Nascent Biotech Inc. (OTCMKTS:NBIO) presents an interesting object of study for speculators and long-term investors with an interest in unearthing potentially powerful growth stocks that have yet to be discovered by the crowd.<\/p>\n
NBIO is an emerging player in the $4 billion oncology drug development space. And it\u2019s at the perfect point in terms of development stage for growth investors in biotech \u2013 its flagship drug is just heading toward Phase 2 clinical research, which is in the sweet spot for dealmaking as a potential acquisition target as deals pick up pace this cycle. In other words, it\u2019s the definition of long-duration growth. It hasn\u2019t yet bloomed with confirmed phase 2 success, bringing in a huge crowd of speculators.<\/p>\n
But it could be on the doorstep for that transition for two reasons.<\/p>\n
First, NBIO could be poised for its phase 2 research launch and the potential breakthroughs that may follow. And second, it was just selected to present at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2023 Annual Meeting in Chicago early next month.<\/p>\n
In other words, if NBIO\u2019s primary asset, which is a unique one in the field, is poised for an important future impact as a cancer treatment, then we are probably now in the very late innings of the game for establishing an investment position for anyone who wants to get involved before the big moves.<\/p>\n
Deep Dive<\/strong><\/p>\n Nascent\u2019s main asset is Pritumumab (PTB), a natural human antibody that binds to cell surface Vimentin (also referred to as ectodomain vimentin), which is a protein expressed on the surface of epithelial cancers. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-produced molecules that can mimic the immune system’s ability to target and destroy cancer cells. These antibodies are designed to bind to specific antigens (proteins) that are present on the surface of cancer cells, triggering an immune response that can lead to the destruction of the cancer cells. In recent years, monoclonal antibodies have emerged as a promising new approach to cancer research and treatment.<\/p>\n PTB, which is used as a targeted immunotherapy that \u201cseeks out\u201d cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, began its R&D journey in 1982 in Japan. There wasn\u2019t much follow-up to initial research. But Nascent Biotech moved in and reengineered the compound, particularly by mapping production through the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line platform for monoclonal antibodies to streamline the cost side of the equation.<\/p>\n This was followed up by the company\u2019s move to file an IND request with the FDA in late 2018. That was granted, but the pandemic delayed the start of active clinical research. By March 2021, the project was fully underway and NBIO was subsequently given permission by the FDA to enter human clinical trials for Primary and Metastatic Brain cancer.<\/p>\n Over the past two years, that research has been underway.<\/p>\n The company completed phase I research last year and has submitted all materials to launch phase 2 ahead. That leaves it in the sweet spot for maximum growth potential\u2014promise has been demonstrated, the asset is an established idea, and the target market is large and robust. But the big positive news about phase 2 efficacy potential hasn\u2019t yet emerged to reprice the stock higher in anticipation of commercial viability.<\/p>\n