AI-powered precision oncology company Erasca has raised USD 160 million through an equity offering of 86.4 million common shares at USD 1.85 per share to new and existing healthcare-focused investors. The offering, expected to close on or about May 21, 2024, also granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 12.9 million shares.
The funds raised are planned to fund the R&D of its product candidates and other development programs, as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
In a subsequent in-licensing agreement, the company purchased global rights to two preclinical programs: 1) ERAS-0015 (a pan-RAS molecular glue therapy) from China-based Joyo Pharmatech for an upfront payment of USD 12.5 million and up to USD 176.5 million in milestone payments and 2) ERAS-4001 (a pan-KRAS inhibitor) from Medshine Discovery to develop and commercialize ERAS-4001 for an upfront cash payment of USD 10 million and up to USD 160 million in milestone payments.
The company has also announced the discontinuation of several of its current programs, including 1) the ERAS-4 internal pan-KRAS program, which will be added to the ERAS-4001 program, 2) the ERAS-007 ERK inhibitor, which failed to show efficacy in a Phase I/II trial, and 3) ERAS-801, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. This pipeline change has resulted in a workforce layoff of approximately 18%, including the redundant staff working in drug discovery and discontinued programs.
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