Shares of Avidity Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:RNA) rose sharply in pre-market trading after the company agreed to be acquired by Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS).Holders of Avidity common stock will receive $72.00 per share in cash at closing, representing a premium of around 46% over Avidity’s closing share price on Oct. 24.Avidity Biosciences shares surged 42.1% to $69.85 in the pre-market trading session.Here are some other stocks moving in pre-market trading.GainersClick Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:CLIK) gained 173% to ...

Core Viewpoint - Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating the fairness of the proposed sale of Avidity Biosciences, Inc. to Novartis for $72.00 per share in cash, focusing on the rights and interests of Avidity shareholders [1][2]. Group 1: Investigation Details - The investigation examines whether Avidity and its board violated federal securities laws and fiduciary duties by not securing the best possible consideration for shareholders [2]. - Concerns include whether Novartis is underpaying for Avidity and if all material information necessary for shareholders to assess the merger was disclosed [2]. Group 2: Potential Actions - Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for Avidity shareholders, additional disclosures, and other forms of relief related to the transaction [3].

Core Viewpoint - A lawsuit has been filed against MoonLake Immunotherapeutics and its senior executives for potential violations of federal securities laws, following disappointing results from its Phase 3 VELA trials for sonelokimab [1][2][3]. Company Overview - MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for inflammatory diseases [3]. - The company conducted Phase 3 VELA trials for sonelokimab, aimed at treating moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa [3]. Clinical Data and Claims - MoonLake claimed that its "strong clinical data" from the Phase 2 MIRA trial indicated higher clinical responses and differentiation of sonelokimab compared to competitors [4]. - The company asserted that the Nanobody structure of SLK provided beneficial differences over traditional monoclonal antibody treatments [4]. Allegations and Discrepancies - The lawsuit alleges that the clinical data and Nanobody structure did not provide a superior clinical benefit, raising doubts about the drug's regulatory approval and commercial viability [5]. Stock Performance - Following the announcement of disappointing results from the VELA Phase 3 trials on September 28, 2025, MoonLake's stock price plummeted by $55.75, nearly 90%, from $61.99 to $6.24 per share [6].

Group 1 - ADC Therapeutics (ADCT) is a biotech firm focused on developing Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy, utilizing proprietary PBD technology to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing damage to healthy tissue [4] - On October 16, H.C. Wainwright reaffirmed its Buy rating on ADC Therapeutics but lowered the price target from $8 to $7 following the company's announcement of a $60 million PIPE financing deal [1][2] - The PIPE financing involves the sale of 11.3 million common shares at $4.00 each and pre-funded warrants for 3.8 million shares at $3.90 each, with net proceeds expected to total approximately $57.6 million after fees and expenses [2] Group 2 - The financing strengthens ADC Therapeutics' balance sheet, increasing its pro forma cash position to an estimated $292.3 million [3] - The company anticipates reporting $15.8 million in net product revenue from ZYNLONTA sales for Q3 2025, with $234.7 million in cash and equivalents as of September 30 [3]

Core Insights - PepGen Inc. (NASDAQ:PEPG) is identified as a stock with significant upside potential, with Bank of America raising its price target from $1 to $3 while maintaining an Underperform rating [1][3] - The positive early Phase 1 data for the DM1 program, which involves splicing correction, has prompted the update in financial modeling [1][2] Company Overview - PepGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing oligonucleotide therapeutics for severe neuromuscular and neurologic diseases in the US [3] - The DM1 program, PGN-EDODM1, aims to treat Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 using proprietary Enhanced Delivery Oligonucleotide technology [2][3] Development Challenges - Despite the positive data, PepGen is noted to be behind its competitors in the development timeline, raising concerns about its ability to pursue an accelerated approval pathway [3] - The company requires further information on the functional benefits of splicing correction and the effects of repeat dosing [2]

Core Insights - Praxis Precision Medicines experienced a significant stock surge of 251% following positive phase 3 trial results for ulixacaltamide, a treatment for essential tremor patients [2][3] - The essential tremor condition affects approximately 10 million Americans, with only one approved treatment currently available, indicating a substantial market opportunity for new therapies [5] - Ulixacaltamide has shown promising results in clinical trials, but the company is still in the pre-commercial stage, which may pose risks for investors [3][15] Company Overview - Praxis Precision Medicines is focused on developing treatments for neurological disorders, with ulixacaltamide targeting essential tremor and vormatrigine aimed at epilepsy [13][14] - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $4 billion, reflecting investor interest in its late-stage drug candidates [12][16] - Praxis recently raised $525 million in a secondary offering, bolstering its cash reserves to support ongoing development efforts [15] Clinical Trial Results - In the first phase 3 study, patients treated with ulixacaltamide showed an average improvement of 4.3 points on a modified Activities of Daily Living test, compared to a 1.7-point improvement in the placebo group [7] - The second study indicated that patients who continued treatment with ulixacaltamide had a significantly higher likelihood of maintaining a response and reported improved disease outcomes [8] - Despite the positive results, a notable discontinuation rate of 35.6% in the first study and 38.1% in the second study raises concerns about treatment tolerability [10][11] Market Potential - The potential annual sales for ulixacaltamide could reach billions, given the large population of underserved essential tremor patients [3] - Up to 77% of essential tremor patients feel inadequately treated, and nearly 50% are not receiving any treatment, highlighting a significant unmet medical need [6] Future Prospects - Praxis is also advancing other drug candidates, including vormatrigine for epilepsy, which has shown promising phase 2 results with a 60% reduction in seizure rates for treated patients [13] - The company is preparing to enter phase 3 trials for vormatrigine, indicating a robust pipeline of potential therapies [14] - Investors with a high-risk tolerance may find Praxis an attractive opportunity due to its focus on underserved populations and multiple late-stage candidates [16]

Group 1 - The world's first brain-like computing system was unveiled in Hengqin [1] - AstraZeneca launched a global strategic research center in Beijing [1] - OpenAI is actively developing an AI music model [1] Group 2 - IBM announced that common AMD chips can run quantum error correction algorithms [3]

Core Viewpoint - Monteverde & Associates PC is investigating Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. regarding its proposed sale to Eli Lilly and Company, which involves a cash payment of $3.56 per share and contingent value rights potentially worth an additional $8.91 per share [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Monteverde & Associates PC is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and has a successful track record in recovering millions for shareholders [1]. - The firm operates from the Empire State Building in New York City and specializes in class action securities litigation [2]. Group 2: Transaction Details - Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Adverum shareholders will receive $3.56 in cash per share, along with a non-transferable contingent value right (CVR) that could yield up to an additional $8.91 per CVR based on the achievement of specific milestones [1].

BREAKING: Stock Market Hits Record Highs After Cool CPI After peaking in February 2021, biotech stocks as a group didn't participate once the market turned around after 2022. This summer seems to have changed that. Biotech stocks are not easy to handle individually. The development stage cohort is filled with stocks that have no earnings and often no revenue, except for inconsistent milestone payments. That just happens to be the majority of members in the nearly 800 stock Medical-Biomed/Biotech group. But ...

Core Points - Mural Oncology plc's shareholders approved the acquisition by XRA 5 Corp, a subsidiary of XOMA Royalty Corporation, with over 99% of votes in favor at both the Scheme Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting held on October 24, 2025 [1][4][10] Acquisition Details - The acquisition agreement stipulates that Mural shareholders will receive a base cash price of $2.035 per share, based on an estimated closing net cash of approximately $36.2 million [2][3] - The total value of Mural's issued share capital is approximately $36.2 million, excluding any additional cash that may be payable [3] - The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending customary closing conditions and approval from the High Court of Ireland [3] Voting Results - At the Scheme Meeting, 10,103,706 shares (99.20%) voted in favor of the proposal, representing 58.31% of the total shares outstanding [8][9] - At the EGM, 10,607,228 shares (99.16%) approved the proposal, with 10,647,967 shares (99.54%) voting in favor of the amendment to the articles of association [10][10]