ImmunityBio (IBRX) Climbs 7.76% on Europe Expansion

Core Insights - ImmunityBio Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX) has received authorization from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to sell its bladder cancer treatment Anktiva in Europe, leading to a 7.76% increase in stock price to $2.36 [1][2] Group 1: Product Authorization and Market Expansion - The EMA has officially authorized Anktiva, in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) carcinoma in situ, allowing ImmunityBio to expand its sales and operations across Europe [2] - Anktiva is expected to benefit bladder cancer patients whose disease does not respond to BCG, as there are currently no other treatment options available except for surgical removal of the bladder [3] Group 2: Competitive Advantage in Europe - Unlike the US, where only one BCG substrain is approved, Europe recognizes approximately six major BCG substrains, making standard-of-care therapy more broadly available across the region [4] - ImmunityBio's Executive Chairman Patrick Soon-Shiong emphasized that Anktiva represents an important evolution in the treatment of NMIBC CIS, enhancing the immune response and improving the durability of BCG [4] Group 3: Patient Access and Future Goals - Hundreds of patients in the US are already benefiting from Anktiva, and the company aims to make it available to patients in Europe and other regions as quickly and responsibly as possible to avoid radical cystectomy [5] - The EMA's positive recommendation was based on a single-arm trial, highlighting the importance of immediate availability of the medicine to patients [6]