KOSDAQ-listed NIBEC shares were strong early on the 26th. Buying appears to be piling in on analysts' views in the securities sector that expectations are high for additional technology transfer.
As of 9:36 a.m. that day, NIBEC was trading at 29,900 won, up 2,750 won (10.13%) from the previous trading day.
Kiwoom Securities said it expects the disclosure of a partner company, an obesity-related poster and a BBB Shuffle platform presentation at an academic conference in the fourth quarter, and momentum (upside potential) for additional technology transfer for NIBEC.
Heo Hye-min, a Kiwoom Securities researcher, said, "NIBEC's market capitalization, despite the results of the technology transfer, rose only slightly to the 290 billion won level from 260 billion won just before the announcement, but as the company began full-fledged communication with the market through a non-deal roadshow (NDR) from the 23rd to the 24th, the stock closed up more than 10% the previous day."
In May, NIBEC transferred its antifibrotic therapy (NP-201) to a U.S.-based pharmaceutical and biotech company for an upfront payment of $8 million and up to $427 million in milestones, and it is currently preparing to enter a phase 2 trial in the United States.
Kiwoom Securities stressed that opportunities remain for additional technology transfer of the antifibrotic therapy. Researcher Heo explained, "What is unique about this technology transfer is that the contract was divided by therapeutic area rather than by region," adding, "Outside of lung disease, in the areas of obesity, oncology, and brain disease, NIBEC can independently develop and commercialize."
She said, "An obesity-related poster presentation is scheduled for the 22nd of next month at a peptide symposium, and a presentation on the BBB Shuffle platform is scheduled for Dec. 10," adding, "The technology transfer partner has not yet been disclosed, and sufficient clinical data to confirm the efficacy of major pipelines has not been made public, so the company is at a stage where it needs to earn the market's trust."