OXIS International, Inc. (OTCMKTS:OXIS): Has Big Things Happening

OXIS International, Inc. (OTCMKTS: OXIS) rebounded in August after the company put out news. It was put out that four patients had been enrolled in the company's Food and Drug Administration-approved (FDA) Phase 2 clinical trial of its promising cancer therapy; OXS-1550. Additionally, new information was put out about the acquisition agreement of Georgetown Translational Pharmaceuticals Inc., which was announced in June 2017. Have a look at the recent share price action before we provide all the details.

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BusinessOTCMKTS:OXIS is an immuno-oncology company focusing on the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs. The most relevant candidate is OXS-1550 (DT2219ARL). It is a drug responsible for the recent volatility on the stock. The treatment is described by the management in the following way: "When OXS-1550 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize the drug and are killed due to the action of drug's cytotoxic payload". The drug is being developed by researchers from the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eikfArKjQ50[/embed]Recent DevelopmentsOn June 26, the company executed a binding LOI agreement to acquire Georgetown Translational Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The new deal was celebrated by the market, as it will add new management and a class of close-to-market Central Nervous Systems (CNS) products that will add significant value to the Oxis business model.In addition, the following corporate changes were announced. Dr. Clarence-Smith will become the CEO of Oxis, and Anthony J. Cataldo, previous CEO, would become Executive Chairman of the company. We could get to know a little about the new CEO's profile. Dr. Clarence-Smith co-founded Chase Pharmaceuticals Corporation and sold it to Allergan, PLC (AGN) in 2016. She has also held executive management positions with Sanofi, Roche, Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Prestwick Scientific Capital. The new incoming Chairman, Mr. Cataldo, said:"The addition of Dr. Clarence-Smith as CEO and our new incoming CMO will be instrumental in completing Oxis' FDA phase 2 clinical trial of OXS-1550 and our plans to advance the highly-valued TriKE platform oncology assets, which are set to go into FDA clinical trials soon. Further, we are very excited with the incoming GTP product pipeline, which will add significant value as they continue to move towards a commercial license." SourceRegarding this new corporate change, more news came on July 25, 2017. Several benefits of the acquisition for Oxis were put out. The most significant was the acquisition of the target's candidate Pain Brake, "a pain-relief drug expected to be submitted to the FDA as a New Drug Application in 15 to 18 months", and GTP-004 for the treatment of myasthenia gravis, a rare muscular disease. Additionally, the acquisition of GTP-011, which is a treatment for motion sickness, was also noted. Finally, Dr. Clarence-Smith, the new incoming CEO, was quoted in the press release:

"I am excited by the prospect of joining Tony's (Anthony J Cataldo) team following his highly successful creation of Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. (now Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc: Trading - IOVA). As founder of Oxis Biotech, it appears he has delivered again with oncology assets that are well positioned to be in the forefront of the next generation of targeted immunotherapies," Source

On July 5, 2017, the company put out that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had approved a patent for OXIS-4235 for the treatment of myeloma. The company put out that this step is quite significant, as it will clear the way for Oxis Biotech to begin the process of pursuing clinical trials for OXIS-4235. In the press release, the importance of the drug was highlighted by noting that more than 30,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year and more than 12,000 are expected to die from it. Anthony Cataldo explained:

"Patents are one of the major build blocks of market cap appreciation. Oxis continues to show progress with it's oncology product pipeline. The issuance of patents that support the products in our portfolio, allows us to move these assets into commercially driven clinical trials with the market protections that issued patents provide." Source

The news that moved the share price recentlyOn August 2, 2017, the company put out news about OXS-1550. Four patients have been enrolled in the company's Food and Drug Administration-approved (FDA) Phase 2 clinical trial. This is a great news, and the market celebrated it by pushing up the share price. The following was explained about the trials:

"Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Minnesota completed a Phase 1 trial of OXS-1550 to determine the safe and effective dose of the drug. The Phase 2 portion of the trial began in April and a total of 12 patients are expected to participate. Results of the Phase 2 trial are expected to be released in the first quarter of 2018." Source

Dr. Daniel Vallera, director of the section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, explained:

"The initiation of Phase 2 patient treatment is a key opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of this promising cancer therapy," Source

ConclusionThere is a lot to like in OTCMKTS:OXIS. First of all, the company is in the process of acquiring Georgetown Translational Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The corporate move will bring new drug candidates and outstanding new management to the company. On the day the transaction closes, the market may push up the share price, so we will try to be alert. Additionally, the OXS-1550 new Phase 2 trial seems promising and the market celebrated them. Hence, new results will also be a catalyst for the stock. To sum up, be alert on OXIS as there's a lot to like.We will be updating our subscribers as soon as we know more. For the latest updates on OXIS, sign up below!For the full story, check out our complete coverage on OXIS.Image courtesy of eyecu160 via FlickrDisclosure: We have no position in OXIS and have not been compensated for this article.