Compared with the broader indices, DAX and Dow Jones, which have already reached new all-time highs, the Nasdaq Biotech Index is currently lagging. The sector index is still around 23% below its peak from August 2021. Nevertheless, the sector is on the move. In addition to takeovers, which have increased dramatically in 2024, many companies have important study results in the pipeline that could kick-start a rally.
BioNTech – Moderna wins
The vaccine patent war between the U.S. pharmaceutical companies Moderna, BioNTech (NDAQ:BNTX) and partner Pfizer is unlikely to be over, as either party still has the option to appeal.
Nevertheless, Moderna has achieved a decisive interim success. The European Patent Office (EPO) has decided to uphold one of Moderna’s key patents in a legal dispute currently underway in Europe and internationally. According to a report by the Financial Times, which first reported the news, this decision was made at an oral hearing last Thursday. The patent in question, known as the ‘949 patent, covers the description of ribonucleic acids containing n1-methyl pseudouracils and their potential use. According to the EPO, the challengers to this patent include Sanofi and GSK as well as cooperation partners Pfizer and BioNTech.
BioNTech shares went into reverse on the last trading day of the week, losing more than 2.5% to US$90.61. The price bounced off the horizontal resistance at US$93.85 and moved south. There is a risk of further setbacks from the indicators. Both the MACD and the relative strength indicator are sending sell signals, which could push the share to its previous yearly lows of US$85.21. A more significant wave of selling is likely to follow if the share price falls below this level again. The first significant resistance levels would then only be found in the US$64 range.
Cardiol Therapeutics – high momentum
A high-flyer from the biotech sector with a performance of 163% since the beginning of the year is the share of Cardiol Therapeutics (TSX:CRDL), which focuses on the research and clinical development of anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapeutics for the treatment of heart disease. It seems unlikely that the rally will end at the current USD 2.17, both from a technical and fundamental perspective.
Cardiol stock is currently showing strong momentum, and the trend follower MACD is still in the green zone. Overcoming the marked resistance at US$2.75 would also open the door to closing the price gap at US$3.40 that was opened in November 2021.
From a fundamental perspective, early June will be exciting. This is when the Canadian company expects topline results from the Phase II MAvERIC-Pilot study in patients with recurrent pericarditis.
Last week, the ARCHER study, another of the Company’s Phase II studies to assess the effects of CardiolRx™ on myocardial regeneration in patients with acute myocarditis, was the subject of a presentation at the World Congress on Acute Heart Failure 2024 in Lisbon, where Carsten Tschöpe from Charité’s Berlin Institute of Health presented baseline data from the first 50 patients randomized to the ARCHER study. The company’s novel approach to treating chronic inflammation of the heart muscle tissue met with great interest from experts. According to CEO David Elsley, the ARCHER study has already reached 85% of its participant enrollment.
In an updated study, the analyst firm H.C. Wainwright issued a price target of US$9 for Cardiol Therapeutics, which would mean a potential upside of a further 320% at the current price.
Source: Refinitiv Eikon, as of 20.05.2024
Morphosys – it is done
It was a bumpy ride until the final go-ahead was given for the takeover of Morphosys (NDAQ:MOR) by the Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis, but the transaction is now complete. At the end of the takeover period on May 13, a total of 79.6% of shareholders approved the takeover offer, including purchases outside the offer by the acquisition company Novartis Bidco of just under 11.6%.
The offer was EUR 68 in cash, representing a total volume of EUR 2.7 billion. Shareholders who have not yet accepted the offer can continue to do so until the end of the current month.
Weeks earlier, rumors about safety concerns regarding Morphosys’ cancer drug Pelabresib had emerged, which also attracted short sellers. However, a significant sell-off failed to materialize.
Conflict of interest
Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as “Relevant Persons”) may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a “Transaction”). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.
In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.
For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.
The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.
Risk notice
Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.
The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.
The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.
Join the discussion: Head over to the Bullboards at Stockhouse’s stock forums and message boards to share your market outlook and hear what everyone is saying about these and other stocks.
This article is submitted contributor content. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.