A recent regulatory approval should thrust TRACON’s antibody-based tumor-fighting therapy into a broad, lucrative geographic market
The battle against cancer is ongoing, and not limited to any particular nation or continent. Knowing this, the world’s most ambitious and dedicated biotechnology businesses are ready and willing to look abroad for clinical development and commercialization avenues.
Based in San Diego, California, TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (TCON) is among the most committed developers of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer, as well as for age-related macular degeneration and fibrotic diseases.
As a leader in the high-need field of endoglin biology, TRACON leverages its team’s expertise to develop antibodies that bind to the endoglin receptor. Among the company’s most high-conviction product candidates is TRC105, an anti-endoglin antibody that is being developed for the treatment of multiple solid tumor types in combination with inhibitors of the VEGF pathway.
The clinical science is highly promising – and that’s not just my opinion, as TRACON Pharmaceuticals’ recently earned a potentially game-changing regulatory approval that stands to benefit the company, the investors, and innumerable patients across a vast continent.
A Closer Look at TCON Stock
Biotechnology investors crave fast-moving stocks, and TCON stock definitely fits the bill. Trust me, you’ll never get bored if you’re trading this stock.
As recently as July of 2020, TCON was trading at $1.65. Even today, this is an affordable stock for just about any investor – though the price has appreciated quite a bit, as it was slightly below $2.50 in mid-December 2021.
On the other hand, TCON stock is capable of running much higher. We know that this is true because the share price was above the $10 mark in 2021 at one point.
In other words, you could capture swift and powerful returns if you time this investment right. TCON stock anywhere below $5 definitely looks like a worthy addition to a biotech stock portfolio as the next run to $10 and higher could happen before you expect it.
Best-in-Class Product
Along with TRC105, TRACON Pharmaceuticals is also advancing TRC205, an anti-endoglin antibody that’s in preclinical development for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.
Furthermore, TRACON has TRC102 in its pipeline. TRC102 is a small molecule that’s in clinical development for the treatment of lung cancer and glioblastoma. Each of TRACON Pharmaceuticals’ product candidates is expected to complement the currently available therapies.
Last but definitely not least is Envafolimab (KN035), a novel, single-domain PD-L1 antibody that is administered by subcutaneous injection without the need for an adjuvant.
Envafolimab is currently dosing in the ENVASARC pivotal Phase 2 trial in the U.S. sponsored by TRACON. However, it has also been accepted for priority review by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration for the treatment of MSI-H cancer patients.
Envafolimab is truly a potential best-in-class checkpoint inhibitor, as it offers rapid low-volume subcutaneous injection without an adjuvant that is more convenient, less invasive and safer than IV therapy.
Major Marketing Authhorization
We already cited the specified approval of Envafolimab by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration. However, there’s another exciting development coming out of China.
TRACON Pharmaceuticals partners Alphamab Oncology and 3D Medicines Co., Ltd. recently announced that Envafolimab has received marketing authorization from the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
Prior to this approval, all marketed PD-1 and PD-L1 antibody drugs in China required intravenous infusions.
As a subcutaneously administered PD-L1 antibody, Envafolimab can be administered within 30 seconds in the physician’s office – thereby increasing convenience, reducing treatment time, and sparing patients from the risk of infusion reactions.
TRACON President and CEO Charles Theuer is understandably pleased that the dedication of company partners Alphamab Oncology and 3D Medicines has resulted in the initial approval of the first subcutaneously administered checkpoint inhibitor in China – and he’s eyeing the U.S. for future developments.
“Importantly, the TRACON sponsored pivotal ENVASARC trial of envafolimab for the treatment of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) in the United States continues to enroll well at 26 sites, and we look forward to the Independent Data Monitoring Committee review of interim efficacy and safety data before the end of the year,” Theuer explained.
The Bottom Line
TCON stock has room to move much higher, based on its historic price action.
However, let’s not forget about the company’s progress in developing and commercializing its unique suite of oncology-based product candidates.
In both China and the U.S., TRACON Pharmaceuticals is making strides and advancing life-changing science – and as Wall Street fully recognizes this, TCON stockholders can target $10 and beyond.
