Scancell Merges with Neuphoria to Fund $89M Melanoma Trial

Scancell Holdings plc has agreed to merge with Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. in an all-share deal that will give the combined company a Nasdaq listing under the ticker SCLT. The merger, backed by up to $89 million in financing, aims to support the registrational Phase III development of Scancell's melanoma immunotherapy iSCIB1+.

The deal involves Neuphoria contributing its Nasdaq listing, closing cash, and legacy partnered assets following the failure of its lead neuropsychiatric program. In exchange, Neuphoria stockholders will receive contingent value rights covering potential proceeds from legacy partnered assets, including agreements with Merck and Pfizer-linked KAT6 programs.

iSCIB1+ is a plasmid DNA ImmunoBody that encodes tumour-associated antigens to drive tumour-specific T-cell immunity. The Phase II SCOPE study demonstrated 77% progression-free survival at 22 months in patients with unresectable Stage IIIB/IV melanoma selected by HLA allele.

The merger is expected to initiate the registrational Phase III trial of iSCIB1+ in H2 2026, following FDA clearance of the IND application and Fast Track Designation. The combined company will retain Scancell's existing AIM listing alongside its new Nasdaq listing.