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ABL Bio Inc.- GenScript Biotech Corp Bispecific Antibody Strategic Partnership Agreement Ceremony

On November 18, 2019 GenScript Biologics, a world leading bio-pharmaceutical CDMO company, reported that it entered into an agreement with ABL Bio Inc., a South Korean biotech company dedicated to therapeutics for immuno-oncology and neurodegenerative diseases (Press release, GenScript, NOV 18, 2019, View Source;genscript-biotech-corp-bispecific-antibody-strategic-partnership-agreement-ceremony-300959738.html [SID1234551415]). The parties have reached a partnership for two bispecific antibody programs.

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According to the license agreement, GenScript will grant a sublicense to ABL Bio to use sdAb (single-domain antibody), mAb (monoclonal antibody) targeting tumor antigens, and its Single-Domain Antibody fused to Monoclonal Ab (SMAB) Platform to develop several bispecific antibody molecules. ABL Bio will appoint GenScript as the exclusive supplier of CDMO services for IND-enabling studies and clinical material manufacturing so as to accelerate the development of the bispecific antibody under the licensing agreement. GenScript will consistently provide support and services for the programs. GenScript will receive an upfront with milestone payments, and royalty. The parties will make full use of their own advantages and resources to further expand ABL Bio’s bispecific antibody development pipelines and strengthen ABL Bio’s global leading position in cancer research.

"We are glad to cooperate with GenScript. GenScript is growing fast in recent years and has facilitated several companies to make achievements in antibody drug research," said Dr. Sang Hoon Lee, CEO of ABL Bio at the signing ceremony, "We expect the outstanding druggability and streamlined production processes of GenScript’s SMAB platform to accelerate the development of novel immunotherapy and the launch of new drugs. This partnership will further expand our bispecific antibody development pipelines, and help us ascend to a leader in therapeutics for immuno-oncology and neurodegenerative diseases."

"We are excited about this collaboration with ABL Bio, an experienced company in the bispecific antibody field, which manifests that GenScript’s biologics R&D services have been increasingly recognized by global well-known enterprises," Dr. Brian Min, CEO of GenScript Biologics, said, "GenScript has extensive experience and powerful teams in biologics R&D. We would like to cooperate with more well-positioned enterprises like ABL Bio, utilize our own powerful R&D advantages, and accelerate the development of novel antibody drugs."

BioCryst Announces Full Exercise of Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares and Completion of Public Offering of Common Stock

On November 18, 2019 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) reported the completion of an underwritten public offering of 43,620,690 shares of its common stock, including 5,689,655 shares sold pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares (Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, NOV 18, 2019, View Source [SID1234551414]). The gross proceeds from this offering to BioCryst, including from the shares sold pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, were approximately $63.3 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by BioCryst.

BioCryst expects to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, worldwide development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial activities for the prophylactic BCX7353 program, primarily focusing on the U.S., EU and Japan; development of the BCX9930 program; development of the BCX9250 program; post-approval commitments for RAPIVAB/ALPIVABTM; funding clinical development of pipeline assets; and capital expenditures and other general corporate expenses.

J.P. Morgan acted as sole book-running manager for the offering. JMP Securities and H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as lead managers for the offering.

A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the shares of common stock described above has been previously filed with and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

This offering was made by means of a prospectus supplement and related prospectus. A prospectus supplement relating to the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on its website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by telephone: 1-866-803-9204.

AbbVie Announces Extension of Expiration Date for Exchange Offers for Allergan Notes

On November 18, 2019 AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) ("AbbVie") reported the extension of the expiration date of the offers to exchange (each, an "Exchange Offer" and, collectively, the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding notes of certain series issued by Allergan Finance, LLC ("Allergan Finance"), Allergan, Inc (Press release, AbbVie, NOV 18, 2019, View Source [SID1234551412]). ("Allergan Inc"), Allergan Sales, LLC ("Allergan Sales") and Allergan Funding SCS ("Allergan Funding" and, together with Allergan Finance, Allergan Inc and Allergan Sales, "Allergan") (the "Allergan Notes") for new notes to be issued by AbbVie (the "AbbVie Notes") and the related consent solicitations (each, a "Consent Solicitation" and, collectively, the "Consent Solicitations") being made by AbbVie on behalf of Allergan to adopt certain amendments to each of the indentures (each, an "Allergan Indenture") governing the Allergan Notes. AbbVie hereby extends such expiration date from 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 22, 2019 to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 31, 2019 (as the same may be further extended, the "Expiration Date").

On the early participation date of November 7, 2019, requisite consents were received and supplemental indentures were executed eliminating substantially all of the covenants, restrictive provisions, events of default and any guarantees of the related Allergan Notes in each Allergan Indenture. Such supplemental indentures will become operative only upon settlement of the Exchange Offers.

The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations were commenced in connection with AbbVie’s previously announced proposed acquisition of Allergan plc (the "Acquisition") and are being made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated October 25, 2019, and the related letter of transmittal, each as amended hereby (collectively, the "Offering Documents"), and are conditioned upon the closing of the Acquisition, which condition may not be waived by AbbVie, and certain other conditions that may be waived by AbbVie.

The settlement date for the Exchange Offers is expected to occur promptly after the Expiration Date and the Expiration Date of each of the Exchange Offers is expected to be extended to occur on or about the closing date of the Acquisition, which is expected to occur in early 2020. As a result, the Expiration Date may be further extended one or more times. AbbVie currently anticipates providing notice of any such extension in advance of the Expiration Date.

Except as described in this press release, all other terms of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations remain unchanged.

As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 15, 2019, the principal amounts of Allergan Notes set forth in the table below were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn:

Documents relating to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations will only be distributed to eligible holders of Allergan Notes who complete and return an eligibility form confirming that they are either a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or not a "U.S. person" and outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act. Except as amended hereby, the complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are described in the Offering Documents, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the exchange agent and information agent in connection with the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, at (866) 470-3900 (U.S. toll-free) or (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers). The eligibility form is available electronically at: View Source

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders or consents with respect to, any security. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are being made solely pursuant to the Offering Documents and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as are permitted under applicable law.

The AbbVie Notes offered in the Exchange Offers have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws. Therefore, the AbbVie Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

Surface Oncology Announces Filing of IND for CD39 Targeted Antibody Candidate, SRF617, at Inaugural R&D Day

On November 18, 2019 Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, reported that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support the initiation of a phase 1/1b clinical study of SRF617 (targeting CD39) (Press release, Surface Oncology, NOV 18, 2019, View Source [SID1234551411]). At an inaugural R&D day today, the Company will share progress across its portfolio including clinical development plans for SRF617 and SRF388 (IL-27), and preclinical data supporting its new development candidate, SRF813, which targets the recently identified checkpoint protein CD112R to promote natural killer (NK) and T cell activation.

"We welcome this opportunity to dive into the compelling data underpinning our lead programs’ differentiated approaches to overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, as we work to break through and bring the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients suffering with cancer," said Jeff Goater, chief executive officer of Surface Oncology. "We look forward to furthering the incredible scientific work of our team with the initiation of our phase 1 clinical trials for both SRF617 and SRF388 in early 2020."

SRF617 is a fully human anti-CD39 antibody designed to promote anti-tumor immunity through a dual mechanism of reducing immunosuppressive adenosine and driving the extracellular accumulation of immunostimulatory ATP within the tumor microenvironment. Due to this dual mechanism, Surface Oncology believes CD39 is the most promising therapeutic target on the adenosine axis, a notable immunosuppressive pathway. The Company’s planned phase 1/1b study will evaluate SRF617 in patients with advanced solid tumors both as a monotherapy and in combination with other cancer therapies.

Surface Oncology also anticipates the filing of an IND for SRF388 before the end of 2019, with the subsequent initiation of a phase 1/1b clinical study in early 2020. The Company has identified particular tumor types, including hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma, where IL-27 appears to play an important role in tumor progression. Furthermore, Surface Oncology has identified a potential biomarker associated with IL-27 that may be useful in helping identify patients most likely to respond to SRF388, which has the potential to be the first IL-27 targeted antibody to enter clinical trials.

"The Surface team is energized by the compelling preclinical datasets across our programs, and is excited about advancing SRF617 and SRF388 into clinical development," said Rob Ross, M.D., chief medical officer of Surface Oncology. "Both SRF617 and SRF813 have best-in-class potential related to targeting the adenosine axis and NK cells, respectively, and we believe SRF388 has the ability to inhibit the highly immunosuppressive cytokine IL-27, which gives it the potential to be a potent therapeutic. We look forward to providing clinical updates from the SRF388 and SRF617 programs in late 2020."

Surface Oncology’s preclinical data demonstrates that SRF813 increases NK and T cell activity, has strong, differentiated preclinical efficacy and promotes immunological memory. Currently, there are no

therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to T cell checkpoint inhibitor blockade, and emerging data highlights the potential of NK cell-based therapies, such as SRF813, to overcome checkpoint inhibitor resistance.

Surface Oncology recently presented data from a number of its programs, including SRF388 and SRF617, at the Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 34th Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD. These can be viewed on the Pipeline page of the Surface Oncology corporate website.

The R&D Day presentations and a live broadcast will be viewable from 8:15am ET at investors.surfaceoncology.com.

Propanc Biopharma Advances POP1 Drug Discovery Program

On November 18, 2019 Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (OTC: PPCB) ("Propanc" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing new cancer treatments for patients suffering from recurring and metastatic cancer, reported that the POP1 research and drug discovery program has made significant advancements towards producing synthetic versions of the two proenzymes, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen (Press release, Propanc, NOV 18, 2019, View Source [SID1234551410]). With the aim of producing large quantities of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen for commercial use, exhibiting minimal variation between lots and without sourcing the proenzymes from animals, the Company is undertaking a challenging research project in collaboration with the universities of Jaén and Granada, led by research scientist Mr. Aitor González, supported by Dr. Macarena Perán, Ph.D. and Dr. Julian Kenyon, M.D. as joint supervisors, representing the Universities and Propanc, respectively.

"We are pleased with the recent advancements made through our research program, as we are able to produce synthetic recombinant versions of the two proenzymes, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen. The two active ingredients are currently naturally derived from animal sources, which combine to form our lead product candidate, PRP. Our vision is to further stabilize and enhance the effects of the proenzymes when administered to patients," said Dr. Julian Kenyon, Propanc’s Chief Scientific Officer.

Mr. James Nathanielsz, Propanc’s Chief Executive Officer said, "As we seek to expand our product pipeline, our vision is to create a new drug product class that provides a solution for the treatment and prevention of recurring and spreading malignant tumors, once perceived as untreatable. Through our PRP development and POP1 drug discovery programs, I am pleased to confirm that we continue to make positive steps towards achieving this vision."

So far, the Company’s scientific researchers have developed a novel expression system. At the research laboratories at the universities of Jaén and Granada, scientific researchers are in the process of optimizing conditions to achieve high titers of recombinant trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen with this expression system. After western blotting analysis of cell extracts, they observed the cells are producing the proteins, and further sequence analysis will be completed in order to confirm the correct sequence of both proenzymes produced.

One specific objective of the project will be to synthesize by an in vivo system both proenzymes to produce crystalized proteins that could be maintained for long periods without suffering degradation, even in absence of refrigeration. This will be particularly useful for a longer shelf life as well as global distribution of the drug product, particularly in warmer climates and developing regions where refrigeration may not be available.