MedImmune, a biotech subsidiary of pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, exited US-based cancer therapeutics developer G1 Therapeutics yesterday in a $105m initial public offering on Nasdaq.
G1 issued 7 million shares priced at $15.00 each, at the foot of its $15 to $17 range, giving it a market value of approximately $410m.
Founded in 2012 and based on research from North Carolina University’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, G1 is developing cancer treatments that focus on a family of proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that play help human cells grow and spread.
The company will put $45m of the proceeds toward the development of trilaciclib, a CDK inhibitor that could enhance the immune system during chemotherapy by preserving haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
A further $20m will support development of G1T38, an oral drug that will prevent the proliferation of tumour cells, and G1 plans to spend $15m on drug manufacturing as well as the development of a third candidate, G1T48.
G1 had raised $92m in funding prior to the IPO, its most recent round being a $47m series C in May 2016 that included MedImmune Ventures, MedImmune’s corporate venturing vehicle, and which was led by hedge fund sponsor Cormorant Asset Management.
MedImmune Ventures had led the company’s $12.5m series A round in 2013, investing together with Hatteras Venture Partners and Mountain Group Capital.
All three then took part in a $33m series B round in 2015 that was co-led by Eshelman Ventures and RA Capital with contributions from Lumira Capital and Boxer Capital.
The share of G1 held by MedImmune Ventures, which had invested a total of $11.5m in the company, was diluted from 16.7% to 12.4% in the offering, while Hatteras Venture Partners remains its largest shareholder, retaining a 14.7% stake.
Other notable investors include Eshelman Ventures (an 11.5% stake post-offering), RA Capital (8.3%) and Lumira Capital (5.2%).
JP Morgan Securities and Cowen and Company are acting joint book-running managers for the IPO, while Needham & Company and Wedbush Securities are co-managers. They have a 30-day option to buy 1.05 million more shares, increasing the size of the offering to almost $121m.