Avalo Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AVTX) said on Wednesday it had acquired a Phase 2-ready anti-IL-1β mAb, which it refers to as AVTX-009, through the acquisition of privately held AlmataBio.
Shares of AVTX soared 286.8% in morning trading Thursday.
Concurrent with the acquisition, AVTX entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of preferred stock and warrants in a private placement led by Commodore Capital and TCGX.
According to AVTX, the private placement will provide up to $185M in gross proceeds, including an initial gross upfront investment of $115.6M.
The private placement is expected to close on March 28, 2024, the company added.
The company said it plans to pursue the development of AVTX-009 in hidradenitis suppurativa.
AVTX added it intends to develop AVTX-009 in at least one other chronic inflammatory indication.
AVTX's acquisition of AlmataBio was structured as a stock-for-stock transaction whereby all outstanding equity interests in AlmataBio were exchanged in a merger for a combination of AVTX common stock and shares of Avalo non-voting convertible preferred stock, valued at ~$15M.