FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Telix Pharmaceuticals' US FDA Approval for Brain Cancer Imaging Agent to Help Diversify Revenue Stream, Jarden Says

By

Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) reached a highly anticipated milestone with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its Pixclara brain cancer imaging agent, which will diversify the revenue stream of the company's precision medicine portfolio, Jarden said in a Monday note.

The approval should also help validate the company's research and development pipeline after investor confidence suffered following previous delays to certain products, the investment firm said.

Pixclara has initially been indicated to differentiate between recurrent and progressive gliomas from treatment-related changes in both adults and pediatric patients, but Telix has scope to apply for other label expansions such as improving radiation treatment planning in glioblastoma patients, and improving identification of recurrence in patients with brain metastases, Jarden said.

These two additional opportunities could see the market for the imaging agent expand to between $470 million and $665 million from a $95 million to $140 million range flagged by the company for the initial indication in the US, the equity research firm said.

Jarden maintained a buy rating on Telix, saying it remains a "catalyst-rich story" with multiple pipeline updates expected over the next 12 months. The investment firm also raised its target price on the company to AU$21 from AU$20.70 after increasing the base-case risk-weighting for Pixclara to 100% from 90%.

Telix Pharmaceuticals shares surged 10% in recent Tuesday trade.

What else is happening in Asia?

Asia

Orora Chief Safety, Sustainability, Governance Officer to Step Down at End of Year

Orora (ASX:ORA) said Ann Stubbings plans to step down as chief safety, sustainability, and governance officer, effective Dec. 31, after more than 13 years with the packaging products firm, according to a Monday filing with the Australian bourse.In addition, Susannah Jobling Hodgens will be appointed as chief legal officer, the company said. Hodgens has worked with Orora for 13 years in senior legal and governance roles, most recently as general counsel and alternate company secretary.Orora shares gained nearly 1% in recent Monday trade.

ASX:ORA
Asia

Biokin Pharma Enrolls First Patient in Phase Three Trial for Breast Cancer Drug; Shares Up 4%

Sichuan Biokin Pharmaceutical (SHA:688506) enrolled the first subject for the third-phase clinical trial of biologic drug T-Bren for injection, according to a weekend filing with the Shanghai bourse.The trial evaluates T-Bren combined with pertuzumab versus standard chemotherapy in neoadjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, according to a weekend filing with the Shanghai bourse.Shares of the pharmaceutical company rose 4% in recent trade.

SHA:688506
Asia

Market Chatter: Korea Exchange to Extend Trading Hours till 8PM

South Korea's main stock market, the Korea Exchange, will enable trading till 8 pm following the regular close at 3:30 pm from Monday, in its move toward 24-hour trading, Bloomberg News reported Sunday.This decision opens 2,400 Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, and Kosdaq stocks for evening trades, which include short-selling. The move excludes exchange-traded funds, the report said.The Korea Exchange plans to introduce pre-market trading by the end of next year, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

^KOSDAQKOSPI