Riding high on dramatic phase Ib results with KIT receptor-binding monoclonal antibody CDX-0159 in urticaria (hives), Celldex Therapeutics Inc. plans to begin phase II work in the first half of next year. Shares of Hampton, N.J.-based Celldex (NASDAQ:CLDX) closed July 12 at $40.67, up $8.26, or 25%, as Wall Street reacted to favorable data from the trial in antihistamine-refractory cold urticaria and symptomatic dermographism, the two most common forms of chronic inducible urticaria (CindU).
A not-unexpected complete response letter (CRL) for Nexobrid, being developed by Mediwound Ltd., delayed the therapy’s approval and knocked the company’s share values backward. Nexobrid, proteolytic enzymes enriched in bromelain for treating for eschar removal (debridement) in adults with deep partial-thickness and/or full-thickness thermal burns, had a June 29 PDUFA date.