HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. - HOOK STOCK NEWS

HOOKIPA Pharma Inc (HOOK) has filed a Form 8 Public Opening Position Disclosure on January 8, 2025, related to takeover code regulations. The disclosure reveals detailed information about stock positions and options held by company directors and executives. Key directors Julie O'Neill and David R. Kaufman each hold less than 500 common shares. The company has granted various stock options to directors under its 2019 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, with exercise prices ranging from $6.44 to $166.10 and different vesting schedules. Notable grants include 108,695 restricted stock units to Malte Peters and 69,875 to Terry Coelho, both vesting in two equal installments on July 22, 2025 and 2026.

HOOKIPA Pharma (NASDAQ: HOOK) has issued a notice to shareholders regarding U.K. disclosure requirements related to its potential all-share acquisition of Poolbeg Pharma plc, which was announced on January 2, 2025. The notice specifically addresses Rule 8 of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Under Rule 8.3, shareholders with interests of 1% or more in any class of relevant security must make both an Opening Position Disclosure and a Dealing Disclosure if they trade in any relevant security during the offer period. The company's common stock, Class A common stock, and Series A, A-1, and A-2 convertible preferred stock are considered relevant securities for this offer period.

Poolbeg Pharma and HOOKIPA Pharma have announced important updates regarding their potential combination. Gilead Sciences, a significant HOOKIPA shareholder owning 19.4% (1,875,947 shares) of HOOKIPA's issued share capital, has indicated its intention to vote in line with HOOKIPA Board's recommendation for a formal offer and participate in the proposed fundraise.

HOOKIPA has revised its fundraising plans, now expecting to undertake a 100% primary private placement of approximately $30 million+, an increase from the previously announced 'up to $30 million'. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. has been engaged as the placement agent for this private placement fundraise.

The companies emphasize that all discussions about the potential combination remain non-binding and non-exclusive, with no guarantee that a firm offer will be made or any transaction completed.

HOOKIPA Pharma has issued an amendment to its Rule 2.4 announcement from January 2, 2025, regarding a potential combination with Poolbeg Pharma plc. The amendment corrects the ISIN of HOOKIPA's common stock from US43906K1007 to US43906K2096, which became effective after the company's 1-for-10 reverse stock split on July 9, 2024.

The company confirms having 9,655,022 shares of common stock, 2,399,517 shares of Class A common stock, 370 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, 10,800 shares of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, and 15,268 shares of Series A-2 convertible preferred stock outstanding. Class A common stock holders can convert ten shares into one common stock share, while Series A, A-1, and A-2 preferred stock can be converted into 100 common shares each, subject to ownership limitations.

HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (HOOK) and Poolbeg Pharma plc have entered into non-binding discussions for an all-share acquisition. The proposed combination would create a Nasdaq-listed clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines for cancer and other serious diseases.

Key terms include:

• Poolbeg shareholders to receive 0.03 HOOKIPA shares for each Poolbeg share
• Poolbeg shareholders expected to own ~55% and HOOKIPA shareholders ~45% of combined entity
• HOOKIPA plans $30M private placement fundraise
• Combined group to maintain Nasdaq listing while Poolbeg delists from AIM

The deal aims to create a diversified clinical pipeline led by multi-KRAS targeting HB-700 and Phase 2-ready POLB 001, with expected clinical data across multiple programs over next 24 months. The combined entity would also maintain two partnered programs with Gilead Sciences.

HOOKIPA Pharma (NASDAQ: HOOK) reported Q3 2024 financial results and business updates. Key highlights include completion of Phase 2 study enrollment for eseba-vec + pembrolizumab in HPV+ HNSCC with 68 patients, and first patients dosed in Phase 2 adjuvant therapy study with MSKCC. The company reported Q3 revenue of $4.7 million, down from $6.9 million in Q3 2023. Net loss was $13.8 million compared to $19.1 million in the same period last year. Cash position stood at $60.0 million as of September 30, 2024. The company received a $5.0 million milestone payment from Gilead for HB-500 HIV-1 treatment trial initiation.

HOOKIPA Pharma presented updated Phase 2 data for eseba-vec combined with pembrolizumab as front-line therapy for HPV16+ relapsed/metastatic head and neck cancer. The study showed a 52% overall response rate and 80% disease control rate in PD-L1 CPS>20 patients (n=27). Preliminary data indicated median progression-free survival exceeding 16 months and a 12-month overall survival rate of 83%. At the selected Phase 3 dose level, the 55% response rate represents approximately double the historical pembrolizumab monotherapy results. The treatment demonstrated manageable toxicity with only 7.6% serious treatment-related adverse events.

HOOKIPA Pharma (NASDAQ: HOOK) announced that updated Phase 2 data for eseba-vec (HB200) plus pembrolizumab in first-line recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer will be presented at SITC 2024. The presentation will be delivered as a late-breaking poster by Dr. Alan Ho, Chief of Head and Neck Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, on November 9, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

The presentation will focus on updated results in PD-L1 CPS ≥20 patients receiving the combination treatment. The poster will be accessible on HOOKIPA's website under the Scientific Publications section.

HOOKIPA Pharma (NASDAQ: HOOK) has initiated dosing in a Phase 2 investigator-led trial evaluating eseba-vec as adjuvant therapy for HPV16+ head and neck cancer patients. The study, conducted in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, will assess the treatment in patients with minimal residual disease positive (MRD+) HPV-driven head and neck cancer. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to enroll approximately 50 patients, with initial safety and efficacy data expected in 2026. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival. This trial expands on positive Phase 2 data in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, with the company also planning to initiate the pivotal AVALON-1 Phase 2/3 study in Q4 2024.