Close menu




May 4th, 2021 | 09:52 CEST

SYNLAB, PsyBio Therapeutics, BioNTech - A newcomer, an up-and-comer and a high-flyer in the big world of pharmaceuticals

  • Biotech
Photo credits: pixabay.com

Last Friday, laboratory services provider SYNLAB made its stock market debut but had difficulty convincing investors of the sustainability of its current order boom. It is not known whether the issue price led to depressive moods among existing shareholders. If it has, they could be helped by the LSD-related psychoactive ingredients of the American biotech pioneer PsyBio, which are expected to expand and improve treatment options for depression, anxiety and drug addiction in the future. For the BioNTech board members, there should be no risk of depression at present. Instead, one can assume that they are thinking about laying a direct line to a champagne producer. It would at least be deserved.

time to read: 4 minutes | Author: Carsten Mainitz
ISIN: DE000A2TSL71 , CA6936971044 , US09075V1026

Table of contents:


    SYNLAB - Bumpy stock market start despite full order books

    Last Friday was the day: the fourth IPO of 2021 took its course on the Frankfurt trading floor. Yet, it had already become apparent in the run-up that it would be difficult for the laboratory services provider SYNLAB to convince investors. And this despite full order books and a profit that had increased by over 300% in 2020. The reason was simple: a large part of the backlog is Corona-related PCR and antigen testing. Since most potential investors lacked the imagination for the business model's sustainability after the pandemic had subsided, the issue price of EUR 18 was at the lower end of the pricing range.

    As this scenario had already become apparent in the run-up, the existing shareholders had also decided to sell a maximum of 42.9 million shares, significantly fewer than initially planned. Existing shareholders thus received EUR 772 million. On the first day of trading, the share price initially climbed by more than 10% to over EUR 20 and ultimately closed at just over EUR 19. Currently, the share price is already at EUR 21.

    We think that SYNLAB is actually quite well positioned. The rating agency Fitch concludes in its assessment that about 30% of 2020 sales can be derived directly from the Corona pandemic. While this is a big chunk, we assume that these revenues will not disappear from one day to the next, leaving the Company enough time to utilize freed-up testing capacities elsewhere. At least there should be no lack of cash in the near future: the completed capital increase injected around EUR 400 million into the Company's coffers.

    PsyBio Therapeutics - New hope for patients

    The global Corona pandemic shows that the smallest things can have a big impact. A pathogen so small that it can only be viewed with a microscope throws the world into chaos. But the effects do not always have to be negative. Scientists at the US Company PsyBio Therapeutics have managed to modify bacteria to produce a substance from the tryptamine family that resembles lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD. This psychoactive agent, generally known from fungi as psilocybin, is produced by the bacteria as an analog in the form of a metabolic product for which PsyBio has introduced the brand name "Norbaeocystin."

    The entire process, which was developed in collaboration with Miami University in Ohio, a member of the Public Ivy Schools, is currently in the patenting process. Psychoactive substances, which were banned in the 1980s due to strict drug laws, have recently experienced a revival in the form of potential therapies for mental illness. They are seen as promising options for treating depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even drug addiction.

    To explore possible fields of application, PsyBio recently announced an intensification of its collaboration with Miami University. In addition, the team was significantly strengthened with the appointment of experienced pharmaceutical manager Bob Oliver to the board of directors. Oliver, who was named to the list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2016, previously spent 25 years with leading companies such as Wyeth, Johnson & Johnson and most recently as CEO of Otsuka Pharmaceuticals North America.

    As a result, the Company is preparing to scale production of norbaeocystin to operate a research platform for Phase I clinical trials of efficacy therapies. We think this puts the Company at a very promising stage right now. If you are not afraid of high-risk, high-return investments, you should add PsyBio Therapeutics to your portfolio now.

    BioNTech - Consistently positive newsflow creates a festive mood

    While investors were still somewhat cautious after starting the vaccination campaign in Germany at the end of December, BioNTech's consistently positive newsflow has been causing unparalleled share price fireworks since March. The high efficacy of the vaccine against various mutations of the coronavirus, the better tolerability of the mRNA vaccine compared to vector vaccines (such as those from AstraZeneca), the prospect of an annual booster vaccination, the confirmation that the Company is holding on to patent protection for the vaccine, and the fact that the vaccine is not yet ready for the market, the reaffirmation that patent protection for the vaccine will be maintained, but that production licenses will be granted to other producers, and most recently, on Friday, the application to the European Medicines Agency for approval of the vaccine for children 12 years of age and older, leave the share price no choice but to rise.

    And it is doing so faster than analysts can adjust their price targets. But the first ones are already following suit. Thus the analysts of Commerzbank raised the price target on Friday from USD 134 by 56% to USD 213. Currently, the share is trading at an all-time high of around USD 200. Since the vaccine also appears to be highly effective against the Indian Corona mutation, and since vaccination of children will be possible as early as June, according to industry experts, it is unlikely that BioNTech will lose sales opportunities in the foreseeable future. And even if the Corona pandemic is eventually under control, the mRNA process will undoubtedly be the tool of choice for future vaccines against other diseases. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the share price rally will not come to an end any time soon.


    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 in the future hold shares or other financial instruments of the mentioned companies or will bet on rising or falling on rising or falling prices and therefore a conflict of interest may arise in the future. conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the shares or other financial instruments of the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as a "Transaction"). "Transaction"). Transactions may under certain circumstances influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the of the Company.

    Furthermore, Apaton Finance GmbH reserves the right to enter into future relationships with the company or with third parties in relation to reports on the company. with regard to reports on the company, which are published within the scope of the Apaton Finance GmbH as well as in the social media, on partner sites or in e-mails, on partner sites or in e-mails. The above references to existing conflicts of interest apply apply to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH uses for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and etc. on news.financial. These contents serve information for readers and does not constitute a call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly. implicitly, they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price be understood. The contents do not replace individual professional investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the share(s) offer to sell the share(s) or other financial instrument(s) in question, nor is it an nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but rather financial analysis, but rather journalistic or advertising texts. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis decisions or transactions on the basis of the information provided here act completely at their own risk. There is no contractual relationship between between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers. users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the company, but not to the investment decision of the reader or user. or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments entails high risks that can lead to the total loss of the capital invested. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors are based on careful research on careful research, nevertheless no liability for financial losses financial losses or a content guarantee for topicality, correctness, adequacy and completeness of the contents offered here. contents offered here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Carsten Mainitz

    The native Rhineland-Palatinate has been a passionate market participant for more than 25 years. After studying business administration in Mannheim, he worked as a journalist, in equity sales and many years in equity research.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by Stefan Feulner on October 14th, 2024 | 07:00 CEST

    Bayer, Vidac Pharma, Evotec – Enormous potential

    • Biotech
    • Biotechnology
    • Pharma

    Since the US Federal Reserve cut key interest rates and signaled a continuation of its loose monetary policy, the Nasdaq Biotech Index has been on an upward trajectory and has significantly outperformed the broader market in recent days. The correction of the past few months seems to be over in this sector, and the all-time high from August 2021 is within reach. In addition to rising share prices, the number of acquisitions is also increasing significantly, a sign of the undervaluation of many listed companies.

    Read

    Commented by Fabian Lorenz on October 9th, 2024 | 07:15 CEST

    Biotech comeback and takeover fantasy! BioNTech, Bayer, and Vidac Pharma

    • Biotechnology
    • Biotech
    • Pharma

    Money can be made in biotech shares again! However, investors need to look carefully. While Moderna is at a multi-year low, BioNTech and Vidac Pharma have gained over 50% in just a few months. Is there more to come? The chances are good, as both biotech companies have released promising news. Analysts see a tenfold increase in the case of Vidac Pharma, and the focus on the fight against cancer makes the Company a takeover candidate. The cancer specialist would also be a good fit for Bayer and BioNTech, and the share is still cheap. BioNTech is becoming an investment darling again and is focusing on AI. Bayer has yet to make the leap above EUR 30, and analysts are warning about the upcoming quarterly figures.

    Read

    Commented by Juliane Zielonka on October 3rd, 2024 | 14:00 CEST

    Vidac Pharma, BioNTech, Gerresheimer optimize the value chain - From research to patient

    • Pharma
    • Biotechnology
    • Biotech
    • AI

    Medical innovation and rapid therapy development are gaining momentum thanks to the use of AI. In this context, companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry are relying on groundbreaking technologies and strategies to optimize the value chain from research to patient. Vidac Pharma is researching an innovative approach to fighting cancer by supporting the body's own immune defenses. The Company has now received a patent in the US, granting exclusivity. BioNTech is using AI-powered research to bring innovative therapies to patients more quickly. Gerresheimer is producing advanced packaging solutions for pharmaceuticals that have the potential to improve healthcare significantly. We take a look at current annual reports and value chains.

    Read