Comirnaty full approval, pandemic antibodies advances, and big deals drive stock prices up

Monthly market moves of selected competitors compared to NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NBI)

ADC Therapeutics

The company came out with a quarterly loss of $72.6 million, or a net loss of $0.95 per basic and diluted share, compared to $126.6 million, or a net loss of $2.01 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter in 2020. Separately, ADCT announced a deal with HealthCare Royalty Partners for up to $325 million in exchange for 7% royalties on net sales and licensing revenues from Zynlonta and Cami (details in Deals chapter).

Immunogen

Immunogen announced net loss for 2Q 2021 of $30.7 million, or $0.15 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $24.3 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, for 2Q 2020.

Mersana Therapeutics

Mersana disclosed 2Q results announcing net loss of $40.9 million, or $0.59 per share, compared to net loss of $19.8 million, or $0.33 per share, for the same period in 2020.

Seagen

Seagen announced an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with RemeGen to develop and commercialize disitamab vedotin, a novel HER2-targeted ADC. Seagen offered $200 million upfront for global rights excluding Asia without Japan and Singapore, plus up to $2.4 billion in potential milestones (details in Deals chapter).

Alkermes

FDA has granted Fast Track designation to nemvaleukin alfa, the IL-2 variant immunotherapy developer by Alkermes, for the treatment of mucosal melanoma. Earlier this year, the FDA also granted Orphan Drug designation to nemvaleukin for the treatment of mucosal melanoma.

ImmunityBio

ImmunityBio appointed Patrick Soon-Shiong to the newly created role of Global Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, effective as of August 11, 2021. In this additional role, Dr. Soon-Shiong will oversee the company’s global research and development programs and pipeline investments. The new position is in addition to his existing role as the company’s Executive Chairman of the Board.

Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar came out with net loss for 2Q 2021 of $126 million or $0.69 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $80 million or $0.45 basic and diluted loss per share in 2Q 2020. Net loss in the first half of 2021 was $249 million. Leerink lowered their price target on the stock from $20 to $19, while maintaining their Hold raiting.

Xencor

Xencor reported net income for 2Q 2021 of $52 million, or $0.87 on a fully diluted per share basis, compared to net loss of $35 million, or $0.61 for 2Q 2020. For the 1H 2021, net income was $50 million.

Allogene Therapeutics

FDA granted Orphan Drug designation to ALLO-715 for the treatment of multiple myeloma. ALLO-715 is an AlloCAR T therapy targeting BCMA with potential to treat multiple myeloma and other BCMA-positive malignancies. Separately, the company reported net loss for 2Q 2021 was $71 million, or $0.53 per share.

Autolus Therapeutics

Autolus announced an agreement with Moderna granting the latter an exclusive license to develop and commercialize mRNA therapeutics incorporating Autolus’ proprietary binders for up to four immuno-oncology targets. Separately, UK’s MHRA granted Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) designation to AUTO1 (obe-cel), the company’s CAR T cell therapy being investigated in the ongoing FELIX Phase 1b/2 study in relapsed or refractory adult B-cell ALL.

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals

Bellicum reported a loss from operations of $8 million and $17 million for 1Q and 1H 2021, respectively, compared to a loss from operations of $12 and $26 million for 1Q and 1H 2020.

Mustang Bio

EMA has granted Priority Medicines designation to MB-107, Mustang’s lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency in newly diagnosed infants. Separately, Mustang disclosed net loss attributable to common stockholders was $14.4 million, or $0.16 per share, for 2Q 2021, compared to $14.6 million, or $0.32 per share, for 2Q 2020.

Arcus Biosciences

Arcus reported net loss was $76 million for 2Q 2021, compared to a net loss of $45 million for 2Q 2020. Net loss was $149 million for 1H 2021.

Immutep

Immutep announced that the first patient has been enrolled and safely dosed in INSIGHT-003. The study is evaluating a triple combination therapy consisting of efti in conjunction with an existing approved standard of care combination of chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy.

Clovis Oncology

Clovis reported a net loss for 2Q 2021 of $66 million, or $0.61 per share, compared to a net loss for Q2 2020 of $92 million, or $1.15 per share. Separately, Clovis also announced that Rubraca rucaparib is now available and reimbursed in Switzerland as maintenance treatment for recurrent platinum sensitive ovarian cancer.