Member Info for JohnnyB1

I have come to the conclusion that Redmile Group LLC definitely purchased Lindy’s shares.

Scancell’s website details “Significant shareholders”; you will see that Redmile Group LLC held 237,306,384 shares (29.11%) as at 10 August 2021:-
https://www.scancell.co.uk/share-info

If you look at the heading “Substancial Shareholdings” on page 20 of Scancell Holdings plc accounts you will see that Redmile Group LLC holding has increased to 241,766,065 shares (29.66%) at 27 October 2021:-
https://www.scancell.co.uk/Data/Sites/1/media/fininfo/annual-report-to-30-april-2021signed.pdf

Between these dates we had a RNS dated 9 September 2021 stating “An existing institutional investor has agreed to purchase 4,459,681 of the Shares at 20.38p pence per share”.

No need to call in Columbo (237,306,384 plus 4,459,681 equals 241,766,065).

Scancell have a new Role advertised for a Formulation Scientist:-
https://www.scancell.co.uk/formulation-scientist
I see that the “Technical Experience” requirements include “Understanding of international pharmaceutical guidances, regulations, drug development processes and industry-standard practices”. I do not know whether this is pretty standard wording for such a role. To me it might possibly be interpreted that Scancell have global ambitions for their products in the none to distant future?

The edited highlight of the tweet is:-
"We are about to announce a vaccine program that includes other parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not just the spike protein but a broader antigenic repertoire. '
Why is this important? "All the vaccines we have at the moment use this spike protein but there are many mutations in that part of the virus, so we need to develop vaccines that are not susceptible to small changes in the spike protein or receptor binding domain: a different conceptual approach is needed in order to to anticipate rather than chase the virus ".

CONTINUATION OF LAST POST:_
Is it possible to imagine that there will be a universal vaccine against all coronaviruses? "Several virologists think that it may be easier to arrive at a universal vaccine against coronaviruses than a universal vaccine for influenza, something that has been tried for many years but we do not have yet. If we succeed, coronaviruses would no longer be a threat. And Covid is certainly not the worst: when I worked for the Bush White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a pandemic severity index modeled on that of hurricanes, with five categories, beatings on lethality and the number of victims : Covid is only category 2 or 3 in this model. We know that there are other SARS and MERS-type coronaviruses with a lethality rate 20-50 times greater than Covid, so I think the search for a universal vaccine is really important. We have proof that it is possible to obtain a universal vaccine for a viral family, for example the one we use against smallpox protects against all the viruses of the Orthopoxvirus family ».

How should we imagine the future: continuous recalls of the coronavirus vaccine? "Some vaccines provide lifelong immunity, others require boosters every 10 or 5 years, and still others, like the flu, are annual. One possibility, if it comes to developing a vaccine that produces lasting immunity, that works against several variants, is to have boosters every 5-10 years. We are also studying the mix and match approach, that is, what happens if people use one vaccine and make a booster with another: initial studies show that mixing, at least in certain combinations, can generate greater protection. In the next few years we will optimize the vaccines we already have and perhaps in this way we will be able to achieve long-lasting immunity, but research is needed to prove this. There are potentially several ways to overcome the current situation of having to call back every 6 months. This is why we must continue to invest in research and development, while at the same time making sure that vaccines are accessible to the entire population ".
There are still many difficulties in equitable access to vaccines around the world. Do you think that local production on continents such as Africa can help? “I don't think it will be part of the solution right now, because it's something that takes time. But in the future, yes. Inequalities in vaccine distribution are linked to concentrated production in the United States, Europe, India and China, which have large populations to serve. We will have to create a more localized production system that allows greater self-sufficiency ».

It is in Italian so I have translated it on google
https://twitter.com/CEPIvaccines/status/1451955132036493312?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Ongoing studies concern the new variants, but also simpler administration mechanisms, for example via the nose, and without refrigeration.
“This is not the time to rest on our laurels. Now that we are producing large quantities of vaccines globally - we will have produced 12 billion by the end of the year - and slowly starting to straighten the inequalities in their distribution, there are challenges that point to the need to invest in research. The objectives: to optimize the vaccines we have, but also to develop second and third generation vaccines that are both resistant to variants and easier to administer and for example do not require refrigeration. In short, we must invest to stay one step ahead of the virus ».
The American Richard Hatchett speaks, formerly in the White House under the presidency of George W. Bush and then that of Barack Obama, now CEO of CEPI (Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovation), a partnership of public and private subjects launched in Davos in 2017, which co-manages Covax with the WHO and with Gavi, and is supported by the G20 on the theme of preparing for the epidemics of the future. CEPI, which helped fund the initial development of COVID-19 vaccines, aims to raise $ 3.5 billion for global epidemic and pandemic risk reduction through vaccine development and equitable distribution.
Where are we in the development of next generation vaccines? «CEPI has opened to proposals for a vaccine that protects against betacoronaviruses, that is, not only from SARS-CoV-2 but from SARS, MERS and other coronaviruses that will emerge in the future. We are going to review the proposals received and decide which ones we want to support. CEPI has already invested in some second generation vaccines: we will not have them in 2021, if we are lucky in 2022. In addition to dealing with the new variants, there is the goal of developing vaccines that are simpler to administer, which do not require rigorous cold chain or which involve a single dose. With the University of Hong Kong, we invested in a nasal vaccine, without a needle, which can block the transmission of the virus through mucosal immunity, protecting the upper airways. This is just an idea. We are about to announce a vaccine program that includes other parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not just the spike protein but a broader antigenic repertoire. '
Why is this important? "All the vaccines we have at the moment use this spike protein but there are many mutations in that part of the virus, so we need to develop vaccines that are not susceptible to small changes in the spike protein or receptor binding domain: a different conceptual approach is needed in order to to anticipate rather than chase the virus ".
CONTINUED IN NEXT MESSAGE

C7 and Ruck, I am in agreement with your comments. I think that there could well be some news out with (or just before) the results on Friday 29 October. If you look at a Companies House search on Scancell Holdings plc:-
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06564638
You will see (under the “overview” section) it states “Next accounts made up to 30 April 2021 due by 31 October 2021”. Next Friday is the last working day before then, so Scancell have clearly left it as late as possible to issue their accounts. Let’s hope that their reasoning for this is because they hope to be in a position to give us some news by then. AIMHO.
(By way of comparison previous years results were issued 16 October2020, 20 August 2019, 25 September 2018 and 13 September 2017).

“The new premises, which are complementary to Scancell's laboratories in the Biodiscovery Institute at the University of Nottingham, will allow the Company to further accelerate the development of its portfolio of immunotherapies”.

I do not see how this can be seen as negative in any way and I do like the terminology “further accelerate”. Now, if they were reducing their laboratory and office space and putting their foot on the brake, then I would be concerned.

I have (or rather google has) translated the relevant bits:-
https://www.lapresse.ca/covid-19/2021-10-16/dix-vaccins-qui-sortent-de-l-ordinaire.php

Ten Unusual Vaccines

Scientists around the world have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to develop effective and safe vaccines to stem the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 20 vaccines have already been approved, while around 100 more are still in development. Here are 10, approved, pending, or discontinued, that might surprise you.
7. Scancell
Neither needle nor pill for the two candidate vaccines of the British company Scancell and its American partner PharmaJet. Their solution? A jet of liquid injected directly into the cell tissue. "These injection systems are easy to use, eliminate needlestick injuries and have the potential to extend immunization coverage to people afraid of needles," the UK company said in a statement. Preclinical studies have shown that administration of both vaccines elicited excellent immune responses.
Location: United Kingdom Status: Phase I (safety and dosage tests)

Ray, sorry I posted the message and then realised I forgot to put your name on it. Thank you.

Thank you for your very comprehensive reply, I appreciate it. I guess its just a case of playing the waiting game as the trials progress.

People with severe immunosuppression are more likely to be severely ill if they do catch COVID-19. I understand that they are being advised to have a third vaccine dose (as opposed to a booster) on top of their initial 2 doses, in the hope this will reduce their risk of severe outcomes such as hospitalisation and death.

I have just read an interesting article about T-cell activity and immunity. I am not medically trained but it does make me wonder whether covidity, with its high T-cell response, has the potential to offer a lifeline for the severely immunosuppressed:-

https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/93805

It states “Just recently, researchers published a study in the Journal of Clinical Immunology that showed that pediatric patients with primary immune deficiencies, who often fail to make protective immune responses to infections and vaccinations, show robust T-cell activity and immunity against SARS-CoV-2. These findings are important because if T-cell responses to COVID-19 are protective in this highly vulnerable population, this could suggest that a COVID-19-directed T-cell immunotherapy might benefit other profoundly immunocompromised patients. However, we still don't know if such responses will persist to provide protective long-term immunity, especially against mutant strains of the virus”.

There is a reference to Scancell and Pharmajet in this article:- https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/needle-free-injectors-market-set-to-surpass-us-36-3-bn-by-2031-amid-soaring-demand-for-vaccines-worldwide-future-market-insights-870312023.html
"Sales of needle-free injectors skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many pharmaceutical companies started administrating SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by using needle-free injection systems. For instance, in September 2021, Pharmajet, announced that its partner, Scancell has selected its devices to administer two SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine candidate, SCOV1 and SCOV2. The vaccines will be exclusively administered using the Pharmajet Tropis and Pharmajet Stratis Needle-free injection systems".

Yes I am talking about the seller.

No one knows who the seller is but there is a school of thought that it is DE. This I believe was first discussed on this BB on 25 June’21 (as of yesterday’s close this was 58 working days ago, allowing for the Bank Holiday).

We know from the accounts for the year ending 30 April 2016 that he held 5,130,000 shares as at 30 April 2015 and resigned 7 January 2016 (see page 8 thereof):-

https://www.scancell.co.uk/Data/Sites/1/media/fininfo/scancell-holdings-annual-report-30-april-2016-.pdf

We have no way of knowing whether he purchased any shares in open offers etc since then. There are some BIG “IFS”, but IF he is the seller and IF he did not purchase any more shares since he left Scancell he could well of sold all his holding by now. He would only have needed to have sold an average of circa 88,500 (rounded up slightly to simplify) per working day over the last 58 working days to sell his 5,130,000 holding.

Just to be clear, I am not saying that DE is the seller. I simply thought it was worth making this point in case he may be. If the seller has finished selling then any resulting reduction in the supply of shares to the market should hopefully push the share price up. AIMHO.

Thank you for your comments Chester.

Following the transaction Lindy will have options over 3.85m, 9m, 1m and 9m (Total 22.85m) shares at 4.5p, 10.5p, 8.15p and 21.25p respectively.

The accounts for the year ended 30 April 2020 seem to imply that the first three of the above four options are currently exercisable. The cost to exercise these three options would be £173,250, £945,000 and £81,500 respectively. (However, the only caveat that I would add is that the accounts refer to the 4.5p option as an “EMI share scheme” but refer to the 10.5p and 8.15p options as “Unapproved share schemes”. I am not therefore certain that the latter two are definitely exercisable, I believe that they also have a performance related element to them).

I am just wondering what Lindy will do with the £1,408,882 sale proceeds of the 6,840,633 shares being transferred to her (I do not know if she will actually receive this amount or whether it may be taxed in some way).

If she was to exercise even say just the first option (3.85m shares at 4.5p at a cost of £173,250) that would show the market her faith in her life’s work and the Scancell pipeline. I think the resulting RNS could only be seen positively.

I have been trying to work out the situation with Lindy’s shares. I have looked at Scancell’s accounts for the year ended 30 April 2020. I am not an accountant but have simply looked at the maths.

This is the link to Scancell’s accounts:-
https://www.scancell.co.uk/Data/Sites/1/media/fininfo/scancell-holdings-annual-report-april-2020-2.pdf

As at 30 April 2020 (see page 44 of the accounts) she held options over 3.85m, 9m and 1m (Total 13.85m) shares at 4.5p, 10.5p and 8.15p respectively. The RNS says that she has been awarded 9m new share options at 21.25p. So this means she will have options over a total of 22.85m (13.85m + 9m) shares. This makes sense because the RNS states that following the sale of the shares Professor Durrant will have options over 22.85m shares.

The RNS also states that following the sale of the shares Professor Durrant will hold 1,665,783 shares. As at 30 April 2020 (see page 21 of the accounts) she already holds this number of shares.

The accounts (page 21) also state that she jointly owns 8,773,960 shares with the Trustees of the Scancell Employee Benefit Trust. The RNS states that 6,840,633 of these are being transferred to her and she has agreed to sell these (4,459,681 to an existing Institutional investor and 2,380,952 to a private individual). That leaves 1,933,327 shares (8,773,960 minus 6,840,633); the RNS refers to these and states “Professor Durrant will no longer be interested in the 1,933,327 shares which were held jointly by the Employee Benefit Trust and Professor Durrant”.

So all the mathematics makes sense. The net result is Lindy no longer jointly owns 8,773,960 shares with the Trustees of the Scancell Employee Benefit Trust. Instead she has 9m new share options at 21.25p. She will also receive share sale proceeds of £1,408,882.

What I don’t know is the terms of how the scheme works under which shares are held jointly with the Employee Benefit Trust. However, it is all part of the refreshed incentive package arrangements that Lindy has agreed to. Clearly the BOD feel the transaction is in both Lindy and Scancell’s best interest.

Sorry, the link in my las message was removed. It was one a link to a video of people doing the Lindy Hop dance.

I am a relatively recent holder of Scancell shares and have observed this BB from the sidelines since about March this year. This is my first post so please forgive me if I am stating what may be obvious.

I have singled out the following points that Lindy made reference to in her recent Oxford Tech Presentation:-

“Avidimab could be used for a licensing potential. We want to expand the utility of the Avidimab platform, not only within our own work but as a licensed deal with other companies.
A new Avidimab Immunobody patent has been filed extending the lifetime of the DNA platform by 20 years. Patented to improve the efficacy of not just vaccines but any monoclonal antibody. Avidimab method to enhance potency, could apply to any mAb and could be used as a licensing potential.
The antibodies we have made recognise sugars or glycans”.

Zakari Therapeutics Limited was incorporated 19 May 2021. Somebody (sorry I cannot recall who) has previously posted that “sugar” in English translates to “zachari” in Greek (similar in spelling to zakari).

So we have the recent incorporation of Zakari Therapeutics Limited coupled with the patent extending the lifetime of the DNA platform for 20 years being filed. Might it be that the intention is to use Zakari Therapeutics Limited as a vehicle for any licensing monies from any Avidimab licensing deal (or deals). The question I am asking myself is have Scancell done this in preparation, just in case a deal is done at some point in the future or (hopefully more likely) is a licensing deal (or deals) imminent. In the case of the latter we could well get a Lindy Hop in the share price. AIMHO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9xxeWRxSbA