tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc (APLS)
NASDAQ:APLS
Advertisement

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
957 Followers

Top Page

APLS

Apellis Pharmaceuticals

(NASDAQ:APLS)

Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$25.00
▼(-12.74% Downside)
Apellis Pharmaceuticals' overall score reflects strong technical momentum and strategic corporate actions, offset by financial challenges such as negative profitability and high debt levels. The company's growth potential is promising, but achieving sustainable profitability remains a key hurdle.
Positive Factors
Market Opportunities
Empaveli label expansion into C3G and IC-MPGN per FDA approval is allowing investors to focus on new opportunities.
Product Efficacy
Empaveli's position as the sole C3-targeted therapy and rapid onset of action in preserving renal function is highlighted.
Revenue Potential
A strong launch could provide upside to the current estimate for Empaveli revenues in 2026.
Negative Factors
Funding Issues
Issues remain for the patient copay assistance program funding, which is still keeping some patients on the sidelines.
Market Challenges
The launch could be impacted by the fragmented market, underdiagnosis, and issues with payor access.
Revenue Shortfall
APLS reported total revenue of $178M, below the expected $195M and FactSet consensus of $187M, driven by a $13M headwind in the GA franchise due to higher sample vial usage.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionApellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies to treat serious diseases. The company specializes in complement immunotherapy, targeting the complement system to provide solutions for conditions such as geographic atrophy and other rare diseases. Apellis is primarily engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of its core product, pegcetacoplan, which is designed to address unmet medical needs in the ophthalmology and hematology sectors.
How the Company Makes MoneyApellis Pharmaceuticals generates revenue primarily through the sale of its approved therapies, notably pegcetacoplan, which is marketed for the treatment of geographic atrophy, a complication of age-related macular degeneration. The company's revenue model is based on a combination of product sales, potential royalties from partnerships, and collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies. Significant partnerships with larger pharmaceutical firms enhance its research capabilities and market reach, contributing to Apellis's earnings. Additionally, the company may receive milestone payments from partners based on the achievement of specific development and commercial milestones.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Product Revenue by Segment
Product Revenue by Segment
Highlights revenue from different product lines, providing insight into which segments are driving growth and how diversified the company's income streams are.
Chart InsightsApellis Pharmaceuticals' SYFOVRE segment is driving growth with a strong market position, despite revenue impacts from high free goods usage. EMPAVELI's revenue saw a modest increase, supported by recent FDA approvals. The company's strategic moves, including a significant cash infusion from Sobi, bolster financial stability. However, challenges with co-pay assistance and flat commercial vial growth for SYFOVRE highlight potential revenue constraints. Management remains optimistic about achieving sustainable profitability, leveraging their robust cash position and market leadership in geographic atrophy.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 10, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a positive trajectory for Apellis with significant achievements such as FDA approval for EMPAVELI's expanded label, continued market leadership of SYFOVRE, and strong financial positioning. However, challenges such as high free goods usage affecting revenue and ongoing funding shortages for patient assistance programs present areas of concern.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
FDA Approval for EMPAVELI Label Expansion
EMPAVELI received FDA approval for label expansion to treat patients 12 years and older with C3 myelopathy or primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, marking the third FDA approval in four years for Apellis.
SYFOVRE Market Leadership
SYFOVRE continues to lead the geographic atrophy market with over 60% market share and 55% of new patient starts during the quarter.
Strong Financial Position
Apellis ended the quarter with $370 million in cash and cash equivalents and expects to reach sustainable profitability with the $275 million upfront payment from the Sobi royalty purchase agreement.
EMPAVELI Revenue Growth
EMPAVELI revenue in the second quarter reached $21 million, a 5% increase quarter-over-quarter with a patient compliance rate of 97%.
Negative Updates
High Usage of Free Goods Impacting Revenue
SYFOVRE's usage of free goods remained high, impacting revenue by approximately $13 million, with expectations for similar impacts throughout the rest of 2025.
Funding Shortage in Co-Pay Assistance Programs
The company continues to see elevated use of free goods due to a funding shortage in co-pay assistance programs, affecting patient access.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $212 million for the quarter, although slightly down from the previous year, the company expects 2025 expenses to remain in line with 2024 levels.
Company Guidance
During the second quarter of 2025, Apellis Pharmaceuticals reported total revenue of $178 million, including $151 million from SYFOVRE sales, which experienced a 6% increase in demand quarter-over-quarter. SYFOVRE maintained its market leadership in geographic atrophy (GA) with over 60% market share and 55% of new patient starts. However, revenue was impacted by approximately $13 million due to high utilization of free goods related to funding shortages in co-pay assistance programs. EMPAVELI generated $21 million in revenue, marking a 5% increase quarter-over-quarter, with patient compliance rates at 97%. The company anticipates meaningful revenue from EMPAVELI's new label expansion for C3G and primary IC-MPGN in the fourth quarter. Apellis ended the quarter with $370 million in cash and cash equivalents, bolstered by a $275 million upfront payment from a capped royalty agreement with Sobi. Operating expenses were $212 million, and the company expects these to remain consistent year-over-year.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Apellis Pharmaceuticals demonstrates significant revenue growth, primarily from SYFOVRE, but struggles with profitability and financial leverage. The company shows a strong growth trajectory but faces challenges due to negative EBIT, net profit margins, and a high debt-to-equity ratio. Positive free cash flow is a promising sign, indicating efforts towards better cash management.
Income Statement
35
Negative
Apellis Pharmaceuticals shows moderate revenue growth over the years but is struggling with profitability as evidenced by negative EBIT and net profit margins. Revenue has grown from $66.56M in 2021 to $747.54M in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), indicating a strong growth trajectory. However, persistent losses, with a net income of -$228.17M in TTM, highlight the challenge of achieving profitability.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The company has a relatively high debt-to-equity ratio, which increased from 0.52 in 2020 to 0.70 in TTM, indicating a reliance on debt financing. The return on equity remains negative due to ongoing losses. The equity ratio is low at 19.04% in TTM, reflecting limited equity buffer but a manageable asset base with $821.39M in total assets.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
While free cash flow remains negative in historical periods, the TTM shows a positive free cash flow of $4.41M, indicating some improvement. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low due to negative net income, but the positive shift in free cash flow suggests efforts towards better cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue754.65M781.37M396.59M75.42M66.56M250.65M
Gross Profit631.80M663.64M338.08M69.79M61.36M225.60M
EBITDA-178.43M-154.53M-495.21M-617.39M-731.27M-312.23M
Net Income-228.17M-197.88M-528.63M-652.17M-746.35M-344.87M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets821.39M885.05M788.73M760.22M881.76M960.57M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments371.47M411.29M352.30M551.80M700.55M877.65M
Total Debt469.77M469.78M110.93M112.71M210.22M377.73M
Total Liabilities665.09M656.51M594.21M590.35M683.10M756.01M
Stockholders Equity156.31M228.54M194.52M169.87M198.66M204.56M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow4.41M-88.27M-595.51M-515.27M-564.23M-165.91M
Operating Cash Flow4.49M-87.87M-594.74M-513.75M-563.13M-160.49M
Investing Cash Flow-77.00K-403.00K-674.00K59.89M247.62M-316.99M
Financing Cash Flow5.37M149.24M394.50M365.66M392.24M692.18M

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price28.65
Price Trends
50DMA
22.58
Positive
100DMA
20.40
Positive
200DMA
24.48
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.64
Positive
RSI
69.77
Neutral
STOCH
79.63
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For APLS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 28.65 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.93, above the 50-day MA of 22.58, and above the 200-day MA of 24.48, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.64 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 69.77 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 79.63 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for APLS.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Risk Analysis

Apellis Pharmaceuticals disclosed 75 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Apellis Pharmaceuticals reported the most risks in the "Tech & Innovation" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$4.33B19.3333.18%14.41%627.78%
62
Neutral
$5.01B-48.54%59.77%-92.92%
58
Neutral
$3.56B-108.49%20.02%33.45%
52
Neutral
$3.14B-36.94%-9.10%
51
Neutral
$7.91B-0.36-41.71%2.23%23.45%-1.86%
50
Neutral
$3.12B-172.08%-29.50%
45
Neutral
$2.63B-77.58%-48.38%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
APLS
Apellis Pharmaceuticals
28.65
-12.40
-30.21%
ACAD
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
25.50
9.43
58.68%
MRUS
Merus
66.23
16.23
32.46%
SRRK
Scholar Rock Holding
32.44
24.41
303.99%
CRNX
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals
34.25
-16.14
-32.03%
IMVT
Immunovant
16.12
-17.91
-52.63%

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Apellis Pharmaceuticals Secures $275M Royalty Buy-Down Deal
Positive
Jul 1, 2025

On July 1, 2025, Apellis Pharmaceuticals entered into a Royalty Buy-Down Agreement with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, where Sobi will pay Apellis $275 million upfront and up to $25 million upon EMA approval of Aspaveli for certain conditions. In return, Sobi’s royalty obligations under a previous agreement will be reduced by 90%, with conditions tied to Aspaveli’s performance. This agreement, consented by the Company’s lenders, also extends certain prepayment premium periods under Apellis’s financing agreement by one year.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Apellis Pharmaceuticals Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
Jun 4, 2025

On June 3, 2025, Apellis Pharmaceuticals held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where key decisions were made. A. Sinclair Dunlop, Alec Machiels, and Keli Walbert were elected as class II directors for a three-year term. Additionally, Deloitte & Touche LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. The stockholders approved the executive compensation and recommended holding future advisory votes on executive compensation annually.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 20, 2025