Purple Biotech's Shrinking Losses Keep Retail Sentiment In The Green, But Other Pressures Loom

Shares of Purple Biotech closed down 3.4% on Monday and extended losses in after-hours trading as the company's latest financial results failed to impress the broader market, though retail traders showed some optimism.

The company reported a net loss of $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, significantly narrowing from the $4.9 million loss in the same period a year earlier, primarily due to lower research and development (R&D) expenses. 

Loss per American depository share (ADS) was $0.20 (basic) and $0.26 (diluted), compared to $3.80 per ADS in Q4 2023, and better than LSEG's mean analyst estimate of a loss of $1.80.

CEO Gil Efron highlighted key 2024 milestones, including successful trials for its clinical-stage programs for its cancer therapy candidates CM24 and NT219 and advancements in its CAPTN-3 tri-specific platform. 

The randomized Phase 2 trial for CM24 in second-line pancreatic cancer met all efficacy endpoints, and biomarker data informed a planned Phase 2b study for the second half of 2025. 

Meanwhile, NT219's dose escalation study determined a recommended Phase 2 dose, enabling a head and neck cancer trial in collaboration with the University of Colorado, expected to begin enrollment in early 2025.

Retail sentiment on Stocktwits ended on a bullish note on Monday, but the score was slightly lower than a day ago. 

Some traders pointed to Purple Biotech's cash runway as a positive factor and speculated that institutional investors may disclose their positions in upcoming 13-F filings, given the strong stock-buying volume observed this year. 

However, skepticism also lingered. One user questioned the absence of a clear regulatory path for the company's drug candidates, arguing that cost-cutting measures were meaningless without a concrete FDA approval strategy. 

Others accused management of raising capital to "milk it for salaries."

As of Dec. 31, 2024, Purple Biotech had $8.2 million in cash and short-term deposits, which it expects will be sufficient to fund operations into mid-2026. 

In Q4, the company raised $2.8 million through a registered direct offering and an additional $1.5 million via an open-market sale of 298,000 ADSs at an average price of $3.50.

Purple Biotech's stock has lost over 45% so far this year.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

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