INSIDER ALERT at Evotec! Valneva with new TARGET PRICE! Vidac Pharma stock soon to reach new ALL-TIME HIGH?

Vidac Pharma: Analysts remain bullish

Will the multiplication repeat itself? In the fall of 2024, Vidac Pharma's stock surged from below EUR 0.30 to EUR 1 following the release of positive study data. The biotech company's stock is currently trading at EUR 0.49. According to analysts at Sphene Capital, significantly more than EUR 1 is possible. Their price target for the "promising biotech story in the oncology sector" is EUR 4.30.

The positive assessment is based on a new scientific study. This study underpins the Company's innovative therapeutic approach. The study confirms that restoring mitochondrial function makes tumor cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. This is precisely where Vidac Pharma's mechanism of action comes into play: by blocking the binding of hexokinase 2 to the VDAC channel in the mitochondria, the so-called "Warburg effect," which drives the excessive sugar metabolism of cancer cells, is disrupted.

Vidac is currently advancing two clinical programs. The first, VDA-1102 for actinic keratosis—a precursor to non-melanoma skin cancer—received the STEP Seal from the European Commission in June of this year, recognizing it as a biotech project particularly worthy of support. It is also intended to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and, following positive interim results, has progressed directly into Phase 2. Here, half of the patients showed an objective response, and one-fifth even achieved complete remission.

The other promising drug is VDA-1275. It is still in the preclinical stage. If Vidac Pharma advances this candidate to the clinical phase, analysts see significant additional upside potential. Being particularly conservative, the current valuation does not account for terminal value or potential upfront or milestone payments from licensing deals.

Evotec: Insider strikes

Is this the signal to buy Evotec? On August 20, we criticized the fact that, despite the decline in Evotec's share price since February, there had been no insider purchases. Dr. Christian Wojczewski has apparently taken this to heart. He has been the CEO of the struggling German biotech company for over a year now.

Last week, the news finally came: Wojczewski purchased around 50,000 Evotec shares. He invested a total of EUR 295,905. The fact that the share price has hardly reacted so far indicates the extent to which confidence in the biotech company is shaken and how critically the new "profit before growth" strategy is viewed. Nevertheless, this could well have been a buy signal in the medium term.

Valneva: Buy shares after the crash?

First Berlin has slashed its target price for Valneva shares. Although the "Buy" recommendation has been confirmed, analysts now see the fair value of the biotech stock at only EUR 6.30, down from EUR 8.10 previously. The price target was accompanied by a reduction in the sales forecast for the drug IXCHIQ. Previously, the US FDA had suspended approval for Valneva's chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ for all age groups (presumably permanently). Four serious adverse events (SAEs) were cited as the reason for this.

Initially, there were reports in May of SAEs, particularly in older people with multiple underlying conditions. At that time, the EMA and the FDA suspended the use of IXCHIQ in this age group. After the authorities lifted these restrictions, Valneva's share price more than doubled within a few weeks. IXCHIQ has not yet been suspended by the EMA. Nevertheless, analysts expect fewer orders despite the current chikungunya outbreak in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, France, and Italy, and anticipate that Bavarian Nordic's competing chikungunya vaccine, VIMKUNYA, will be favoured.

Analysts are now focusing on Valneva's vaccine candidate VLA15 against Lyme disease. The results of the Phase 3 study on VLA15 are expected to be available either at the end of this year or in early 2026. Subject to positive Phase 3 data and regulatory approval, Valneva is expected to receive milestone payments totaling USD 143 million from its partner, Pfizer, in 2027. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent Lyme disease in humans.

It is uncertain whether the development seen in the fall of 2024 will repeat itself for Vidac shares. However, analysts are convinced of the biotech company's long-term prospects. Evotec also has potential in the medium term, but trust still needs to be rebuilt. Valneva lives up to its reputation as a speculative stock.