The company will partner with Pfizer (PFE) to develop and commercialize cancer treatment relugolix
The shares of Myovant Sciences Ltd (NYSE:MYOV) are up 27.2% at $29.08 at last check, gapping to record highs, after the biopharmaceutical concern announced a collaboration with Pfizer (PFE) to develop and commercialize cancer treatment relugolix in both the U.S. and Canada. Though the companies will share profits and expenses, MYOV could earn up to $4.2 billion as it reaches certain sales milestones. Pfizer can also sell the drug to other countries, though the collaboration entitles Myovant to receive $50 million and double-digit royalties on sales outside of North America.
Digging deeper, the equity has experienced unprecedented growth over the past year. After recovering from an early October bear gap, shares have more than quintupled off their March 16 low of $5.98, with support from the 40-day moving average. Year-to-date, the security sports an 84% lead.
Analysts were already optimistic toward Myovant Sciences stock, with four of the five in question carrying a "strong buy" rating, while only one called the security a tepid "hold." Plus, the 12-month consensus price target of $33.14 is a significant 16% premium to current levels.
Though shorts are already hitting the exits in droves, there is plenty of pessimism left to be unwound, which could push the security even higher going forward. Short interest fell 28.2% in the most recent reporting period, yet the 2.93 million shares sold still account for 9.1% of the stock's available float, or nearly three days' worth of pent-up buying power.
Drilling down to today's options activity, over 2,000 calls have been exchanged in just the first half hour of trading, which is more than 12 times the average intraday amount. Most popular is the January 2021 35 strike-call, followed by the 30 strike-call in the same monthly series.