Dispute Between Biopharma Cos. To Be Resolved by Sept. 30

The arbitration court extended the original deadline for a decision in this case of an alleged breach of contract between TRACON Pharmaceuticals Inc. and I-Mab Biopharma, noted an H.C. Wainwright & Co. report.

TRACON Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TCON:NASDAQ) just received word that the deadline for a decision in its ongoing arbitration with I-Mab Biopharma was pushed back to Sept. 30, 2022, reported H.C. Wainwright & Co. analyst Edward White in a June 15 research note.

“A win for TRACON could mean an inflow of nondilutive capital, which is not included in our models,” White noted.

TRACON is a California-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing targeted drugs to treat cancer. I-Mab, headquartered in China, is developing biologics for immuno-oncology.

The arbitration hearing between TRACON and I-Mab ended on Feb. 28, 2022. Subsequently, in May, the two companies submitted post-hearing briefs to the arbitration tribunal.

The basis of the arbitration, White explained, is TRACON’s contention that I-Mab breached its contractual obligations outlined in two collaboration and clinical trial agreements signed in 2018.

Those trial agreements relate to the development of TJ004309, a CD73 antibody, by TRACON. They also relate to five of I-Mab’s proprietary bispecific antibody product candidates to be selected, by I-Mab within five years, for development and commercialization in North America.

The court stayed the initial lawsuit filed by I-Mab, followed by a counterclaim on the part of TRACON, in favor of arbitration, White added.

The analyst pointed out that this arbitration with the extended decision date differs from the arbitration concerning I-Mab’s potential $9 million payment to TRACON with respect to the option for TJ004309.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. has a Buy rating and a $12 per share target price on TRACON, the current share price of which is around $1.30.

Disclosures

1) Doresa Banning wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees.

3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional, and any action a reader takes as a result of the information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports’ terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice, and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services, or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees, or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in the securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees, or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases.

6) This article does not constitute medical advice. Officers, employees, and contributors to Streetwise Reports are not licensed, medical professionals. Readers should always contact their healthcare professionals for medical advice.

Disclosures for H.C. Wainwright & Co., TRACON Pharmaceuticals Inc. , June 15, 2022

H.C. Wainwright & Co, LLC (the “Firm”) is a member of FINRA and SIPC and a registered U.S. Broker-Dealer.

I, Edward White, certify that 1) all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about any and all subject securities or issuers discussed; and 2) no part of my compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendation or views expressed in this research report; and 3) neither myself nor any members of my household is an officer, director or advisory board member of these companies.

None of the research analysts or the research analyst’s household has a financial interest in the securities of TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and I-Mab (including, without limitation, any option, right, warrant, future, long or short position). As of May 31, 2022 neither the Firm nor its affiliates beneficially own 1% or more of any class of common equity securities of TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and I-Mab.

Neither the research analyst nor the Firm knows or has reason to know of any other material conflict of interest at the time of publication of this research report. The research analyst principally responsible for preparation of the report does not receive compensation that is based upon any specific investment banking services or transaction but is compensated based on factors including total revenue and profitability of the Firm, a substantial portion of which is derived from investment banking services.

The firm or its affiliates received compensation from TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and I-Mab for non-investment banking services in the previous 12 months. The Firm or its affiliates did not receive compensation from I-Mab for investment banking services within twelve months before, but will seek compensation from the companies mentioned in this report for investment banking services within three months following publication of the research report. The Firm or its affiliates did receive compensation from TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for investment banking services within twelve months before, and will seek compensation from the companies mentioned in this report for investment banking services within three months following publication of the research report. H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC managed or co-managed a public offering of securities for TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. during the past 12 months. The Firm does not make a market in TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and I-Mab as of the date of this research report.

The securities of the company discussed in this report may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This report is offered for informational purposes only, and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities discussed herein in any jurisdiction where such would be prohibited. This research report is not intended to provide tax advice or to be used to provide tax advice to any person. Electronic versions of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC research reports are made available to all clients simultaneously. No part of this report may be reproduced in any form without the expressed permission of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC. Additional information available upon request.

H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC does not provide individually tailored investment advice in research reports. This research report is not intended to provide personal investment advice and it does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments and implementing investment strategies discussed or recommended in this research report. H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC’s and its affiliates’ salespeople, traders, and other professionals may provide oral or written market commentary or trading strategies that reflect opinions that are contrary to the opinions expressed in this research report.

H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees, excluding its analysts, will from time to time have long or short positions in, act as principal in, and buy or sell, the securities or derivatives (including options and warrants) thereof of covered companies referred to in this research report.

The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us as being accurate and does not purport to be a complete statement or summary of the available data on the company, industry or security discussed in the report. All opinions and estimates included in this report constitute the analyst’s judgment as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice. Securities and other financial instruments discussed in this research report: may lose value; are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.