Analyst Ratings January 27, 2026

Truist Lifts Nuvation Bio Target to $13, Cites Strong Ibtrozi Uptake

Price target raised after management meeting and Q4 pre-report; analysts weigh in as licensing deal and sales figures surface

By Hana Yamamoto NUVB
Truist Lifts Nuvation Bio Target to $13, Cites Strong Ibtrozi Uptake
NUVB

Truist Securities increased its price target on Nuvation Bio Inc to $13.00 from $11.00 and kept a Buy rating following the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 pre-report and a one-on-one meeting with management. The firm highlighted stronger-than-expected early uptake of Ibtrozi and the drug’s positioning in the ROS1 treatment landscape, while noting potential upside tied to the safusidenib program and upcoming registrational clarity.

Key Points

  • Truist Securities raised its price target on Nuvation Bio to $13.00 from $11.00 and kept a Buy rating, an 18.2% increase from its prior target. - Sectors impacted: Healthcare, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals.
  • Ibtrozi showed stronger-than-expected early uptake despite seasonal headwinds and is being positioned by Truist as the "ROS1 agent of choice versus competitors." - Sectors impacted: Oncology therapeutics, Specialty pharma distribution.
  • Nuvation reported fourth-quarter 2025 IBTROZI sales of approximately $15.7 million and signed a licensing deal with Eisai that includes c50 million ($60 million) upfront and up to c145 million ($170 million) in potential milestones plus tiered royalties. - Sectors impacted: Commercial partnerships, Biotech M&A/licensing.

Truist Securities has revised its price target for Nuvation Bio Inc from $11.00 to $13.00, while retaining a Buy rating on the shares. The increase follows the research firm’s review of Nuvation Bio’s fourth-quarter 2025 pre-report and a one-on-one meeting with the company’s management team.

In its assessment, Truist pointed to the Ibtrozi franchise as showing a "robust opportunity out of the gate," citing stronger-than-anticipated uptake even in the face of seasonal headwinds. The research firm characterized the drug as the "ROS1 agent of choice versus competitors," a positioning that informed its updated valuation.

Truist also identified potential upside in Nuvation Bio’s safusidenib program for mIDH1 glioma, while noting that the firm is awaiting greater clarity on registrational timelines. The research note mentioned that readouts for that program could be available as early as this year, a development Truist views as adding to the program’s optionality.

The revised price target represents an 18.2% increase from Truist’s prior $11.00 target.


Separately, Nuvation Bio reported fourth-quarter 2025 sales of IBTROZI of approximately $15.7 million. That figure was slightly below H.C. Wainwright’s estimate of $16.4 million but in line with the consensus estimate of $15.5 million.

In a strategic commercial move, Nuvation Bio entered a licensing agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. for the development and commercialization of taletrectinib for ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer across multiple regions. The deal includes an upfront payment of c50 million ($60 million), potential milestone payments totaling up to c145 million ($170 million), and tiered royalties.


Analyst activity around the company has been active. Jones Trading raised its price target to $12 and maintained a Buy rating. H.C. Wainwright lowered its target to $17 while also keeping a Buy rating. Citizens reiterated a Market Outperform rating and highlighted the potential for rapid growth as Nuvation Bio builds Ibtrozi’s presence in the U.S. Meanwhile, UBS initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a $10 price target, noting the company’s approved oral pill for lung cancer.

Collectively, these analyst moves and the company’s reported sales and licensing arrangement reflect ongoing strategic developments for Nuvation Bio and shape market expectations for its commercial trajectory.


While the Truist price-target uplift signals growing confidence in Ibtrozis initial commercial performance and potential pipeline upside, market watchers remain attentive to upcoming registrational clarity and additional sales trends that will further inform valuations and analyst views.

Risks

  • Registrational timeline uncertainty for the safusidenib program - Truist is awaiting clarity on registrational timelines and noted that readouts could be available as early as this year, creating timing risk for potential upside. - Affected sectors: Drug development, Biotech investment timing.
  • Near-term sales variability relative to analyst estimates - Q4 2025 IBTROZI sales of $15.7 million were slightly below H.C. Wainwrights $16.4 million estimate, introducing execution and market-adoption risk. - Affected sectors: Pharmaceutical sales performance, Healthcare revenue forecasting.
  • Commercial and partnership execution risk tied to licensing terms - The Eisai agreement provides upfront and milestone payments plus royalties, but realization of milestone payments depends on future development and regulatory outcomes. - Affected sectors: Licensing revenue, Strategic partnerships.

More from Analyst Ratings

Palantir Gains After Lofty 2026 Guidance; Analysts Split on Outlook Feb 2, 2026 Freedom Capital Markets Starts Coverage of Nebius Group With Buy Rating, $108 Target Feb 2, 2026 Clear Street Starts Coverage on Caribou Biosciences with Buy Rating and $13 Target Feb 2, 2026 Goldman Keeps OLN Neutral at $22 as Olin Signals Rough Q1, Cost Cuts to Cushion Results Feb 2, 2026 Aletheia Capital Starts Coverage on Teradyne With Buy Rating, $400 Target Feb 2, 2026