USA – Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPTX), a Cambridge, MA-based biotechnology company focused on developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, is to merge with Flame Biosciences, Inc., a New Hope, Pennsylvania-based biotechnology company.
Under the merger agreement, Leap has acquired Flame and its assets, including FL-301, its clinical stage anti-Claudin18.2 monoclonal antibody, FL-302, its preclinical anti-Claudin18.2/CD137 bispecific monoclonal antibody, FL-501, its preclinical anti-GDF15 monoclonal antibody, and net cash of approximately $50 million as of December 31, 2022.The combined company will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LPTX,” will be led by Leap’s existing management team, and will also remain focused on advancing DKN-01, Leap’s anti-DKK1 monoclonal antibody, in Phase 2 clinical trials in gastric cancer, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer patients. The total cash balance of the combined company as of December 31, 2022 was approximately $115 million, expected to be sufficient to fund Leap’s planned operating expenses and development plans for DKN-01, FL-301, and the preclinical programs to mid-2025.Flame Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, acquiring, developing and commercializing therapeutics that address major unmet needs in diseases that are linked to chronic inflammation including cancer, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Flame has been funded by Rock Springs Capital, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Cormorant Asset Management LP, Janus Henderson Investors, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), Samsara BioCapital, Adage Capital Management LP, Terra Magnum Capital Partners, Logos Capital and Acuta Capital Partners.18/01/2023
