SIGA Technologies — New captain to steer the ship

SIGA Technologies (NASDAQ: SIGA)

Last close As at 12/12/2024

USD6.15

−0.17 (−2.69%)

Market capitalisation

USD452m

More on this equity

Research: Healthcare

SIGA Technologies — New captain to steer the ship

SIGA Technologies has appointed Dr Diem Nguyen as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective 27 January 2024. She will be spearheading the company efforts to expand its commercial operations, following the retirement of incumbent CEO, Dr Phil Gomez (who had announced plans to retire in January 2023). Dr Nguyen has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and joins from Xalud Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, where she was the CEO. Prior to Xalud, she served as executive vice president of PPD Inc, a global contract research organization (CRO) and had previously been associated with Pfizer across various commercial roles. We expect SIGA to benefit from her broad industry exposure and commercial know-how in scaling the international footprint of SIGA’s antiviral treatment, TPOXX, the only approved antiviral treatment for smallpox globally.

Soo Romanoff

Written by

Soo Romanoff

Managing Director - Head of Content, Healthcare

Healthcare

SIGA Technologies

New captain to steer the ship

Management update

Pharma and biotech

23 January 2024

Price

US$5.09

Market cap

US$362m

Net cash (US$m) at 30 September 2023

71.1

Shares in issue

71.1m

Free float

56%

Code

SIGA

Primary exchange

Nasdaq

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

SIGA Technologies is a commercial-stage health security company focused on the treatment of smallpox and other orthopoxvirus. It has contracts with both the US and Canadian governments for TPOXX, its treatment for smallpox, and is expanding internationally.

Analysts

Soo Romanoff

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Jyoti Prakash, CFA

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

SIGA Technologies is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

SIGA Technologies has appointed Dr Diem Nguyen as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective 27 January 2024. She will be spearheading the company efforts to expand its commercial operations, following the retirement of incumbent CEO, Dr Phil Gomez (who had announced plans to retire in January 2023). Dr Nguyen has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and joins from Xalud Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, where she was the CEO. Prior to Xalud, she served as executive vice president of PPD Inc, a global contract research organization (CRO) and had previously been associated with Pfizer across various commercial roles. We expect SIGA to benefit from her broad industry exposure and commercial know-how in scaling the international footprint of SIGA’s antiviral treatment, TPOXX, the only approved antiviral treatment for smallpox globally.

Year end

Revenue (US$m)

EBITDA*

(US$m)

PBT*
(US$m)

EPS*
(US$)

P/E
(x)

Net cash
(US$m)

12/21

133.7

89.6

89.1

0.91

5.3

103.1

12/22

110.8

43.2

43.7

0.46

10.5

98.8

12/23e

172.6

98.8

101.8

1.08

4.5

117.4

12/24e

177.3

99.1

102.1

1.11

4.3

179.5

Note: *EBITDA, PBT and EPS (diluted) are normalized, excluding amortization of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

Diem Nguyen will take the helm from Phil Gomez as SIGA’s CEO, following his retirement on 26 January 2024. Dr Nguyen has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector with a focus on business development and commercial operations across a spectrum of pharma-focused businesses including big pharma (Pfizer), CROs (PPD Inc) and specialty pharma (Xalud, focused on developing treatments for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases). We expect SIGA to leverage Dr Nguyen’s extensive experience in managing diverse commercial businesses to scale the company operations domestically as well as internationally, by securing new government contracts and partnerships for its antiviral treatment, TPOXX. As a reminder, the drug was approved by the US FDA in 2018 for the treatment of smallpox and in the EU and UK under a broad label including all orthopox pathogens in 2022. We note that oral TPOXX is currently the only antiviral approved for treatment of all orthopoxvirus pathogens, including mpox, in both the UK (July 2022) and the European Union (January 2022).

The new appointment comes at an important time for SIGA, as it seeks to gain commercial momentum and strengthen its foothold in international markets. With strong roots in its domestic US market (ongoing contacts with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the US Department of Defense), the company has seen its global footprint expand steadily in the past couple of years, supported by the mpox outbreak in 2022. More recently, the $18m procurement deal with the European HERA (encompassing 13 countries) is indicative of the growing potential for TPOXX in international markets. The PEP label expansion is another major opportunity (despite recent regulatory delays) and is likely to be another key focus area for the new CEO.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by SIGA Technologies and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by SIGA Technologies. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

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Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

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This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by SIGA Technologies and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by SIGA Technologies. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2024 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

London │ New York │ Frankfurt

20 Red Lion Street

London, WC1R 4PS

United Kingdom

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