Stocks Update – May 19, 2023: Alvotech, Structure Therapeutics, Qifu Technology, Applied Materials, and Replimune

Welcome to today’s blog post! Today we will be discussing the latest financial results and business updates from some of the stocks in my portfolio. We will be looking at Alvotech, Structure Therapeutics, Qifu Technology, Applied Materials, and Replimune. Let’s dive right in and see how these companies have been performing recently

Alvotech Reports Strong Q1 Results and Continues Progress on Biosimilar Portfolio Development

Alvotech, a global biotech company specializing in the development and manufacture of biosimilar medicines, recently reported revenue of $15.9 million for the first three months of 2023, a significant increase from the $0.8 million reported in the same period in 2022. The company also announced the initiation of a confirmatory patient study for AVT05, its proposed biosimilar for Simponi® and Simponi Aria® (golimumab), making it the fifth internally developed portfolio candidate to be dosed in a patient study.

Alvotech’s efforts to bring AVT02, a proposed high-concentration, interchangeable biosimilar to Humira® (adalimumab), to the United States are continuing. A satisfactory reinspection of their manufacturing facility is required for FDA approval of Biologic License Applications (BLAs) for AVT02. The company has resubmitted the first AVT02 BLA and is preparing for all possible scenarios, including hosting a reinspection if needed.

Despite regulatory hurdles, Chairman and CEO Robert Wessman remains confident in Alvotech’s long-term success. The company has a biosimilar-focused platform that includes five biosimilar candidates that have reached in-patient studies, with AVT02 already marketed in 17 markets globally.

As an investor in Alvotech, I recommend holding onto the stock. While regulatory approvals may take longer than anticipated, the company’s commitment to developing its biosimilar portfolio and its strong Q1 results suggest long-term potential for growth.

Structure Therapeutics Advances Oral GLP-1 Agonist GSBR-1290 in Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

Structure Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GPCR), a global biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, and highlighted recent achievements. The company is developing small molecule therapeutics for metabolic and pulmonary diseases. Their lead program, GSBR-1290, is an orally-available, small molecule agonist of the GLP-1 receptor, a validated drug target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity.

The company has submitted a protocol amendment to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to transition to a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study for GSBR-1290. Topline data from Phase 1b multiple ascending dose and Phase 2a studies of GSBR-1290 are expected in the second half of 2023.

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are increasing in prevalence worldwide, and it is important to provide patients with options for these chronic and difficult-to-manage diseases. Raymond Stevens, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Structure Therapeutics, stated, “We look forward to moving our oral small molecule GSBR-1290 into type 2 diabetes and obesity patients in our Phase 2a study soon.”

As an investor, the announcement of Structure Therapeutics advancing their lead program GSBR-1290 in type 2 diabetes and obesity is a positive sign for the company. The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity worldwide presents a significant market opportunity for the company’s small molecule therapeutics. Therefore, I recommend buying the stock of Structure Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GPCR).

Qifu Technology (QFIN) announces Q1 Financial Results and Changes in Dividend Policy

Qifu Technology (QFIN) has announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, and changes in dividend policy. The leading Credit-Tech platform in China experienced numerous positive changes in Q1 2023. According to the report, the platform has now connected 150 financial institutional partners and 214.5 million consumers with potential credit needs. This represents an 11.2% increase in comparison to the previous year.

The cumulative users with approved credit lines rose to 46.0 million, reflecting a 15.6% increase from the same period of the previous year. Additionally, cumulative borrowers with successful drawdown, including repeat borrowers, increased to 27.7 million, representing a 10.8% increase.

Furthermore, financial institutional partners that originated 14,302,153 loans through Qifu Technology’s platform had a total facilitation and origination loan volume of RMB109,456 million, an increase of 10.7% from RMB98,833 million in the same period of 2022.

The outstanding loan balance was RMB171,302 million as of March 31, 2023, an increase of 16.8% from RMB146,720 million as of March 31, 2022.

In my personal opinion, this quarter has shown strong growth for Qifu Technology. Overall, these results bode well for the company’s profitability and long-term prospects. Therefore, I recommend investing in QFIN stock if you haven’t already done so.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) Reports Strong Second Quarter Results with Positive Outlook

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) has reported strong earnings in their second quarter for the fiscal year 2023, with $6.63 billion in revenue, up 6% year over year. The company earned $1.86 in GAAP EPS and $2.00 in non-GAAP EPS, increasing by 7% and 8% year over year, respectively. The company’s cash flow from operations generated $2.29 billion.

Gary Dickerson, President and CEO of Applied Materials, said, “Our longer-term outlook is very positive as semiconductors become a larger and more strategically important market globally and major technology inflections are enabled by materials engineering, creating outsized growth opportunities for Applied.”

The company returned $1.02 billion to shareholders, including $800 million in share repurchases and $219 million in dividends. The semiconductor industry has been facing supply chain issues due to the pandemic, but Dickerson’s positive outlook combined with Applied Materials’ strong financial results suggest the company has navigated these challenges well.

As an investor, I recommend holding onto this stock. With an optimistic outlook for the future, Applied Materials has the potential for long-term growth.

Replimune Group, Inc.: Positive Updates Expected for Its Multiple Program Developments

Replimune Group, Inc. has announced its Q4 and fiscal year-end results for 2023, providing positive updates on its pipeline. The company is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of tumor-directed oncolytic immunotherapies.

The company has completed the enrollment of its IGNYTE registration-directed cohort of RP1 in anti-PD1 failed melanoma, with an updated data for the first 75 patients set to be presented at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference. The data snapshot for all 141 patients is expected in Q4 2023. Furthermore, Replimune plans to initiate its RP2 and RP3 Phase 2 programs around mid-year 2023 in third-line colorectal cancer (CRC), first- and second-line hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), with a Phase 1 study update expected at year-end.

The disclosure of topline data from the registration-directed CERPASS clinical trial of RP1 combined with Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is on track for Q3 2023, with the Biologics License Application (BLA) submission on track for Q1 2024. The company has a strong balance sheet with cash runway into H2 2025.

Overall, Replimune Group Inc. is positioning itself for significant growth opportunities in the coming years. I am optimistic about the company’s progress across its various programs, and the upcoming data readouts provide a positive outlook for the company. Therefore, I recommend buying the stock.

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