We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Agenus Stock Up on Licensing Deal With China-Based Firm
Read MoreHide Full Article
Shares of Agenus Inc. (AGEN - Free Report) increased about 10% after it entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Betta Pharmaceuticals (SZ300558), a top Chinese pharmaceutical company, for the development and commercialization of balstilimab (anti-PD-1) and zalifrelimab (anti-CTLA-4) in Greater China, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
However, shares of Agenus have gained 4% year to date compared with the industry’s growth of 12.8%.
Agenus' balstilimab (anti-PD-1) is advancing in trials planned for Biologic License Application (BLA) filing this year as a monotherapy and in combination with zalifrelimab (anti-CTLA-4) for the treatment of refractory or metastatic cervical cancer. Agenus recently reported positive results from another study which showed robust and durable responses of balstilimab and zalifrelimab in patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic cervical cancer. In April 2020, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for balstilimab alone and in combination with zalifrelimab in this indication.
Per the deal, Agenus will receive $35 million, which includes $15 million in upfront cash and a $20-million equity investment. The agreement also includes $100 million in potential milestones plus royalties on net sales. Betta will have exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of balstilimab and zalifrelimab,either as monotherapies or combination therapies, excluding intravesical delivery in greater China.
Partnering with Betta will allow Agenus to address significant patient needs in China and it will also be able to conducta global development of balstilimab and zalifrelimab.
Agenus has collaboration agreements with several companies, which not only provide it with funds in the form of upfront and milestone payments and future royalties but also validate its proprietary product platform. The companyhas collaborations with Merck (MRK - Free Report) and Incyte to discover and develop multiple checkpoint antibodies.
Akcea’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $2.07 to $1.37 for 2020 and from $2.46 to $1.85 for 2021 in the past 60 days.
Emergent’s earnings per share estimates have increased from $3.43 to $4.03 for 2020 and from $3.54 to $3.73 for 2021 in the past 60 days.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking. Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
Image: Bigstock
Agenus Stock Up on Licensing Deal With China-Based Firm
Shares of Agenus Inc. (AGEN - Free Report) increased about 10% after it entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Betta Pharmaceuticals (SZ300558), a top Chinese pharmaceutical company, for the development and commercialization of balstilimab (anti-PD-1) and zalifrelimab (anti-CTLA-4) in Greater China, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
However, shares of Agenus have gained 4% year to date compared with the industry’s growth of 12.8%.
Agenus' balstilimab (anti-PD-1) is advancing in trials planned for Biologic License Application (BLA) filing this year as a monotherapy and in combination with zalifrelimab (anti-CTLA-4) for the treatment of refractory or metastatic cervical cancer. Agenus recently reported positive results from another study which showed robust and durable responses of balstilimab and zalifrelimab in patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic cervical cancer. In April 2020, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for balstilimab alone and in combination with zalifrelimab in this indication.
Per the deal, Agenus will receive $35 million, which includes $15 million in upfront cash and a $20-million equity investment. The agreement also includes $100 million in potential milestones plus royalties on net sales. Betta will have exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of balstilimab and zalifrelimab,either as monotherapies or combination therapies, excluding intravesical delivery in greater China.
Partnering with Betta will allow Agenus to address significant patient needs in China and it will also be able to conducta global development of balstilimab and zalifrelimab.
Agenus has collaboration agreements with several companies, which not only provide it with funds in the form of upfront and milestone payments and future royalties but also validate its proprietary product platform. The companyhas collaborations with Merck (MRK - Free Report) and Incyte to discover and develop multiple checkpoint antibodies.
Agenus Inc. Price
Agenus Inc. price | Agenus Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to Consider
Agenus is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.
Some other top-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are AkceaThrapeuticss Inc. and Emergent Biosolutions Inc. (EBS - Free Report) both carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Akcea’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $2.07 to $1.37 for 2020 and from $2.46 to $1.85 for 2021 in the past 60 days.
Emergent’s earnings per share estimates have increased from $3.43 to $4.03 for 2020 and from $3.54 to $3.73 for 2021 in the past 60 days.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking. Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
See the 5 high-tech stocks now>>