** Shares of cancer therapy maker ImmunityBio IBRX.O rise 21.5% to $4.05
** IBRX says U.S. FDA has authorized co to provide a new version of the BCG vaccine, called recombinant BCG (rBCG), to help address a shortage of the traditional Tice BCG vaccine used to treat bladder cancer
** The shortage of Merck's MRK.N Tice BCG has affected 57% of U.S. urologists, making it difficult for them to treat patients - IBRX
** IBRX has also been awarded patents for the combination of rBCG with another drug called Anktiva, approved last year, for the treatment of bladder cancer
** IBRX says it is working with the Serum Institute of India to provide of vials of rBCG to address the shortage
** Brokerage BTIG views FDA authorization as a "positive tailwind" for Anktiva, driving physician use
** IBRX fell ~51% in 2024
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)
((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))
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