The Week Ahead In Biotech (Sept. 29-Oct. 5): Conference Presentations, IPOs Hit Top Gear

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Biotech stocks came under selling pressure in the week ended Sept. 27 amid clinical data readouts and a handful of FDA decisions.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc (NYSE: AIM) was the worst decliner of the week, as the actively traded nano-cap biotech announced a common stock offering. Incidentally, the shares had rallied the previous week on a $6.42-million breakthrough award win for the clinical development of its drug to treat brain-metastatic breast cancer.

On the other hand, Marinus Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: MRNS) and Ovid Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: OVID) were among the biggest gainers, reacting to data releases.

The following are key catalysts that could sway biotech stocks in the upcoming week.

Conferences

  • European Society for Medical Oncology, or ESMO, 2019 Conference: Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in Barcelona, Spain.

  • European Respiratory Society, or ERS, 2020 International Congress 2019: Sept. 28-Oct. 2 in Madrid, Spain.

  • 24th International Annual Congress of the World Muscle Society, or WMS: Oct. 1-5 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

  • Annual Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa: Oct. 2-4 in Carlsbad, California.

  • 2019 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference: Oct 2-4 in New York City.

  • IDWeek 2019: Oct. 2-6 in Washington, D.C.

  • Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, or FPWR's, PWS Research Symposium : Oct. 3-4 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PDUFA Dates

The FDA is set to rule on Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD)'s sNDA for Descovy — emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg tablets — as pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-1 infection.

The PDUFA action date is estimated to be Friday, Oct. 4, assuming a six-month review period due to the priority voucher submitted with the application.

Clinical Readouts ESMO Conference Presentations

  • Novartis AG (NYSE: NV: Phase 3 data for Kisqali plus fulvestrant in breast cancer (Sept. 29).

  • Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ: INCY) and Calithera Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ: CALA): Phase 1/2 data for INCB001158 in solid tumors (Sept. 29).

  • Athenex Inc (NASDAQ: ATNX): poster presentation of Phase 1b data for Oraxol and Cyramza in gastric cancer (Sept. 29).

  • G1 Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: GTHX): additional Phase 2 data for Trilaciclib plus Roche Holdings AG Basel ADR (OTC: RHHBY)'s Tecentriq in first-line small-cell lung cancer; preliminary Phase 1/2 data for GIT48 in ER+, HER2- breast cancer (both due Sept. 29).

  • AstraZeneca plc (NYSE: AZN): presentation of already released Phase 3 final overall survival data for Tagrisso in non-small cell lung cancer.

  • Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK): Phase 3 data for Keytruda in triple negative breast cancer (Sept. 29).

  • ImmunoGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMGN): initial Phase 1b/2 data for mirvetuximab soravtansine in ovarian and relapsed endometrial cancers (Sept. 29).

  • Clovis Oncology Inc (NASDAQ: CLVS): updated Phase 2 data for Rucaparib in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (Sept. 29).

  • Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN): poster presentation of Phase 2 data for tucatinib in HER2 amplified metastatic colorectal cancer (Sept. 29).

  • Roche: updated Phase 3 data for Alecensa in anaplastic lymphoma kinase, or ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

  • Tyme Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: TYME): Phase 2 data for SM-88 in pancreatic cancer (Sept. 29).

  • Five Prime Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: FPRX): initial Phase 1 data for FPA150 in solid tumors (Sept. 30).

  • Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: AGIO): already released Phase 3 data for AG-120 Ivosidenib in IDH1 mutant positive cholangiocarcinoma (Sept. 30).

  • AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVEO): final Phase 2 data for Tivozanib in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE: BMY)'s Opdivo for renal cell cancer (Sept. 30).

  • Oragenics Inc (NYSE: OGEN): interim Phase 2 data for AG013 in oral mucositis (Sept. 30).

  • Arcus Biosciences Inc (NYSE: RCUS): initial Phase 1 data for AB928 + mFOLFOX in colorectal cancer (Sept. 30).

  • Imv Inc (NASDAQ: IMV): preliminary Phase 2 data for DPX-Survivac and Merck's Keytruda in solid tumors (Sept. 30).

  • Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: DCPH) and Zai Lab Ltd (NASDAQ: ZLAB): already released Phase 3 data for Ripretinib DCC-2618 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (Sept. 30).

  • Merck: Phase 3 data for Keytruda vs. chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma (Sept. 30).

  • AstraZeneca and Merck: Phase 3 data for Lynparza in castration-resistant prostate cancer (Sept. 30).

  • Tyme Technologies: Phase 2 data for SM-88 in prostate cancer (Sept. 30).

  • X4 Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: XFOR): Phase 2a data for mavorixafor and axitinib in renal cell carcinoma (Sept. 30).