HC Wainwright & Co. Reiterates Buy on Phio Pharma, Maintains $14 Price Target
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 15 2025
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Should l Buy PHIO?
Source: Benzinga
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Analyst Views on PHIO
Wall Street analysts forecast PHIO stock price to rise
1 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 1.210
Low
14.00
Averages
14.00
High
14.00
Current: 1.210
Low
14.00
Averages
14.00
High
14.00
About PHIO
Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company. The Company's INTASYL self-delivering RNAi technology platform is designed to make immune cells more effective in killing tumor cells. It is developing therapeutics that are designed to leverage INTASYL to target specific proteins that reduce the body's ability to fight cancer, without the need for specialized formulations or drug delivery systems. The Company's pipeline is focused on the treatment of cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) and melanoma. Its product pipeline includes PH-762 and PH-894. PH-762 is an INTASYL compound designed to reduce the expression of cell death protein 1 (PD-1). PD-1 is a protein that inhibits T cells’ ability to kill cancer cells and is a clinically validated target in immunotherapy. PH-894 is an INTASYL compound that is designed to silence BRD4, a protein that controls gene expression in both T cells and tumor cells, thereby affecting the immune system as well as the tumor.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Clinical Progress Update: Phio Pharmaceuticals' lead clinical candidate, PH-762, is being evaluated for skin cancer treatment, with 22 patients completing the Phase 1b trial and demonstrating a 65% pathological response rate, indicating potential market opportunities for the company.
- FDA Engagement Plans: Phio aims to engage with the FDA in Q2 2026 to discuss the next stage of clinical development for PH-762, paving the way for future drug approvals and enhancing investor confidence in the company's prospects.
- Investor Forum Participation: CEO Robert Bitterman will present at the Life Sciences Investor Forum on March 12, 2026, discussing the latest developments of the INTASYL platform and engaging in a live Q&A with investors, aimed at boosting the company's visibility and credibility among investors.
- Strong Financial Position: Phio reported cash and cash equivalents projected to sustain operations into the first half of 2027, providing ample financial support for clinical development and market promotion, thereby strengthening its viability in the competitive biopharmaceutical landscape.
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- Agenda Announcement: Virtual Investor Conferences has announced the Life Sciences Virtual Investor Forum scheduled for March 11-12, 2026, inviting individual and institutional investors to participate for free, aiming to broaden the investor base and enhance company-investor interactions.
- Company Presentation Schedule: The forum will feature presentations from several life sciences companies, including SeaStar Medical Holding Corporation and Nasus Pharma Ltd., with one-on-one management meetings arranged to facilitate direct communication of strategies to investors.
- Platform Advantages: The Virtual Investor Conferences provide a real-time investor engagement solution that replicates the components of an on-site investor conference, enabling companies to access investors more efficiently and enhance presentation effectiveness, thereby increasing investor participation.
- Focus on Industry Innovation: The forum highlights innovators in the life sciences sector, with the EVP of OTC Markets Group stating that the conference offers a unique opportunity for companies to engage with a broader investor audience, fostering strategic communication within the industry.
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- Earnings Beat: Phio Pharmaceuticals reported a FY 2025 GAAP EPS of -$1.45, surpassing expectations by $0.31, indicating an improvement in financial performance despite still being in a loss position.
- Cash Position Improvement: As of December 31, 2025, the company had approximately $21.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, a significant increase from about $5.4 million on December 31, 2024, reflecting substantial progress in financial management and operational efficiency.
- Positive Market Reaction: The earnings beat is likely to positively impact Phio Pharmaceuticals' stock price, attracting more investor interest and enhancing market confidence in the company's prospects.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With improved cash flow, Phio Pharmaceuticals is positioned to increase R&D investments, accelerating new drug development processes and enhancing the company's long-term growth potential.
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- Positive Clinical Trial Results: Phio Pharmaceuticals' PH-762 demonstrated an 85% pathological response rate in its Phase 1b clinical trial involving 22 patients with skin cancers, with no serious adverse events reported by the Safety Monitoring Committee, indicating a promising outlook for this potential non-surgical treatment.
- FDA Submission Plans: The company is targeting an FDA submission for clinical study design guidance for PH-762 in Q2 2026, with plans to commence cGMP material manufacturing in the second half of 2026, reflecting ongoing commitment and confidence in the drug's development.
- Stock Price Volatility: Despite a nearly 15% increase on Wednesday, the stock fell 4.65% to $1.23 on Thursday, indicating profit-taking behavior and positioning closer to its 52-week lows, which suggests market caution regarding the stock's future performance.
- Mixed Technical Indicators: The stock is currently trading 18.4% above its 20-day simple moving average but 18.3% below its 100-day simple moving average, with a neutral RSI of 66.61 and a bullish MACD above its signal line, indicating mixed momentum in the short to medium term.
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- Clinical Trial Results: Phio Pharmaceuticals announced positive outcomes from its Phase 1b trial for PH-762, with the Safety Monitoring Committee confirming no serious adverse events across all five dose escalation cohorts, indicating strong safety profiles.
- Tumor Response Rate: The highest dose cohort achieved an 85% pathological response rate, with complete tumor clearance in four out of six responders, highlighting PH-762's potential as a treatment for skin cancers.
- Next Steps: The company plans to submit an FDA application in Q2 2026 for guidance on clinical study design for PH-762, while also aiming to commence cGMP material manufacturing in the second half of 2026 to support future trials.
- Market Performance Analysis: Despite a 51.11% increase to $1.36 on Tuesday, Phio's stock remains below its 20-day and 50-day simple moving averages, reflecting a bearish trend in the short term.
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- Critical Research Initiation: Phio Pharmaceuticals has commenced a toxicology study for PH-762, a crucial step mandated by the FDA that aims to pave the way for human pivotal trials, thereby accelerating the drug development process and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Clear Commercialization Goals: The company plans to launch a commercially viable product that meets FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices by 2026, a target supported by recent financing, demonstrating Phio's proactive response to market demands.
- Clinical Trial Progress: In the ongoing Phase 1b trial, 6 out of 18 skin cancer patients achieved 100% tumor clearance, indicating PH-762's potential as a non-surgical treatment option for skin cancers, which could significantly impact treatment paradigms.
- Strengthened Strategic Partnerships: Phio has entered into a comprehensive drug substance development services agreement with a U.S. manufacturing company, ensuring that clinical supplies for PH-762 meet cGMP standards, which will enhance production capabilities and expedite the product's market entry.
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