Street Calls of the Week
SAN FRANCISCO/VANCOUVER - Jade Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBIO), a $298 million market cap biotech company whose stock has gained nearly 6% in the past week, on Tuesday unveiled JADE201, a half-life extended antibody targeting B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) for autoimmune diseases.
The investigational monoclonal antibody is designed to provide deeper and more durable B cell depletion with less frequent subcutaneous dosing compared to existing therapies. JADE201 incorporates afucosylation to enhance antibody-dependent cellular toxicity and includes an Fc mutation to extend systemic exposure.
In non-human primate studies, JADE201 demonstrated dose-dependent BAFF receptor occupancy, sustained B cell depletion after a single subcutaneous dose, and approximately twice the half-life of ianalumab, a clinically validated BAFF-R inhibitor.
"JADE201 bolsters our portfolio of autoimmune disease therapies, which includes JADE101, a potentially best-in-class anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody being studied for the treatment of IgA nephropathy," said Tom Frohlich, Chief Executive Officer of Jade Biosciences. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a healthy financial position with a current ratio of 5.81, indicating strong liquidity to fund its research programs. Get access to more detailed financial metrics and 5 additional ProTips with an InvestingPro subscription.
The company plans to initiate a first-in-human study evaluating JADE201 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the first half of 2026. The randomized, placebo-controlled trial will assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.
Andrew King, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of R&D, noted that JADE201 builds on clinical validation of targeting BAFF-R, with a dual mechanism of action that combines B cell depletion and blockade of BAFF-R mediated survival signals.
The company believes JADE201 has potential applications across multiple autoimmune diseases based on BAFF-R biology. The announcement was made during a company conference call and detailed in a press release statement. Wall Street appears optimistic about Jade’s prospects, with analysts maintaining a Strong Buy consensus and price targets ranging from $14 to $19 per share. Investors can access comprehensive analyst coverage and Fair Value estimates through InvestingPro’s advanced analytics platform.
In other recent news, Jade Biosciences announced the development of JADE201, a new therapy for autoimmune diseases. This investigational monoclonal antibody aims to improve current treatments by targeting the B-cell activating factor receptor with an extended half-life. In addition to this development, Jade Biosciences secured approximately $135 million in private financing. The funding was raised through the sale of over 13 million shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants. Jefferies has initiated coverage on Jade Biosciences with a Buy rating, setting a price target of $16.00. The research firm highlighted the potential of JADE101, a treatment for IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease. These developments mark significant steps for Jade Biosciences in advancing its therapeutic offerings.
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