Month: December 2019

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Axsome Therapeutics reports positive migraine data

Axsome Therapeutics announces AXS-07 met primary, secondary endpoints

Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM) announced that AXS-07, Axsome’s novel, oral, multi-mechanistic investigational medicine for the acute treatment of migraine, met the two regulatory co-primary endpoints and significantly improved migraine pain and most bothersome symptoms as compared to placebo in the MOMENTUM Phase 3 trial.

Axsome reports positive migraine data, Stockwinners

AXS-07 also met the key secondary endpoint, demonstrating statistically significant superiority to the active comparator rizatriptan on sustained freedom from migraine pain.

MOMENTUM was a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trial which enrolled only patients with a history of inadequate response to prior acute migraine treatments, assessed using the Migraine Treatment Optimization Questionnaire, or mTOQ-4.

A total of 1,594 patients were randomized in a 2:2:2:1 ratio to AXS-07, rizatriptan, MoSEIC, meloxicam, or placebo, to treat a single migraine attack of moderate or severe intensity.

In addition to a history of inadequate response, enrolled patients exhibited a high rate of characteristics that are strongly associated with poor treatment outcomes including cutaneous allodynia, severe migraine pain intensity, obesity and morning migraine.

The study was conducted pursuant to a FDA special protocol assessment, or SPA.

AXS-07 met the two regulatory co-primary endpoints by demonstrating, with high statistical significance, a greater percentage of patients as compared to placebo achieving pain freedom and absence of most bothersome symptom two hours after dosing.

Superiority of AXS-07 to rizatriptan and MoSEIC meloxicam was established as specified in the SPA, by demonstration of a greater percentage of AXS-07 patients achieving sustained pain freedom from two to 24 hours after dosing, compared to rizatriptan and MoSEIC meloxicam, as well as to placebo.

The positive results on both co-primary endpoints along with the demonstration of component contribution support the filing of an NDA for AXS-07 in the acute treatment of migraine.

AXS-07 provided greater and more sustained migraine pain relief compared to placebo and rizatriptan, which translated to a significant reduction in rescue medication use for AXS-07 compared to placebo and rizatriptan.

The percentage of patients experiencing sustained pain relief from two to 24 hours after dosing was 53.3% for AXS-07, compared to 33.5% for placebo and 43.9% for rizatriptan.

Sustained pain relief from two to 48 hours was also experienced by a statistically significantly greater proportion of AXS-07 patients, compared to placebo and rizatriptan patients.

Rescue medication was used by 23.0% of AXS-07 patients, compared to 43.5% of placebo and 34.7% of rizatriptan patients. AXS-07 provided rapid relief of migraine pain with the percentage of patients achieving pain relief with AXS-07 being numerically greater than with rizatriptan at every time point measured starting at 15 minutes, and statistically significantly greater than with rizatriptan by 60 minutes.

The proportions of patients experiencing pain relief 1.5 hours after dosing were 60.5% for AXS-07 compared to 52.5% for rizatriptan and 48.3% for placebo.

AXS-07 was statistically significantly superior to rizatriptan on several other secondary endpoints including Patient Global Impression of Change and return to normal functioning at 24 hours.

AXS-07 was safe and well tolerated in the trial.

The most commonly reported adverse events with AXS-07 were nausea, dizziness and somnolence, none of which occurred at a rate greater than placebo or greater than 3%.

There was one serious adverse event in the AXS-07 arm which was deemed by the investigator not to be related to study drug.

The MOMENTUM study was conducted pursuant to an SPA with the FDA.

The SPA provides agreement that the overall MOMENTUM trial design and planned analysis adequately address objectives that, if met, will support the regulatory submission for approval of AXS-07 for the indication of acute treatment of migraine in adults with or without aura.

Based on FDA feedback, Axsome believes that MOMENTUM will be the only efficacy trial required to support an NDA filing for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine.

Axsome plans to file the NDA in the second half of 2020. AXS-07 is a novel, oral, rapidly absorbed, multi-mechanistic investigational medicine for the acute treatment of migraine, consisting of MoSEIC meloxicam and rizatriptan.

AXS-07 is thought to act by inhibiting CGRP release, reversing CGRP-mediated vasodilation, and inhibiting neuro-inflammation, pain signal transmission, and central sensitization.

Axsome’s MoSEIC technology significantly increases the speed of absorption of the meloxicam component after oral administration while maintaining a long plasma half-life.

AXS-07 is covered by 21 issued U.S. and international patents providing protection out to 2036, and Axsome maintains worldwide rights.

Detailed study results, including additional secondary endpoints, will be submitted for presentation at upcoming medical meetings and for publication.

AXS-07 is also being evaluated in the INTERCEPT Phase 3 trial which is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the early treatment of migraine with AXS-07.

In contrast to the ongoing MOMENTUM trial in which patients with a history of inadequate response treated migraine attacks once they have become of moderate or severe intensity, in the INTERCEPT trial, patients are to administer AXS-07 at the earliest sign of migraine pain.

AXSM closed at $101.98.

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BeiGene announces acceptance of supplemental NDA in China for REVLIMID

BeiGene announces acceptance of supplemental NDA in China for REVLIMID for the treatment of lymphoma

BeiGene (BGNE) announced that the China National Medical Products Administration has accepted a supplemental new drug application for #REVLIMID, in combination with rituximab, for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory indolent lymphoma.

BeiGene shares have been active lately, Stockwinners

REVLIMID was first approved in China in 2013 for the treatment of multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone, in adult patients who have received at least one prior therapy, and the label for the combination was expanded in 2018 to include adult patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for transplant.

REVLIMID used for the treatment of multiple myeloma, Stockwinners

It is currently marketed in China by BeiGene under an exclusive license from Celgene Logistics Sarl, a Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) company.

The sNDA is supported by a clinical, non-clinical, and chemistry, manufacturing and control data package, including the results from the pivotal Phase 3 AUGMENT study sponsored and conducted by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Bristol-Myers treatment for colorectal cancer approved, Stockwinners
Bristol-Myers purchased Celgene and REVLIMID awhile back, Stockwinners

AUGMENT is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial in which a total of 358 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular or marginal zone lymphoma were randomized 1:1 to receive REVLIMID and rituximab or rituximab and placebo.

With a median follow-up of 28.3 months, R2 demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival, evaluated by an independent review committee, relative to the control arm with a 54% reduction in the risk of progression or death.

The median PFS was 39.4 months for the R2 arm and 14.1 months for the control arm with an improvement by more than 2 years. Overall response rate, a secondary endpoint, was 78% in the R2 arm vs. 53% in the control arm, as assessed by the IRC.

Duration of response was significantly improved for R2 vs. control with median DoR of 37 vs. 22 months, respectively.

Bristol Meyers Comments on Celgene purchase, Stockwinners
Bristol Meyers Comments on Celgene purchase, Stockwinners

The most frequent adverse event in the R2 arm was neutropenia, vs. 22% in the control arm.

Additional commonly observed AEs in more than 20% of patients included diarrhea, constipation, cough, and fatigue. Adverse events that were reported at a higher rate in the R2 arm were neutropenia, constipation, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and tumor flare.

BMY closed at $63.51. BGNE closed at $173.14.

See our other blogs about BeiGene.

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Shape Security sold for $1B

F5 Networks to acquire Shape Security for approximately $1B in cash

F5 Networks (FFIV) and Shape Security announced a definitive agreement under which F5 will acquire all issued and outstanding shares of the privately held Shape for a total enterprise value of approximately $1B in cash, subject to certain adjustments.

F5 Networks purchases Shape Security, Stockwinners

Shape protects the largest banks, airlines, retailers, and government agencies with sophisticated bot, fraud, and abuse defense.

In particular, Shape defends against credential stuffing attacks, where cybercriminals use stolen passwords from third-party data breaches to take over other online accounts.

Shape has built an advanced platform, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, supported by powerful cloud-based analytics to protect against attacks that bypass other security and fraud controls.

Shape Security sold for $1B, Stockwinners

Upon closing of the acquisition, Derek Smith, and the leadership team will join F5 in key management roles.

Shape will remain located in their current Santa Clara headquarters.

The acquisition of Shape is consistent with F5’s vision to build the best end-to-end multi-cloud application services company. It accelerates F5’s product and total revenue growth; speeds F5’s transition to a software- and SaaS-driven business model; and is expected to meaningfully increase F5’s software subscription mix in fiscal year 2020.

F5 expects to achieve breakeven non-GAAP EPS within 24 months of closing the acquisition and anticipates that the combination will be accretive to free cash flow per share within 12 months of closing.

F5 expects to fund the transaction through cash on its balance sheet and $400M in a Senior Unsecured Term Loan A. The acquisition has been approved by the boards of directors of both F5 and Shape.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2020.

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PolyOne buys Claiant’s color business for $1.45B

PolyOne acquires Clariant color and additive masterbatch business for $1.45B

PolyOne (POL) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Switzerland’s Clariant to purchase its global color and additive masterbatch business.

In addition, PolyOne has entered into an agreement with Clariant Chemicals India Ltd. to purchase its color and additive masterbatch business.

The combined net purchase price is $1.45B, representing an 11.1x multiple of last twelve months adjusted EBITDA, or 7.6x including anticipated synergies.

Polyone buys paint business of Clariant, Stockwinners

“This will be a truly transformational acquisition for both PolyOne and Clariant customers and employees around the world. Together, we will benefit from the combined ingenuity, passion and expertise of two global leaders in color design, additive technologies and sustainable solutions,” said Robert M. Patterson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, PolyOne Corporation.

Clariant’s color and additive masterbatch business, which had sales of $1.15 billion for the last twelve months, includes specialty technologies and solutions for high-growth global end markets, such as consumer, packaging, and healthcare.

Polyone buys Clariant’s color biz for $1.45B, Stockwinners

The Clariant business includes 46 manufacturing operations and technology centers in 29 countries and approximately 3,600 employees, who will join PolyOne’s Color, Additives and Inks segment.

PolyOne Corporation provides specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, and Asia. It operates in four segments: Color, Additives and Inks; Specialty Engineered Materials; Performance Products and Solutions; and Distribution. 

POL is up 0.89 to $36.86.

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FSB Bancorp sold for $17.80 per share

Evans Bancorp to acquire FSB for $17.80 per share, in accretive transaction

Evans Bancorp (EVBN) and FSB Bancorp (FSBC), jointly announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement whereby Evans will acquire FSB for $17.80 per share for total consideration of approximately $34.7M.

FSB sold for $34.8M, Stockwinners

The transaction is proposed to be comprised of 50% stock and 50% cash. Unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of each company, the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and FSB stockholder approval.

An investor presentation summarizing the transaction is available at www.evansbancorp.com.

Evans buys FSB for $17.80 per share, Stockwinners

Under the terms of the merger agreement, FSB stockholders will have the right to receive at their election either 0.4394 shares of Evans common stock or $17.80 in cash for each share of FSB common stock, subject to possible adjustment and 50/50 proration.

This transaction will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for those FSB stockholders who receive Evans common stock in the transaction. The merger consideration represents an 8% premium to FSB’s tangible book value as of September 30, 2019, and a 5.9% premium to FSB’s closing share price on December 18, 2019.

Evans’ management expects this transaction will be 4.7% accretive to 2021 earnings with tangible book value earn back of approximately 3.5 years.

Based on information as of September 30, 2019, the combined company will have 20 financial centers with approximately $1.8 billion in total assets, $1.5 billion in total deposits and $1.5 billion in total loans.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval of FSB stockholders.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, at closing of the transaction, FSB and its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Fairport Savings Bank, will be merged with and into Evans Bancorp and its subsidiary bank, Evans Bank.

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Xperi and TiVo to merge

Xperi and TiVo to merge in all-stock deal worth $3B

Xperi (XPER) and TiVo (TIVO) announced they entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction, representing approximately $3B of combined enterprise value.

The transaction creates a leading consumer and entertainment technology business and one of the industry’s largest intellectual property, or IP, licensing platforms with a diverse portfolio of entertainment and semiconductor intellectual property.

The merger agreement provides for a 0.455 fixed exchange ratio, which implies a 15% premium to TiVo’s shareholders based on each of Xperi’s and TiVo’s 90-day volume-weighted average share prices.

Tivo and Xperi to merge, Stockwinners

At close, Xperi shareholders will own approximately 46.5% of the combined business, and TiVo shareholders will own approximately 53.5%.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, the shares of TiVo and Xperi stockholders will be converted into the shares of the new parent company based on a fixed exchange ratio of 0.455 Xperi share per existing TiVo share. Upon completion of the merger, Xperi stockholders will own approximately 46.5% and TiVo stockholders will own approximately 53.5% of the new parent company on a fully diluted basis.

In connection with the transaction each company’s debt will be refinanced on a combined basis.

Tivo and Xperi to merge, Stockwinners

To meet this objective, the companies have secured $1.1B of committed financing from Bank of America and Royal Bank of Canada.

Following the completion of the transaction, Xperi’s CCEO, Jon Kirchner, will serve as CEO of the new parent company and Xperi’s CFO, Robert Andersen, will serve as CFO.

TiVo’s CEO, David Shull, will continue as a strategic advisor to ensure a successful integration.

The board of the new parent company will consist of seven directors, including Xperi CEO Jon Kirchner, in addition to three directors appointed by Xperi and three directors appointed by TiVo.

The Chair of the Board will be selected by the independent directors of the board.

The new parent company will assume the Xperi name but will continue to provide entertainment services under the TiVo brand, alongside Xperi’s premium DTS, HD Radio, and IMAX Enhanced brands.

The company will be headquartered in San Jose, California.

This transaction has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close during Q2 of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals, the approval by the shareholders of each company, and other customary closing conditions.

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Epizyme’s Tazemetostat receives FDA’s okay

Epizyme says FDA advisory committee votes unanimously in favor of tazemetostat

Epizyme (EPZM) announced that the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted 11 – 0 in favor of the benefit-risk profile of tazemetostat as a treatment for patients with metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma not eligible for curative surgery.

Epizyme shares halted ahead of FDA meeting, Stockwinners

“Today’s ODAC outcome is a significant step toward addressing the critical needs of ES patients.

This is a remarkable achievement marking the culmination of years of hard work by the entire Epizyme team. If approved, we will have the opportunity to change how patients with this devastating cancer are treated.

Our commercial-readiness is complete, and we look forward to finalizing our dialog with the FDA,” said Robert Bazemore, president and CEO of Epizyme.

Epizyme’s New Drug Application, or NDA, for tazemetostat is, an oral, first-in-class EZH2 inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma (ES) who are not eligible for curative surgery.

Epithelioid Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer, Stockwinners

The advisory committee vote will be non-binding, but FDA takes its recommendations into consideration when reviewing related applications for marketing approval.

ES is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma characterized by a loss of the INI1 protein. Patients are most commonly diagnosed as young adults, between 20 and 40 years of age, typically with no patients living past five years from diagnosis. ES becomes more aggressive after recurrence or once it has metastasized, with a typical survival of less than one year for patients with metastatic disease.

Epizyme, Inc. discovers, develops, and commercializes novel epigenetic medicines for patients with cancer and other diseases primarily in the United States.

EPZM halted at $18.19.

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Tallgrass Energy sold for $3 billion

Blackstone affiliates to buy Tallgrass Class A shares for $22.45 per share

Tallgrass Energy (TGE) announced earlier that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which affiliates of Blackstone Infrastructure (BX) together with affiliates of Enagas, GIC, NPS and USS. will acquire all of the publicly-held outstanding Class A Shares of TGE for $22.45 in cash per Class A share.

The transaction is expected to close in Q2 of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including approval of the merger by holders of a majority of the outstanding Class A and Class B Shares of TGE, voting together as a single class, inclusive of the approximately 44% of the total Class A and Class B shares held by the sponsors.

Tallgrass Energy sold for $3B, Stockwinners

Upon closing of the transaction, the Class A Shares will cease to be publicly traded. Pursuant to the merger agreement, TGE has agreed not to pay distributions during the pendency of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Tallgrass Energy, LP provides crude oil transportation services to customers in Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and the surrounding regions of the United States. The company operates through three segments: Natural Gas Transportation; Crude Oil Transportation; and Gathering, Processing & Terminalling. 

The conflicts committee of the board of directors of Tallgrass Energy GP, TGE’s general partner, after consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, unanimously approved the transaction and determined it to be in the best interests of TGE and its public shareholders.

Stocks to Watch, Stocks to Trade, Stockwinners
Blackstone buys Tallgrass Energy for $3B, Stockwinners

The sponsors expect to fund the purchase of the Class A Shares with approximately $3B of equity, with the remainder of the funding necessary to consummate the transaction provided by debt.

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Axsome shares soar on its depression drug

Axsome Therapeutics: AXS-05 achieves primary endpoint in Phase 3 trial, Shares jump 77%

Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM) announced that AXS-05, a novel, oral, investigational NMDA receptor antagonist with multimodal activity, met the primary endpoint and rapidly and significantly improved symptoms of depression in the GEMINI Phase 3 trial in major depressive disorder.

Axsome Therapeutics shares soar on its Gemini depression drug study, Stockwinners

The GEMINI study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, U.S. trial, in which 327 adult patients with confirmed moderate to severe MDD were randomized to treatment with either AXS-05 or placebo once daily for the first 3 days and twice daily thereafter for a total of 6 weeks.

AXS-05 met the primary endpoint by demonstrating a highly statistically significant reduction in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale total score compared to placebo at Week 6, with mean reductions from baseline of 16.6 points for AXS-05 and 11.9 points for placebo.

AXS-05 rapidly and durably improved depressive symptoms as compared to placebo with statistical significance on the MADRS total score demonstrated at Week 1, the earliest time point assessed, and at all time points thereafter.

Rates of remission from depression were statistically significantly greater for AXS-05 compared to placebo at Week 2 and at every time point thereafter, being achieved by 39.5% of AXS-05 patients compared to 17.3% of placebo patients at Week 6.

AXS-05 demonstrated rapid onset of action with statistically significant improvement as compared to placebo on numerous endpoints at Week 1, or only 4 days after the start of twice daily dosing.

Statistically significant improvements at Week 1 were observed for MADRS total score; Patient Global Impression-Improvement; Clinical Global Impression-Severity; Clinical Global Impression-Improvement; Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Rated; Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form; and other endpoints.

On all secondary endpoints including the following, AXS-05 demonstrated statistically significant improvement at Week 6 compared to placebo, reflecting increasing treatment effects over time: clinical response on the MADRS total score; PGI-I; CGI-S; CGI-I; QIDS-SR-16; Sheehan Disability Scale; and Q-LES-Q-SF.

AXSM is up 77% to $82.66.

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Felix Energy sold for $2.5 billion

WPX Energy acquires Felix Energy for $2.5B

WPX Energy (WPX) “is taking another significant step in its commitment to delivering shareholder value” with the $2.5B purchase of Felix Energy, “one of the highest quality Delaware Basin operators.”

Felix has approximately 1,500 gross undeveloped locations in the eastern portion of the basin, with expected production of approximately 60 MBoe/d (70% oil) at the time of anticipated closing. WPX plans to implement a dividend post-closing, targeting approximately $0.10 per share on an annualized basis at initiation.

WPX buys Felix Energy for $2.5B, Stockwinners

WPX Energy, Inc., an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company, engages in the exploitation and development of unconventional properties in the United States. The company operates 657 wells and owns interests in 808 wells covering an area of approximately 130,000 net acres located in Delaware Basin, Texas and New Mexico; and operates 323 wells and owns interests in 87 wells that covers an area of approximately 85,087 net acres situated in the Williston Basin, North Dakota. 

Felix Energy sold for $2.5B, Stockwinners

The acquisition and dividend program follow other steps WPX took in 2019 to enhance its value proposition, including reducing net debt, executing attractive midstream monetizations, launching a share buyback program and generating free cash flow.

The purchase price consists of $900M cash, subject to closing adjustments, and $1.6B in WPX stock issued to the seller.

WPX plans to fund the cash portion through issuance of $900M of senior notes on an opportunistic basis.

WPX also has obtained committed financing from Barclays in connection with the transaction and has full access to a $1.5B revolving credit facility.

The stock consideration comprises approximately 153M WPX shares, which is based on the 10-day volume-weighted average price as of Dec. 13.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and approval by WPX shareholders. The parties anticipate closing the transaction early in the second quarter of 2020.

WPX’s board unanimously approved the transaction.

The acquisition is consistent with all of the tenets in WPX’s five-year vision for shareholders that the company introduced in November during its third-quarter report.

On a pro forma basis, WPX expects to generate significant free cash flow in 2020 at $50 oil.

Following the acquisition, cash flow per share, EPS, free cash flow per share, return on capital employed, and cash margins are all expected to increase.

WPX also expects to continue its opportunistic share buybacks, to implement the previously mentioned dividend program, and to reduce its leverage to 1.0x by year-end 2021.

WPX based all of its transaction economics on $50 oil, with no assumptions for improvements in development costs or operating efficiencies. However, WPX believes significant upside exists by capturing synergies associated with scale.

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Synthorx sold for $2.5 billion

Sanofi to acquire Synthorx for $68 per share in cash

Sanofi (SNY) and Synthorx (THOR) entered into a definitive agreement under which Sanofi will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Synthorx for $68 per share in cash, which represents an aggregate equity value of approximately $2.5B, on a fully diluted basis.

Synthorx sold for $2.5 billion, Stockwinners

The transaction was unanimously approved by both the Sanofi and Synthorx boards.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Sanofi will commence a cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Synthorx common stock for $68 per share in cash.

The $68 per share acquisition price represents a 172% premium to Synthorx’s closing price on December 6.

Following the successful completion of the tender offer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi will merge with Synthorx and the outstanding Synthorx shares not tendered in the tender offer will be converted into the right to receive the same $68 per share in cash paid in the tender offer.

The tender offer is expected to commence in December.

Sanofi plans to finance the transaction with cash on hand. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, Sanofi expects to complete the acquisition in the first quarter of 2020.

“Synthorx’s Expanded Genetic Alphabet platform is expected to be a source for developing a differentiated therapeutic pipeline. Alone and in combination with other existing Sanofi platforms, including the Nanobody technology, it will enable the company to develop a wide range of novel biologics, including drug conjugates, protein fusions, and multi-specific biologics, with applications beyond oncology and extending to other therapeutic areas… The addition of THOR-707 and Synthorx’s other earlier-stage cytokine programs to Sanofi’s pipeline will enhance Sanofi’s position in oncology, and in immuno-oncology. We expect IL-2 to become a foundation of future IO-IO combinations as well as offering multiple combination opportunities with Sanofi’s clinical and pre-clinical oncology assets, including with PD-1, CD-38, and molecules that modulate effector T-cells and natural killer cells.”

THOR closed at $25.04, it last traded at $67.43. SNY closed at $46.03.

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ArQule sold for $2.7 billion

Merck to acquire ArQule for $20 per share

Merck (MRK) and ArQule (ARQL) announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire ArQule for $20 per share in cash for an approximate total equity value of $2.7B.

Merck buys ArQule for $2.7B, Stockwinners

ArQule’s lead investigational candidate, ARQ 531, is a novel, oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, or BTK, inhibitor currently in a Phase 2 dose expansion study for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.

BTK inhibition has been shown to prevent B-cell receptor signaling that is critical for the survival and proliferation of leukemic cells in many B-cell malignancies.

Merck presents results from Phase 3 KEYNOTE-426 study, Stockwinners
Merck buys ArQule, Stockwinners

ARQ 531 is a selective, reversible inhibitor that blocks both wild-type BTK and the C481S mutant form of the enzyme that is commonly associated with resistance to other BTK inhibitors.

In early clinical trials, ARQ 531 demonstrated a manageable safety profile and early signs of anti-tumor activity for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, and Richter’s Transformation.

ArQule lead investigative drug is ARQ531

Final data from the Phase 1 study of ARQ 531 will be presented on December 9 at the 61st American Society of Hematology, or ASH.

Under the terms of the acquisition agreement announced, Merck, through a subsidiary, will initiate a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of ArQule.

The closing of the tender offer will be subject to certain conditions, including the tender of shares representing at least a majority of the total number of ArQule’s outstanding shares, the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions.

Upon the successful completion of the tender offer, Merck’s acquisition subsidiary will be merged into ArQule, and any remaining shares of common stock of ArQule will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the same $20 per share price payable in the tender offer.

The transaction is expected to close early in Q1 of 2020.

ARQL closed at $9.66, last traded at $19.90.

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Truck sales decline in November

Classes 5-8 truck orders soften in November amid trade and tariff worries

Truck sales downturn could be canary in the coal mine

There are eight classes of commercial motor vehicles in the United States, and they’re divided into three, more general categories: light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty. Commercial motor vehicles or trucks that operate on U.S. highways can be classified based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

ACT Research said in an earlier report:

“Preliminary November data show that Classes 5-8 net order volumes were uniformly soft. Combined NA Classes 5-8 intake fell 15% m/m and 38% y/y in November on a nominal basis. Preliminary North America Class 8 net order data show the industry booked 17,500 units in November, down 20% from October, while Classes 5-7 orders fell 8% m/m, to 15,300 units.

Complete industry data for November, including final order numbers, will be published by ACT Research in mid-December.

Various Classes of Vehicles, Stockwinners

ACT’s State of the Industry:

Classes 5-8 report provides a monthly look at the current production, sales, and general state of the on-road heavy and medium duty commercial vehicle markets in North America. It differentiates market indicators by Class 5, Classes 6-7 chassis and Class 8 trucks and tractors, detailing measures such as backlog, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders, and retail sales.

Additionally, Class 5 and Classes 6-7 are segmented by trucks, buses, RVs, and step van configurations, while Class 8 is segmented by trucks and tractors with and without sleeper cabs.

This report includes a six-month industry build plan, backlog timing analysis, historical data from 1996 to the present in spreadsheet format, and a ready-to-use graph package.

A first-look at preliminary net orders is also published in conjunction with this report.

“Preliminary November data show that Class 8 net orders failed to sustain October’s encouraging start to the order season,” said Tim Denoyer, ACT’s Vice President and Senior Analyst.

He continued, “The freight market downturn worsened in the past month and uncertainty surrounding trade and tariffs continue to weigh on truck buyers’ psyches. With rising pressure on carrier profits from the combined impact of lower rates and the recent, rather sudden jump in insurance premia, recent events have not developed in the industry’s favor.” Denoyer concluded,

“While private fleets continue to add capacity on the retail end, the market is increasingly heeding for-hire price signals and the stage is being set to right-size the fleet, bringing it closer to equilibrium with the work to be done.”

Historically, Dow Jones Transports have sold off prior to the rest of the market. The .djt has turned bearish as is shown above.

Publicly traded companies in the space include ArcBest (ARCB), J.B. Hunt (JBHT), Knight-Swift (KNX), Old Dominion (ODFL), Swift Transportation (SWFT), Werner (WERN), Paccar (PCAR), Navistar (NAV)and Cummins (CMI).

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Audentes Therapeutics sold for $3 billion

Astellas to acquire Audentes for $60 per share in cash

Astellas Pharma (ALPMY) and Audentes Therapeutics (BOLD) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Astellas to acquire Audentes at a price of $60.00 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $3B.

Under the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Astellas and Audentes, Astellas will acquire Audentes through Asilomar Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas US Holding, Inc.

Gene Therapy pays off nicely for Audentes Therapeutics, Stockwinners

Asilomar will commence a tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Audentes, for a price of $60.00 per share in cash.

Promptly upon successful completion of the Tender Offer, Asilomar will be merged into Audentes, and any remaining shares of common stock of Audentes will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the same $60.00 per share price.

Astellas pays $3 billion for Audentes Therapeutics, Stockwinners

The board of directors of Audentes has resolved to recommend that Audentes stockholders tender their shares to Astellas. Consummation of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including US antitrust clearance and the tender of a majority of Audentes’ outstanding shares of common stock.

The offer price represents a premium of 110% to Audentes’ closing share price of $28.61 on December 2, 2019.

The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $3B including the purchase of all common shares, options, restricted stock units and other securities.

The Tender Offer period is expected to commence in the next few weeks and to expire 20 business days after its commencement, unless otherwise extended.

If the Tender Offer conditions are not satisfied, Astellas may be required to extend the Tender Offer under certain circumstances. Astellas is still reviewing the impact of a consummation of the transaction on its financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020.

Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. focuses on developing and commercializing gene therapy products for patients living with serious, life-threatening rare diseases caused by single gene defects.

The company is developing AT132, which is in Phase I/II clinical studies for the treatment of X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM); AT342 that is in Phase I/II clinical studies to treat crigler-najjar syndrome; AT845, which is in preclinical studies for the treatment of pompe disease; and AT307 to treat CASQ2 subtype of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. 

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