REG - RTW Biotech Opp. - Portfolio Updates

RTW Biotech OpportunitiesAnnouncement

30/05/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 6955K  RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd  30 May 2025

LEI: 549300Q7EXQQH6KF7Z84

30 May 2025

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd

Portfolio Updates

 

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (the "Company"), the London Stock
Exchange-listed investment company focused on identifying transformative
assets with high growth potential across the life sciences sector, notes
recent announcements from three public portfolio companies.

 

Taysha Gene Therapies

On 28 May, Taysha Gene Therapies ("Taysha", NASDAQ:TSHA) released positive
clinical data from its phase 1/2 trials evaluating TSHA-102 in Rett syndrome,
with all patients across varying disease severity gaining or regaining one or
more developmental milestones. Taysha concluded that the likelihood of
achieving such milestones was improbable after age six, making the data
particularly compelling. In addition and following written alignment from the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), Taysha published details of its
planned pivotal Part B trial design for TSHA-102.

 

Taysha is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing gene
therapies for the treatment of diseases affecting the central nervous system.
TSHA-102, its lead clinical programme, is in development for Rett syndrome, a
rare neurodevelopmental disorder with no approved disease-modifying therapies
that address the genetic root cause of the disease. With a singular focus on
developing transformative medicines, Taysha aims to address severe unmet
medical needs and dramatically improve the lives of patients and their
caregivers.

 

As at 30 April, Taysha represented 0.4% of the Company's NAV. This position
was subsequently added to. Taysha's share price closed up 12.7% on 29 May.
Taysha's announcement can be found here
(https://ir.tayshagtx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/taysha-gene-therapies-announces-pivotal-part-b-trial-design)
.

 

Rocket Pharmaceuticals

On 27 May, Rocket Pharmaceuticals ("Rocket", NASDAQ:RCKT) announced that a
patient participating in its phase 2 pivotal trial of RP-A501 to treat Danon
disease experienced an unexpected Serious Adverse Event ("SAE") and
subsequently died after an acute systemic infection. The FDA placed a clinical
hold on the trial to allow for further evaluation. Rocket is in active
dialogue with the FDA to confirm the root cause of the SAE. The Company
remains optimistic that there is a path forward for RP-A501.

 

Given these events, Rocket announced that it would reduce overall cash spend
and focus resources on its adeno-associated viral ("AAV") pipeline. Rocket has
several other candidates in ongoing clinical trials, including for PKP2-ACM, a
type of heart disease, for which positive phase 1 data were released earlier
this month. As at 31 March, Rocket had $318 million of cash and expects
existing resources to fund operations into 2027.

 

As at 30 April, Rocket represented 3.2% of the Company's NAV. Rocket's share
price closed down 62.8% on 27 May, the day of announcement. Rocket's
announcement can be found here
(https://ir.rocketpharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/rocket-pharmaceuticals-provides-update-phase-2-clinical-trial-rp)
.

 

Merus

On 22 May, Merus ("Merus", NASDAQ:MRUS), an oncology company developing
innovative antibody treatments for cancer, announced compelling interim phase
2 data from its trial treating a type of head and neck cancer. While current
treatments utilise a single antibody (pembrolizumab), the Merus trial combines
this with petosemtamab, which appears to deliver significantly improved
results. This underscores the opportunity petosemtamab holds to become a new
standard of care, if approved, in head and neck cancer.

 

As at 30 April, Merus represented 1.0% of the Company's NAV. Merus' share
price closed up 32.5% on 23 May, the day after announcement. Merus'
announcement can be found here
(https://ir.merus.nl/news-releases/news-release-details/merus-petosemtamab-pembrolizumab-interim-data-demonstrates)
.

 

 

Enquiries:

 RTW Investments, LP - Investment Manager               +44 (0)20 7959 6361

 Woody Stileman (Business Development)                  biotechopportunities@rtwfunds.com

 Oliver Kenyon (Business & Corporate Development)

 Krisha McCune (Investor Relations)

 Cadarn Capital - PR & IR Partner

 Lucy Clark (PR)                                        +44 (0)7984 184 461 / lucy@cadarncapital.com

 David Harris (Distribution)                            +44 (0)7368 883 211 / david@cadarncapital.com

 Deutsche Numis - Joint Corporate Broker                +44 (0)20 7260 1000

 Freddie Barnfield

 Nathan Brown

 Euan Brown

 BofA Securities - Joint Corporate Broker               +44 (0)20 7628 1000

 Edward Peel

 Alex Penney

 Altum (Guernsey) Limited                               +44 (0)1481 703 100

 Joanna Duquemin Nicolle

 Sadie Morrison

 

About RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd:

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (LSE: RTW) is an investment fund focused on
identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the
biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Driven by a long-term
approach to support innovative businesses, RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd
invests in companies developing next-generation therapies and technologies
that can significantly improve patients' lives. RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd
is managed by RTW Investments, LP, a leading healthcare-focused
entrepreneurial investment firm with deep scientific expertise and a strong
track record of supporting companies developing life-changing therapies.

Visit the website at www.rtwfunds.com/rtw-biotech-opportunities-ltd
(https://www.rtwfunds.com/rtw-biotech-opportunities-ltd/)  for more
information.

 

***********

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***********

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