Nektar Therapeutics stock drops after trial results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 08 2024
0mins
Should l Buy NKTR?
Source: Investing.com
Nektar Therapeutics' stock price fell by 8.69% as it hit a 20-day low, reflecting investor concerns following recent trial results.
The decline is attributed to the announcement of topline results from the Phase 2b REZOLVE-AA trial, which showed that while the investigational drug rezpegaldesleukin demonstrated significant efficacy in treating severe alopecia areata, the overall results did not meet the primary endpoint when including all patients. This has raised questions about the drug's future in the market, despite some positive outcomes noted when excluding certain patients.
Investors are closely monitoring Nektar's next steps, including plans to advance rezpegaldesleukin into Phase 3 trials in 2026. The mixed results from the trial may impact investor confidence and the company's ability to secure future funding.
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Analyst Views on NKTR
Wall Street analysts forecast NKTR stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NKTR is 103.71 USD with a low forecast of 30.00 USD and a high forecast of 135.00 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.
8 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 35.120
Low
30.00
Averages
103.71
High
135.00
Current: 35.120
Low
30.00
Averages
103.71
High
135.00
About NKTR
Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company. It is focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. In oncology, it is focused on developing medicines based on targeting biological pathways that stimulate and sustain the body’s immune response to fight cancer. Its lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, or NKTR-358), is a novel regulatory T cell stimulator being evaluated in two Phase IIb clinical trials, one in atopic dermatitis and one in alopecia areata. Its pipeline also includes a preclinical bivalent tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) antibody and bispecific programs, NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and a modified hematopoietic colony stimulating factor (CSF) protein, NKTR-422. It is also evaluating NKTR-255, an investigational IL-15 receptor agonist designed to boost the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer, in several ongoing clinical trials.
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.
Nektar Therapeutics Grants Stock Options to New Employee
- Stock Option Grant: On January 21, 2026, Nektar Therapeutics granted 1,600 non-qualified stock options to a newly hired employee, with an exercise price of $36.92 per share, reflecting the closing price on that date, aimed at attracting top talent to the company.
- Incentive Plan Background: This stock option grant is part of Nektar's 2025 Inducement Plan, adopted on November 6, 2025, designed exclusively for individuals who have not previously worked for Nektar, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), to facilitate new employee onboarding.
- Option Terms Details: The stock options have an eight-year term and will vest over four years, with 1/4 vesting on the first anniversary and 1/48 vesting monthly thereafter, ensuring employee retention by linking vesting to continued employment.
- Company Development Strategy: By implementing such incentive measures, Nektar not only enhances its appeal to new employees but also strengthens its competitive position in the biotechnology sector, particularly in developing innovative therapies for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.
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- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating whether Nektar Therapeutics has engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, aiming to protect investor rights, which could impact the company's reputation and future financing capabilities.
- Poor Trial Results: On December 16, 2025, Nektar announced that its 36-week REZOLVE-AA Phase 2b trial failed to achieve statistical significance, undermining investor confidence and potentially affecting future product launch plans.
- Significant Stock Drop: Following the trial results announcement, Nektar's stock price fell by $4.14, or 7.77%, closing at $49.16, reflecting market concerns about the company's future prospects and possibly prompting investor sell-offs.
- Potential Legal Consequences: The investigation by Pomerantz LLP could lead to class action lawsuits against Nektar, and if wrongdoing is confirmed, it may have significant repercussions on the company's financial health and management.
See More
Nektar Therapeutics Under Investigation Following 7.77% Stock Drop
- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Nektar Therapeutics investors regarding potential securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, highlighting significant concerns over corporate governance and compliance.
- Clinical Trial Results: On December 16, 2025, Nektar announced that the Phase 2b REZOLVE-AA trial results failed to achieve statistical significance, leading to a stock price drop of $4.14, or 7.77%, reflecting market concerns about the company's future prospects.
- Patient Eligibility Issues: Nektar attributed the trial failure to the inclusion of four ineligible patients, a problem that could undermine the company's credibility among investors and negatively impact its stock performance.
- Legal Implications: The investigation may result in Nektar facing class action lawsuits, and if wrongdoing is confirmed, it could have long-term negative effects on the company's financial health and shareholder confidence.
See More
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- IPO Announcement: L3Harris Technologies plans to pursue an IPO for its missile solutions business in the second half of 2026 through a partnership with the U.S. Defense Department, leading to a 13% stock price increase, reflecting market confidence in its growth potential.
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Nektar Therapeutics Faces Risks as Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Reports $287.3M in Sales
- Clinical Trial Progress: Nektar Therapeutics' rezpegaldesleukin achieved strong phase 2b data for eczema treatment, indicating potential market opportunities despite fierce competition from established drugs.
- Market Risks: Despite positive results, Nektar has no products on the market and continues to incur net losses, facing the risk of stock price plummeting if late-stage studies fail.
- Madrigal's Sales Performance: Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra received approval in 2024 and generated $287.3 million in net sales in Q3, with expectations to enter blockbuster territory next year, reflecting strong market demand.
- Industry Comparison: Compared to Nektar, Madrigal has stronger market potential in addressing unmet needs, making it a relatively safer investment choice despite still facing risks.
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- Nektar Risk Assessment: Nektar Therapeutics' rezpegaldesleukin achieved positive phase 2b data for eczema treatment, yet the absence of market products and ongoing net losses pose significant downside risks, potentially pushing the company towards bankruptcy.
- Madrigal Sales Growth: Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra generated $287.3 million in net sales in Q3 2024 after receiving approval, with expectations to enter blockbuster territory next year, indicating strong market demand and growth potential.
- Market Competition Analysis: While Nektar has potential in immunology, it faces fierce competition from established drugs like Dupixent and Rinvoq, making the success of its upcoming clinical trials critical for its future.
- Investment Recommendation Comparison: Analysts suggest investors consider Madrigal Pharmaceuticals as a safer option in the current environment, given its focus on unmet needs, while Nektar is deemed too risky for investment.
See More
Nektar Therapeutics Grants Stock Options to New Employee
- Stock Option Grant: On January 21, 2026, Nektar Therapeutics granted 1,600 non-qualified stock options to a newly hired employee, with an exercise price of $36.92 per share, reflecting the closing price on that date, aimed at attracting top talent to the company.
- Incentive Plan Background: This stock option grant is part of Nektar's 2025 Inducement Plan, adopted on November 6, 2025, designed exclusively for individuals who have not previously worked for Nektar, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), to facilitate new employee onboarding.
- Option Terms Details: The stock options have an eight-year term and will vest over four years, with 1/4 vesting on the first anniversary and 1/48 vesting monthly thereafter, ensuring employee retention by linking vesting to continued employment.
- Company Development Strategy: By implementing such incentive measures, Nektar not only enhances its appeal to new employees but also strengthens its competitive position in the biotechnology sector, particularly in developing innovative therapies for autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.
See More
Nektar Therapeutics Under Investigation Amid 7.77% Stock Drop Following Trial Results
- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating whether Nektar Therapeutics has engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, aiming to protect investor rights, which could impact the company's reputation and future financing capabilities.
- Poor Trial Results: On December 16, 2025, Nektar announced that its 36-week REZOLVE-AA Phase 2b trial failed to achieve statistical significance, undermining investor confidence and potentially affecting future product launch plans.
- Significant Stock Drop: Following the trial results announcement, Nektar's stock price fell by $4.14, or 7.77%, closing at $49.16, reflecting market concerns about the company's future prospects and possibly prompting investor sell-offs.
- Potential Legal Consequences: The investigation by Pomerantz LLP could lead to class action lawsuits against Nektar, and if wrongdoing is confirmed, it may have significant repercussions on the company's financial health and management.
See More
Nektar Therapeutics Under Investigation Following 7.77% Stock Drop
- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Nektar Therapeutics investors regarding potential securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, highlighting significant concerns over corporate governance and compliance.
- Clinical Trial Results: On December 16, 2025, Nektar announced that the Phase 2b REZOLVE-AA trial results failed to achieve statistical significance, leading to a stock price drop of $4.14, or 7.77%, reflecting market concerns about the company's future prospects.
- Patient Eligibility Issues: Nektar attributed the trial failure to the inclusion of four ineligible patients, a problem that could undermine the company's credibility among investors and negatively impact its stock performance.
- Legal Implications: The investigation may result in Nektar facing class action lawsuits, and if wrongdoing is confirmed, it could have long-term negative effects on the company's financial health and shareholder confidence.
See More
JPMorgan Chase Reports Q4 Earnings Beat, Shares Rise 1%
- Earnings Beat: JPMorgan Chase reported Q4 earnings of $5.23 per share, exceeding analyst expectations of $5, with revenue of $46.77 billion, driven by strong trading performance, reinforcing its leadership in the financial market.
- IPO Announcement: L3Harris Technologies plans to pursue an IPO for its missile solutions business in the second half of 2026 through a partnership with the U.S. Defense Department, leading to a 13% stock price increase, reflecting market confidence in its growth potential.
- Airline Volatility: Delta Air Lines posted adjusted earnings of $1.55 per share for Q3, slightly above expectations, but revenue of $14.61 billion fell short of the $14.69 billion estimate, resulting in a more than 5% stock decline, highlighting challenges in the airline industry.
- Biopharma Decline: Travere Therapeutics shares plummeted 28% after receiving additional FDA information requests to assess the clinical benefit of its kidney disorder drug, illustrating the significant impact of regulatory risks on biopharma companies.
See More
Nektar Therapeutics Faces Risks as Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Reports $287.3M in Sales
- Clinical Trial Progress: Nektar Therapeutics' rezpegaldesleukin achieved strong phase 2b data for eczema treatment, indicating potential market opportunities despite fierce competition from established drugs.
- Market Risks: Despite positive results, Nektar has no products on the market and continues to incur net losses, facing the risk of stock price plummeting if late-stage studies fail.
- Madrigal's Sales Performance: Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra received approval in 2024 and generated $287.3 million in net sales in Q3, with expectations to enter blockbuster territory next year, reflecting strong market demand.
- Industry Comparison: Compared to Nektar, Madrigal has stronger market potential in addressing unmet needs, making it a relatively safer investment choice despite still facing risks.
See More
Nektar's Drug Uncertainty vs. Madrigal's Strong Sales Performance
- Nektar Risk Assessment: Nektar Therapeutics' rezpegaldesleukin achieved positive phase 2b data for eczema treatment, yet the absence of market products and ongoing net losses pose significant downside risks, potentially pushing the company towards bankruptcy.
- Madrigal Sales Growth: Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra generated $287.3 million in net sales in Q3 2024 after receiving approval, with expectations to enter blockbuster territory next year, indicating strong market demand and growth potential.
- Market Competition Analysis: While Nektar has potential in immunology, it faces fierce competition from established drugs like Dupixent and Rinvoq, making the success of its upcoming clinical trials critical for its future.
- Investment Recommendation Comparison: Analysts suggest investors consider Madrigal Pharmaceuticals as a safer option in the current environment, given its focus on unmet needs, while Nektar is deemed too risky for investment.
See More
