A wave of initial public offerings (IPOs) from biotechnology companies is signaling a potential turnaround for the industry after a prolonged period of difficulty accessing public funding. Four companies – Agomab Therapeutics, Eikon Therapeutics, Spyglass Pharma, and Veradermics – successfully went public this week, collectively raising nearly $1 billion. A fifth, Generate Biomedicines, has also filed for an IPO.
This surge in activity represents a significant shift from recent years. Biotech stocks experienced a downturn following a peak in 2021, impacted by economic conditions, regulatory uncertainties, and investor skepticism regarding the high costs and inherent risks associated with drug development. Many biotech companies avoided going public. In 2023, only 11 biotech IPOs were completed – the lowest number in 15 years.
The recent IPOs suggest a renewed investor appetite for biotech ventures. Eikon Therapeutics, a California-based company with substantial prior venture funding, secured $381 million through its offering, selling over 21 million shares at $18 apiece. Shares began trading on Thursday, , under the ticker symbol “EIKN.” Veradermics, focused on hair loss treatments, raised $256 million on Tuesday. Agomab Therapeutics and Spyglass Pharma followed on Thursday, raising a combined $350 million.
Agomab, developing therapies for inflammatory conditions, raised $200 million through the sale of 12.5 million American depositary shares at $16 each. Spyglass Pharma, concentrating on long-acting therapies for ocular diseases, secured $150 million by selling nearly 9.4 million shares at $16 apiece. Both companies began trading on Nasdaq on Friday, , under the ticker symbols “SGP” and “AGMB,” respectively.
This week’s activity marks the busiest period for biotech IPOs in approximately a year. Aktis Oncology previously signaled a potential rebound with a $318 million IPO last month, including a $100 million investment from Eli Lilly. Since then, nine other companies have publicly announced their intentions to pursue IPOs, suggesting a growing momentum within the sector.
Industry observers believe the positive performance of recent IPOs and the increasing number of companies preparing to go public are contributing to this trend. The success of Aktis Oncology, Eikon, and Veradermics – all exceeding $250 million in IPO proceeds – contrasts with the limited number of companies achieving that milestone in 2023, when only three (Metsera, MapLight Therapeutics, and LB Pharmaceuticals) reached that level.
The current environment offers a more favorable landscape for biotech IPOs compared to the challenges faced since 2022. While the long-term sustainability of this trend remains to be seen, the recent activity provides a cautiously optimistic outlook for the biotech industry’s access to public capital. The influx of funding will likely support the continued development of innovative therapies for a range of diseases, from inflammatory conditions to ocular disorders.
