Replies to post #241852 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

SBTX slashes pipeline and workforce (27% layoff):

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220331005874/en/Silverback-Therapeutics-Updates-Strategic-Priorities-and-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2021-Financial-Results

“Upon comprehensive review of our clinical and preclinical data for our TLR8 oncology programs, we have made the decision to discontinue the development of SBT6050 and SBT6290, and focus our resources on SBT8230 for chronic HBV as well as our ImmunoTAC discovery programs,” said Laura Shawver, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Silverback.

SBT8230 is a TLR8 (I-O) agent conjugated to an ASGR1 “targeted” mAb. The SBT8230 HBV program is a very long longshot, IMHO.

STBX is down 83% from its IPO only 16 months ago (#msg-159913427).

[DewDiligence]

SBTX reverse-merges into—(private)—ARS Pharmaceuticals:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220721005023/en

Under the terms of the merger agreement, assuming that Silverback’s net cash at closing is $240 million, Silverback equity holders are expected to own approximately 37% of the combined company and pre-merger ARS equity holders are expected to own approximately 63% of the combined company on a fully-diluted basis… Upon closing of the transaction, Silverback will be renamed ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and will be headquartered in San Diego, California.

…ARS Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to empowering at-risk patients and caregivers to better protect themselves from severe allergic reactions that could lead to anaphylaxis. The company is developing neffy (previously referred to as ARS-1), an intranasal epinephrine product in clinical development for patients and their caregivers with Type I allergic reactions including food, medications and insect bites that could lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

After the merger closes, the stock will trade on Nasdaq under the symbol, SPRY (which sounds like a ticker for a senior-housing company).