Equillium (EQ) : Positive Covid-19 results

Equillium (EQ) announced that a clinical trial conducted in India by its partner Biocon demonstrated that itolizumab significantly reduced mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

 

Equillium reports data for Itolizumab demonstration reduction in mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Co announced that as reported by its partner, Biocon Limited, a clinical trial conducted in India by Biocon demonstrated that itolizumab significantly reduced mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Biocon has announced that the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the regulatory agency that oversees drug approvals, has granted restricted emergency use of itolizumab for the treatment of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in India. Based on the encouraging topline results of the study reported by Biocon and subsequent DCGI approval to treat COVID-19 patients, Equillium is planning to conduct a global randomized controlled clinical trial of itolizumab in COVID-19 patients for which it will file a U.S. investigational new drug application (IND).

Biocon conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label study at four hospitals in India, enrolling a total of 30 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS. Twenty patients were randomized to receive itolizumab plus best supportive care, while 10 patients received best supportive care alone. The primary endpoint was mortality at one month. As reported by Biocon:

• In the itolizumab arm there were no deaths and all patients have recovered; in the control arm three patients died and the remainder have recovered.
• The mortality benefit observed in the itolizumab arm was statistically significant.
• Consistent with the observed clinical improvement, patients who received itolizumab also experienced significant reductions in inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNFa.

Conatus Pharma (CNAT) became Histogen (HSTO) via reverse merger

• Jan 2020: After its Novartis-partnered nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) drug failed a third midphase trial, Conatus Pharma (CNAT) unveiled a plan to lay off 40% of its staffers. Then the company has found its lifeline—a reverse merger with regenerative medicine player Histogen (HSTO). 

   

IPOs this week : July 13 - 10, 20 (wk 28)

IPOs expected to price

• Financial software provider NCino (NCNO) on July 13. The fast-growing company is looking to raise $175M. 
• GoHealth (GOCO), Relay Therapeutics (RLAY) and Trean Insurance Group (TIG) could also go public this week. 

IPO lockup expirations

• Immunovant (NASDAQ:IMVT) on July 13, 
• Phoenix Tree Holdings Limited (NYSE:DNK), Velocity Financial (NYSE:VEL) and Lizhi (NASDAQ:LIZI) on July 15 and 
• DouYu (NASDAQ:DOYU) on July 16. 

IPO quiet period expirations

• There are quiet expirations on Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX), VerifyMe (NASDAQ:VRME), Repare Therapeutics (NASDAQ:RPTX) and Progenity (NASDAQ:PROG). 

The list of companies set to start trading in Hong Kong next week includes Archosaur Games, China Bohai Bank, Shandong Fengxiang and Cathay Media & Education Group.

IPOs this week : July 6 - 10, 20 (wk 27)

IPOs expected to price

• Postmates (POSTM) could file for an initial public offering next week if the company decides market conditions are right. 

IPO quiet period expirations

• Vroom (NASDAQ:VRM) on July 6. Vroom closed on Friday at about 149% above where its IPO was priced, which could limit the price targets from analysts. 
• AZEK (NYSE:AZEK), Generation Bio (NASDAQ:GBIO), Avidity Bio (NASDAQ:RNA), Vaxcyte (NASDAQ:PCVX) and Burning Rock (NASDAQ:BNR) on July 7.