** Shares of LAVA Therapeutics LVTX.O rise 27.4% to $1.20 premarket, after drug developer says it is evaluating strategic options, including a potential sale or merger
** Co says it will continue to enroll patients in the early-stage clinical study of LAVA-1266 for treating hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
** Co also has implemented a restructuring plan, which includes a workforce reduction of about 30% to reduce costs and conserve cash
** As of Dec 31, 2023, co had 35 full-time employees - SEC filing
** Co estimates it will incur $500,000 in one-time costs related to the workforce reduction in Q1 2025
** LVTX had $76.6 mln in cash as of Dec 31, 2024
** LVTX fell 45.7% in 2024
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)
((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))