupture causes cell death and tissue autolysis. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1974 for discovering and characterizing lysosomes, which are also linked to each of the three primary cell death pathways: apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis.

Building on the Discovery, Exploration, and Characterization of Lysosomes

Cancer cells, particularly advanced cancer cells, are very dependent on effective lysosomal functioning.10 Cancer progression and metastasis are associated with lysosomal compartment changes11,12, which are closely correlated (among other things) with invasive growth, angiogenesis, and drug resistance13.

RBD selectively accumulates in the lysosomes of cancer cells upon contact, disrupting the lysosomes and causing the cells to die. Provectus2,14, external collaborators5, and other researchers15,16,17 have independently shown that RBD triggers each of the three primary cell death pathways: apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis.

Cancer Cell Autolytic Death via RBD: RBD-induced autolytic cell death, or death by self-digestion, in Hepa1-6 murine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells can be viewed in this Provectus video of the process (ethidium homodimer 1 [ED-1] stains DNA, but is excluded from intact nuclei; lysosensor green [LSG] stains intact lysosomes; the video is provided in 30-second frames, with a duration of approximately one hour). Exposure to RBD triggers the disruption of lysosomes, followed by nucleus failure and autolytic cell death. Identical responses have been shown by the Company in HTB-133 human breast carcinoma (which can be viewed in this Provectus video of the process, with a duration of approximately two hours) and H69Ar human multidrug-resistant small cell lung carcinoma. Cancer cell autolytic cell death was reproduced by research collaborators in neuroblastoma cells to show that lysosomes are disrupted upon exposure to RBD.5

Tumor Autolytic Death via RBD: RBD causes acute autolytic destruction of injected tumors (via autolytic cell death), mediating the release of danger-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) and tumor antigens; release of these signaling factors may initiate an immunologic cascade where local response by the innate immune system may facilitate systemic anti-tumor immunity by the adaptive immune system. The DAMP release-mediated adaptive immune response activates lymphocytes, including CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and NKT cells, based on clinical and preclinical experience in multiple tumor types. Mediated immune signaling pathways may include an effect on STING, which plays an important role in innate immunity.9

Orphan Drug Designations (ODDs)

ODD status has been granted to RBD by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for metastatic melanoma in 2006, hepatocellular carcinoma in 2011, neuroblastoma in 2018, and ocular melanoma (including uveal melanoma) in 2019.

Intellectual Property

Provectus’ IP includes a family of US and international (a number of countries in Asia, Europe, and North America) patents that protect the process by which cGMP RBD and related halogenated xanthenes are produced, avoiding the formation of previously unknown impurities that exist in commercial-grade rose bengal in uncontrolled amounts. The requirement to control these impurities is in accordance with International Council on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for the manufacturing of an injectable pharmaceutical. US patent numbers are 8,530,675, 9,273,022, and 9,422,260, with expirations ranging from 2030 to 2031.

The Company’s IP also includes a family of US and international (a number of countries in Asia, Europe, and North America) patents that protect the combination of RBD and CB (e.g., anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1 agents) for the treatment of a range of solid tumor cancers. US patent numbers are 9,107,887, 9,808,524, 9,839,688, and 10,471,144, with expirations ranging from 2032 to 2035; US patent application numbers include 20200138942 (i.e., 16/678,133), which has been allowed.

On July 19, 2021 THERADIAG (ISIN: FR0004197747, Ticker: ALTER), a company specializing in in vitro diagnostics and Theranostics, reported its half-year turnover and its cash level at June 30, 2021, data under audit (Press release, Theradiag, JUL 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234587268]).

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At June 30, 2021, Theradiag achieved a turnover of 5.5 million euros against 4.9 million in the
1 st half of 2020, an increase of 12.5% despite an economic context characterized and health by the persistence in all countries of difficulties in accessing hospital care for patients undergoing immunotherapy.

The Theranostics business continued to grow with growth this semester of + 14.7%, driven in particular by the dynamic sales of the i-Track 10 machine . Marked by strong growth for several semesters, the Theranostics activity represents for the first time the majority of Theradiag’s revenues over these first six months of 2021.

Theranostics activity carried out in the United States in partnership with HalioDX reached 0.5 million euros, in line with the company’s development plan, and grew by 33.6%. In exports, the company maintains a very sustained level of activity with an increase in sales of 27.4% to 1.3 million euros. Penalized by maintaining white planes in hospitals, activity in France slowed slightly, it is set back from 5.2% to 1.0 million euros compared to the 1 st half of 2020.

The In Vitro Diagnosis (IVD) activity posted revenue growth of + 10.4% to reach 2.7 million euros as of June 30, 2021.

Cash position

As of June 30, 2021, Theradiag’s available net cash amounted to € 1.4 million compared to €
3.5 million as of December 31, 2020. This difference results from cash mismatches resolved to date amounting to 0.5 million euros, as well as investments in R&D and international development in line with Theradiag’s strategic plan.

Bertrand de Castelnau, CEO of Theradiag commented:"The 12.5% ​​revenue growth in a delicate health context once again proves that Theradiag’s business model is based on solid fundamentals. In the first half of 2021, the Theranostics activity continued to grow thanks to the deployment of the i-Track solution, the marketing of which had been launched in full containment in 2020. The particularly strong Theranostics dynamic in the United States highlights the success of our partnership with Halio DX in this strategic country. The first semester was also marked by the kick-off of the Humabdiag project with the University of Tours, which will allow us to obtain high quality antibodies which are strategic for the future of the company. For the rest of the 2021 financial year, We are maintaining our investments in innovation and our international deployment efforts, particularly in the United States. "

Pierre Morgon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Theradiag continues: " This first semester underlines the robustness of the model shaped for years by the Theradiag teams who have demonstrated their performance in times of crisis. World leader in the monitoring of biotherapies, Theradiag has a real technological lead and continues to maintain it thanks to its judicious investment policy. This positive dynamic is supported by an ambitious and clear strategic plan which can only offer a bright future to Theradiag. "

Of the main events of the 1 st half 2021

January 2021: CE marking of the four new i-Tracker test kits from the TRACKER Vedolizumab and Ustekinumab range on the originator molecules and biosimilars
January 2021: Signature of a contract for the supply of quality control reagents with Orgentec
May 2021: Participation in the Humabdiag project, a large-scale research project aimed at bio-production of monoclonal antibodies in Tours
Financial calendar:

Results of the 1 st half of 2021 , Monday, September 20, 2021

On July 16, 2021 CytRx Corporation (OTCQB: CYTR) ("CytRx" or the "Company"), a specialized biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development for the oncology and neurodegenerative disease categories, reported the closing of its previously announced sale of its securities pursuant to a securities purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") to a single healthcare-focused institutional investor (the "Investor") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $10 million (Press release, CytRx, JUL 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234584911]). The Investor is independent of the Company’s Board of Directors and management team. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital purposes.

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Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, CytRx sold 2,000,000 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $0.88 per share for total gross proceeds of approximately $1.76 million in a registered direct offering and 8,240 shares of Series C 10.00% Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") at a purchase price of $1,000 per share for total gross proceeds of approximately $8.24 million, in a concurrent private placement. The shares of the Preferred Stock are convertible, upon shareholder approval as described below, into an aggregate of up to 9,363,637 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.88 per share. The Preferred Stock includes beneficial ownership limitations that preclude conversion that would result in the Investor owning in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock.

CytRx also issued to the Investor an unregistered preferred investment option (the "Investment Option") that allows for the purchase of up to 11,363,637 shares of common stock for additional gross proceeds of approximately $10 million if the Investment Option is exercised in full. The exercise price for the Investment Option is $0.88 per share. The Investment Option has a term equal to five and one-half years commencing upon the Company increasing its authorized common stock following shareholder approval (the "Authorized Share Increase").

H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as exclusive placement agent for the offering.

As described above, the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the Preferred Stock and the Investment Option sold in the private placement is subject to the Authorized Share Increase. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company must hold a meeting of its stockholders no later than September 25, 2021 to seek shareholder approval.

The shares of common stock sold in the registered direct offering were offered and sold in the registered direct offering by CytRx pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-255431), including a base prospectus, previously filed with, and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on July 12, 2021. The registered direct offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement that forms a part of the registration statement. A final prospectus supplement and an accompanying base prospectus relating to the registered direct offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at View Source Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus may be obtained from H.C. Wainwright & Co., 430 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022 or via telephone at (212) 856-5711 or email at [email protected].

The Series C Preferred Stock and Investment Options sold in the private placement and the shares of common stock issuable thereunder were offered pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and have not been registered under the Act, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.

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