On Tuesday, BTIG maintained a Buy rating on Legend Biotech Corp. (NASDAQ:LEGN) with a steadfast price target of $91.00. This affirmation comes after Johnson & Johnson, which is not rated by BTIG, disclosed third-quarter sales of CARVYKTI amounting to $286 million. The reported sales surpassed the consensus estimate of $249 million and exhibited a significant growth of 53% quarter-over-quarter and 88% year-over-year.
The robust sales performance of CARVYKTI, a therapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, was in line with Legend Biotech's management's expectations of stronger growth in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half. The demand surge follows the drug's approval for use in second-line treatment and beyond, coupled with increased production capabilities both in the United States and internationally.
Despite the positive sales figures, Legend Biotech's stock experienced a decline of approximately 4%, which analysts have attributed to market anticipations that the benefits of the recent capacity expansion had already been factored into the stock's performance. Additionally, the market's reaction could be due to a perceived lack of significant upcoming catalysts as the year draws to a close.
BTIG did highlight the potential impact of forthcoming data from the CARTITUDE-2 study cohorts E and F. These results are expected to serve as an indicator of CARVYKTI's efficacy in front-line treatment settings. The abstracts for these data were due by August 1 and are set to be published online on November 5, which could provide new insights into the drug's potential and influence Legend Biotech's market position.
In other recent news, Legend Biotech has been making significant strides with its product Carvykti, which has shown promising results in treating multiple myeloma. Barclays maintained its Overweight rating with a $94.00 price target, highlighting Carvykti's strong efficacy and improved safety profile. TD Cowen also expressed confidence in Legend Biotech, maintaining a Buy rating and a $67.00 price target, anticipating robust third-quarter growth for Carvykti sales.
BMO Capital reiterated an Outperform rating with a $90.00 price target, based on an analysis of the company's recent sales data, while Redburn-Atlantic initiated coverage with a Buy rating and an $86.00 price target, citing the company's advancements with Carvykti. H.C. Wainwright also maintained a Buy rating and a $73.00 price target, following the announcement of plans to establish a new research and development facility in Philadelphia, a move expected to enhance Legend Biotech's cell therapy portfolio.
These developments are part of Legend Biotech's recent efforts to expand its manufacturing capacity and meet the rising demand for its innovative therapies. However, it's worth noting that the company's fourth-quarter growth is expected to be more moderate, as production at the new Ghent facility is not anticipated to contribute to revenue until the first quarter of 2025.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro sheds additional light on Legend Biotech's financial position and market performance. The company's market capitalization stands at $8.35 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the biotech sector. Legend Biotech has demonstrated impressive revenue growth, with a 176.93% increase over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reaching $455.99 million. This aligns with the strong sales performance of CARVYKTI reported in the article.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Legend Biotech holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which could provide financial flexibility for future research and development efforts. Additionally, analysts anticipate sales growth in the current year, supporting the positive outlook for CARVYKTI's market expansion.
However, it's worth noting that Legend Biotech is not currently profitable, with a negative operating income margin of -81.89% over the last twelve months. This is not uncommon for biotech companies investing heavily in drug development and commercialization.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 6 additional tips that could provide valuable insights into Legend Biotech's financial health and market prospects.
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