Core Insights - MapLight Therapeutics plans to raise approximately $251 million through an initial public offering (IPO), which would position the biotech among the top public listings in the sector for 2025 [1] - The company intends to offer 14,750,000 shares at a price of $17.00 per share, and will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MPLT" [1] - MapLight has utilized a regulatory provision to facilitate the IPO process despite the ongoing US government shutdown, which has affected the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) operations [1][2] Fund Allocation - If the IPO proceeds as planned, the majority of the funds will be allocated to the development of ML-007C-MA, its lead candidate for schizophrenia, with up to $120 million earmarked for a Phase II study involving 300 patients [3] - An additional $70 million will be dedicated to a separate Phase II study of ML-007C-MA for Alzheimer's disease psychosis, while the remaining funds will support other pipeline projects, including candidates for autism spectrum disorder and preclinical assets for Parkinson's disease and hyperactivity disorders [4] Financial Backing and Market Context - MapLight has garnered interest from major pharmaceutical companies, including Sanofi and Novo Holdings, and previously raised $372.5 million in a Series D financing round [5] - The company currently has $60.5 million in cash, indicating a need for the IPO to fund ongoing development efforts [5] - The IPO follows a successful public offering by LB Pharmaceuticals, which raised $285 million in September, marking a positive trend in the biotech IPO landscape [6]
MapLight’s $251m IPO sees schizophrenia drug developers on top