BUZZ-IGM Bio hits record low after development of two autoimmune drugs halted

Updates

Shares of biotech firm IGM Biosciences IGMS.O slump 68.5% to $1.95, hitting their lowest level since Nasdaq debut in September 2019

Stock on track for biggest one-day percentage fall since debut, if losses hold

IGMS said on Thursday it is halting further development of two drugs, imvotamab and IGM-2644, which were being tested for immunity-related diseases

Early-stage trail data shows imvotamab is not effective enough in depleting B cells, a type of white blood cells, for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, CEO Mary Beth Harler says

Co also plans to lay off about 73% of its employees

Co had 224 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2023 - SEC filing

RBC Capital Markets notes IGMS's preclinical collaboration with Sanofi SNY.O SASY.PA for undisclosed I&I (immunology and inflammation) targets but does not expect it "to drive near-term value"

Brokerage downgrades stock to "sector perform" from "outperform", cuts PT to $1.50 from $20

At least three other brokerages also downgrade stock and cut PT

IGMS declined ~30% in 2024

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)

((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com))