CLINICAL AND REGULATORY
N-803 with natural killer cells showed potential to reduce HIV viral load in HIV positive patients
ImmunityBio announced data from a Phase 1 pilot study showed N-803 combined with natural killer cells could have the potential to reduce viral load in people living with HIV. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School gave six HIV-positive individuals infusions of healthy NK cells from close relatives, along with N-803 to boost NK cell activity. All participants in this Phase 1 study experienced significant reduction in infection levels following treatment with N-803. The approach was well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events.
Nektar initiated Phase 2b evaluating rezpeg in patients with alopecia areata
Nektar announced the initiation of its Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating rezpegaldesleukin in patients with severe to very severe alopecia areata. Rezpeg is a novel agonistic T regulatory cell biologic that is designed to both dampen the inflammatory response and simultaneously restore immune balance by directly expanding functional T reg cells and engaging multiple immunoregulatory pathways. Nektar's global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase 2b study will investigate the efficacy and safety of REZPEG in 84 participants with severe to very severe alopecia areata over a 36-week induction treatment period. The induction treatment period will compare two different dosing regimens of REZPEG against placebo. Participants will be followed for an additional 24 weeks after the end of the treatment period to evaluate durability. Initial results from the study are anticipated in the first half of 2025.
DEALS AND FINANCING
Nektar announced $30 million private placement financing with TCGX
Nektar Therapeutics has entered into a securities purchase agreement with TCGX, an institutional accredited investor, to sell securities in a private placement financing for gross proceeds of $30 million, before deducting expenses. In the PIPE, Nektar is selling 25 million shares of its common stock, in the form of a pre-funded warrant, at a price of $1.20 per share, representing a premium of approximately 80% to Nektar's 30-day volume-weighted average price. The pre-funded warrant will have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share and will not expire. The PIPE is expected to close on or before March 6, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Nektar has agreed to submit a registration statement filing for the underlying Common Stock no later than 90 days after the closing.
Chinese Proviva Therapeutics raised $18 million to develop pro-cytokines
Proviva is developing a pro-cytokine fusion protein platform for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The lead candidate is a IL-2 prodrug fusion protein currently in Phase 1. The company raised $18 million, the investors include Lapam, Ennovation Ventures and Sangel Venture.
