Leap Therapeutics and Macrocure Complete Merger Transaction
January 23 2017 - 9:15AM
Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:LPTX), a biotechnology company
developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, today
announced the completion of its merger with Macrocure Ltd
(Nasdaq:MCUR), with Macrocure becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Leap. Leap will be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the
symbol “LPTX” and expects to begin trading on Tuesday, January 24,
2017.
“Leap Therapeutics has achieved a milestone in
our growth by becoming a public company,” commented Christopher K.
Mirabelli, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are now
well positioned to advance the development of our two
clinical-stage monoclonal antibodies. We expect that Leap’s novel
assets will create significant value for shareholders as the
programs progress.”
Leap’s Pipeline
Leap Therapeutics is conducting clinical studies
with two best-in-class therapeutics.
DKN-01: DKN-01 is a humanized monoclonal
antibody that binds to and blocks the action of the Dickkopf-1
(DKK1) protein, a modulator of Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling. DKK1
expression has been associated with poor prognosis in multiple
cancers. Recent literature suggests DKK1 has an important role in
tumor cell signaling and in mediating an immuno-suppressive tumor
microenvironment. DKN-01 is being studied in clinical trials in
patients with esophageal, gastric, and biliary tract cancers.
DKN-01 has demonstrated single agent activity in non-small cell
lung cancer patients.
TRX518: TRX518 is a humanized monoclonal
antibody with agonist activity targeting glucocorticord-inducible
TNF-superfamily receptor (GITR). TRX518 is engineered to enhance
immune responses to cancer. In clinical studies, a single-dose of
TRX518 is associated with a reduction in immunosuppressive cells
known as T regulatory cells. TRX518 is being studied in two ongoing
repeat-dose clinical trials in patients with advanced solid tumor
malignancies.
Recent and Upcoming Clinical Data
Presentations
- Society for Immunotherapy in Cancer, November 2016, Oral
presentation of TRX518 biomarker clinical data.
- American Society for Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal
Symposium, January 2017, Poster presentation of DKN-01 biomarker
and clinical data in gastroesophageal cancers.
- Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Annual Conference, February 2017,
Presentation of DKN-01 biomarker and clinical data in biliary tract
cancer.
Leap’s Management
- Christopher K. Mirabelli, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
- Augustine Lawlor, Chief Operating Officer
- Douglas E. Onsi, Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Mirabelli, Mr. Lawlor, and Mr. Onsi have worked together for
over 20 years and developed dozens of biotechnology companies,
public and private, including Adheron Therapeutics (acquired by
Roche), Aton Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Merck), FoldRx (acquired
by Pfizer), LeukoSite (acquired by Millennium Pharmaceuticals),
Proteostasis Therapeutics, and Tensha Therapeutics (acquired by
Roche). Notable drug approvals from these companies include
Campath, Lemtrada, Entyvio, Velcade, Vyndaqel, and
Zolinza.
The Merger
In connection with the closing of the merger, HealthCare
Ventures invested $10 million into Leap Therapeutics at a price of
$9.90 per share. Following the merger, Leap will have 9,392,868
shares of common stock outstanding.
For more information about Leap Therapeutics, visit
http://www.leaptx.com or our public filings with the SEC that are
available via EDGAR at http://www.sec.gov or via
http://www.investors.leaptx.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements in this release are
forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
which involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to
future events of Leap’s development of DKN-01, TRX518, and other
programs, future expectations, plans and prospects. Although Leap
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may
prove to have been materially different from the results expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. Leap has attempted
to identify forward looking statements by terminology including
‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘estimates,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ ‘‘expects,’’
‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘projects,’’ ‘‘intends,’’ ‘‘potential,’’ ‘‘may,’’
‘‘could,’’ ‘‘might,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘approximately’’ or
other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to
identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are
only predictions and involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors. Any forward looking statements
contained in this release speak only as of its date. We undertake
no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in
this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its
date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Campath,
Lemtrada, Entyvio, Velcade, Vyndaqel, and Zolinza are all
trademarks of their manufacturers and not owned by Leap
Therapeutics.
CONTACT
Douglas E. Onsi
Chief Financial Officer
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
donsi@leaptx.com
617-714-0360
Joe Rayne
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
jrayne@macbiocom.com
781-235-3060
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