ImmunityBio shares surge on FDA discussions for ANKTIVA
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 28 2025
0mins
Should l Buy IBRX?
ImmunityBio's stock surged by 7.95% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting a positive reaction to recent FDA discussions regarding label expansion for its bladder cancer therapy, ANKTIVA.
The surge follows a 17.39% increase on January 26, 2026, after the FDA's end-of-phase discussions indicated strong market optimism about potential future approvals for ANKTIVA. Despite the recent volatility, with shares previously falling 12.13% due to concerns over clinical trial results, the heightened trading volume suggests renewed investor interest in the company's prospects.
This positive momentum could signal a turning point for ImmunityBio, as the market reassesses the potential of ANKTIVA amidst ongoing regulatory discussions and the drug's expanding indications, which may lead to significant sales growth in the future.
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Analyst Views on IBRX
Wall Street analysts forecast IBRX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for IBRX is 7.33 USD with a low forecast of 5.00 USD and a high forecast of 9.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 5.640
Low
5.00
Averages
7.33
High
9.00
Current: 5.640
Low
5.00
Averages
7.33
High
9.00
About IBRX
Immunitybio, Inc. is a vertically integrated, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies and vaccines that bolster the natural immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases. Using its applied science and platforms to treat cancers, including the development of potential cancer vaccines, as well as developing immunotherapies and cell therapies to reduce or eliminate the need for standard high-dose chemotherapy. Its platforms and their associated product candidates are designed to attack cancer and infectious pathogens by activating both the innate immune system, including NK cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, as well as the adaptive immune system comprising B and T cells, in an orchestrated manner. Its platforms for the development of biologic product candidates include antibody-cytokine fusion proteins, vaccine vectors, and cell therapies. Its biologic commercial product candidate, Anktiva, is an IL-15 superagonist antibody-cytokine fusion protein.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Immunitybio Launches Mid-Stage Clinical Study for iNHL
- Mid-Stage Study Launch: Immunitybio announced the initiation of a mid-stage clinical study targeting indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), evaluating the combination of CD19 CAR-NK cell therapy with Anktiva and Rituximab without the need for traditional lymphodepleting chemotherapy, thereby offering a safer treatment option for patients.
- Recruitment of Refractory Patients: The study will enroll patients with Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia who have relapsed or are refractory after at least two prior lines of therapy, aiming to enhance the depth and durability of anti-tumor activity through further stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, showcasing the company's innovative potential in treating difficult-to-treat tumors.
- FDA Application Progress: Immunitybio recently met with the U.S. FDA to discuss its application for Anktiva in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, which was rejected in 2025; however, the company plans to submit additional information within 30 days to support a resubmission, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the market.
- Positive Market Reaction: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around IBRX shares remains in the 'bullish' territory with high message volume, and IBRX stock has gained approximately 90% over the past 12 months, reflecting investor confidence in the company's future developments.
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- Bear vs. Bull Dynamics: Short sellers meticulously identify companies they view as ticking time bombs, while retail traders see high short interest as a potential springboard for price rebounds, where rising stock prices can trigger short squeezes, affecting market liquidity.
- Understanding Short Squeeze Mechanics: A short squeeze creates a volatile feedback loop initiated by unexpected price increases, forcing short sellers to buy back shares to cover positions, which spikes demand and further elevates prices, trapping more short sellers and potentially leading to outsized returns.
- Current Market Landscape: As of February 2, the most shorted stocks include those with market caps above $2 billion and free floats exceeding 5 million shares, ranked by short interest, highlighting the market's focus on these stocks and their associated risks.
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- Study Launch: ImmunityBio has announced the initiation of the ResQ215B study, evaluating a novel chemotherapy-free and lymphodepletion-free CAR-NK cell therapy aimed at treating indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), including Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia, marking a significant advancement in immunotherapy.
- Positive Clinical Results: In the Phase 1 study, all four patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia achieved clinical disease control when treated with CD19 CAR-NK cells combined with rituximab, with two patients maintaining complete remission at 7 and 15 months follow-up, indicating the therapy's potential.
- Significant Therapy Advantages: The design of the ResQ215B study eliminates the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy, offering a safer treatment option that could transform the current treatment paradigm for indolent B-cell malignancies, particularly for patients deemed incurable.
- Enhanced Immune Response: By incorporating ANKTIVA, the study aims to further stimulate NK and CD8 T-cell activity, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy and potentially overcoming tumor resistance to rituximab, thereby improving the depth and durability of treatment responses.
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- Defense Giant Breakthrough: Lockheed Martin Corp. jumped 30%, achieving its best monthly performance since its 1995 debut, as investors focused on upbeat 2026 financial guidance and a new missile contract with the U.S. Department of Defense despite narrowly missing quarterly earnings estimates.
- Software Sector Decline: The software sector faced historic declines in January, with five major companies logging their worst monthly performances, largely due to AI-driven demand reshaping and a reassessment of business models across the industry.
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- Clinical Data Breakthrough: The company reported that pelareorep achieved a 33% objective response rate in second-line KRAS-mutant microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients when combined with standard chemotherapy, tripling the historical response rate of 6-11%, demonstrating significant efficacy in this difficult-to-treat population.
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- Leadership Enhancement: Oncolytics Biotech has appointed John McAdory as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations and Yujun Wu as Vice President, Head of Biostatistics, both bringing extensive experience in late-stage oncology trial execution and regulatory strategy to advance the company's registration-directed programs in gastrointestinal cancers.
- Breakthrough Efficacy Data: The company reported that pelareorep achieved a 33% objective response rate in second-line KRAS-mutant microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients when combined with standard chemotherapy, significantly surpassing the historical 6-11% response rate, indicating its potential in difficult-to-treat patient populations.
- FDA Designation Approval: Oncolytics secured FDA alignment on its Phase 3 study design for pelareorep in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, marking the initiation of the only immunotherapy registration trial planned for this challenging area, further solidifying its market position.
- Advisory Board Expansion: The company has expanded its Scientific Advisory Board by adding globally recognized experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, laying the groundwork for accelerated clinical development across multiple indications.
See More
Immunitybio Launches Mid-Stage Clinical Study for iNHL
- Mid-Stage Study Launch: Immunitybio announced the initiation of a mid-stage clinical study targeting indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), evaluating the combination of CD19 CAR-NK cell therapy with Anktiva and Rituximab without the need for traditional lymphodepleting chemotherapy, thereby offering a safer treatment option for patients.
- Recruitment of Refractory Patients: The study will enroll patients with Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia who have relapsed or are refractory after at least two prior lines of therapy, aiming to enhance the depth and durability of anti-tumor activity through further stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, showcasing the company's innovative potential in treating difficult-to-treat tumors.
- FDA Application Progress: Immunitybio recently met with the U.S. FDA to discuss its application for Anktiva in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, which was rejected in 2025; however, the company plans to submit additional information within 30 days to support a resubmission, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the market.
- Positive Market Reaction: On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around IBRX shares remains in the 'bullish' territory with high message volume, and IBRX stock has gained approximately 90% over the past 12 months, reflecting investor confidence in the company's future developments.
See More
Market Analysis of Heavily Shorted Stocks
- Attraction of Shorted Stocks: Investors maintain high short interest in overvalued stocks, indicating significant perceived risks such as poor earnings or industry headwinds that could drive prices down, impacting market sentiment and investment strategies.
- Bear vs. Bull Dynamics: Short sellers meticulously identify companies they view as ticking time bombs, while retail traders see high short interest as a potential springboard for price rebounds, where rising stock prices can trigger short squeezes, affecting market liquidity.
- Understanding Short Squeeze Mechanics: A short squeeze creates a volatile feedback loop initiated by unexpected price increases, forcing short sellers to buy back shares to cover positions, which spikes demand and further elevates prices, trapping more short sellers and potentially leading to outsized returns.
- Current Market Landscape: As of February 2, the most shorted stocks include those with market caps above $2 billion and free floats exceeding 5 million shares, ranked by short interest, highlighting the market's focus on these stocks and their associated risks.
See More
ImmunityBio Launches Phase 2 Study of CAR-NK Cell Therapy for iNHL
- Study Launch: ImmunityBio has announced the initiation of the ResQ215B study, evaluating a novel chemotherapy-free and lymphodepletion-free CAR-NK cell therapy aimed at treating indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), including Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia, marking a significant advancement in immunotherapy.
- Positive Clinical Results: In the Phase 1 study, all four patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia achieved clinical disease control when treated with CD19 CAR-NK cells combined with rituximab, with two patients maintaining complete remission at 7 and 15 months follow-up, indicating the therapy's potential.
- Significant Therapy Advantages: The design of the ResQ215B study eliminates the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy, offering a safer treatment option that could transform the current treatment paradigm for indolent B-cell malignancies, particularly for patients deemed incurable.
- Enhanced Immune Response: By incorporating ANKTIVA, the study aims to further stimulate NK and CD8 T-cell activity, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy and potentially overcoming tumor resistance to rituximab, thereby improving the depth and durability of treatment responses.
See More
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- Outstanding Performance: Sandisk Corp. surged over 150% in January 2026, marking its best month since its IPO in February 2025, driven by quarterly earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations and booming AI data center demand tightening storage supply.
- Rising Nuclear Demand: Cameco Corp. advanced 37%, supported by analyst upgrades to earnings forecasts and price targets, reflecting optimistic expectations for long-term nuclear demand amid rising uranium prices and renewed policy support.
- Defense Giant Breakthrough: Lockheed Martin Corp. jumped 30%, achieving its best monthly performance since its 1995 debut, as investors focused on upbeat 2026 financial guidance and a new missile contract with the U.S. Department of Defense despite narrowly missing quarterly earnings estimates.
- Software Sector Decline: The software sector faced historic declines in January, with five major companies logging their worst monthly performances, largely due to AI-driven demand reshaping and a reassessment of business models across the industry.
See More
Oncolytics Biotech Strengthens Leadership Amid Oncology Market Surge
- Executive Appointments: Oncolytics Biotech has appointed John McAdory as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations and Yujun Wu as Vice President, Head of Biostatistics, both bringing extensive experience in late-stage oncology trial execution and regulatory strategy to advance the company's registration-directed programs in gastrointestinal cancers.
- Clinical Data Breakthrough: The company reported that pelareorep achieved a 33% objective response rate in second-line KRAS-mutant microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients when combined with standard chemotherapy, tripling the historical response rate of 6-11%, demonstrating significant efficacy in this difficult-to-treat population.
- FDA Alignment Success: Oncolytics has secured FDA alignment on its Phase 3 study design for pelareorep in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, positioning it to launch the only immunotherapy registration trial currently planned for this challenging therapeutic area, further solidifying its market position.
- Strategic Expansion: The company has also expanded its Scientific Advisory Board with globally recognized experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, aiming to accelerate clinical development across multiple indications and enhance overall R&D capabilities.
See More
Oncolytics Biotech Strengthens Leadership to Advance Clinical Programs
- Leadership Enhancement: Oncolytics Biotech has appointed John McAdory as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Operations and Yujun Wu as Vice President, Head of Biostatistics, both bringing extensive experience in late-stage oncology trial execution and regulatory strategy to advance the company's registration-directed programs in gastrointestinal cancers.
- Breakthrough Efficacy Data: The company reported that pelareorep achieved a 33% objective response rate in second-line KRAS-mutant microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients when combined with standard chemotherapy, significantly surpassing the historical 6-11% response rate, indicating its potential in difficult-to-treat patient populations.
- FDA Designation Approval: Oncolytics secured FDA alignment on its Phase 3 study design for pelareorep in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, marking the initiation of the only immunotherapy registration trial planned for this challenging area, further solidifying its market position.
- Advisory Board Expansion: The company has expanded its Scientific Advisory Board by adding globally recognized experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, laying the groundwork for accelerated clinical development across multiple indications.
See More
