Portage Biotech Bolsters Pipeline With Acquisition Of Four Adenosine Pathway-Targeting Candidates


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  • Portage Biotech Inc (NASDAQ:PRTG) has agreed to acquire Tarus Therapeutics, a private company developing adenosine receptor antagonists.
  • Under the terms of the agreement, Portage will acquire Tarus for 2.4 million shares with the assumption of $3 million of liabilities. 
  • Additionally, payments of up to $32 million would be triggered upon achieving future development and sales milestones. 
  • As a result of the transaction, Portage acquires four assets, including:
  • TT-10 (now PORT-6): An adenosine receptor type 2A inhibitor for solid tumors. Portage expects to move into a Phase 1/2 trial by the end of 2022.
  • TT-4 (now PORT-7): An adenosine receptor type 2B inhibitor to treat solid tumors. Clinical development is expected to start in 2023.
  • TT-53 (now PORT-8): Dual inhibitor of adenosine receptors. Portage plans to submit an IND in the near future.
  • TT-3 (now PORT-9): Gut selective A2B inhibitor for gastrointestinal cancers, currently in preclinical studies.
  • Concurrent with the acquisition, Portage has entered into a committed share purchase agreement for up to $30 million with Lincoln Park Capital Fund LLC, extending Portage's total cash runway into 2024.
  • Price Action: PRTG shares closed higher by 2.52% at $7.72 on Wednesday.

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Posted In: BiotechM&ANewsHealth CareGeneralBriefs