Humacyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUMA) is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that the company misled investors regarding its manufacturing practices and the subsequent delay in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) review of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for its lead product candidate, the Acellular Tissue Engineered Vessel (ATEV), also known as Human Acellular Vessel. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors who purchased Humacyte securities between May 10, 2024, and October 17, 2024.
The core of the allegations revolves around Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina manufacturing facility and its compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP). The plaintiff claims that Humacyte failed to disclose critical deficiencies in its manufacturing processes, specifically regarding quality assurance and microbial testing. This alleged lack of compliance reportedly led to the FDA's decision to delay the review of the ATEV BLA, raising concerns about the potential approval of the product for vascular trauma indication.
FDA's Concerns and Impact on Stock Price
On August 9, 2024, Humacyte announced that the FDA would require additional time to complete its review of the ATEV BLA. The company acknowledged that the FDA had conducted inspections of its manufacturing facilities and clinical sites and had engaged in multiple discussions regarding the BLA filing. Following this announcement, Humacyte's stock price declined by 16.4%, closing at $6.62 per share on August 12, 2024.
The situation worsened on October 17, 2024, when the FDA released a Form 483 concerning Humacyte’s Durham facility. The Form 483 revealed several violations, including “no microbial quality assurance,” “no microbial testing,” and inadequate “quality oversight.” This news triggered a further decline in Humacyte's stock price, which fell by 16.35% to close at $4.86 per share on the same day.
Allegations of Misleading Investors
The lawsuit alleges that Humacyte failed to disclose to investors that its Durham facility did not comply with GMP standards, that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed due to these deficiencies, and that there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma as a result. The plaintiff argues that these omissions constitute a violation of securities laws.
ATEV and its Clinical Significance
ATEV is a lab-grown blood vessel implant designed to replace injured or damaged blood vessels. It represents a potential advancement in treating vascular trauma, a condition with significant unmet medical needs. The successful development and approval of ATEV could offer a new treatment option for patients with severe vascular injuries.
Call to Action for Investors
Robbins LLP, the law firm representing the class, is encouraging investors who purchased Humacyte securities during the specified period to come forward. Shareholders who wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 17, 2025. Investors can participate in the case to potentially recover losses, or they can choose to remain an absent class member. The case is being handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning shareholders will not be required to pay any fees or expenses.
