China's Lepu Biopharma climbs to 3-week low on discounted share sale

** Shares of Lepu Biopharma Co Ltd 22157 fall as much as 9.9% to HK$4.75, their lowest since April 26

** Stock posts biggest intraday pct drop since May 6, and set for a third straight session of decline

** The Chinese tumor candidate drugs developer plans sales of 51.2 mln new shares to third-party investors, raising HK$229.8 mln ($29.5 mln) to fund research and development, clinical trials and to replenish working capital

** Says the new shares will be sold at HK$4.58 apiece, representing a 13.1% discount to Thursday's close of HK$5.27 each

** Hong Kong's healthcare index (.HSCIH) slips 0.3%, while Hang Seng Commerce & Industry Index (.HSNC) gains 0.9% and Hang Seng Index HSI adds 0.3%

** Lepu stock up 17.3% YTD

($1 = 7.8008 Hong Kong dollars)