PepGen's stock plummets amid FDA hold and disappointing trial results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 24 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PEPG?
Source: CNBC
PepGen Inc's stock price fell sharply by 66.73% after crossing below the 5-day SMA, reflecting significant investor concerns.
The decline follows a partial clinical hold imposed by the FDA on PepGen's PGN-EDODM1 FREEDOM2-DM1 trial due to issues with pharmacology and toxicology studies. Additionally, disappointing mid-stage trial results showed no significant improvements in key efficacy measures, leading to a loss of market confidence. The company is also facing an investigation by Johnson Fistel, PLLP regarding potential securities law violations, further compounding investor anxiety.
These developments indicate a challenging environment for PepGen, as the combination of regulatory scrutiny and poor trial outcomes has led to a drastic reduction in stock value, highlighting the volatility and risks associated with biotech investments.
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Analyst Views on PEPG
Wall Street analysts forecast PEPG stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 1.740
Low
3.00
Averages
11.50
High
20.00
Current: 1.740
Low
3.00
Averages
11.50
High
20.00
About PEPG
PepGen Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing the next generation of oligonucleotide therapies. The Company’s Enhanced Delivery Oligonucleotide (EDO) platform leverages cell-penetrating peptides to improve the uptake and activity of conjugated oligonucleotide therapeutics. Its EDO peptides are engineered to optimize tissue penetration, cellular uptake and nuclear delivery. Using these EDO peptides, the Company is generating a pipeline of oligonucleotide therapeutic candidates designed to target the root cause of serious diseases. It is focused on addressing the underlying cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), which have high unmet need. Its pipeline consists of two clinical stage programs, PGN-EDO51 for DMD patients who are amenable to an exon 51-skipping approach and PGN-EDODM1 for DM1 patients, and several additional preclinical stage programs. Its product candidates also include PGN-EDO53, PGN-EDO45 and PGN-EDO44.
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.
PepGen Under Investigation for Securities Fraud Claims
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of PepGen Inc. investors regarding potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices, indicating serious concerns about corporate governance and accountability.
- Partial Clinical Hold: On March 4, 2026, PepGen announced that the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 trial, raising questions about previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which significantly undermined investor confidence.
- Significant Stock Price Drop: Following the FDA announcement, PepGen's stock price fell by $1.25, or 18.57%, closing at $5.50 on March 5, 2026, reflecting a pessimistic outlook from the market regarding the company's future prospects.
- Lack of Meaningful Improvement: Although PepGen characterized the clinical data released on March 30, 2026, as
See More
PepGen Under Investigation for Securities Fraud Claims
- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of PepGen Inc. investors regarding potential securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, highlighting serious concerns about corporate governance and compliance.
- Clinical Trial Halted: On March 4, 2026, PepGen announced that the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 trial, raising questions related to previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which could impact the company's future R&D efforts.
- Stock Price Plummets: Following the FDA announcement, PepGen's stock price fell by $1.25, or 18.57%, closing at $5.50 per share on March 5, 2026, reflecting market pessimism regarding the company's outlook.
- Potential Legal Consequences: The investigation may lead to class action lawsuits against PepGen, further affecting its reputation and financial standing, prompting investors to closely monitor developments to assess potential risks.
See More
PepGen Faces Investigation Over Securities Law Violations
- FDA Clinical Hold: On March 4, 2026, PepGen disclosed that the FDA imposed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 FREEDOM2-DM1 trial due to concerns regarding previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which could hinder the company's future research and development efforts and erode market confidence.
- Sharp Stock Decline: Following the additional clinical data release on March 30, 2026, PepGen's stock price plummeted in after-hours trading, exacerbating investor losses and indicating a lack of market confidence in the company's clinical progress and future prospects.
- Investor Rights Investigation: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is investigating whether PepGen violated federal securities laws, urging investors who suffered losses from holding PepGen stock to join the investigation, which may provide legal support and compensation opportunities for affected investors.
- Law Firm Background: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, ranked among the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms in 2024, having recovered approximately $90.725 million for clients, showcasing its strong capabilities and influence in securities litigation.
See More
PepGen Shares Plunge 44% After Mixed Mid-Stage Trial Results
- Disappointing Trial Results: PepGen (PEPG) shares plummeted approximately 44% in after-hours trading following the mid-stage trial results for its lead treatment PGN-EDODM1, which showed no significant improvements in handgrip strength or 10-meter walk/run tests at the 5 mg/kg dose cohort.
- Ongoing Research Plans: Despite the disappointing results, the company plans to continue studying the 10 mg/kg dose cohort, with data expected in H2 2026, indicating the company's ongoing confidence in the drug's potential.
- Divergent Analyst Opinions: While Leerink Partners analyst Joseph Schwartz highlighted the mixed nature of the data, Oppenheimer's Kostas Biliouris argued that the selloff was overdone, maintaining that PGN-EDODM1 still shows positive drug effects and may yield better results at higher doses.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Despite some analysts' optimism regarding the drug, PepGen's stock remains under pressure due to a partial FDA hold on the mid-stage trial, reflecting market sensitivity to clinical data and concerns about the company's future prospects.
See More
PEPG, SGMO, and PHR Shares Decline Amid Disappointing Results
- PEPG Trial Disappointment: PepGen's Phase 2 Freedom 2 study results showed no significant improvements in walking speed or hand strength at the starting dose of 5 mg/kg, leading to a 45% plunge in premarket trading, reflecting investor disappointment in the therapy's efficacy.
- SGMO Earnings Miss: Sangamo Therapeutics reported a Q4 loss per share of $0.11, wider than the expected $0.05 loss, despite revenue rising to $14.23 million, indicating pressure on the company's funding outlook that may impact future operations.
- PHR Revenue Outlook Cut: Phreesia lowered its fiscal 2027 revenue outlook to $510 million to $520 million, below analyst expectations of $552.1 million, resulting in a 27% drop in share price and prompting downgrades from multiple brokerages.
- Market Sentiment Fluctuates: While retail sentiment for PEPG, SGMO, and PHR on Stocktwits was 'extremely bullish', the disappointing performance and unclear outlook have severely undermined investor confidence, reflecting a cautious attitude towards biotech stocks.
See More
PepGen Under Investigation for Securities Fraud Claims
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating on behalf of PepGen Inc. investors whether the company and its officers have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, highlighting serious concerns regarding corporate governance.
- Partial Clinical Hold: On March 4, 2026, PepGen announced that the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 trial, raising questions about previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which could impact the company's future R&D efforts.
- Significant Stock Drop: Following the FDA announcement, PepGen's stock price fell by $1.25, or 18.57%, closing at $5.50 per share on March 5, 2026, reflecting market concerns about the company's outlook.
- Legal Firm Involvement: Pomerantz LLP, a prominent securities class action firm with over 85 years of experience, focuses on fighting for the rights of victims of securities fraud, indicating heightened investor scrutiny on corporate governance and transparency.
See More
PepGen Under Investigation for Securities Fraud Claims
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of PepGen Inc. investors regarding potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices, indicating serious concerns about corporate governance and accountability.
- Partial Clinical Hold: On March 4, 2026, PepGen announced that the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 trial, raising questions about previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which significantly undermined investor confidence.
- Significant Stock Price Drop: Following the FDA announcement, PepGen's stock price fell by $1.25, or 18.57%, closing at $5.50 on March 5, 2026, reflecting a pessimistic outlook from the market regarding the company's future prospects.
- Lack of Meaningful Improvement: Although PepGen characterized the clinical data released on March 30, 2026, as
See More
PepGen Under Investigation for Securities Fraud Claims
- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of PepGen Inc. investors regarding potential securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, highlighting serious concerns about corporate governance and compliance.
- Clinical Trial Halted: On March 4, 2026, PepGen announced that the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 trial, raising questions related to previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which could impact the company's future R&D efforts.
- Stock Price Plummets: Following the FDA announcement, PepGen's stock price fell by $1.25, or 18.57%, closing at $5.50 per share on March 5, 2026, reflecting market pessimism regarding the company's outlook.
- Potential Legal Consequences: The investigation may lead to class action lawsuits against PepGen, further affecting its reputation and financial standing, prompting investors to closely monitor developments to assess potential risks.
See More
PepGen Faces Investigation Over Securities Law Violations
- FDA Clinical Hold: On March 4, 2026, PepGen disclosed that the FDA imposed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 FREEDOM2-DM1 trial due to concerns regarding previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which could hinder the company's future research and development efforts and erode market confidence.
- Sharp Stock Decline: Following the additional clinical data release on March 30, 2026, PepGen's stock price plummeted in after-hours trading, exacerbating investor losses and indicating a lack of market confidence in the company's clinical progress and future prospects.
- Investor Rights Investigation: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is investigating whether PepGen violated federal securities laws, urging investors who suffered losses from holding PepGen stock to join the investigation, which may provide legal support and compensation opportunities for affected investors.
- Law Firm Background: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, ranked among the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms in 2024, having recovered approximately $90.725 million for clients, showcasing its strong capabilities and influence in securities litigation.
See More
PepGen Shares Plunge 44% After Mixed Mid-Stage Trial Results
- Disappointing Trial Results: PepGen (PEPG) shares plummeted approximately 44% in after-hours trading following the mid-stage trial results for its lead treatment PGN-EDODM1, which showed no significant improvements in handgrip strength or 10-meter walk/run tests at the 5 mg/kg dose cohort.
- Ongoing Research Plans: Despite the disappointing results, the company plans to continue studying the 10 mg/kg dose cohort, with data expected in H2 2026, indicating the company's ongoing confidence in the drug's potential.
- Divergent Analyst Opinions: While Leerink Partners analyst Joseph Schwartz highlighted the mixed nature of the data, Oppenheimer's Kostas Biliouris argued that the selloff was overdone, maintaining that PGN-EDODM1 still shows positive drug effects and may yield better results at higher doses.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Despite some analysts' optimism regarding the drug, PepGen's stock remains under pressure due to a partial FDA hold on the mid-stage trial, reflecting market sensitivity to clinical data and concerns about the company's future prospects.
See More
PEPG, SGMO, and PHR Shares Decline Amid Disappointing Results
- PEPG Trial Disappointment: PepGen's Phase 2 Freedom 2 study results showed no significant improvements in walking speed or hand strength at the starting dose of 5 mg/kg, leading to a 45% plunge in premarket trading, reflecting investor disappointment in the therapy's efficacy.
- SGMO Earnings Miss: Sangamo Therapeutics reported a Q4 loss per share of $0.11, wider than the expected $0.05 loss, despite revenue rising to $14.23 million, indicating pressure on the company's funding outlook that may impact future operations.
- PHR Revenue Outlook Cut: Phreesia lowered its fiscal 2027 revenue outlook to $510 million to $520 million, below analyst expectations of $552.1 million, resulting in a 27% drop in share price and prompting downgrades from multiple brokerages.
- Market Sentiment Fluctuates: While retail sentiment for PEPG, SGMO, and PHR on Stocktwits was 'extremely bullish', the disappointing performance and unclear outlook have severely undermined investor confidence, reflecting a cautious attitude towards biotech stocks.
See More
PepGen Under Investigation for Securities Fraud Claims
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating on behalf of PepGen Inc. investors whether the company and its officers have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, highlighting serious concerns regarding corporate governance.
- Partial Clinical Hold: On March 4, 2026, PepGen announced that the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on its PGN-EDODM1 trial, raising questions about previously submitted pharmacology and toxicology studies, which could impact the company's future R&D efforts.
- Significant Stock Drop: Following the FDA announcement, PepGen's stock price fell by $1.25, or 18.57%, closing at $5.50 per share on March 5, 2026, reflecting market concerns about the company's outlook.
- Legal Firm Involvement: Pomerantz LLP, a prominent securities class action firm with over 85 years of experience, focuses on fighting for the rights of victims of securities fraud, indicating heightened investor scrutiny on corporate governance and transparency.
See More
