Vor Biopharma rises after positive autoimmune drug data

** Shares of drug developer Vor Biopharma VOR.O rise 2.3% to $18.74 premarket

** Co says that more than 94% of patients treated with its experimental drug, telitacicept, showed at least a five-point improvement on a measure of symptoms in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis after 48 weeks in a late-stage study

** gMG is a chronic autoimmune disorder that disrupts communication between nerves and skeletal muscles, causing widespread, fluctuating muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest

** About 42% of patients achieved minimal symptoms at some point over 48 weeks, up from 23.7% during the first 24 weeks, Vor Bio says

** The results were from a post hoc analysis of a 114-patient trial conducted in China by Vor Bio's partner RemeGen 688331.SS

** Telitacicept is already approved in China for five autoimmune diseases, including gMG, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

** Up to last close, stock up 40% YTD