ITOS

Major Shareholder Bets Big on iTeos Therapeutics($ITOS) with $38.6M Purchase Following Clinical Setback

05/16/2025 22:59

iTeos Therapeutics ($ITOS) has been capturing attention amid the volatility in the biotech market. Particularly noteworthy is the substantial buying activity by major shareholder Oleg Nodelman in mid-May. Nodelman purchased approximately 5 million shares worth $38.6 million over two consecutive days on May 14 and 15, 2025. This represents a significant investment for a small-cap biotech company with a market capitalization of around $200 million. iTeos Therapeutics focuses on developing cancer immunotherapies, with a particular emphasis on immune checkpoint inhibitors. One of the company's lead products, belrestotug, was being developed in combination with GSK's dostarlimab for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, on May 13, 2025, the company made a critical announcement: the termination of its lung cancer drug development partnership with GSK. This decision came after the therapy failed to improve progression-free survival in mid-stage trials. On the same day as this announcement, major shareholders including Ansbert Gadicke and MPM BIOVENTURES sold approximately 1.66 million shares worth $13.4 million at an average price of $8.06. Interestingly, despite the negative clinical results and some major shareholders selling, the stock rose by 13.6%. This suggests that the market had already partially priced in the possibility of clinical failure, or that investors viewed the company's plans to conserve cash and explore strategic alternatives positively. iTeos is currently reviewing options to focus resources on other pipeline candidates following the discontinuation of its TIGIT receptor-targeting therapy. Brian Cheng, an analyst at J.P.Morgan, characterized the partnership termination as a "relief," allowing iTeos to focus resources on its Phase 1 pipeline. Indeed, in the biotech industry, rapidly terminating unsuccessful projects and reallocating resources to promising early-stage pipelines is often considered a more effective long-term strategy. Particularly notable is that Oleg Nodelman's substantial purchases occurred immediately after Gadicke's sales. He acquired approximately 1.66 million shares at an average of $7.41 on May 14, followed by an additional 3.3 million shares at $8.00 on May 15. This suggests Nodelman has strong confidence in the company's long-term potential. The fact that his second purchase was made at a higher price than his first indicates he's not concerned about short-term price declines. iTeos reported a cash balance of approximately $655 million at the end of 2024, which the company expects will provide a runway through 2027. This robust financial position gives the company a buffer to continue long-term research and development despite current challenges. In the short term, iTeos' stock price is likely to show volatility due to the recent clinical failure and strategic readjustment. Indeed, the stock has shown a sharp decline since mid-September 2024, falling more than 50% from its 2024 high. However, Nodelman's substantial purchases suggest that current price levels may represent an attractive entry point for long-term investors. Long-term, the progression of iTeos' early-stage pipeline and cash management strategy will be key determinants of stock performance. The company's substantial cash assets provide flexibility to continue R&D while exploring strategic M&A or licensing opportunities. In conclusion, iTeos Therapeutics' recent situation exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward nature of biotech investing. Despite the failure of a major clinical program, adequate cash reserves and strong confidence from a key shareholder can be interpreted as positive signals for the company's long-term value. Investors should note the substantial buying signal from a knowledgeable insider like Nodelman while remaining mindful of the inherent uncertainties in the biotech sector.