Needham Downgrades Apellis to Hold Without Price Target
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy APLS?
Needham downgraded Apellis (APLS) to Hold from Buy without a price target after the company entered into an agreement to be acquired by Biogen (BIIB) for $41.00 per share in cash at closing, or $5.6B. Apellis stockholders will also receive a contingent value right for each Apellis share held, entitling the holder to receive two payments of $2 per share each, contingent on certain annual global net sales thresholds being met for Syfovre.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy APLS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on APLS
Wall Street analysts forecast APLS stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 17.090
Low
19.00
Averages
31.69
High
48.00
Current: 17.090
Low
19.00
Averages
31.69
High
48.00
About APLS
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutic compounds to treat diseases with high unmet needs through the inhibition of the complement system. SYFOVRE (pegcetacoplan injection) is the Company’s approved treatment for geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (GA). Its EMPAVELI (pegcetacoplan) is for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Its Aspaveli (pegcetacoplan) for the treatment of adults with PNH who are anemic after treatment with a C5 inhibitor for at least three months. Systemic pegcetacoplan has also been approved for the treatment of PNH in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions. Systemic pegcetacoplan is marketed under the trade name EMPAVELI in the United States, Saudi Arabia and Australia and Aspaveli in the European Union, Japan and the United Kingdom.
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.
Biogen Acquires Apellis to Strengthen Immunology Position
- Acquisition Details: Biogen has agreed to acquire Apellis for $41 per share in cash, valuing the deal at approximately $5.6 billion, which is expected to enhance Biogen's market position in immunology and rare diseases while providing immediate revenue.
- Expanded Drug Portfolio: The acquisition adds two commercial medicines, EMPAVELI and SYFOVRE, to Biogen's portfolio, with projected combined net sales of $689 million by 2025 and a mid-to-high teens growth rate through at least 2028, significantly improving the company's long-term growth outlook.
- Significant Clinical Outcomes: EMPAVELI is the only FDA-approved treatment for C3G, demonstrating a 68% reduction in proteinuria in the VALIANT study, while SYFOVRE has shown substantial reductions in GA lesion growth in the OAKS and DERBY studies, further solidifying Biogen's expansion in nephrology.
- Future Outlook and Employee Integration: Biogen expects to integrate a significant portion of Apellis employees post-transaction, with plans to close the deal in Q2 2026, further enhancing the company's capabilities in treating kidney diseases with the anticipated launch of Felzartamab.
See More
Health Care Stocks Rise 2% Boosting Market
- Strong Performance in Health Care: Late Tuesday afternoon, the NYSE Health Care Index rose by 2%, indicating a rebound in investor confidence towards the health sector, likely driven by an overall improvement in market sentiment.
- Signs of Market Recovery: The rise in health care stocks reflects optimistic expectations for economic recovery, particularly post-pandemic, as demand for health services continues to grow, potentially boosting the performance of related companies.
- Increased Investor Attention: With the improved performance of the health care sector, investors may reassess their portfolios and increase allocations to health stocks, thereby driving further growth and stability in the industry.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: The strong performance in the health sector could attract more capital inflows, especially in the fields of innovative drugs and medical technologies, which are expected to provide momentum for future growth.
See More
Amentum and Eagle Options Trading Activity Surges
- Amentum Options Volume: Amentum Holdings Inc (AMTM) has seen an options volume of 16,953 contracts today, representing approximately 1.7 million shares, which constitutes 92.4% of its average daily trading volume of 1.8 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Volume Contracts: Within AMTM, the $20 strike call option is particularly active, with 15,688 contracts traded today, equating to about 1.6 million shares, suggesting that investors are optimistic about the stock's potential rise before its expiration in April 2026.
- Eagle Options Activity: Eagle Materials Inc (EXP) has recorded an options volume of 4,201 contracts today, representing approximately 420,100 shares, which is 88.7% of its average daily trading volume of 473,550 shares over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in its stock.
- EXP High Volume Contracts: For EXP, the $160 strike call option has seen 2,093 contracts traded today, amounting to about 209,300 shares, indicating that investors are anticipating potential upward movement in the stock before its expiration in November 2026.
See More
US Stocks Surge as Market Sentiment Improves
- Market Sentiment Improves: The S&P 500 index rose by 1.02%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.67%, and the Nasdaq 100 surged by 1.10% as President Trump signaled a willingness to end military actions against Iran, reflecting investor optimism over easing geopolitical risks.
- Falling Bond Yields: The 10-year Treasury note yield dropped to a one-week low of 4.30%, indicating market expectations that an end to the Iran conflict could lower energy prices and alleviate inflation concerns, further supporting stock market gains.
- Consumer Confidence Rises: The US March consumer confidence index unexpectedly increased by 0.8 to 91.8, surpassing expectations of a decline to 87.9, suggesting enhanced consumer confidence in economic prospects, which could drive spending and economic growth.
- Strong Chinese Economy: China's March manufacturing PMI rose to 50.4, exceeding expectations of 50.1, indicating signs of economic recovery that support global growth prospects and positively influence market performance.
See More
Biogen Acquires Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 Billion
- Acquisition Deal: Biogen announced on Tuesday its acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion, significantly enhancing its drug pipeline by adding two approved drugs, thereby solidifying its market position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Pipeline Expansion: This acquisition will introduce two approved drugs into Biogen's product portfolio, which is expected to provide robust support for the company's future revenue growth, particularly in applications within the neuroscience field.
- Strategic Market Shift: By acquiring Apellis, Biogen not only boosts its competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical market but also aims to optimize R&D efficiency through the integration of Apellis's technologies and resources, fostering the development of innovative drugs.
- Financial Impact: The transaction is expected to positively affect Biogen's financial status; although the acquisition cost is substantial at $5.6 billion, the anticipated market sales from the new drugs are expected to yield significant returns on investment.
See More
Snap Shares Surge on Activist Investor Proposal
- Snap Share Surge: Shares of social media platform Snap surged 12% after activist investor Irenic disclosed a 2.5% stake and proposed shutting down its augmented reality Specs business to boost share prices, indicating strong market confidence in its strategic direction.
- FactSet Earnings Beat: FactSet's adjusted earnings for Q2 came in at $4.46 per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $4.38, while the company raised its full-year guidance to an expected adjusted earnings range of $17.25 to $17.75 per share, reflecting robust market performance and growth potential.
- Symbotic Strategic Agreement: Robotics company Symbotic's stock jumped nearly 5% following a strategic agreement to provide warehouse automation capabilities at Associated Wholesale Grocers' Gulf Coast Division Support Center in Louisiana, highlighting its expansion in logistics automation and growing market demand.
- Apellis Pharmaceuticals Stock Doubles: Shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals soared 135% after Biogen announced it would acquire the company for $5.6 billion in cash, enhancing Biogen's portfolio in immunology and rare diseases, showcasing strong market approval for the deal.
See More
Biogen Acquires Apellis to Strengthen Immunology Position
- Acquisition Details: Biogen has agreed to acquire Apellis for $41 per share in cash, valuing the deal at approximately $5.6 billion, which is expected to enhance Biogen's market position in immunology and rare diseases while providing immediate revenue.
- Expanded Drug Portfolio: The acquisition adds two commercial medicines, EMPAVELI and SYFOVRE, to Biogen's portfolio, with projected combined net sales of $689 million by 2025 and a mid-to-high teens growth rate through at least 2028, significantly improving the company's long-term growth outlook.
- Significant Clinical Outcomes: EMPAVELI is the only FDA-approved treatment for C3G, demonstrating a 68% reduction in proteinuria in the VALIANT study, while SYFOVRE has shown substantial reductions in GA lesion growth in the OAKS and DERBY studies, further solidifying Biogen's expansion in nephrology.
- Future Outlook and Employee Integration: Biogen expects to integrate a significant portion of Apellis employees post-transaction, with plans to close the deal in Q2 2026, further enhancing the company's capabilities in treating kidney diseases with the anticipated launch of Felzartamab.
See More
Health Care Stocks Rise 2% Boosting Market
- Strong Performance in Health Care: Late Tuesday afternoon, the NYSE Health Care Index rose by 2%, indicating a rebound in investor confidence towards the health sector, likely driven by an overall improvement in market sentiment.
- Signs of Market Recovery: The rise in health care stocks reflects optimistic expectations for economic recovery, particularly post-pandemic, as demand for health services continues to grow, potentially boosting the performance of related companies.
- Increased Investor Attention: With the improved performance of the health care sector, investors may reassess their portfolios and increase allocations to health stocks, thereby driving further growth and stability in the industry.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: The strong performance in the health sector could attract more capital inflows, especially in the fields of innovative drugs and medical technologies, which are expected to provide momentum for future growth.
See More
Amentum and Eagle Options Trading Activity Surges
- Amentum Options Volume: Amentum Holdings Inc (AMTM) has seen an options volume of 16,953 contracts today, representing approximately 1.7 million shares, which constitutes 92.4% of its average daily trading volume of 1.8 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Volume Contracts: Within AMTM, the $20 strike call option is particularly active, with 15,688 contracts traded today, equating to about 1.6 million shares, suggesting that investors are optimistic about the stock's potential rise before its expiration in April 2026.
- Eagle Options Activity: Eagle Materials Inc (EXP) has recorded an options volume of 4,201 contracts today, representing approximately 420,100 shares, which is 88.7% of its average daily trading volume of 473,550 shares over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in its stock.
- EXP High Volume Contracts: For EXP, the $160 strike call option has seen 2,093 contracts traded today, amounting to about 209,300 shares, indicating that investors are anticipating potential upward movement in the stock before its expiration in November 2026.
See More
US Stocks Surge as Market Sentiment Improves
- Market Sentiment Improves: The S&P 500 index rose by 1.02%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.67%, and the Nasdaq 100 surged by 1.10% as President Trump signaled a willingness to end military actions against Iran, reflecting investor optimism over easing geopolitical risks.
- Falling Bond Yields: The 10-year Treasury note yield dropped to a one-week low of 4.30%, indicating market expectations that an end to the Iran conflict could lower energy prices and alleviate inflation concerns, further supporting stock market gains.
- Consumer Confidence Rises: The US March consumer confidence index unexpectedly increased by 0.8 to 91.8, surpassing expectations of a decline to 87.9, suggesting enhanced consumer confidence in economic prospects, which could drive spending and economic growth.
- Strong Chinese Economy: China's March manufacturing PMI rose to 50.4, exceeding expectations of 50.1, indicating signs of economic recovery that support global growth prospects and positively influence market performance.
See More
Biogen Acquires Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 Billion
- Acquisition Deal: Biogen announced on Tuesday its acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion, significantly enhancing its drug pipeline by adding two approved drugs, thereby solidifying its market position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Pipeline Expansion: This acquisition will introduce two approved drugs into Biogen's product portfolio, which is expected to provide robust support for the company's future revenue growth, particularly in applications within the neuroscience field.
- Strategic Market Shift: By acquiring Apellis, Biogen not only boosts its competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical market but also aims to optimize R&D efficiency through the integration of Apellis's technologies and resources, fostering the development of innovative drugs.
- Financial Impact: The transaction is expected to positively affect Biogen's financial status; although the acquisition cost is substantial at $5.6 billion, the anticipated market sales from the new drugs are expected to yield significant returns on investment.
See More
Snap Shares Surge on Activist Investor Proposal
- Snap Share Surge: Shares of social media platform Snap surged 12% after activist investor Irenic disclosed a 2.5% stake and proposed shutting down its augmented reality Specs business to boost share prices, indicating strong market confidence in its strategic direction.
- FactSet Earnings Beat: FactSet's adjusted earnings for Q2 came in at $4.46 per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $4.38, while the company raised its full-year guidance to an expected adjusted earnings range of $17.25 to $17.75 per share, reflecting robust market performance and growth potential.
- Symbotic Strategic Agreement: Robotics company Symbotic's stock jumped nearly 5% following a strategic agreement to provide warehouse automation capabilities at Associated Wholesale Grocers' Gulf Coast Division Support Center in Louisiana, highlighting its expansion in logistics automation and growing market demand.
- Apellis Pharmaceuticals Stock Doubles: Shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals soared 135% after Biogen announced it would acquire the company for $5.6 billion in cash, enhancing Biogen's portfolio in immunology and rare diseases, showcasing strong market approval for the deal.
See More
