Needham ups Autolus target, names top pick for 2026

Needham raised the firm’s price target on Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) to $11 from $10 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm also names Autolus a top pick for 2026. While Aucatzyl’s launch has been impressive with $76M in sales, investors remain skeptical of Autolus, questioning if the company can reach breakeven, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Needham disagrees with skepticism, saying the shares offers an “attractive valuation” and a “strong opportunity for value creation in 2026.” Data from the the FELIX study and obe-cel results in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia indicate an expanding addressable market, contends the firm. Its modeling has Autolus reaching breakeven by 2028 based on Aucatzyl sales alone. Needham believes obe-cel in lupus nephritis receives little recognition at current share levels, which could change with clinical updates in the first half of 2026.