Biotech Alert! Morphosys, Bayer, BioNTech and Defence Therapeutics

Defence Therapeutics with strong news

Since June 2023, Defence Therapeutics' stock has been trading around USD 2. While this represents a gain of approximately 20% in a challenging year for biotech stocks, the operational developments suggest the potential for higher prices. For weeks, the Company, focused on combating cancer, has released one positive announcement after another. Most recently, an application for the approval of a new investigational drug, known as "AccuTOX®" ACCUM-002TM-Dimer CDCA-SV40, was submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "AccuTOX®" is an injectable anti-cancer molecule designed to treat solid tumors. It combats cancer from multiple angles: breaking endosomal membranes, triggering genotoxic effects, blocking DNA repair mechanisms, and initiating a form of immunogenic cell death. In preclinical tests, "AccuTOX®" demonstrated a survival rate of 70 to 100% in animals with solid T-cell lymphomas, melanomas, or breast cancer. Defence Therapeutics plans to initiate its Phase I clinical trial in the first half of the coming year, subject to FDA approval.

Defence Therapeutics CEO Sébastien Plouffe commented: "We look forward to collaborating with the clinical investigators at City of Hope hospital to investigate this important and novel candidate for the treatment of melanomas and potentially other solid tumors. Given the ongoing challenges faced by clinical oncology, we are confident that the therapeutic use of AccuTOX® will make a significant impact."

Defence is also conducting research in vaccines. In this area, important patents have been granted not only in the United States but also in Canada. These patents essentially cover the key technologies of Defence's vaccine platform. The Canadian biotech company's technology aims to enhance vaccine effectiveness. With patent protection secured in the two major markets, Defence is now pursuing the same in Europe and Asia. Patents are crucial for licensing and collaborations. For instance, manufacturers of approved protein-based vaccines can enhance the effectiveness of their products and extend patent durations by utilizing the Defence platform.

These are just some updates from the exciting Defence Therapeutics pipeline, which should result in a rising stock price, even if it sometimes takes longer.

Bayer: Dividend at Risk

Bayer is facing issues with its product pipeline. Recently, there were negative updates about Asundexian. The anticoagulant was considered one of Bayer's hopeful prospects, but it has proven to be less effective. As a result, the DAX company has terminated the study on Asundexian. Previous study results indicated "inferior efficacy" compared to the control group. Overall, the situation at Bayer is extremely challenging. In addition to the weak pipeline and patents expiring in the coming years, there are ongoing legal battles related to glyphosate and high debt levels. A resolution to these problems does not seem to be on the horizon.

While no analyst recommends selling Bayer, the same was true when it was 100% higher. For instance, earlier this week, Berenberg reduced the price target for Bayer from EUR 60 to EUR 36. Somewhat belatedly, they maintain a "Hold" rating. The analysts see the discontinuation of Asundexian as a significant setback for the development of future revenue sources. They also point to the possibility of a dividend cut, which would not be surprising given the debt burden, impending patent gaps for Xarelto and Eylea, and a declining agribusiness. The analysts even anticipate a corporate split.

BioNTech: Analysts lower price target

BioNTech boasts substantial funds and an extensive pipeline. The billions in revenue from the COVID-19 vaccine are being utilized by the Company, particularly for the development of cancer vaccines. CEO and co-founder Ugur Şahin emphasized in an interview with "Bild" that the Company aims to bring an anti-cancer vaccine to the market by 2030. The personalized vaccine is expected to be an alternative to conventional chemotherapy in the future. The goal is for the body's immune system to combat and defeat cancer. Chemotherapy typically attacks not only cancer cells but also healthy cells. This is not the case with a vaccine. Instead, the immune system is strengthened to find and destroy the tumor.

However, it will take several years before BioNTech generates revenue from new products. Therefore, UBS has reduced the price target for the biotech stock from USD 153 to 110 and confirmed the "Neutral" rating. While BioNTech will still make profits this year with the COVID-19 vaccine, it is considered unlikely in the coming years.

Defence Therapeutics is consistently working on its exciting pipeline. The Canadian company's vaccine platform is also of interest to companies like BioNTech to further enhance their vaccines. Defence is valued at around CAD 120 million, making it relatively inexpensive. BioNTech has a market capitalization of approximately USD 24 billion, while Bayer is still at EUR 30 billion. However, predicting when the downtrend in Leverkusen will end is challenging.