On Friday, RBC (TSX:RY) Capital maintained its Outperform rating on Legend Biotech Corp. (NASDAQ:LEGN), with a steady price target of $86.00.
The firm's position comes in light of recent fears surrounding the Biosecure Act's impact on the company, which RBC Capital views as exaggerated. Analysts at RBC have surveyed multiple myeloma physicians, which indicates strong demand for Legend Biotech's Carvykti, countering concerns that the product's launch is faltering due to a lack of interest.
The survey revealed that Carvykti is in high demand across various lines of therapy, both from new and existing prescribers. This insight suggests that the initial market concerns about the pace of the launch might not be as pressing as previously thought. Furthermore, improvements in manufacturing metrics are noted, which could bolster the supply side to meet the growing demand.
RBC Capital's analysis points to the current stock levels as an attractive entry point for investors, suggesting confidence in the company's trajectory. The anticipation is that the launch of Carvykti will pick up momentum in the second half of 2024, which is expected to steer the company back towards its fundamental growth narrative.
Legend Biotech's Carvykti has been a focal point for both the company and its investors. The treatment's successful earlier line launch and its adoption by medical professionals are critical to the company's performance. According to RBC Capital, the underlying strength of the product and the company's improving manufacturing capabilities are key factors in maintaining a positive outlook on Legend Biotech's shares.
The firm's reiteration of the Outperform rating and price target reflects a belief in Legend Biotech's potential to overcome the current market skepticism. This stance is grounded in the robust demand for Carvykti and the expected acceleration of its market penetration in the latter half of 2024.
In other recent news, Legend Biotech is seeing a surge in revenues for its CARVYKTI therapy, according to Piper Sandler, which reaffirmed its Overweight rating for the company. The firm anticipates that CARVYKTI's revenues will reach $900 million this year and projects a significant increase to $1.75 billion by 2025.
Legend Biotech is also progressing in its research and development, initiating IND-enabling studies for two allogeneic therapies. The biotech firm concluded the first quarter of 2024 with approximately $1.3 billion in cash reserves, expected to sustain the company until it reaches operating profit in 2026.
In addition to Piper Sandler, Truist Securities, Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn), and Citi have all expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, while H.C. Wainwright adjusted its price target due to a slowdown in revenue growth.
These recent developments underline analysts' confidence in Legend Biotech's strategic direction and the commercial prospects of CARVYKTI.
InvestingPro Insights
As Legend Biotech Corp. (NASDAQ:LEGN) navigates through market skepticism, recent data from InvestingPro underscores a mixed financial landscape for the company. With a market capitalization of approximately $7.44 billion and a notable revenue growth of 206.05% in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, Legend Biotech's financial position reflects significant market interest in its offerings. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which could provide financial flexibility in advancing its product pipeline, including Carvykti.
However, the company is trading near its 52-week low, and analysts do not expect Legend Biotech to be profitable this year, which aligns with a negative P/E ratio of -15.98. This valuation metric, coupled with a high Price / Book multiple of 6.39, suggests that the market may be pricing the stock with a premium based on future growth expectations rather than current earnings. Despite these challenges, InvestingPro Tips reveal that analysts have recently revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, indicating a potential shift in sentiment that could bode well for investors considering entry points.
For those looking to delve deeper into Legend Biotech's financial metrics and strategic outlook, InvestingPro offers additional analysis and tips. By using the coupon code PRONEWS24, readers can access these insights with an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, providing a comprehensive toolkit for informed investment decisions.
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