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Research: Healthcare
Pharnext announced that it is in the final stages of signing a licensing agreement for its lead asset PXT3003. Management indicated that the non-binding bids for the asset are c €400m, with roughly 10% of potential total deal value to be received upfront. It expects to receive the first binding offers on 29 September and plans to conclude the transaction by the end of October. As a reminder, PXT3003 targets a rare genetic peripheral nerve disorder and is in the Phase III PREMIER trial with preliminary data expected in Q423. Although preliminary at this stage, the announcement should provide confidence in the upcoming data readout and regulatory events, given the potential partners likely had access to insight that is not available in the public domain. Furthermore, if a licensing deal is secured, the upfront payment (licensing fees) will likely add to the company’s revenue base (potentially in FY23/FY24) and could alleviate its dependency on the OCEANE BSA convertible debt facility, which we view as a primary overhang on the shares.
Written by
Pharnext |
Potential licensing deals could add confidence |
Licensing update |
Pharma and biotech |
25 September 2023 |
Share price performance
Business description
Analysts
Pharnext is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited |
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Pharnext announced that it is in the final stages of signing a licensing agreement for its lead asset PXT3003. Management indicated that the non-binding bids for the asset are c €400m, with roughly 10% of potential total deal value to be received upfront. It expects to receive the first binding offers on 29 September and plans to conclude the transaction by the end of October. As a reminder, PXT3003 targets a rare genetic peripheral nerve disorder and is in the Phase III PREMIER trial with preliminary data expected in Q423. Although preliminary at this stage, the announcement should provide confidence in the upcoming data readout and regulatory events, given the potential partners likely had access to insight that is not available in the public domain. Furthermore, if a licensing deal is secured, the upfront payment (licensing fees) will likely add to the company’s revenue base (potentially in FY23/FY24) and could alleviate its dependency on the OCEANE BSA convertible debt facility, which we view as a primary overhang on the shares.
Year end |
Revenue (€m) |
PBT* |
EPS* |
DPS |
P/E |
Yield |
12/21 |
3.6 |
(30.6) |
(1.0) |
0.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
12/22 |
2.3 |
(38.5) |
(0.2) |
0.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
12/23e |
1.9 |
(24.7) |
(35.8)** |
0.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
12/24e |
8.9 |
(13.2) |
(19.1)** |
0.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments. **Adjusted for 1:10,000 stock consolidation.
In the spring, Pharnext initiated a partner search and management announced that it has received several non-binding offers from pharma companies to obtain the commercial rights to PXT3003. According to management, the non-binding bids received to date are estimated to have a total value of €400m, which includes an upfront payment of approximately 10% of the total value of each licence. The company anticipates receiving first binding offers on 29 September, after which management plans to review the offers and select one or more partners with the intention of signing a definitive agreement and conclude the transaction by end-October.
As a reminder, the pivotal Phase III PREMIER trial was a 15-month international study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PXT3003 versus placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease type 1A. It enrolled a total of 387 patients across locations in the United States, Europe, Canada and Israel.
We believe the expected Q423 readout of the PREMIER trial is a key catalyst for the stock, which will likely coincide with the announced closure of the licensing agreement for its lead asset PXT3003. If clinical development is successful and regulatory approval is achieved, PXT3003 will be the first therapy approved for the indication and will have orphan drug market exclusivity in the United States and Europe.
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