Arthritis, Gouty

Expected Plans to Launch in the First Half of 2024 Gloperba® is the first and only liquid oral version of the anti-gout medicine colchicine indicated for the prophylaxis of painful gout flares in adults. Gout is a painful arthritic disorder affecting an estimated 9.2 million people in the United States1. As gout cases increase every year, treatment requirements increase. According to data gathered by Evaluate Pharma, the gout treatment market is projected to reach $2.0 billion in the U.S. by 2028 with a well-defined area of unmet need.2 Over 70% of gout patients have comorbid conditions that may require dose adjustments and such patients could be a potential target population for Gloperba®3 Over 17% of gout patients on colchicine experienced severe gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea. These patients may benefit from flexible dosing offered by Gloperba®4 Scilex plans to launch Gloperba® in the first half of 2024 with a launch price of $595 per 150ml bottle of liquid colchicine formulation. Scilex believes it is well-positioned to market and distribute Gloperba® in the U.S.: Scilex has a direct distribution network to national and regional wholesalers and pharmacies throughout the U.S. Scilex has an experienced commercial and managed care team that has successfully launched and grown market access for ZTlido® (lidocaine topical system) to more than 225 million covered lives in the U.S. as well as successfully launching Elyxyb® (celecoxib oral solution) in the U.S. in April 2023, the only FDA-approved ready-to-use oral solution for the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura, in adults. PALO ALTO, Calif., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scilex Holding Company (Nasdaq: SCLX, “Scilex” or “Company”), an innovative revenue-generating company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing non-opioid pain management products for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, today announced expected plans to launch Gloperba, its novel liquid colchicine formulation, in the first half of 2024 with a launch price of $595 per 150ml bottle. Gloperba is the only FDA approved liquid formulation of colchicine for the prophylaxis of acute gout flares. Over 70% of gout patients have chronic kidney disease and many suffer from gastrointestinal sensitivity, necessitating a lower dose of colchicine than the standard 0.6 mg tablet or capsule. Gloperba is expected to be the first liquid colchicine formulation that allows healthcare providers to prescribe precision dosing in at-risk patient populations, and thereby help mitigate against severe toxicity in patients. Healthcare providers can now safely and effectively manage such patients at doses below 0.6 mg once or twice daily, which is the standard dose for prophylaxis. In patients who are treated at lower doses than 0.6 mg, the 150 ml bottle of Gloperba is expected to last more than 30 days, delivering additional value to patients. A recent market research study among rheumatologists conducted by Scilex revealed a high degree of interest in Gloperba® as a liquid colchicine formulation designed for precision dosing.5 Specifically, clinicians using colchicine for prophylaxis of gout flares in adults indicated a strong likelihood to use Gloperba® instead of tablets/capsules in certain at-risk patient populations who have a clinical need for lowered precision dosing to mitigate the risk of colchicine toxicity. Notably, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines also reflect this need.6 For more information on Gloperba®, including Full Prescribing Information, refer to . For more information on ZTlido® including Full Prescribing Information, refer to . For more information on ELYXYB®, including Full Prescribing Information, refer to Facebook: LinkedIn: Email: info@scilexholding.com About Scilex Holding Company Scilex Holding Company is an innovative revenue-generating company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing non-opioid pain management products for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Scilex targets indications with high unmet needs and large market opportunities with non-opioid therapies for the treatment of patients with acute and chronic pain and are dedicated to advancing and improving patient outcomes. Scilex’s commercial products include: (i) ZTlido® (lidocaine topical system) 1.8%, a prescription lidocaine topical product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for the relief of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia, which is a form of post-shingles nerve pain; (ii) ELYXYB®, a potential first-line treatment and the only FDA-approved, ready-to-use oral solution for the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura, in adults; and (iii) Gloperba®, the first and only liquid oral version of the anti-gout medicine colchicine indicated for the prophylaxis of painful gout flares in adults, expected to launch in the first half of 2024. In addition, Scilex has three product candidates: (i) SP-102 (10 mg, dexamethasone sodium phosphate viscous gel) (“SEMDEXATM” or “SP-102”), a novel, viscous gel formulation of a widely used corticosteroid for epidural injections to treat lumbosacral radicular pain, or sciatica for which Scilex has completed a Phase 3 study and has granted Fast Track status from the FDA in 2017; (ii) SP-103 (lidocaine topical system) 5.4%, (“SP-103”), a next-generation, triple-strength formulation of ZTlido, for the treatment of chronic neck pain and for which Scilex has recently completed a Phase 2 trial in low back pain. SP-103 has granted Fast Track status from the FDA in low back pain; and (iii) SP-104 (4.5 mg, low-dose naltrexone hydrochloride delayed-release capsules) (“SP-104”), a novel low-dose delayed-release naltrexone hydrochloride being developed for the treatment of fibromyalgia, for which Phase 1 trials were completed in the second quarter of 2022 and a Phase 2 clinical trial is expected to commence in 2024. Scilex Holding Company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any statements made for and during any presentation or meeting concerning the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements related to Scilex and its subsidiaries under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding estimates for the gout treatment market and affected patient population, estimates for potential demand for Gloperba, estimates for the launch pricing of Gloperba, the belief that Scilex is well-positioned to market and distribute Gloperba, Scilex’s expectations for Gloperba to be the first liquid colchicine formulation allowing providers to prescribe precision dosing, Scilex’s expectations for Gloperba to last more than 30 days in patients who are treated with lower doses than 0.6 mg, Scilex’s plans to launch Gloperba in the first half of 2024 and plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in 2024 for SP-104. Risks and uncertainties that could cause Scilex’s actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in our forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the unpredictability of trading markets and whether a market will be established for Scilex’s common stock; general economic, political and business conditions; risks related to COVID-19 (and other similar disruptions); the risk that the potential product candidates that Scilex develops may not progress through clinical development or receive required regulatory approvals within expected timelines or at all; risks relating to uncertainty regarding the regulatory pathway for Scilex’s product candidates; the risk that Scilex will be unable to successfully market or gain market acceptance of its product candidates; the risk that Scilex’s product candidates may not be beneficial to patients or successfully commercialized; the risk that Scilex has overestimated the size of the target patient population, their willingness to try new therapies and the willingness of physicians to prescribe these therapies; risks that the outcome of the trials and studies for SP-102, SP-103 or SP-104 may not be successful or reflect positive outcomes; risks that the prior results of the clinical and investigator-initiated trials of SP-102 (SEMDEXA™), SP-103 or SP-104 may not be replicated; regulatory and intellectual property risks; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time and other risks described in Scilex’s most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Scilex’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors set forth in those filings. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and Scilex undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release except as may be required by law. Contacts: Investors and Media Scilex Holding Company 960 San Antonio Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 Office: (650) 516-4310 Email: investorrelations@scilexholding.com Website: Reference 1) 1) 2) Evaluate Pharma data 3) Comorbidities of Gout and Hyperuricemia in the US General Population: NHANES 2007-2008 4) Stewart et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2020) 22:28; 5) Scilex market research study of US rheumatologists, Nov-Dec 2023 6) Khanna D, et al. 2012 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Management of Gout. Part 2: Therapy and Antiinflammatory Prophylaxis of Acute Gouty Arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. Vol. 64, No. 10, October 2012, pp 1447–1461 SEMDEXA™ (SP-102) is a trademark owned by Semnur Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scilex Holding Company. A proprietary name review by the FDA is planned. ZTlido® is a registered trademark owned by Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scilex Holding Company. Gloperba® is the subject of an exclusive, transferable license to use the registered trademark by Scilex Holding Company. ELYXYB® is a registered trademark owned by Scilex Holding Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Scilex Holding Company All Rights Reserved.

WATERTOWN, Mass., Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ZWI Therapeutics, Inc. (ZWI), a biotechnology company focused on the development of protein therapeutics using proprietary new polymers, announces a Series A financing, the appointment of pharmaceutical industry veterans Drs. Larry Miller and Ron Cohen as Independent Directors to the company's Board of Directors, and Dr. Ed Mascioli as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director. "After closing our Series A $10 million financing from Co-win Ventures and Sherpa Healthcare Partners, engaging such high caliber executives in our company is a testimony to the confidence successful entrepreneurs see in the ZWI technology. Ed Mascioli's significant experience leading multiple biotech companies is important in our Company's growth" said Dr. Shaoyi Jiang, the Robert Langer '70 Family and Friends Professor at Cornell University, ZWI Board member, and co-founder. "As board members, Ron and Larry collectively bring decades of successful pharmaceutical industry experience to ZWI. We will utilize their extensive expertise as ZWI advances its pipeline of wholly-owned and differentiated candidates that aim to tackle immunogenicity of protein therapeutics - a major challenge in biologics development" said Dr. Mascioli. ZWI created new polymers, based on polycarboxybetaine, with several advantages over polyethylene glycol (PEG), including reduced immunogenicity and preserved pharmacokinetics, and can be used on many protein therapeutics, lipid nanoparticles, and hydrogels. These novel polymers are supported by dozens of issued and pending patents and over 300 publications. ZWI's lead program, ZWI-001 (uricase-polycarboxybetaine conjugate), has demonstrated preclinical proof of concept and is currently in development to treat hyperuricemia in severe gout. ZWI has gained meaningful guidance on CMC, non-clinical, and clinical plans from the FDA via an INTERACT meeting and is progressing toward filing an IND. About ZWI Therapeutics, Inc. ZWI, founded in 2020 by Drs. Bob Langer and Shaoyi Jiang, is a biotechnology company using a novel, patented polymer, polycarboxybetaine, to develop protein-polymer conjugates with potentially superior safety and efficacy over currently marketed therapeutics conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). I n preclinical animal models, polycarboxybetaine conjugates have demonstrated consistently low or no immunogenicity and excellent pharmacokinetics compared to PEG conjugates. These attributes are expected to translate to enhanced clinical durability and safety compared to pegylated drugs. The ZWI platform polymer technology is also broadly useful in the development of nanoparticles and hydrogels, the latter especially for cellular therapies. ZWI will out-license its technology to pharmaceutical companies for specific development programs. ZWI is headquartered in Waltham, MA, USA. For more information about ZWI platforms and pipeline, please visit , follow up on LinkedIn or contact us at info@zwitx.com. About Gout Gout is diagnosed in 3.9% of the U.S. population- up to 13 million patients - and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Gout is a serious, lifelong disease that needs ongoing treatment and requires changes in lifestyle habits to achieve control. If poorly treated, advanced gout can lead to the same level of work loss, physical disability, and diminished quality of life as is seen in advanced rheumatoid arthritis. Gouty arthritis is caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints that causes severe pain, disfigurement and mobility restrictions. Uric acid crystals can also deposit in other tissues throughout the body, such as the kidney, which can lead to kidney stones, the skin (deposits called tophi) and even in vasculature walls. Beyond pain and disability, deposition of uric acid crystals triggers the inflammatory cascade and contributes to well-known comorbidities, including thromboses, stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Control of uric acid levels is the key to controlling gout and the inflammatory sequelae. Approximately 5-10% of patients, estimated at 250,000-400,000 people in the US, treated with oral urate lowering therapies do not respond adequately, and are termed refractory gout. Only one product is currently approved to treat refractory gout: KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase, pegylated uricase). Refractory gout is an area of significant unmet medical need in a large market. Ron Cohen, M.D. is President, CEO, and founder of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., a public biotechnology company developing therapies for disorders of the nervous system. Dr. Cohen previously was an officer of Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the growth of human organ tissues for transplantation uses. Dr. Cohen serves on the Boards of ZWI Therapeutics and of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). He is past Chair of the Board of BIO's Emerging Companies Section, and of the New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA). He is a recipient of the NY CEO Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the New York Metropolitan Region. He was named Neuroinvestment's CEO of the Year and is an inductee of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association's "Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame". Dr. Cohen has been recognized by the NYBA as the "The Cures Start Here" Business Leader of the Year, by the Westchester County Association as its Leadership Award recipient, by Life Science Leader Magazine as True Life Science Leader of the Year, by PR Week/MM&M as one of the Health Influencer 50, by Scientific American as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Biotech, and by PharmaVOICE Magazine as one of the 100 Most Inspirational People in the Biopharmaceutical Industry. Dr. Cohen received his B.A. degree from Princeton University, and his M.D. from the Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia Medical Center, and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Larry Miller, M.D. currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of Apnimed, a private biotechnology company which he co-founded in 2017 to develop therapeutics to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Since 1991, Dr. Miller has founded or co-founded 10 life sciences/healthcare companies including Macrolide Pharmaceuticals, HPR, Avicenna, PharMetrics, ImpactRx, Serenex, Optio Research, Tetraphase, and Activate, and has served as CEO or Board member or both in each case. Two of these companies completed public offerings and seven were acquired. Dr. Miller also co-founded the Mediphase funds, where he led investments in both private and public life sciences/healthcare companies, having served previously in a similar role at Hambrecht & Quist Capital Management. Dr. Miller received an A.B. from Harvard College, an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and completed clinical training in internal medicine and pulmonary disease at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Clinical Pharmacology. Ed Mascioli, M.D. has been CEO of multiple private biotech companies, successfully selling two. Prior to his role as CEO, Dr Mascioli was a Venture Partner at SV Life Sciences. Previously, Dr. Mascioli was at Pfizer where he established a new unit in rare, orphan, and genetic diseases with assets aggregated from both external to and within Pfizer in hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, hereditary emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and mucopolysaccharidoses. Dr. Mascioli was also at MPM Capital, a leading healthcare venture capital firm with over $2.5B assets under management, where he led 10 financings totaling $299M, including new equity investments, bridge loans, and equity re-financings. Dr. Mascioli participated in the raising of two venture funds totaling $1.4B. As the investor representative, Dr. Mascioli has served as a Director on the Boards of Arriva Pharmaceuticals, Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Mindset BioPharmaceuticals, and Oxagen, Ltd., and as an Observer on the Boards of CGI Pharmaceuticals, Radius Health, and Peptimmune. Dr. Mascioli started his career on the faculty of Harvard Medical School as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and on the staff of the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. Dr. Mascioli holds an M.S. from MIT, an M.D. from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and a B.A., cum laude, from Brandeis University. Co-win Ventures was founded in 2009 and is a top-tier China headquartered venture capital firm with a global vision to invest in high-tech and healthcare industries. With over USD 950 million under management to date, it has invested in more than 130 private companies with about half of them already exited through IPOs and M&A. Co-win has won multiple national and world-renowned venture capital awards. With professional teams based in China and the US, Co-Win becomes seeks to become a long-term partner for portfolio start-ups, assisting in building their companies, integrating industrial resources, and navigating with strategic insights. Sherpa Healthcare Partners was founded in 2018 by financiers who previously worked together in one of China's leading venture capital firms where they built and led its professional medical investment team, including setting up and leading investments in a dedicated healthcare fund. The founders have been teamed together in close co-operation, built on shared values, mutual trust, and complementary capabilities. Sherpa has now become an influential healthcare VC firm in the industry.

HONG KONG, Dec. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Even with the ever-changing situation, technological innovation is still the most critical component for biopharmaceutical companies' long-term development. This continuous innovation keeps companies up to date and promotes the evolution of R&D and the success of commercialization. Recently, Viva's portfolio companies have new updates. Keep reading for more details. Phenomic Enters Strategic Collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to Discover Novel Targets for Stroma-Rich Cancer Therapies, and Enters into Strategic Research Collaboration with Astellas for Solid Tumor Cell Therapies TORONTO & WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Nov. 29th, Phenomic AI ("Phenomic"), invested and incubated by Viva BioInnovator (VBI), announced that they have entered into a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to discover targets important in stroma-rich cancers. The partners will leverage Phenomic's expertise in target identification and stromal biology based on its scTx® single-cell transcriptomics platform which will greatly enhance Boehringer's efforts to develop first-in-class medicines to transform the lives of people with cancer by delivering meaningful advances with the ultimate goal to cure a range of cancers. Phenomic will receive upfront and near-term payments of approximately $9 million including research funding and collaboration milestones. Phenomic is also eligible to receive more than USD $500 million in licensing fees as well as clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones in addition to royalties on future product sales. On Nov. 30th, Phenomic has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Astellas Pharma Inc., "Astellas" through Xyphos Biosciences, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas). For this collaboration, Phenomic and Astellas will explore the ability of antibodies, developed by Phenomic and directed at a novel target of the tumor stroma identified with Phenomic's scTx platform, to enhance cell therapy approaches for the treatment of solid tumors. Under the terms of the agreement, Phenomic will receive an upfront payment, full research funding, and a milestone payment. Astellas will receive a first right to negotiate a license to these antibodies during the term of the agreement. AmacaThera Closes Series A Extension to Advance Clinical Development of Long Acting, Localized, Non-Opioid Therapeutics to Improve Post-Surgery Patient Care Toronto, ON — AmacaThera, invested and incubated by Viva BioInnovator (VBI), is a leader in the development of novel injectable, localized therapeutics based upon its AmacaGel delivery platform. Recently they announced the closing of a CAD$4.0 million financing round, with a new lead investor, supported by existing investors; BDC Capital's Women in Technology Venture Fund, Inveready, Lumira Ventures, StandUp Ventures, and MaRS IAF. The proceeds will be used to accelerate the clinical development of the lead clinical candidate, AMT-143, and also to advance multiple pipeline programs targeting the local, injectable, sustained release market. The Phase II clinical trial application of VVN461 for the treatment of postoperative inflammation in cataract was approved by the U.S. FDA, VivaVision Ranks on 2023 Top 100 Chinese Healthcare Front-Runners List, and Offically Opens its New Neadquarters in Wenzou Recently, VivaVision, an innovative ophthalmic drug company, announced that the FDA approved the Phase II clinical trial application (IND) of VVN461, the company's self-developed drug, for the treatment of postoperative inflammation after cataract. VVN461 is a potent JAK1 immunomodulator independently developed by VivaVision, and there is increasing evidence showing that the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is essential for inflammation and immune response. VVN461 can inhibit multiple inflammatory cytokine pathways with high activity to treat postoperative inflammation of cataracts. The results of human pharmacokinetic studies showed that VVN461 ophthalmic solution had low exposure in plasma, indicating that VVN461 ophthalmic solution had a high safety profile due to low systemic toxicity while exerting local anti-inflammatory effects. Besides, VivaVision was named on the "2023 Top 100 Chinese Healthcare Front-Runners List", released in the 2023 BioShanghai Biopharmaceutical Industry Investment Forum and Future Medical Industry Forum. Genhouse Bio's SHP2 Inhibitor GH21 Combined with EGFR Inhibitor Osimertinib Approved for Clinical Trial On November 20, 2023, in Suzhou, China – VBI portfolio company Genhouse Bio announced that its novel protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 allosteric inhibitor GH21, in combination with the orally administered epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor osimertinib, has received NMPA approval for clinical trial in China. Genhouse Bio is dedicated to developing the next generation of global anti-tumor small molecule drugs using a combination technology platform. Based on in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical studies, GH21, when used as a monotherapy and/or in combination with other anti-tumor drugs, is effective against various solid tumors with EGFR mutations. Currently, GH21 is undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials in both China and the United States, with the clinical trials in the U.S. led by strategic partner HuYa Bio-International. GH21 has demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics and safety profiles, and has shown efficacy even at low doses. Arthrosi to Present Positive Phase 2 Data for its Novel Selective Urat1 Inhibitor AR882 in Patients with Tophaceous Gout at ACR Convergence 2023 Arthrosi Therapeutics, Inc. (Arthrosi), invested and incubated by Viva BioInnovator (VBI), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company. Recently, they announced new clinical data from its phase 2 AR882-203 study in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2023 meeting, the world's largest and most prestigious rheumatology conference, including a presentation, named "AR882, an Efficacious and Selective URAT1 Inhibitor for Patients with Chronic Gouty Arthritis and Subcutaneous Tophi: Results from a Global, Prospective, Proof-of-Concept Trial Using Dual Energy Computed Tomography" and three additional posters. In the forthcoming late-breaking oral presentation, Dr. Robert Keenan MD, MPH, MBA, Chief Medical Officer of Arthrosi, will unveil compelling new clinical findings from the phase 2 trial. The data showcases the strong efficacy of AR882, demonstrating significant reduction of tophi, crystal burden, flare rates, in addition to lowering sUA among patients suffering from tophaceous gout. AceLink Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Trial of AL01211 in Fabry Disease NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AceLink Therapeutics, Inc., invested and incubated by Viva BioInnovator (VBI), is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing the next generation of oral substrate reduction therapies (SRTs). On Nov. 1st, 2023, they announced that the first patient has been dosed with AL01211 in its Phase 2 trial in China in patients with Fabry disease. AL01211 is a novel, oral, non-brain penetrant glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) inhibitor being developed to treat glycosphingolipid storage diseases, including Fabry Disease and Type 1 Gaucher Disease. In Phase 1 trials, AL01211 was generally well tolerated without significant adverse events. Triumvira Immunologics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase II of TACTIC-2 Cell Therapy Trial for the Treatment of HER2+ Gastric and GEJ Cancers AUSTIN, Texas and HAMILTON, ON and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumvira Immunologics, invested and incubated by Viva BioInnovator (VBI), is a clinical-stage company developing novel, targeted autologous and allogeneic T cell therapeutics that co-opt the natural biology of T cells to treat patients with solid tumors. Recently they announced that the first patient has been dosed in Phase II of its Phase I/II study TACTIC-2 (NCT04727151) investigating the safety and efficacy of autologous TAC-T cell lead asset, TAC01-HER2, in targeting HER2 in relapsed or refractory gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) tumors. TAC01-HER2 is a novel cell therapy based on genetically engineered autologous T cells expressing a T-cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) that recognizes human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Deka Biosciences Closes USD $20 Million Series B2 Financing Led by MPM BioImpact GERMANTOWN, Md., Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Maryland-based biotech company Deka Biosciences ("Deka") today announced that it has successfully closed a USD $20 Million Series B2 financing with a syndicate of life science investors led by MPM BioImpact, and joined by additional investors including Leaps by Bayer, Lumira Ventures, O-Bio (Echo Investment Capital), Viva BioInnovator, Alexandria Venture Investments, Amana Investments, Plains Ventures, ATEM Capital and CEO John Mumm. The proceeds of the financing will support the advancement of Deka's pipeline and drug product manufacturing as they continue clinical trials following the receipt of a notice to proceed letter from the FDA for their investigational new drug (IND) application to evaluate DK210 (EGFR). Additionally, Detlev Biniszkiewicz, Ph.D. of MPM-BioImpact, will join the Deka board. About Phenomic AI Phenomic AI ("Phenomic") is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to overcoming the tumor stroma, a complex barrier that drives poor outcomes in the majority of solid tumors. The company is applying its proprietary single-cell transcriptomics platform, known as scTx®, to advance a first-of-its-kind approach to solid cancer drug discovery and development. scTx identifies novel drug targets and provides new insights into previously inaccessible tumor biology. Through its unique platform, Phenomic is developing a robust portfolio of potential first-in-class drug candidates to treat challenging stroma-rich solid cancers. The company was founded by pioneering artificial intelligence experts and experienced drug developers and is led by a world-class team with deep expertise in immuno-oncology, cancer, stromal biology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Learn more about the Phenomic team, platform and pipeline at . About AmacaThera AmacaThera Inc., a resident company of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS @ Toronto is a clinical-stage company transforming therapeutics to make a difference in patient health. AmacaGel, our unique, injectable hydrogel platform, provides localized sustained drug delivery for improved patient outcomes across multiple therapeutic areas, including post-surgical pain management, cancer and other hard-to-reach, unmet medical needs. For more information, visit . About VivaVision Biotech VivaVision is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on best-in-class and first-in-class therapies for ocular diseases. VivaVision's current pipeline includes VVN001 for treating dry eye syndrome, VVN539 for the treatment for Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension, and VVN461 for the treatment of non-infectious ocular inflammation of Uveitis. VivaVision is also engaged in discovery and development of novel therapies for the treatment of other anterior and posterior eye diseases. For more info., visit . About Genhouse Bio Genhouse Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company focusing on the development of global next-generation anti-cancer therapeutics, headquartered in the Suzhou Industry Park . The senior management team of Genhouse has multiple years of experience in new drug development, clinical research and corporate management. Genhouse has a clear focus on original innovation and overcoming those "undruggable" targets. Genhouse has established intergrated in-house drug development platforms. With these platforms, Genhouse has started to build a highly innovative anti-cancer pipeline and out-licensed the ex-China rights of its SHP2 inhibitor GH21 to HUYABIO , an international biotech company. Genhouse will continue to advance more innovative pipeline programs into global development. About Arthrosi Arthrosi Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, was established in 2018. The company's goal is to develop potential treatments aimed at uric acid levels and minimizing joint damage for gout patients. Arthrosi's research and development have produced end of phase 2b data. For more information about Arthrosi, please visit . About AceLink Therapeutics, Inc. Founded in 2018, AceLink Therapeutics is an innovative biopharma startup focusing on developing safe and effective medicines to address genetic diseases with high unmet needs. The company's initial focus is to develop novel therapeutics for Fabry disease. For more information, please visit . About Triumvira Immunologics Triumvira Immunologics, Inc. ("Triumvira") is a leading clinical-stage solid tumor cell therapy company developing unique, non-gene edited, first-in-class targeted autologous and allogeneic T cell therapeutics that co-opt the natural biology of T cells to treat patients with solid tumors. The company's proprietary T cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) technology is a robust and versatile platform that activates natural T cell functions differently from cell therapies such as CAR-T and engineered T cell receptor (TCR) therapies. Triumvira is developing a broad pipeline targeting promising tumor-associated antigens such as HER2, Claudin 18.2, GUCY2C and GPC3. Triumvira is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with research facilities in Hamilton, Ontario, and GMP manufacturing facilities in South San Francisco, California. About Deka Biosciences Deka Biosciences is a biotech company led by entrepreneur Dr. John Mumm, who is backed by a team of experienced academic, biopharma and CDMO innovators with expertise in drug discovery, product development, characterization, and testing. Deka has developed disease specific Diakines™ designed to maximize patient benefits through improved pharmacokinetics / pharmacodynamics function by the targeted accumulation of dual and complimentary cytokines into affected tissues. Through developing a better understanding of each patient's immune response to different Diakines™, Deka hopes to maximize the impact of its Diakines™ by building specific targeted therapies for everyone. SOURCE Viva Biotech Holdings