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Investing.com - Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) has reiterated its Neutral rating and $20.00 price target on Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:APLS), currently trading at $17.87, following the company’s new financing agreement with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi). According to InvestingPro data, five analysts have recently revised their earnings downward, with price targets ranging from $18 to $60.
The deal will provide Apellis with up to $300 million in new financing in exchange for 90% of the company’s future ex-U.S. royalties for Empaveli, which is marketed as Aspaveli outside the United States. The company operates with a moderate debt level and maintains strong liquidity, with a current ratio of 4.08.
Mizuho views this agreement as a positive development for Apellis, noting it strengthens the company’s balance sheet and provides non-dilutive funding. According to Mizuho’s projections, Apellis is not expected to become profitable until 2029.
Apellis faces a July 28 PDUFA date for potential U.S. approval of Empaveli in two rare kidney diseases: C3 glomerulopathy/C3G and primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis/IC-MPGN. Mizuho models peak combined global sales of approximately $350 million for these indications.
Despite the positive financing news, Mizuho maintains its Neutral stance on Apellis, citing concerns about stagnating growth for the company’s lead asset Syfovre, which is used to treat geographic atrophy. The stock has declined 46% over the past six months, though InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued. Get the complete financial health analysis and 7 additional key insights with an InvestingPro subscription.
In other recent news, Apellis Pharmaceuticals announced a significant royalty agreement with Sobi, which could bring in up to $300 million in non-dilutive funding. The deal includes an upfront payment of $275 million, with an additional $25 million contingent on European regulatory approvals for treatments targeting rare kidney diseases. This agreement allows Apellis to maintain exclusive U.S. commercialization rights for its drug, EMPAVELI, while offering financial flexibility as the company approaches profitability. William Blair reiterated an Outperform rating for Apellis, viewing the royalty deal as advantageous for the company’s financial position. The firm also highlighted the potential of Apellis’ Syfovre treatment for geographic atrophy, expecting it to gain significant market share. In clinical developments, the Phase 3 VALIANT study showed that EMPAVELI significantly reduced proteinuria and stabilized kidney function in patients with rare kidney diseases. These results were presented at the European Renal Association Congress, emphasizing EMPAVELI’s potential to address urgent patient needs. Regulatory reviews for EMPAVELI are ongoing in both the U.S. and Europe, with decisions anticipated soon.
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