Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics (BTX -0.46%) was a little-known biotech trading at $4 per share last month. As of May 4, however, its share price has rocketed to $55. Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics is now a mid cap with a market capitalization of nearly $2.7 billion -- and growing. It has become a top rags-to-riches biotech stock in less than 30 days.
Keep in mind that this is still a development-stage firm with no drug or biologic yet on the market. What's behind such a monstrous rally?
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The catalyst
In April, the company secured an exclusive license from Factor Bioscience and Novellus Therapeutics to develop messenger RNA (mRNA) biologics. The technology previously received validation via the success of mRNA coronavirus vaccines, and can be applied to a variety of different fields. Brooklyn Therapeutics is looking to develop mRNA candidates that could enter clinical trials by 2024 for sickle cell anemias, monogenic disorders, and solid/liquid tumors.
A long-hidden secret
Obtaining a preclinical mRNA license wasn't that groundbreaking. However, it did lead to renewed investor interest in the company's sole asset. Back in 2018, the company acquired IRX Therapeutics and its immunotherapy IRX-2. Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics is currently investigating IRX-2 for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
Results from a phase 2b controlled study are due by the first half of 2022. If it's successful, keep in mind that novel late-stage cancer immunotherapies such as this have been worth up to $10 billion, even for a few indications. So there is definitely a lot at stake.
What investors may not know is that IRX-2 has been in clinical trials for head and neck cancer for at least 20 years. In an open-label phase 1/2 study from 2005, the survival of 25 head and neck cancer patients who received IRX-2 was compared to those of 25 others in historical cases. Those in the intervention arm had a 56% overall survival compared to 21% in the historical control arm over four years. The p-value for the investigation was 0.03, which suggests that the results were statistically significant at the 95% certainty level.
But the results should definitely raise some eyebrows: The study took place at just one testing center in Mexico City. Moreover, both the IRX-2 patients and those in the historic group were treated by the same surgeon.
During another open-label study published in 2018 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 27 head and neck cancer participants who received IRX-2 had an overall survival of 65% by year five. However, that's not particularly impressive, considering that estimates for head and neck cancer survival range between 50% and 66%.
It's also impossible to deduce the efficacy of the therapy based on historical comparisons. Patients who enroll in clinical studies typically receive the best treatment and quality of care (due to generous corporate funding). These can include on-call investigators for patients who develop serious adverse events.
What's the verdict?
Right now, it's simply too early to speculate on the company's mRNA licensing deals. Similarly, I wouldn't bet on IRX-2 being a successful immunotherapy until I see the results compared to an actual control group. Unless you're fond of all-or-nothing gambles (without knowing the odds), it's best to stay away from Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics stock. As of its last annual filing, the company only had $851,000 in net assets, so it will probably take advantage of its latest rally and raise cash via equity financing soon.
