IRLAB Therapeutics - External validation boosts quarterly recap

In its Q124 report, IRLAB recapped its efforts in targeting major aspects of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The update was enhanced by the recently announced R&D collaboration for IRL757, which is anticipated to fully fund all development activities through clinical proof-of-concept and support the advancement of the development programme through efficacy signal readouts in both PD and Alzheimer’s patient populations. IRLAB will take the compound into a Phase I study, funded by the MJFF, later this month. Both of IRLAB’s most advanced assets continue to progress through the clinic, with management ...

Q1 report: building up IRL757

IRLAB Therapeutics - MSRD agreement early validation for IRL757

The McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development (MSRD) has signed an exclusive R&D collaboration for IRLAB’s preclinical candidate IRL757, following recent clearance by Swedish authorities to start clinical trials. This positive development provides early validation of IRLAB’s preclinical pipeline, in our view, and potential upside to our valuation provided there is clinical progress. Under the collaboration, MSRD will fund IRL757’s clinical development to proof-of-concept (PoC) in addition to paying IRLAB US$3m in upfront payments and up to US$5.5m in development milestones. Note th...

Alpha Bank - Q1 beat, buy-back proposal

Alpha Bank’s Q124 profit after tax reached a record €211m, up by 90% y-o-y, 75% q-o-q and 8% above consensus. The beat was driven by better trading gains and impairment losses, with net interest income (NII) and operating expenses largely in line. Adjusted return on tangible equity (RoTE) was 13.5%, ahead of the full-year target of 13%. Alpha also announced a change in proposed FY23 profit distribution. The previously indicated €0.05 dividend (€122m distribution) is now proposed to be split 50:50 into a €0.025 dividend and €61m buy-back, subject to regulatory approval. Any buy-back would be va...

Mendus - All hands on deck as inflection points approach

With Mendus’s Q124 results, management recapped its clinical priorities, which are all progressing as expected. The focus remains on the AMLM22-CADENCE trial for lead cancer vaccine vididencel, in combination with oral azacitidine as a maintenance treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). R&D expenses came in slightly ahead of expectations with the ramp up in clinical activity, including preparation for the subsequent pivotal Phase III trial, with large-scale manufacturing of vididencel (planned initiation in H225) through Mendus’s alliance with NorthX Biologics. The second clinical-stage a...

Smiths News - Refinancing releases dividend shackles

Smith News’ H124 results highlighted the robustness of the underlying business, but also revealed the success that management is achieving in creating long-term shareholder value. For example, 74% of revenue is now contracted until 2029, the recent refinancing saves costs and removes the dividend restriction, and the organic growth initiatives are gaining significant momentum. Furthermore, the revised capital allocation policy raises the possibility that modest, self-funded M&A could add further scope to the growth initiatives. Our revenue and profit forecasts are broadly unchanged, but divide...