These names in the biotech sector are seeing a substantial increase in search activity today, as determined by InvestingChannel. They include:

• Mersana Therapeutics (MRSN), 156% surge in interest
• Biohaven Pharmaceutical (BHVN), 75% surge in interest
• Tracon Pharma (TCON), 68% surge in interest
• Salarius Pharmaceuticals (SLRX), 51% surge in interest

Pipeline and key clinical candidates for these companies:

Mersana Therapeutics is developing novel ADCs with a goal to meaningfully improve the lives of people fighting cancer. Mersana’s lead product candidate, upifitamab rilsodotin, is a Dolaflexin ADC targeting NaPi2b that is being studied in UPLIFT, a single-arm registrational trial in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer; UPGRADE, a Phase 1/2 umbrella trial evaluating UpRi in combination with other ovarian cancer therapies; and UP-NEXT, a Phase 3 clinical trial of UpRi as monotherapy maintenance following treatment with platinum doublets in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Mersana is also advancing XMT-1660, a Dolasynthen ADC targeting B7-H4, and XMT-2056, an Immunosynthen ADC targeting a novel epitope of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, in addition to other earlier-stage assets.

Biohaven is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies for people with neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven's portfolio of early- and late-stage product candidates also includes discovery research programs focused on TRPM3 channel activation for neuropathic pain and CD-38 antibody recruiting, bispecific molecules for multiple myeloma.

Tracon is advancing a pipeline of novel targeted cancer therapeutics and seeks to partner with other life science companies. The company’s clinical-stage pipeline includes: Envafolimab, a PD-L1 single-domain antibody given by rapid subcutaneous injection that is being studied in the pivotal ENVASARC trial for sarcoma; YH001, a potential best-in-class CTLA-4 antibody in Phase 1 development; TRC102, a Phase 2 small molecule drug candidate for the treatment of lung cancer; and TJ004309, a CD73 antibody in Phase 1 development for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. Tracon has said it believes it "can serve as a solution for companies without clinical and commercial capabilities in the United States or who wish to become CRO-independent."

Salarius Pharmaceuticals is developing therapies for patients with cancer in need of new treatment options. Salarius’ product portfolio includes seclidemstat, the company’s lead candidate, which is being studied as a potential treatment for pediatric cancers, sarcomas and other cancers with limited treatment options, and SP-3164, an oral small molecule protein degrader. Seclidemstat is currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma and certain additional sarcomas that share a similar biology, also referred to as Ewing-related or FET-rearranged sarcomas. Salarius is also exploring seclidemstat’s potential in several cancers with high unmet medical need, with an investigator-initiated Phase 1/2 clinical study in hematologic cancers underway at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Recent news on these stocks:

October 6

Mersana Therapeutics announced the completion of patient enrollment in UPLIFT, the company's single-arm registrational trial of UpRi in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. UpRi is Mersana's first-in-class NaPi2b-targeting ADC with a novel scaffold-linker-payload that enables a high drug-to-antibody ratio and controlled bystander effect.

In a regulatory filing, Biohaven Pharmaceutical disclosed that its CEO Vlad Coric bought 486K shares of common stock on October 5th in a total transaction size of $5.0M.

Tracon Pharmaceuticals announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee for the ENVASARC Phase 2 pivotal trial has recommended that the trial proceed as planned following the review of 12 week safety data from patients enrolled into the trial as of June 30, 2022. The safety data reviewed included data from more than 10 patients enrolled into cohort C of treatment with single agent envafolimab at 600 mg administered subcutaneously every three weeks and more than 10 patients enrolled into cohort D of treatment with envafolimab at 600 mg administered subcutaneously every three weeks in combination with Yervoy given intravenously.

About “Biotech Alert”

The Fly will report on a selection of biotech stocks seeing a surge in interest from retail and financial professional investors, based on data from InvestingChannel.

This Fly exclusive recap reveals the biotech stocks that are seeing a spike in searches among the 15-plus million retail and financial professional investors through InvestingChannel's online financial news media ecosystem.

This increased attention from the investors may be in response to, or advance of, outsized moves for stocks in the biotech sector, which tend to be volatile and prone to sharp swings in share price around binary events such as clinical study results and FDA approvals.