Xencor Inc

Raymond James has updated its Healthcare Top Picks list for October, adding Xencor, Calyxt, and UnitedHealth Group while removing Relay Therapeutics, Tyra Biosciences, and Oscar Health. Xencor replaces Relay Therapeutics, with the firm anticipating significant interest in Xencor's dataset at ESMO at the end of October and seeing near-term upside on a positive readout and a clear path to pivotal development for XmAb819 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, even as it maintains a Strong Buy rating on Relay Therapeutics. Calyxt replaces Tyra Biosciences, with Raymond James citing an increasingly derisked setup for both of Calyxt's lead assets, CLYM116 and budoprutug; initial Phase 2 data for CLYM116 is expected next year ahead of a Phase 3 study in IgAN patients, while additional budoprutug data across pMN, ITP, and SLE is due in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the firm noted the subcutaneous formulation could differentiate it from approved anti-CD19 Uplizna. UnitedHealth Group replaces Oscar Health ahead of third-quarter earnings in mid-October, with the firm saying the recent pullback on Stars and midterm election-related concerns creates an attractive setup into what it expects to be a strong quarter. Raymond James said it remains positive on Oscar Health with an Outperform rating but currently prefers UnitedHealth given the monthly nature of the list.

Several biotech stocks reached 52-week highs on July 20, 2026, driven by upcoming clinical trial launches and data readouts. Xencor Inc. hit $20.26, closing up 7%, as it advances XmAb942 in a Phase 2b ulcerative colitis trial with interim results expected by year-end 2026, and two bispecific antibodies in Phase 1 with data due in the second half of 2026. Hemab Therapeutics Holdings Inc. reached $52.15 after reporting positive Phase 2 data for Sutacimig in Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Factor VIII deficiency, showing an 84% reduction in mean annualized treated bleeding rate, along with positive interim Phase 2 results for HMB-002 in Von Willebrand's disease and the launch of HMB-003 for heavy menstrual bleeding. Monopar Therapeutics Inc. hit $115 following positive Phase 3 results for ALXN1840 in Wilson disease, for which it received a Rare Pediatric Disease voucher and plans an NDA submission by mid-2026, while also advancing MNPR-101 in Phase 1 for solid tumors. SOPHiA GENETICS SA rose over 7% to a 52-week high of $6.50, reporting first-quarter revenue of $21.7 million, up 22% year-over-year, and guiding for full-year 2026 revenue of $92 million to $94 million, representing 20% to 22% growth. Aclaris Therapeutics Inc. is advancing Bosakitug in a Phase 2 atopic dermatitis trial with topline results expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, ATI-052 in a Phase 1b for atopic dermatitis and a Phase 2b asthma program starting in the fourth quarter, and ATI-2138 in a planned Phase 2 basket study for lichen planus in the second half of 2026.

Shares of Xencor surged 17% on Friday after the company announced that its Phase 1 candidate XmAb819 earned a proffered paper oral presentation slot at ESMO 2026. The stock rose $2.52 to close at $17.47 on volume of about 1.68 million shares, which was 1.7 times the one-month average. XmAb819 is being studied in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and the high-visibility oral format is expected to draw meaningful attention to the program. Prior to the rally, Xencor shares had drifted lower over the past week.