Analyst Ratings February 4, 2026

Truist Maintains Buy on Xencor, Citing TL1A×IL-23 Momentum and Upcoming Clinical Catalysts

Analyst reaffirmation and pipeline milestones underline bullish case for XNCR despite current low share price

By Priya Menon XNCR
Truist Maintains Buy on Xencor, Citing TL1A×IL-23 Momentum and Upcoming Clinical Catalysts
XNCR

Truist Securities has reiterated a Buy rating and $29.00 price target on Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ: XNCR), pointing to growing momentum around TL1A×IL-23p bispecifics and a busy clinical calendar. With the stock trading at $11.74, the $29 target implies nearly 147% upside. Truist highlighted recent industry activity around TL1A assets, new bispecific data presented at ECCO 2026, and an expanding XmAb pipeline, while noting a U.S. patent that extends Ultomiris royalty protection into December 2028 and could add $100 million to $120 million in royalties based on consensus sales forecasts.

Key Points

  • Truist Securities reiterated a Buy rating and $29.00 price target on Xencor (XNCR), implying roughly 147% upside from the $11.74 trading level - impacts equity investors and biotech market participants.
  • Industry moves reinforcing TL1A interest include Boehringer Ingelheim's $1.3 billion purchase of a Chinese TL1A bispecific asset, Caldera's $113 million Series A financing, and new bispecific data presented at ECCO 2026 - impacts pharmaceutical dealmaking and immunology R&D sectors.
  • Xencor outlined 2026 pipeline priorities for its XmAb candidates, planning to present clinical data for five wholly owned drug candidates, and noted a U.S. patent (12,492,253) extending Ultomiris royalty coverage to December 2028 with an estimated $100M to $120M of additional royalties based on consensus forecasts - impacts company revenue outlook and biopharma IP-related cash flows.

Overview

Truist Securities has reiterated its Buy rating on Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ: XNCR) and reaffirmed a $29.00 price target, citing increased momentum behind TL1A×IL-23p bispecific candidates in the immunology and inflammation space. With XNCR trading at $11.74, Truist's target represents almost 147% potential upside from the quoted share price. InvestingPro valuation data referenced by market observers also indicates the stock appears undervalued on a Fair Value basis, while analyst price targets in the market span from $18 to $43.

Industry signals supporting the view

The research note highlights several external developments that Truist views as supportive of Xencor's bispecific franchise. Examples cited include a $1.3 billion acquisition by Boehringer Ingelheim of a Chinese TL1A bispecific asset, Caldera's $113 million Series A financing, and comments from Merck that have drawn investor attention to the TL1A program landscape. Truist also pointed to new bispecific data presented at ECCO 2026 and to heightened investor focus on phase III TL1A programs as contributing to a more favorable environment for companies working in this modality.

Xencor's internal program and strategic updates

Within its coverage commentary, Truist described Xencor's TL1A×IL-23p19 asset as "both mechanistically compelling and meaningfully de-risked," signaling confidence in the science backing the candidate. The firm noted potential for a share re-rating as Xencor progresses on clinical execution and highlighted a "burgeoning portfolio which also includes promising assets in oncology & beyond."

Xencor's own disclosures and plans factor into the outlook. The company has outlined pipeline priorities for 2026 centered on its XmAb platform, with a stated aim to present key clinical data for five wholly owned drug candidates. Those candidates reportedly include four T-cell engagers directed at solid tumors and autoimmune indications, as well as two therapies aimed at inflammatory bowel disease.

Intellectual property and revenue implications

Xencor announced issuance of U.S. Patent 12,492,253, a development that extends the company's royalty term on Ultomiris sales in the United States by about three years, moving the royalty period to December 2028. Based on consensus sales forecasts, the company expects this extension to generate an incremental $100 million to $120 million in royalty revenue.

Analyst coverage notes

In its commentary, Truist reiterated its Buy rating and $29.00 price target and elsewhere in the reporting also indicated initiation of coverage on Xencor with the same Buy rating and $29.00 target. The firm attributed its constructive view to validation of Xencor's antibody platform through commercial approvals of products such as Ultomiris and Monjuvi, and to the company's advancing clinical-stage portfolio and strategic revenue initiatives.


Contextual takeaways

The confluence of external TL1A-related deal activity, new clinical data presented at ECCO 2026, Xencor's planned clinical disclosures for 2026, and a patent extension affecting near-term royalty streams form the basis for Truist's reiterated Buy stance and $29 price objective.

Risks

  • Clinical execution risk - Truist’s case depends on Xencor advancing clinical programs; the company’s share re-rating is tied to progress in clinical execution, so delays or setbacks in trials could affect valuation - impacts biotech equities and healthcare investors.
  • Phase III outcome uncertainty - increased investor focus on phase III TL1A programs means trial endpoints and results in those programs could materially influence sentiment and valuation - impacts pharmaceutical R&D and drug development funding.
  • Revenue forecast reliance - the expected $100M to $120M in additional royalty revenue from the patent extension is based on consensus sales forecasts, making the additional revenue contingent on realized Ultomiris sales aligning with those forecasts - impacts company revenue projections and investor expectations.

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