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Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)
NASDAQ:NKTR
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Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) AI Stock Analysis

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NKTR

Nektar Therapeutics

(NASDAQ:NKTR)

Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$26.00
▼(-11.20% Downside)
Nektar Therapeutics' overall stock score is primarily impacted by its precarious financial performance, characterized by significant losses and high leverage. However, strong technical indicators and positive developments from the earnings call and corporate events provide some optimism. The valuation remains a concern due to negative earnings, but the potential in clinical advancements and market opportunities offers a positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Clinical Data
REZPEG's therapeutic profile is viewed favorably as a novel mechanism of action.
Financial Performance
Nektar reported revenue of $11.2M and a net loss per share that was better than the consensus estimate, indicating financial performance exceeding expectations.
Market Potential
A large attractive opportunity is seen for REZPEG to emerge as a valuable addition to the treatment landscape as a novel, broader and importantly, safe mechanism.
Negative Factors
Competition
NKTR’s phase IIb rezpeg data in atopic dermatitis shows efficacy below what Dupixent showed at the approved dose.
Market Positioning
Questions from the market are expected around where rezpeg may ultimately fit, particularly in the context of positive physician views of Dupixent.
Safety Concerns
Local injection site reactions were seen in 69.7% of rezpeg patients, though most were mild or moderate.

Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Nektar Therapeutics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNektar Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on discovering and developing medicines in areas of unmet medical need in the United States and internationally. The company's products include Bempegaldesleukin, a CD122-preferential interleukin-2 (IL-2) pathway agonist, which is in phase 3 clinical trial to treat metastatic melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, muscle-invasive bladder cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and adjuvant melanoma; phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and urothelial cancer; phase 1/2A clinical trial to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of solid tumors; and phase 1B clinical trial to treat COVID-19. It is also developing NKTR-358, a cytokine Treg stimulant that is in phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis, as well as phase 1B clinical trial to treat atopic dermatitis and psoriasis; NKTR-255, an IL-15 receptor agonist, which is in phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma, and head and neck cancer and colorectal cancer; and NKTR-262, a toll-like receptor agonist that is in phase 1/2 clinical trial to treat solid tumors, as well as various other drug candidates. The company has collaboration agreements with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.; AstraZeneca AB; UCB Pharma S.A.; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; Bausch Health Companies Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; Amgen Inc.; UCB Pharma (Biogen); Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Baxalta Incorporated; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck KGaA; and SFJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Nektar Therapeutics was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyNektar Therapeutics generates revenue primarily through the development and commercialization of its pharmaceutical products, including licensing agreements and collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies. The company earns money from upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on sales from its partnered products. Significant partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly, contribute to its revenue through collaborative research and development efforts. Additionally, Nektar may also generate revenue from grants and funding for its research initiatives.

Nektar Therapeutics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call was largely positive, with strong data for REZPEG in atopic dermatitis and a solid financial position enabling future clinical advancements. The company is actively preparing for Phase III trials and expanding its market potential. However, challenges such as net losses, injection site reactions, and ongoing litigation with Lilly were noted.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Positive Data for REZPEG in Atopic Dermatitis
Reported compelling initial data for rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG) in atopic dermatitis, establishing it as a potential first-in-class novel T regulatory mechanism for patients.
FDA Fast Track Designation
Granted FDA Fast Track designation for REZPEG in both atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, allowing for expedited regulatory pathways.
Strong Financial Position
Completed an oversubscribed $115 million equity financing, extending cash runway into 2027.
Phase III Readiness
Initiated Phase III readiness activities for REZPEG, with plans to start Phase III studies in the first half of 2026.
Market Potential
The atopic dermatitis market is expected to grow significantly, with opportunities for REZPEG in both biologic naive and experienced patients.
Negative Updates
Net Loss
Reported a net loss of $41.6 million for the second quarter of 2025.
Challenges with Injection Site Reactions
Ongoing studies to understand and mitigate injection site reactions associated with REZPEG.
Litigation with Lilly
Ongoing litigation with Lilly, claiming significant injury due to delays caused by Lilly's actions.
Company Guidance
During the Nektar Therapeutics Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call, significant guidance and updates on various metrics were provided. The company highlighted transformative progress in its lead clinical program, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG), reporting compelling initial data in atopic dermatitis, with plans to advance into Phase III development in 2026. The market for atopic dermatitis has grown to $15 billion in U.S. sales, with expectations to reach $30 billion by 2033. Nektar's recent $115 million equity financing strengthened its financial position, extending the cash runway into 2027. The REZOLVE-AD study, involving 393 patients, met its primary endpoints, including statistical significance for mean percent change in EASI score from baseline and other key metrics like EASI-75 and BSA. The company plans to report additional data in Q1 2026 and is actively preparing for end-of-Phase II meetings with the FDA. Financially, Nektar ended the second quarter with $175.9 million in cash and investments, projecting a year-end balance between $180 million and $185 million. R&D expenses are expected to range between $125 million and $130 million for the full year, with G&A expenses projected between $70 million and $75 million.

Nektar Therapeutics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Nektar Therapeutics is experiencing significant financial difficulties, with declining revenues, persistent losses, high leverage, and negative cash flow. Despite a high gross profit margin, the company's financial health is undermined by substantial net losses and a weakening balance sheet.
Income Statement
30
Negative
Nektar Therapeutics' income statement shows declining revenues in recent years with a significant net loss. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is 74.58%, showing efficient cost management, but the net profit margin is deeply negative at -152.52%, indicating ongoing operational challenges. Revenue has decreased over the years, and the EBIT and EBITDA margins are negative, reflecting sustained operating losses.
Balance Sheet
25
Negative
The balance sheet reveals financial stress with a high debt-to-equity ratio of 7.30 in the TTM period, indicating high leverage. The equity ratio has significantly dropped to 5.36%, highlighting a decrease in stockholders' equity relative to total assets. Return on equity is negative at -968.24%, underscoring significant losses relative to shareholders' investment. The company needs to address its capital structure to improve financial stability.
Cash Flow
35
Negative
Cash flow analysis shows Nektar Therapeutics has had negative free cash flow, with a slight increase in operating cash flow to net income ratio to 1.33 in TTM, suggesting some improvement in cash efficiency. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio remains negative at -1.34, indicating cash outflows exceed the losses. The company should focus on improving its cash flow management to sustain operations.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue74.93M98.43M90.12M92.06M101.91M152.91M
Gross Profit62.31M67.74M53.48M70.42M77.01M133.44M
EBITDA-89.75M-86.70M-243.11M-323.87M-462.97M-394.33M
Net Income-122.27M-118.96M-276.06M-368.20M-523.84M-444.44M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets207.53M303.85M398.03M710.60M1.12B1.54B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments175.90M255.23M303.62M504.98M733.96M1.06B
Total Debt96.16M102.56M117.78M131.50M143.18M150.29M
Total Liabilities231.75M243.11M267.05M343.96M437.68M461.47M
Stockholders Equity-24.21M60.74M130.99M366.64M679.51M1.08B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-186.07M-177.18M-193.47M-309.68M-427.65M-320.55M
Operating Cash Flow-184.91M-175.71M-192.61M-304.01M-412.66M-313.29M
Investing Cash Flow199.63M142.57M139.56M365.83M202.78M496.21M
Financing Cash Flow314.00K42.12M30.00K1.51M36.24M-80.35M

Nektar Therapeutics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price29.28
Price Trends
50DMA
23.72
Positive
100DMA
16.83
Positive
200DMA
15.43
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.60
Negative
RSI
68.23
Neutral
STOCH
76.09
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NKTR, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 29.28 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 25.24, above the 50-day MA of 23.72, and above the 200-day MA of 15.43, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.60 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 68.23 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.09 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for NKTR.

Nektar Therapeutics Risk Analysis

Nektar Therapeutics disclosed 47 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Nektar Therapeutics reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Nektar Therapeutics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
56
Neutral
$547.35M-440.80%-19.56%35.55%
52
Neutral
$304.97M-38.87%
51
Neutral
$7.83B-0.18-40.10%2.29%21.46%-2.03%
39
Underperform
$156.96M-26.94%26.33%
39
Underperform
$186.63M-77.83%43.16%
37
Underperform
$352.79M-65.91%-32.74%
35
Underperform
$511.31M-140.33%-0.69%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
NKTR
Nektar Therapeutics
29.28
10.23
53.70%
ALDX
Aldeyra Therapeutics
5.85
0.47
8.74%
KOD
Kodiak Sciences
8.97
6.49
261.69%
RAPT
RAPT Therapeutics
11.65
-5.71
-32.89%
NKTX
Nkarta
2.24
-3.26
-59.27%
FDMT
4D Molecular Therapeutics
6.18
-9.07
-59.48%

Nektar Therapeutics Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
Nektar Therapeutics Announces Public Offering of Shares
Neutral
Jul 1, 2025

On June 30, 2025, Nektar Therapeutics announced an underwritten public offering of 4,255,320 shares of its common stock, priced at $23.50 per share, expected to close on July 2, 2025. The offering, managed by Jefferies LLC and other underwriters, is projected to yield approximately $93.7 million in net proceeds, with potential to increase to $107.8 million if additional shares are purchased. The funds are intended for general corporate purposes, including research and development and clinical advancement of drug candidates, potentially impacting the company’s financial standing and operational capabilities.

The most recent analyst rating on (NKTR) stock is a Buy with a $90.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nektar Therapeutics stock, see the NKTR Stock Forecast page.

Delistings and Listing ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Nektar Therapeutics Regains Nasdaq Compliance by June 2025
Positive
Jun 27, 2025

On April 3, 2025, Nektar Therapeutics was notified by Nasdaq that it was not in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule, as its stock price had fallen below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days. However, by June 23, 2025, the company regained compliance by maintaining a stock price of at least $1.00 for 10 consecutive business days, ensuring its continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

The most recent analyst rating on (NKTR) stock is a Buy with a $90.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nektar Therapeutics stock, see the NKTR Stock Forecast page.

Product-Related Announcements
Nektar Therapeutics Announces Positive Phase 2b Trial Results
Positive
Jun 24, 2025

On June 24, 2025, Nektar Therapeutics announced the successful results of its Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD clinical trial for rezpegaldesleukin, a treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The trial, involving 393 patients, showed statistically significant improvements in the primary and key secondary endpoints, including Eczema Area and Severity Score (EASI) and Itch Numerical Rating Score (NRS), across all dosage arms compared to placebo. The treatment demonstrated a robust dose-dependent reduction in inflammatory biomarkers and maintained a consistent safety profile with no increased risk of serious adverse events. These results highlight the potential of rezpegaldesleukin as a first-in-class immune-modulator for dermatological diseases, with further data expected in early 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (NKTR) stock is a Buy with a $105.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nektar Therapeutics stock, see the NKTR Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder MeetingsStock Split
Nektar Therapeutics Approves Reverse Stock Split
Neutral
Jun 4, 2025

On May 23, 2025, Nektar Therapeutics‘ stockholders approved a reverse stock split, which was later confirmed by the Board to be a one-for-fifteen split. This adjustment will take effect on June 8, 2025, with trading on a split-adjusted basis commencing on June 9, 2025, under the existing symbol ‘NKTR’. The reverse stock split aims to consolidate shares, potentially impacting the company’s stock market performance and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (NKTR) stock is a Buy with a $7.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nektar Therapeutics stock, see the NKTR Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsStock Split
Nektar Therapeutics Elects New Board, Approves Key Proposals
Neutral
May 28, 2025

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 23, 2025, Nektar Therapeutics announced the election of new board members and approved several key proposals. These included amendments to increase authorized shares and implement a reverse stock split, as well as the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent accounting firm for 2025. These decisions are expected to impact the company’s strategic direction and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (NKTR) stock is a Buy with a $6.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nektar Therapeutics stock, see the NKTR Stock Forecast page.

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 14, 2025