Biotech Alert: Searches spiking for these stocks today

These names in the biotech sector are seeing a substantial increase in search activity today, as determined by InvestingChannel. They include: 

• Marker Therapeutics (MRKR), 183% surge in interest
• Organigram (OGI), 161% surge in interest
• Ardelyx (ARDX), 116% surge in interest
• Viking Therapeutics (VKTX), 92% surge in interest
• United Therapeutics (UTHR), 67% surge in interest

Pipeline and key clinical candidates for these companies:

Marker Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The company, founded at Baylor College of Medicine, says its goal is to “introduce novel T cell therapies to the market and improve patient outcomes.” Marker’s unique T cell platform is strengthened by non-dilutive funding from U.S. state and federal agencies supporting cancer research, the company notes.

Organigram is focused on producing high-quality, indoor-grown cannabis for patients and adult recreational consumers in Canada, as well as developing international business partnerships to extend the company’s global footprint. Organigram has also developed a portfolio of legal adult-use recreational cannabis brands, including Edison, Holy Mountain, Big Bag O’ Buds, SHRED, Monjour and Trailblazer.

Ardelyx says it was founded with “a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative, first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs.” Ardelyx’s first approved product, Ibsrela is available in the United States and Canada. Ardelyx is developing Xphozah, a novel product candidate to control serum phosphorus in adult patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis, which has completed three successful Phase 3 trials. Ardelyx has a Phase 2 potassium lowering compound, RDX013, for the potential treatment of elevated serum potassium, or hyperkalemia, a problem among certain patients with kidney and/or heart disease and an early-stage program in metabolic acidosis, a serious electrolyte disorder in patients with CKD.

Viking Therapeutics is focused on the development of novel first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders. The company’s clinical programs include VK2809, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the treatment of lipid and metabolic disorders, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b study for the treatment of biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, and fibrosis.

United Therapeutics says it is the first publicly traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. “Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs,” the company says.

Recent news on these stocks:

December 19

Marker Therapeutics provided an update on the progress and clinical observations from the Phase 1 APOLLO study, with a data cutoff date of September 10. Key findings from the APOLLO study include: Infusion of MT-601 was well tolerated in all study participants, with no observation of immune-effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome and one reported Grade 1 cytokine release syndrome. No dose limiting toxicities have been reported to date. In the first dose cohort, 7 out of 9 patients achieved objective responses at first response assessment, with 4 patients demonstrating complete response. Long-term follow-up of 6 to 12 months is currently available for three patients Ongoing follow-up visits are being conducted to assess the durability of responses. All study participants are monitored closely to ensure comprehensive data collection and patient safety.

December 20

Organigram reported year-over-year increases in both revenue and adjusted EBITDA for Q4. “Fiscal 2024 was a transformative year where our entire team delivered on multiple fronts,” said Beena Goldenberg, CEO. “We received significant funding from BAT when capital for the cannabis industry was scarce. We made smart, strategic investments, including into seed-based technology and automation, which is increasing efficiency. We have also expanded our international footprint through a $21 million investment in Sanity Group, a leading German cannabis company, as well as through several new supply agreements to provide products to patients in Australia and the UK. As we integrate recently-acquired Motif into the Organigram ecosystem, we head into Fiscal 2025 as Canada’s #1 LP and we are very excited for the next phase of our growth plans focused on efficiency, consumer-centric innovation, and international expansion.”

BTIG sees positive readthroughs to Viking Therapeutics after Novo Nordisk (NVO) reported 22.7% weight loss with weekly CagriSema from the 68-week Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial in overweight/obese adults, which came under 25% weight loss expectations. Viking is trading up as investors look towards agents with higher efficacy, more tolerable safety, and more convenient dosing regimens, says the analyst, who calls strength in Viking shares today “welcome relief to investors following a challenging week” following pronounced weakness on Wednesday after news that Merck (MRK) licensed an oral GLP-1 agent, HS-10535, from China’s Hansoh Pharma. The firm reiterates a Buy rating and $125 price target on Viking shares.

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About “Biotech Alert”

The Fly will report on a selection of biotech stocks seeing a surge in interest from retail and financial professional investors, based on data from InvestingChannel.

This Fly exclusive recap reveals the biotech stocks that are seeing a spike in searches among the 20-plus million retail and financial professional investors through InvestingChannel’s online financial news media ecosystem.

This increased attention from the investors may be in response to, or advance of, outsized moves for stocks in the biotech sector, which tend to be volatile and prone to sharp swings in share price around binary events such as clinical study results and FDA approvals.