Healthcare is hot right now, and there’s no hotter space from a fund perspective than oncology. Here’s a look at the Vertical Fund’s latest equity acquisition, a position taken in small cap cancer focus biotech, Oncomed.
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Oncomed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:OMED) reported that Vertical Fund I Lp has picked up 1,119,905 of common stock as of 2017-01-13.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Vertical Fund I Lp to a total of 1,119,905 representing a 3.0% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OncoMed) is a clinical development-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on discovering and developing anti-cancer stem cell (CSC) and immuno-oncology therapeutics. The Company’s product candidates and preclinical programs include Demcizumab (Anti-DLL4, OMP-21M18), Tarextumab (Anti-Notch2/3, OMP-59R5), Vantictumab (anti-Fzd7, OMP-18R5), Ipafricept (Fzd8-Fc, OMP-54F28), Brontictuzumab (Anti-Notch1, OMP-52M51), Anti-DLL4/VEGF Bispecific (OMP-305B83), Anti-RSPO3 (OMP-131R10) and GITRL-Fc. The Company’s Demcizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits Delta-like Ligand 4 (DLL4), in the Notch signaling pathway. Tarextumab is an antibody that binds to both the Notch2 and Notch3 receptors. Ipafricept is the Company’s Wnt pathway modulator. GITRL-Fc is a preclinical product candidate targeting glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor related protein.
A glance at Oncomed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:OMED)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 277.08 million based on 37.09 million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $8.02 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2015-09-30, Lasersohn picked up 9,120 at a purchase price of $16.26. This brings their total holding to 46,560 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Park unload 21,369 shares at a sale price of $8.52. This brings their total holding to 37,323.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Oncomed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:OMED) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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