In short Imugene (IMU-ASX) firstly was a multi bagger, in catapulting approximately 30 to 40 times its value a few years back, and secondly well could be again due the excellent scientists they have chosen to collaborate with. Scientists including but not limited to Professors Pravin Kaumaya and Ursula Weidermann, responsible for creating Imugene's B Cell science, and Professor Yuman Fong in conjunction with his City Of Hope counterpart, Saul Priecman M.D. These scientists have developed outstanding cancer drugs capable of both stimulating ones own immune system in the fight against cancer (B Cell cancer therapy), and in eradicating a multitude if not all cancer lines pre-clinically, as outlined above by
@bluebrando In essence Fong and Priceman have created an oncolytic virus that not only explodes then eradicates solid tumours in cancer patients, but identifies them as prospective insurgents months if not years down the track, ensuring these contaminants are prevented from reappearing in the form of relapse within late stage cancer patients. So why is this so groundbreaking
@usernam, you may well ask? Well solid tumours constitute close to 90% of all diagnosis within cancer patients each year, and as of 2024 there is no one cure for these dastardly malignant lumps and lesions. Several medicines have been utilised to slow if not halt the progression of solid tumours, such as the well known Keytruda and Opdivo, yet these drugs bring with them a plethora of side effects and negative consequences for patients, as does the more traditional chemotherapy treatment arm.
Therefore if Imugene (IMU - ASX) has successfully licensed this so called ground breaking and innovative science, why is the stock not assuming the mantle of multi bagger status, despite the fact it well could be? Well I guess in answering that question it's difficult to do so without ruffling the feathers of many long term holders, and readers of this thread. I suppose if the truth be known many factors have contributed to the stocks failure to escalate to the lofty heights predicted if not forecast by myself and so many other holders and followers of this small Aussie biotech. The first could perhaps be that it is in fact a small Aussie biotech. The ASX bourse upon which it is listed is not renowned for supporting or fostering large investment sums in the biotech sector, unlike the US Nasdaq bourse, where many of Imugene's competitors have found long term investment support. The second reason is the failure of Imugene management to convert their initially strong results from the aforementioned B Cell platform (i.e., PD1 Vaxx - Kaumaya, and Her Vaxx - Weidermann) into fruitful commercial outcomes. In other words they have not been able to put the runs on the board when it comes to solidifying a deal with a big Pharma partner of third party investor capable of taking their unique science to the next level. More often than not their science has been surpassed by competitors in the cancer research arena (i.e., Imugene's Her Vaxx by Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu), due to Imugene's failure to capitalise on sound pre and post clinical results. As a consequence management have diluted company shareholders through a number of discounted capital raises and convertible note issues, only to find they are still under funded when it comes to the development of their immunotherapy platforms. Unfortunately given the high cost of performing post clinical (i.e., Phase 1,2 and 3 trials), Imugene has had to either cut short existing trials, or conduct trials on relatively small sample sizes of patients. Meanwhile elsewhere in the field of cancer research their competitors, who are more often than not backed by a Big Pharma suitor, are running post clinical trials with hundreds if not thousands of patients, as opposed to Imugene's often handful of trial participants.
In conclusion, Imugene is currently focussing on the cancer therapies they believe shall produce the most meaningful results, those being the above mentioned oncolytic virus, known as Vaxinia (Fong), and its partner in the process of treating solid tumours, Oncarlytics (Priceman). I suggest you do some research on both these treatment arms should you wish to analyse Imugene's potential when it comes to becoming a multi bagger at some stage in the future. In addition to this science the company is focussing on a drug known as Azer Cel, which has produced encouraging results in the treatment of lymphoma's and other blood cancers. Yet despite the past performance of their acquired and now licensed cancer therapies, Imugene investors have had to pay a high price for supporting what is now a top heavy organisation with over reaching salaries and at times what could only be referred to as corporate greed. Managements ongoing desire to provide themselves with options, bonuses and performance shares without any significant evidence of performance from a commercial perspective, has left many either departing the stock, or scratching their heads at the disconnect between the science in play, and the commercial realities required to put the science in play. Despite possessing ground breaking science and cancer technology, Imugene's Board has proven incapable of delivering a financial partner or platform capable of taking their science to the next level, that being through FDA approval and into the market. Whilst this process does indeed take time, and patience is required from shareholders and trial participants alike, it's been a slow boat to China when it comes to Imugene. A journey that could well have been avoided had management exercised the sense of urgency and forthrightness required to assume the pre eminent status its scientific collaborators deserved.
WMHB Thoughts and opinions only - not advice
p.s enjoy yr Xmas. Best of luck to all LTH's. Go IMU in 2025 and yes, lets catch up in Noosa if not next year, the year after!
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