Aura Biosciences, Inc.

Aura Biosciences, Inc. announced the completion of enrollment for 108 patients in its registration-enabling Phase 3 CoMpass trial. This trial is evaluating belzupacap sarotalocan (bel-sar) as a frontline treatment for early choroidal melanoma. The company expects to report topline data for the 15-month primary endpoint in the second half of 2027, marking a significant step towards potential regulatory approval for this vision-preserving therapy.

Aura Biosciences announced the appointment of Natalie Holles as its new Chief Executive Officer and President, effective May 19, 2026. In connection with her appointment, Ms. Holles received inducement equity awards, including non-qualified stock options for 2,169,103 shares at an exercise price of $7.39, restricted stock units for 600,118 shares, and performance-based restricted stock units for 553,844 shares. These awards are subject to specific time-based and performance-based vesting conditions.

Aura Biosciences announced that its senior management team will participate in two upcoming investor conferences in May 2026. The company will hold fireside chats at the H.C. Wainwright 4th Annual BioConnect Investor Conference on May 19 and the TD Cowen 7th Annual Oncology Innovation Summit on May 27. Webcasts of these events will be available on the company's investor relations website.

Aura Biosciences reported a net loss of $33.68 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, an increase from $27.48 million in the same period last year. Research and development expenses rose to $27.96 million. Subsequent to the quarter-end, the company successfully completed a follow-on offering, raising approximately $280.8 million in net proceeds, which alleviated previous substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

Aura Biosciences reported a Q1 2026 net loss of $33.7 million, an increase from $27.5 million in Q1 2025, driven by higher R&D and G&A expenses. The company strengthened its balance sheet with an oversubscribed $299 million equity financing, extending its cash runway into the second half of 2028. Key pipeline advancements include the Phase 3 CoMpass trial progressing towards enrollment completion and the appointment of Natalie Holles as the new CEO.

Aura Biosciences reported its first quarter 2026 financial results, highlighted by a significant oversubscribed equity financing that raised $280.8 million in net proceeds, extending its cash runway into the second half of 2028. The company also announced the appointment of Natalie Holles as its new Chief Executive Officer and President. Clinical trial progress continues, with the Phase 3 CoMpass trial for early choroidal melanoma advancing toward enrollment completion by mid-2026 and topline data anticipated in the second half of 2027.

Aura Biosciences, Inc. completed an underwritten public offering, raising approximately $280.8 million in net proceeds. The offering included 39,591,000 shares of common stock and 3,800,000 pre-funded warrants, with underwriters fully exercising their option for additional shares. The company plans to allocate $241.8 million to advance clinical programs and for general corporate purposes, and $39.0 million to repurchase shares from Matrix Capital Management. This capital raise is expected to fund operations into the second half of 2028.

Aura Biosciences, Inc. announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering, generating approximately $299.4 million in gross proceeds. The offering included the sale of 46,099,650 shares of common stock, which incorporated the full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares. Additionally, 3,800,000 pre-funded warrants were sold to certain investors. The common stock was priced at $6.00 per share, and the pre-funded warrants at $5.99999 per share.

Aura Biosciences, Inc. has entered into an agreement to repurchase up to 6,922,870 shares of its common stock from Matrix Capital Management Master Fund, LP. This repurchase, representing approximately 10.8% of outstanding shares, will occur at a price of $5.64 per share. The transaction is contingent upon the closing of a separate underwritten equity offering, with funding sourced from net proceeds exceeding $200 million from that offering. The company's Audit Committee and Board of Directors have approved the repurchase.

Aura Biosciences priced an underwritten public offering of 39,591,000 shares of common stock and 3,800,000 pre-funded warrants, expecting gross proceeds of $260.3 million. The company plans to use $205.1 million of the net proceeds to advance clinical programs, including for early choroidal melanoma and bel-sar registration activities, and for general corporate purposes. The remaining net proceeds will fund the repurchase of up to 6,922,870 shares from Matrix Capital Management Master Fund, LP at $5.64 per share.