Bottoms up! Imugene’s commercialisation deal has added some fizz to the share price. Pic: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Immutep has struck a global deal to commercialise its novel immuno-oncology asset
\nBroker Morgans values Epiminder shares at $2.33 \u2013 almost twice their current value
\nRhythm gets into the US groove with genetic test deal<\/p>\n
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Shares in immuno-oncology drug developer Immutep (ASX:IMM)<\/a> this morning soared up to 33% on news of a commercialisation deal that delivers US$20 million ($30m) upfront and up to $530 million of total payments.<\/p>\n Under the deal, the Hyderabad, India based Dr. Reddy\u2019s Laboratories gets exclusive commercial dibs on Immutep\u2019s eftilagimod alfa (efti).<\/p>\n This is for all regions outside of North America, Europe, Japan, and greater China. So given these chunky exclusions, it\u2019s a meaty deal \u2013 albeit heavily back ended.<\/p>\n Dr Reddy\u2019s upfront \u2018readies\u2019 aside \u2013 excuse the pun \u2013 the greater sum includes potential regulatory development and commercial milestones.<\/p>\n Immutep also is in line for double-digit royalties on commercial sales. It will continue to hold the global manufacturing rights to efti across all markets and will supply Dr. Reddy\u2019s.<\/p>\n Efti uses a novel mechanism to fight cancer. The compound currently is under evaluation in Tacti-004, a registrational phase III trial for the first-line therapy of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.<\/p>\n This is in combo with the checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda.<\/p>\n Immutep also is investigating efti in other indications, including head and neck and breast cancers and and soft tissue sarcomas.<\/p>\n Maintain the faith in Epiminder, broker urges<\/p>\n Broker Morgans has ascribed a $2.33 a share \u2018price target\u2019 to Epiminder (ASX:EPI)<\/a>, which listed last Monday after raising $125 million at $1.50 a share.<\/p>\n With the stock now trading around $1.19, that implies considerable upside.<\/p>\n Epiminder is all about its sub-scalp monitoring device, Minder.<\/p>\n Unlike other current electroencephalogram (EEG) tests, Minder offers longer-term, higher-fidelity monitoring for more accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n Morgans says: \u201cBy materially improving diagnostic yield, seizure characterisation and treatment decision-making, Epiminder targets a clear gap in current practice and a population with high clinical and economic burden.\u201d<\/p>\n The US Food & Drug Administration has cleared Minder and the company targets a phased US launch in the second half of 2026.<\/p>\n Initially, Epiminder will focus on drug-resistant epilepsy patients with inconclusive EEG results \u2013 a US$1.1-billion-a-year market opportunity covering 45,000 patients.<\/p>\n Firstly, Epiminder needs to complete a demonstration study, called Detect and develop its second-generation iteration of the device.<\/p>\n Morgans forecasts current year revenue of $1.4 million and a loss of $41 million, with 2026-27 turnover of $2.7 million and a $38.6 million deficit.<\/p>\n If all goes well, the company should generate \u201creasonable\u201d revenue by 2028-29.<\/p>\n Morgans was a joint lead manager to the float.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In the Rhythm with US deal \u2026<\/p>\n Rhythm Biosciences (ASX:RHY)<\/a> has entered a partnership with US company Catch Bio to provide its predictive genetic risk tests to the US cancer prevention platform.<\/p>\n The deal involves Rhythm\u2019s assay Genetype, acquired from the administrators of Genetic Technologies last year.<\/p>\n The idea is that Genetype will enhance Catch Bio\u2019s platform by enabling polygenic assessments across up to six cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate, melanoma, ovarian and pancreatic.<\/p>\n Genetype integrates an individual\u2019s genetic profile, clinical factors and\u00a0 family history to generate personalised cancer risk insights.<\/p>\n It can also assess non-cancer maladies such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.<\/p>\n Catch Bio\u2019s AI-driven risk model incorporates more than 500 lifestyle and environmental risk factors.<\/p>\n Rhythm says integrating Genetype with the Catch Bio platform \u201cenhances the precision of risk assessment\u201d.<\/p>\n It also \u201cdelivers a more comprehensive risk profile to users looking to take proactive steps in cancer prevention\u201d.<\/p>\n While the announcement does not mention any financials, Rhythm says the tie-up is a \u201cmeaningful commercial\u00a0 milestone as [the company] expands its footprint in a key global market\u201d.<\/p>\n Rhythm, meanwhile, is developing it mainstay asset Colostat, a blood-based bowel cancer assay.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2026 while BCAL expands its local testing suite<\/p>\n While Rhythm takes its tests to the US, BCAL Diagnostics (ASX:BDX)<\/a> is doing the opposite by introducing US pancreatic and ovarian tests locally.<\/p>\n Called Avantect, these blood-based assays are owned by the California based Clearnote Health.<\/p>\n In September BCAL acquired the Australian rights for these tests, which have \u201cdemonstrated strong predictive value in early-stage cancer patients when protein marker-based tests regularly fail\u201d.<\/p>\n