Are Nektar's (NKTR) Key Drugs Set To Drive Growth In 2017?

On May 29, 2017, we issued an updated report on Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) .

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of treatments utilizing its PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugate technology platforms.

Nektar’s shares have significantly outperformed the Zacks classified Medical-Drugs industry so far this year, having returned 69.5% compared with the industry's gain of 5.2%.



The company’s portfolio comprises two drugs – Movantik for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) and Adynovate for treating hemophilia A.

Movantik (EU trade name: Moventig) is approved in both the U.S. and EU for curing OIC. Nektar has a global license agreement with AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) under which, the latter was granted a worldwide, exclusive, license to develop, market and sell Movantik and fixed-dose combination products.

The company also has a licensing, collaboration and manufacturing agreement with Shire plc (NASDAQ:SHPG) for Adynovate. It receives royalties and sales milestones related to both the drugs.

Nektar has made a significant progress with its lead candidate, Onzeald (formerly known as NKTR-102). The candidate is currently under accelerated assessment in the EU for treating adults with advanced breast cancer as well as brain metastases. A response is anticipated by the end of first-half 2017.

Nektar has also initiated a randomized phase III confirmatory study (ATTAIN) on Onzeald, compared to the single-agent chemotherapy of physician’s choice, in patients with advanced breast cancer who shortly complain of brain metastases. Positive results from the study could support a regulatory filing in the U.S.

The comapny is further developing several other candidates across important therapeutic areas including oncology, pain, anti-infectives and immunology. Interesting ones include NKTR-181 (phase III – chronic pain), NKTR-214 (phase I/II – solid tumor) and NKTR-358 (phase I-autoimmune disease).

Successful development and commercialization of these candidates will in turn boost the company’s top line, considering the lucrative markets they are targeting.

Nektar’s proprietary market products as well as the candidates currently under development are subject to stiff competition from various pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Players in PEGylation and polymer conjugate chemistry technology space include Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) , Savient Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddy’s and Novo Nordisk (CO:NOVOb) among others.

Nektar however heavily relies on partners for revenues. Partnership-related setbacks may seriously weigh on the company.

Zacks Rank

Nektar currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run

Did you miss Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.

A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>