We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
ACRS Stock Up on Licensing Deal With Biosion for Two Immunology Drugs
Read MoreHide Full Article
Shares of Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS - Free Report) rallied 53.2% on Monday and gained another 8.9% during the after-market hours following the signing of an exclusive license agreement with Biosion for global rights (excluding Greater China) to two of the latter’s pipeline candidates, BSI-045B and BSI-502.
Biosion’s BSI-045B, a novel anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, is currently in clinical development in the United States for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Results from a completed phase IIa proof-of-concept study by Biosion demonstrated that BSI-045B has a pharmacodynamic, safety and efficacy profile indicative of its potential as a best-in-class therapy.
Several mid-stage studies of the candidate are ongoing in China for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, aiming to accelerate potential proof-of-concept demonstrations for additional indications. The other investigational candidate, per the terms of the licensing deal, is BSI-502, a potential best-in-class, novel bispecific antibody that is directed against both TSLP and IL4R, which is currently in the preclinical stage. However, both candidates are yet to be evaluated by regulatory authorities.
Year to date, shares of Aclaris have skyrocketed 199% against the industry’s 6% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Per management, the licensing deal with Biosion concludes Aclaris’ strategic review process to maximize shareholders’ value. The addition of these two potentially transformative treatments is expected to complement Aclaris’ existing ITK inhibitor portfolio, resulting in a pipeline of differentiated assets that target multiple high-value immunologic and respiratory indications.
Aclaris’ pipeline currently comprises several candidates undergoing clinical development across various stages for skin disease and cancer indications.
Cash Consideration for the Deal Between ACRS and Biosion
Per the terms of the licensing agreement, Aclaris is liable to make a $30 million upfront payment to Biosion for the transfer of global rights to BSI-045B and BSI-502. Biosion is also entitled to receive $4.5 million for certain development costs and $6.2 million for certain development and drug product reimbursement from Aclaris.
Moreover, Aclaris is liable to make additional payments of up to $125 million upon the achievement of specified regulatory milestones and up to $795 million upon the achievement of specified sales milestones. Biosion also remains eligible to receive a tiered low-to-mid single-digit royalty based upon a percentage of annual net sales from Aclaris.
In a separate press release, ACRS announced a private offering for gross proceeds of approximately $80 million, which is expected to close on or about Nov. 19, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The company intends to use the proceeds from this transaction to fund the research and development of its pipeline and for general corporate purposes.
Management believes that this private placement will strengthen Aclaris’ balance sheet and provide enough flexibility to support its strategic growth while maintaining its cash runway into 2028.
Over the past 60 days, Allogene Therapeutics’ estimates for loss per share have narrowed from $1.40 to $1.35 for 2024, and that for 2025 has narrowed from $1.46 to $1.34. ALLO shares have lost 33% year to date.
Allogene Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, delivering an average surprise of 9.42%.
Over the past 60 days, Pfizer’s earnings estimates have risen from $2.62 to $2.88 per share for 2024, while that for 2025 has increased from $2.85 to $2.92. PFE shares have lost 13.6% year to date.
Pfizer’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 74.50%.
Over the past 60 days, Gilead Sciences’ earnings estimates have risen from $3.79 to $4.28 per share for 2024 while that for 2025 has increased from $7.24 to $7.40. GILD shares have risen 9.2% year to date.
Gilead Sciences’ earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in one, delivering an average surprise of 15.46%.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
ACRS Stock Up on Licensing Deal With Biosion for Two Immunology Drugs
Shares of Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS - Free Report) rallied 53.2% on Monday and gained another 8.9% during the after-market hours following the signing of an exclusive license agreement with Biosion for global rights (excluding Greater China) to two of the latter’s pipeline candidates, BSI-045B and BSI-502.
Biosion’s BSI-045B, a novel anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, is currently in clinical development in the United States for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Results from a completed phase IIa proof-of-concept study by Biosion demonstrated that BSI-045B has a pharmacodynamic, safety and efficacy profile indicative of its potential as a best-in-class therapy.
Several mid-stage studies of the candidate are ongoing in China for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, aiming to accelerate potential proof-of-concept demonstrations for additional indications. The other investigational candidate, per the terms of the licensing deal, is BSI-502, a potential best-in-class, novel bispecific antibody that is directed against both TSLP and IL4R, which is currently in the preclinical stage. However, both candidates are yet to be evaluated by regulatory authorities.
Year to date, shares of Aclaris have skyrocketed 199% against the industry’s 6% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Per management, the licensing deal with Biosion concludes Aclaris’ strategic review process to maximize shareholders’ value. The addition of these two potentially transformative treatments is expected to complement Aclaris’ existing ITK inhibitor portfolio, resulting in a pipeline of differentiated assets that target multiple high-value immunologic and respiratory indications.
Aclaris’ pipeline currently comprises several candidates undergoing clinical development across various stages for skin disease and cancer indications.
Cash Consideration for the Deal Between ACRS and Biosion
Per the terms of the licensing agreement, Aclaris is liable to make a $30 million upfront payment to Biosion for the transfer of global rights to BSI-045B and BSI-502. Biosion is also entitled to receive $4.5 million for certain development costs and $6.2 million for certain development and drug product reimbursement from Aclaris.
Moreover, Aclaris is liable to make additional payments of up to $125 million upon the achievement of specified regulatory milestones and up to $795 million upon the achievement of specified sales milestones. Biosion also remains eligible to receive a tiered low-to-mid single-digit royalty based upon a percentage of annual net sales from Aclaris.
In a separate press release, ACRS announced a private offering for gross proceeds of approximately $80 million, which is expected to close on or about Nov. 19, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The company intends to use the proceeds from this transaction to fund the research and development of its pipeline and for general corporate purposes.
Management believes that this private placement will strengthen Aclaris’ balance sheet and provide enough flexibility to support its strategic growth while maintaining its cash runway into 2028.
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. Price and Consensus
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. Quote
ACRS’ Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Aclaris currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked pharma stocks are Allogene Therapeutics (ALLO - Free Report) , Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) and Gilead Sciences (GILD - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Over the past 60 days, Allogene Therapeutics’ estimates for loss per share have narrowed from $1.40 to $1.35 for 2024, and that for 2025 has narrowed from $1.46 to $1.34. ALLO shares have lost 33% year to date.
Allogene Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, delivering an average surprise of 9.42%.
Over the past 60 days, Pfizer’s earnings estimates have risen from $2.62 to $2.88 per share for 2024, while that for 2025 has increased from $2.85 to $2.92. PFE shares have lost 13.6% year to date.
Pfizer’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 74.50%.
Over the past 60 days, Gilead Sciences’ earnings estimates have risen from $3.79 to $4.28 per share for 2024 while that for 2025 has increased from $7.24 to $7.40. GILD shares have risen 9.2% year to date.
Gilead Sciences’ earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in one, delivering an average surprise of 15.46%.