Barclays initiates Protagonist Therapeutics stock with Overweight rating

Published 17/09/2025, 10:26
Barclays initiates Protagonist Therapeutics stock with Overweight rating

Investing.com - Barclays initiated coverage on Protagonist Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PTGX) with an Overweight rating and a price target of $72.00 on Wednesday. The stock, currently trading near its 52-week high of $61.89, has delivered an impressive 51.79% return year-to-date according to InvestingPro data.

The research firm cited Protagonist’s peptide technology platform, which addresses hematology, immunology, and metabolic disorders, as a key factor in its positive outlook.

Barclays expects PTGX shares to appreciate on upcoming regulatory milestones in 2026 and clinical de-risking of its pipeline over the next 12 months, with important catalysts across multiple programs.

The firm noted that Protagonist’s oral peptide platform has already received initial validation through clinical success in psoriasis with JNJ-2113 (oral IL-23), and the company plans to advance its second oral peptide (IL-17) into clinical trials in the fourth quarter.

Barclays believes Protagonist can deliver oral treatment options in mega-blockbuster categories currently dominated by injectable medications.

In other recent news, Protagonist Therapeutics has garnered attention from several analyst firms due to its promising drug developments. JMP Securities raised its price target for the company to $69, maintaining a Market Outperform rating. This decision reflects confidence in the upcoming new drug application for rusfertide, aimed at treating polycythemia vera, with a high probability of approval next year. Additionally, H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating with an $80 price target, emphasizing Protagonist’s strategic partnerships with Takeda and Janssen. These collaborations have been instrumental in the successful development of rusfertide and icotrokinra. Citi also initiated coverage of Protagonist Therapeutics with a buy rating and a $72 price target. The firm highlighted the strong potential of rusfertide and icotrokinra, the latter being an oral IL-23 drug partnered with Johnson & Johnson for multiple inflammation indications. These recent developments underscore the positive outlook analysts have for Protagonist Therapeutics.

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