Replimune jumps on news FDA chief behind RP1 rejection may be removed

Shares of Replimune (REPL) are trading higher on Friday after The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump has signed off on a plan to fire the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary. Makary was the official at the center of the Replimune’s RP1 melanoma therapy rejection, the same decision that drew heavy criticism from specialists and prompted last month’s WSJ editorial defending the therapy. At the time, the Journal’s The Editorial Board argued that the FDA’s rejection of RP1 contradicted both expert opinion and the agency’s own initial review panel, which had recommended approval. PRICE ACTION: In afternoon trading, Replimune jumped over 14% to $3.82.