Canaccord Adams downgrades Poniard Pharmaceuticals (PARD) to Hold; Less Attractive Risk/Reward
PARD Hot Sheet
Rating Summary:0 Buy, 0 Hold, 0 Sell
Rating Trend: = Flat
Today's Overall Ratings:
Up: 16 | Down: 7 | New: 23
Canaccord Adams downgrades Poniard Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PARD) from Buy to Hold, slashes price target to $2.50.
Canaccord analyst says, "Following the announcement of the SPEAR trial failure last Monday, we reduced our DCF-derived price target to $2.50 from $10, considering the picoplatin opportunity in colorectal cancer (CRC) alone. Recovering to this target much sooner than expected, we downgrade to a HOLD based on our view of a less attractive risk/reward than before."
"While upside remains probable upon signing of a corporate partnership and/or removal of a major
financing overhang, we believe potential downside is much greater at current levels than where PARD shares opened Monday morning. Meaningful risks include the outcome of an after-Phase II FDA meeting regarding picoplatin registration in CRC whereby, worst case, time lines could be pushed out due to agency insistence for an additional Phase II trial employing bevacizumab and/or rejection of a non-inferiority registration strategy. Furthermore, negotiations with prospective partners will probably have to be re-set following the failed Phase III SPEAR trial, which, exacerbated by a very weak balance sheet, could result in suboptimal terms for PARD shareholders. We estimate operating cash is sufficient into Q1/10."
To see all the upgrades/downgrades on shares of PARD, visit our Analyst Ratings page.
Canaccord analyst says, "Following the announcement of the SPEAR trial failure last Monday, we reduced our DCF-derived price target to $2.50 from $10, considering the picoplatin opportunity in colorectal cancer (CRC) alone. Recovering to this target much sooner than expected, we downgrade to a HOLD based on our view of a less attractive risk/reward than before."
"While upside remains probable upon signing of a corporate partnership and/or removal of a major
financing overhang, we believe potential downside is much greater at current levels than where PARD shares opened Monday morning. Meaningful risks include the outcome of an after-Phase II FDA meeting regarding picoplatin registration in CRC whereby, worst case, time lines could be pushed out due to agency insistence for an additional Phase II trial employing bevacizumab and/or rejection of a non-inferiority registration strategy. Furthermore, negotiations with prospective partners will probably have to be re-set following the failed Phase III SPEAR trial, which, exacerbated by a very weak balance sheet, could result in suboptimal terms for PARD shareholders. We estimate operating cash is sufficient into Q1/10."
To see all the upgrades/downgrades on shares of PARD, visit our Analyst Ratings page.
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