Akoya Biosciences, Inc. Stock Price, News & Analysis

Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA) announces its PhenoCycler-Fusion system has been selected as the primary spatial proteomics technology for a groundbreaking cancer research initiative by Team SAMBAI. The project, funded through Cancer Grand Challenges with up to $25 million, aims to create a first-of-its-kind Biobank and Data Repository for Cancer Equity Research.

The study will analyze 40,000 individuals of African descent from Africa, the UK, and the US, focusing on breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers - which show disproportionately higher rates of aggressive tumor grade and early onset in the target population. Research teams from Johns Hopkins University, Nottingham University, Glasgow University, and King's College London will utilize the PhenoCycler-Fusion system to process thousands of samples.

The SAMBAI project (Societal, Ancestry, Molecular and Biological Analyses of Inequalities) aims to understand how genetics, biology, environmental, and social determinants contribute to cancer risk and outcomes in diverse populations.

Tikvah Management , holding approximately 1.5% of Quanterix Corp. (QTRX) shares, has announced its intention to vote against the proposed merger with Akoya Biosciences (AKYA) at the upcoming Quanterix Special Meeting. As a significant investor since 2018, Tikvah opposes the merger citing three main concerns:

• Undervaluation of Quanterix shares in the proposed deal
• Expected significant reduction in company cash flow post-merger
• Quanterix's business superiority compared to Akoya's

Tikvah has noted that other investors have also publicly expressed opposition to the merger, though they maintain the right to change their position if significant new developments arise.

Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 financial results, showing mixed performance in a challenging market environment. Q4 revenue decreased 19.4% to $21.3 million, while gross margin improved to 67.4% from 62.7% year-over-year.

Full-year 2024 revenue was $81.7 million, down 15.5% from 2023. The company achieved notable operational improvements, reducing operating expenses by 22.9% in Q4 to $20.1 million. The installed base grew to 1,330 instruments, a 12.4% increase, while publications citing Akoya's technology rose 49.4% to 1,733.

Significantly, Akoya announced its pending acquisition by Quanterix (NASDAQ: QTRX), aiming to create an integrated solution for blood and tissue-based protein biomarkers. The company also secured an exclusive global license with NeraCare for the Immunoprint test for melanoma treatment decisions.

Kent Lake PR , holding 7.47% of Quanterix (NASDAQ: QTRX) shares, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed merger with Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA). The investor raises critical concerns about the transaction, highlighting that over 82% of the combined company enterprise value would be allocated to Akoya shareholders, leaving less than 18% for Quanterix shareholders.

Kent Lake has nominated three independent candidates for Quanterix's Board of Directors and demands answers to key questions regarding: the disproportionate value distribution, Akoya's going concern issues, potential conflicts of interest involving board member Dr. Ivana Magovčević-Liebisch, material NIH funding risks, and the merger process where Quanterix was reportedly bidding against itself after other bidders withdrew due to concerns about Akoya's high cash burn and debt.

Kent Lake, holding 7.25% of Quanterix (NASDAQ: QTRX) shares, has issued a strong opposition to the proposed merger with Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA). The investor presentation highlights several concerns:

The deal values Akoya at nearly 5x higher than Quanterix despite Quanterix's superior market position, leading to a 40% decline in Quanterix's shares since announcement. The merger process revealed Quanterix as the sole bidder after other potential buyers withdrew due to concerns about Akoya's profitability and cash burn.

Key criticisms include: a proposed $30 million bridge financing to Akoya without clear shareholder approval, potential NIH funding cuts affecting Akoya's stability, and the deal's negative impact on Quanterix's promising Alzheimer's testing program. Kent Lake has nominated three independent candidates for Quanterix's 2025 Board election, arguing that abandoning the merger would create better shareholder value.

Kent Lake PR , holding 5.9% of Quanterix (NASDAQ: QTRX) shares, has announced its opposition to the proposed merger with Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA). The firm criticizes the merger terms, highlighting several key concerns:

The deal values Quanterix at only $42 million enterprise value compared to Akoya's $168 million, despite Quanterix's superior revenue and growth prospects. Kent Lake argues this merger would reduce Quanterix's cash runway from 6.5 to 2.5 years and distract from its important Alzheimer's diagnostic expansion.

Kent Lake views the deal as a bailout for struggling Akoya at Quanterix shareholders' expense. The firm urges Quanterix's Board to abandon the merger and explore alternatives, including standalone growth or a potential sale exceeding $1 billion. Kent Lake plans to mobilize shareholders against the deal and may nominate directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

Akoya Biosciences has announced its strategic product roadmap, featuring new ultrahigh-plex neurobiology panels for human and mouse applications. The announcement follows the successful launch of Human IO60 and Mouse FFPE IO panels in November 2024. The company plans to release PhenoCode Human and Mouse FFPE Neurobiology panels at the end of Q1 and Q2 2025 respectively.

The IO60 panel has received positive feedback from key opinion leaders for its ability to analyze immune landscapes and tumor-immune interactions. Strategic partnerships with CROs including Precision for Medicine, BostonGene, and Infinity Scope have enhanced IO60's market adoption.

The upcoming neurobiology panels will focus on neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation, and vascular integrity research. Both panels are optimized for the PhenoCycler-Fusion platform, which the company describes as the fastest spatial proteomics discovery tool.

Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA) has selected Argonaut Manufacturing Services as its manufacturing partner for in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays currently in development. This expanded collaboration builds upon their existing partnership, where Argonaut previously supported Akoya's Research Use Only (RUO) portfolio.

The partnership aims to manufacture high-quality IVD products under strict cGMP and ISO 13485:2016 requirements. Akoya's spatial phenotyping technology and PhenoImager platform have shown diagnostic capabilities for patient selection, while Argonaut's manufacturing systems will help scale IVD offerings to meet market demand.

This strategic collaboration reflects both companies' commitment to advancing precision medicine through high-quality diagnostics, with Argonaut's expertise in regulated markets and FDA requirements supporting Akoya's expansion in the companion diagnostic space.

Quanterix (NASDAQ: QTRX) has announced a definitive merger agreement to acquire Akoya Biosciences (NASDAQ: AKYA) in an all-stock transaction, creating the first integrated platform for detecting blood- and tissue-based protein biomarkers. Under the agreement, Akoya shareholders will receive 0.318 shares of Quanterix common stock for each Akoya share, representing a 19% premium.

The combined entity expects to generate $40 million in annual cost synergies by 2026, with $20 million realized within the first year post-closing. The merged company will have approximately $175 million in cash at closing with no debt, and a combined trailing 12-month revenue of about $220 million as of September 2024.

The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2025, with Quanterix shareholders owning 70% and Akoya shareholders 30% of the combined company. The merger aims to accelerate biomarker translation from research to clinic and expand technology offerings across neurology, oncology, and immunology markets.