Biotech Alert: Searches spiking for these stocks today

These names in the biotech sector are seeing a substantial increase in search activity today, as determined by InvestingChannel. They include:

• Exicure (XCUR), 538% surge in interest
• Telesis Bio (TBIO), 276% surge in interest
• Adaptimmune (ADAP), 59% surge in interest

Pipeline and key clinical candidates for these companies:

Exicure is an early-stage biotechnology company historically focused on developing nucleic acid therapies targeting ribonucleic acid against validated targets. The company says it continues to actively pursue out-licensing opportunities for its clinical asset, cavrotolimod, as well as for its preclinical candidates, including the SCN9A program for neuropathic pain, and to pursue all strategic alternatives with the goal of maximizing stockholder value.

Telesis Bio says it is “empowering scientists with the ability to create novel, synthetic biology-enabled solutions for many of humanity’s greatest challenges.” The Gibson Assembly method and the first commercial automated benchtop DNA and mRNA synthesis system enable rapid, accurate and reproducible writing of DNA and mRNA for numerous downstream markets, the company has stated.

Adaptimmune says the company’s “drive is to redefine the treatment of some of the most challenging-to-treat solid tumors.” The company’s proprietary cell therapy platform engineers a patient’s own cells to fight cancer. The company’s robust pipeline of cell therapies has the potential to significantly improve the patient’s treatment experience.

Recent news on these stocks:

August 1

Adaptimmune announced FDA accelerated approval of TECELRA, afamitresgene autoleucel, for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma who have received prior chemotherapy, are HLA-A*02:01P, -A*02:02P, -A*02:03P, or -A*02:06P positive and whose tumor expresses the MAGE-A4 antigen as determined by FDA-approved or cleared companion diagnostic devices. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. TECELRA is the first engineered cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer approved in the U.S., and the first new therapy option in more than a decade for synovial sarcoma, a rare, soft tissue cancer that most commonly impacts young adults. The approval of TECELRA was based on results of the SPEARHEAD-1 trial, which included 44 patients. The major efficacy outcome was overall response rate determined by independent review and supported by duration of response. TECELRA treatment resulted in an ORR of 43% with a complete response rate of 4.5%. The median duration of response was 6 months. Among patients who were responsive to the treatment, 39% had a duration of response of 12 months or longer. With this approval, Adaptimmune is positioned to make a significant impact on the synovial sarcoma community. HCPs can begin testing patients, Adaptimmune systems are ready to take TECELRA orders, and an integrated support program, AdaptimmuneAssist, is available to enable a seamless and personalized experience through the treatment journey. Adaptimmune plans to have at least six to ten authorized treatment centers (ATCs) up and running this year and to onboard approximately 30 treatment centers within the first two years. These ATCs are recognized leaders in sarcoma research and treatment.

July 31

Exicure announced that the company received formal notice that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel has determined to continue the company’s listing subject to the company evidencing compliance with all applicable criteria for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market by September 16. The company is diligently working to timely satisfy the terms of the panel’s decision and to ensure the company’s continued listing on Nasdaq.

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About “Biotech Alert”

The Fly will report on a selection of biotech stocks seeing a surge in interest from retail and financial professional investors, based on data from InvestingChannel.

This Fly exclusive recap reveals the biotech stocks that are seeing a spike in searches among the 20-plus million retail and financial professional investors through InvestingChannel’s online financial news media ecosystem.

This increased attention from the investors may be in response to, or advance of, outsized moves for stocks in the biotech sector, which tend to be volatile and prone to sharp swings in share price around binary events such as clinical study results and FDA approvals.