Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR): New Analyst Report from Zacks Equity Research - Zacks Equity Research Report

Nektar Therapeutics, headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of drugs utilizing its PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugate technology platforms. The company is developing several candidates across several therapeutic areas like oncology, pain, anti-infectives and immunology.

Nektar primarily finances its operations with cash from licensing, collaboration and manufacturing agreements and financing transactions. The company has collaborations or deals with players such as AstraZeneca, Bayer, Roche, Amgen and Baxter.

The company's primary candidate is Movantik (naloxegol). In Sep 2013, Nektar submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for Movantik for treating opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with non-cancer pain. The NDA for Movantik was based on positive results from the phase III KODIAC program. The studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of Movantik in treating patients suffering from OIC. A final decision from the FDA on the approval of Movantik is expected by Sep 16, 2014. The candidate is also under review in the EU and Canada for the treatment of adults suffering from OIC.

Nektar also has etirinotecan pegol (phase III, metastatic breast cancer), NKTR-181 (phase III expected to start by Sep 30, 2014, chronic pain), NKTR-192 (phase I, acute pain), NKTR-171 (phase I, pain) and among others.

The company also has other partnered programs like BAX-855 in collaboration with Baxter. BAX-855 is currently in phase III PROLOG-ATE clinical study for hemophilia A treatment, with results expected by Sep 30, 2014. Upon successful completion of the phase III study, Baxter intends to file for BAX-855 in the U.S. by the end of 2014.

The company generated total revenues of $148.9 million in 2013, up 83.4%. Nektar expects its 2014 revenues in the range of $190 million to $195 million.