Member Info for Bermudashorts

Crumbs, yes it's going to be interesting to find out more.

On a more general note, the link below is to an article published today and whilst it's not about Scancell in particular, it is highly relevant and I'm sure some parts of the article will resonate with long term holders of any bio, but especially Scancell. Well worth a read. By the way, the author, Andrew Boyle is the founder of LGB & Co who have been working with Scancell for many months on strengthening its investment proposition.

'The transaction represents the conclusion of a 15 month project in which LGB has helped Scancell strengthen its investment proposition and communication with investors. We also acted as placement agents in the fundraising. We believe the company now has access to the resources and network that are required to fulfil its potential. '

https://pharmaphorum.com/views-and-analysis/covid-19-is-causing-a-renaissance-in-the-uk-biotech-sector-we-must-ensure-it-lasts/

https://www.lgbco.com/news/scancell-raises-ps15m-progress-three-clinical-programmes

Knowlesi,

Not sure but I'm hoping that now the UKRI have reached their decision, Scancell and the rest of the team will be free to discuss the vaccine in much more detail. I expect/hope that we'll see some preclinical data in time for the AGM and we'll know how far they have progressed along the preclinical development path.

I assume that the phase I trial will be carried out in healthy patients at Nottingham's trial centre. If so, when they're ready, it should be executed very quickly.

The Covidity vaccine is really promising, however, the main reason I remain invested is the cancer pipeline so I was pleased to see this sentence in Trinity Delta's note today:-

' the main focus of Scancell’s development efforts remains on the core cancer immunology franchise'

https://www.trinitydelta.org/research-notes/ukri-awards-funding-for-covid-19-trial/

Drew,

Yes, that's my understanding. This was picked up by gooosed earlier on advfn. I haven't been able to find the total figure and I'm not sure whether UKRI have published it yet. Again, as mentioned earlier on advfn, the application from the consortium would have been fully costed and budgeted by each party with the funding award distributed accordingly.

Worth noting that UoN have now updated their website to reflect the funding award and we get a little more detail about the vaccine and in particular the delivery method:-

'Gene therapy scientists at the new University of Nottingham’s Biodiscovery Institute (BDI) are formulating the vaccine as peptide nanoparticles to be delivered efficiently with a simple injection. This will be scaled up to generate the dosages required for a global vaccination programme against COVID-19.'

So a simple injection, no electroporation. This is seriously good news and a big improvement on some of the 1st generation DNA vaccines.

https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2020/08/funding-will-allow-clinical-trials-for-covid-19-vaccine-to-begin-in-nottingham

Back to the good news - wonder whether we'll see some decent media coverage and whether Sky will follow up on their original story.

http://www.pharmatimes.com/news/scancell_receives_funding_for_covid-19_vaccine_development_1347386

Crackin - There are also many longs here who made a judgement call to hold a core holding and are simply happy to see that Scancell have ended the long period of limbo and appear to be heading into a new phase of development. Seems that you agree with that sentiment, why not just leave it at that?

Wabu - well done, profit is profit and at least the 5.5p you paid for your shares went into Scancell's bank account to fund the development of vaccines that may one day extend somebody's life. Win/win.

Fantastic news

Myalept at $855,678 apparently is the 2nd most expensive drug in the US. Can see why Amryt are trying to bring the US in line with Europe by seeking approval from the FDA to expand the use to include partial as well as generalized lipodystrophy!

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/10-most-expensive-drugs-in-the-us.html

Chester,

Not sure why the date is the 5th August either - before the GM approving the funding and before the shares were admitted to AIM.

Rocket,

You are right to advise caution re. the small patient numbers and you'll see that I also included that caveat in my earlier post. However, it's worth stressing that these patients had already failed treatment on a checkpoint inhibitor, they had stopped responding and their cancer had progressed and they had exhausted all treatment options. A quarter of these patients have now seen their tumours shrink by more than 30% - that really is quite something.

Yes, small patient numbers of course but impressive results to date:-

' the combination of MRx0518 with KEYTRUDA achieved a disease control rate (DCR) of 42%,'

'The disease control rate observed in part A of the study, at 42%, far exceeds the 10% threshold for success agreed with our partner MSD for the cohort expansion phase'

Max,

As I understand it, a couple of brokers erroneously sent out letters advising Redx shareholders that their shares were being compulsorily purchased by Redmile at a price of 15.5p. Some shareholders sold their holdings on the back of those letters. I'd be furious if I'd received such a letter but doesn't the issue lie with the brokers rather than any attempt by Redmile to acquire cheap shares?

https://www.redxpharma.com/news-archive/further-information-regarding-the-offer-to-purchase-shares-by-redmile-group-llc/

Notice that the University of Nottingham are doing their bit to develop the next generation of researchers by offering a masters in Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology.

'Why choose this course?'

'Join a team of cancer experts whose research has led to the development of spin-out companies including Scancell who they're working with to help develop a COVID-19 vaccine.'

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/taught/cancer-immunology-and-biotechnology-msc

Thanks for the replies all - let's hope it's just an lse glitch then because I couldn't see any problem with the post.

Have I imagined it or has a post from Maxparker been removed?

Looks like they've split their investment 50/50 between two funds - Redmile Biopharma Investments II and RedCo I

Burble - yes that's the one!

Thanks

Burble,

Thanks for your 12.34 and phew!

The trial design outlined in your post corresponds with last presentation from Scancell so looks like they're pretty much decided now. Re. your comments on homocirullinated peptides and CD4 response, I seem to remember a relatively recent poster or abstract suggesting that in some circumstances patients may also need a treg inhibitor but can't remember much more than that atm - perhaps someone else can.

As for Cliff Holloway's proactive presentation, I suspect it was simply because it would have been impossible/premature to discuss the company's finances or Redmile's involvement before the funding had been approved by shareholders.

compoundinterest -

When looking at Redmile's track record, ie. the type of companies they invest in, the amounts and timings of their investments etc., I can see nothing whatsoever that suggests their motivation in investing in Scancell is anything other than a standard investment decision. I haven't found any other examples of Redmile acquiring whole companies, it's not what they're about - that is of course, profit.

Burble,

Are you absolutely certain about this sentence from your 12.00 post?

'Unfortunately in some cancers (in LDs presentation some ovarian and breast cancer patient samples) did not express a CD4+ response against the citrullated peptides... At the moment they don't know whether this is pan-indication.'

If so, is that not more than a little concerning as the Modi1 trial is being carried out in both of those cancers?

Ray, you are correct, unless things have changes they were planning to combine Modi1 with a PD-1 in just HPV negative head and neck cancer.

Burble

Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to post feedback - much appreciated