Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - APLS STOCK NEWS

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: APLS) presented data from the Phase 3 PEGASUS study at the ASH Annual Meeting, highlighting significant improvements in treatment responses and quality of life for pegcetacoplan compared to eculizumab in treating paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In the analysis, 70.7% of pegcetacoplan-treated patients achieved a good, major, or complete hematologic response, versus just 5.1% for eculizumab. Furthermore, pegcetacoplan showed substantial quality-of-life improvements, achieving near-normal levels in several measures while eculizumab-treated patients did not. Marketing applications are pending with the FDA and EMA.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: APLS) announced the grant of equity awards to two new employees as an inducement for employment, effective December 1, 2020. The awards include options for 13,400 shares and 6,700 restricted stock units (RSUs), approved on October 27 and November 16, 2020. The options have an exercise price of $46.82, matching the stock's closing price on the grant date. Vesting schedules for the options and RSUs are based on continued employment, with full vesting occurring over four years for options and annually for RSUs.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: APLS) announced its participation in the 2020 Evercore ISI HealthCONx Conference on December 3, 2020 at 1:25 p.m. ET. The event will feature a fireside chat with Cedric Francois, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and CEO. Interested parties can access the live webcast via the company's Investors and Media section. A replay will be available for 90 days afterwards. Apellis specializes in targeted C3 therapies for debilitating diseases such as those in hematology, ophthalmology, nephrology, and neurology.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals has initiated the 52-week Phase 2 MERIDIAN study, evaluating the efficacy of pegcetacoplan, a targeted C3 therapy, in 200 adults with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study is significant as there are currently no treatments available to slow ALS progression. The primary endpoint is to assess the Combined Assessment of Function and Survival at week 52, with secondary endpoints including lung function and quality of life. Pegcetacoplan is currently under FDA review for other indications, indicating its potential for broader applications.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) announced that the FDA accepted its New Drug Application (NDA) for pegcetacoplan, targeting paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and granted Priority Review. The PDUFA action date is set for May 14, 2021. The FDA will not hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss the application. Pegcetacoplan showed superiority over eculizumab in the Phase 3 PEGASUS study, enhancing hemoglobin levels significantly. Apellis plans to initiate an early access program in the U.S. for patients with ongoing disease activity despite C5 inhibition.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) announced findings from a major retrospective study on geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presented at the AAO 2020. Involving over 69,000 patients, the data reveal significant disease progression, with up to 21.6% of bilateral GA patients developing new-onset wet AMD in 24 months. The study emphasizes the pressing need for effective treatment for GA, which affects five million people globally. Currently, there are no approved therapies for GA, although Apellis is advancing pegcetacoplan in Phase 3 studies.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: APLS) announced its participation in two key investor conferences this November. The company will present at the Stifel 2020 Virtual Healthcare Conference on November 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET and at the Jefferies Virtual London Healthcare Conference on November 19 at 6:45 a.m. ET. CEO Cedric Francois will partake in a fireside chat and a podium presentation, respectively. Both events will be webcast live and available for replay for 90 days. Apellis focuses on developing innovative therapies for diseases involving the complement cascade.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: APLS) announced that eight abstracts highlighting the efficacy of pegcetacoplan for treating paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) have been accepted for the virtual American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting from December 5-8, 2020. New analyses from the Phase 3 PEGASUS study show superior treatment response and quality-of-life improvements with pegcetacoplan compared to eculizumab. The matching-adjusted indirect comparison indicated notable enhancements in clinical outcomes when compared to ravulizumab, demonstrating pegcetacoplan's potential to redefine PNH care standards.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals announces a collaboration with Sobi for the co-development and ex-U.S. commercialization of systemic pegcetacoplan, potentially worth $1.25 billion. The EMA validated the marketing authorization application for pegcetacoplan in PNH. Key trial results include a 52% reduction in lesion growth in geographic atrophy patients and a 73.3% reduction in proteinuria in C3G patients. As of September 30, 2020, Apellis has $728.2 million in cash, supporting operations through 2022 despite a net loss of $135.7 million in Q3 2020.