PHIO

Phio Pharmaceuticals ($PHIO) Executives Load Up on Shares as Stock Surges 150% Amid Immuno-Oncology Pipeline Progress

06/12/2025 11:35

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp ($PHIO) executives have been consistently purchasing company shares in recent weeks, with Chairman Robert Bitterman and Director Robert Ferrara demonstrating strong confidence in the company's prospects through their buying activity. Between June 9-10, the two executives purchased a combined 6,000 shares worth approximately $10,000, signaling insider optimism about the company's future trajectory. Bitterman's buying pattern has been particularly notable, with consecutive purchases on May 21 and 22 totaling 4,200 shares at $1.77-$1.78 per share, when the stock was trading near recent lows. Director Ferrara also participated in the buying, acquiring 2,500 shares at $1.82 on May 20. These transactions included shares of common stock underlying unvested restricted stock units, indicating management's long-term commitment to the company's value proposition. Phio Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, focused on developing novel immuno-oncology therapeutics through its proprietary INTASYL platform. The company's lead asset, PH-762, is currently in Phase 1b dose-escalation trials targeting advanced melanoma and solid tumors by reducing PD-1 protein expression to enhance T cell-mediated cancer killing. Additionally, PH-894 is in IND-enabling studies, designed to silence BRD4 protein to modulate immune response and tumor growth. From a financial perspective, $PHIO exhibits the characteristics of a typical early-stage biotech company. While currently pre-revenue, the company maintains a robust cash position of $13.28 million with zero debt, providing sufficient runway for continued R&D operations. The current ratio of 10.58 demonstrates strong short-term liquidity, while recent quarterly results showed an adjusted loss of 85 cents per share, significantly improved from the $7.65 loss in the prior year period. The broader biotechnology sector is experiencing renewed interest in immuno-oncology therapeutics, particularly those targeting the PD-1 pathway where several major pharmaceutical companies have achieved success. Phio's gene silencing approach offers a differentiated mechanism, operating with a lean organization of just 5 full-time employees to maximize resource efficiency. From a stock performance standpoint, $PHIO underwent a 1-for-9 reverse stock split in July 2024 before experiencing continued weakness through early 2025. However, the stock has shown strong recovery momentum since April, rising over 150% from lows around $1.01 to current levels near $2.55. Year-to-date performance stands at +41.67%, indicating renewed market interest in the company's prospects. Analysts maintain a 'buy' rating on $PHIO with a 12-month price target of $4.00, representing approximately 57% upside potential from current levels. Historical price targets have reached as high as $36.00, though this reflects the high volatility inherent in clinical-stage biotech investments based on trial outcomes. Key upcoming catalysts include the earnings release scheduled between August 12-18, which should provide updates on PH-762's Phase 1b trial progress and PH-894's IND preparation status. Investors will also focus on the company's cash burn rate and future financing plans to assess operational runway. In the near term, continued insider buying and stock price recovery present positive momentum indicators. However, given the inherent risks of clinical-stage biotech investing, investors should remain cautious until concrete catalysts such as positive trial results or strategic partnerships materialize. With institutional ownership at just 15.77%, successful clinical outcomes could attract increased institutional interest and provide additional upside potential.

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