Genocea, Auspex, NephroGenex file for IPO
Infectious disease company Genocea Biosciences Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.), rare neurology disease play Auspex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (La Jolla, Calif.) and kidney disease company NephroGenex Inc. (Research Triangle Park, N.C.) all filed to raise money in IPOs. Genocea is aiming to raise up to $75 million in an IPO underwritten by Citigroup; Cowen; Stifel; and Needham. Genocea's GEN-003 is in a Phase I/IIa trial to treat herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, with Phase II testing slated to start in mid-2014. GEN-003 is a T cell vaccine consisting of the infected cell polypeptide 4 (ICP4) and gD2 antigens from HSV-2 combined with the saponin-derivative adjuvant Matrix M.
Auspex is aiming to raise up to $69 million in an IPO underwritten by Stifel; BMO Capital Markets; Baird; William Blair; and Ladenburg Thalmann. Auspex's SD-809 is in the Phase III First-HD trial to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease. The compound is a deuterium-substituted analog of tetrabenazine, a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2; SLC18A2) inhibitor. The company plans to submit an NDA to FDA in 4Q14 under section 505(b)(2) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which allows sponsors to reference data on safety and efficacy from the scientific literature or from previously approved products. SD-809 is also in development for Tourette's syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. ...