Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in the United Kingdom, with a focus on advancing a diverse pipeline of innovative medicines targeting rare and serious diseases. The company leverages a portfolio approach, developing multiple assets across different therapeutic areas to diversify risk and maximize clinical impact. Its strategy centers on progressing high-potential candidates through pivotal trials, aiming to address significant unmet medical needs and esta ...

On February 17, 2026, Connecticut-based Braidwell disclosed a new position in Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CNTA), acquiring 2,188,320 shares in an estimated $54.73 million trade. What happened In a new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing released February 17, 2026 (link), Braidwell disclosed the purchase of 2,188,320 shares of Centessa. The net position change for the quarter was $54.73 million, reflecting the new holding’s quarter-end valuation. What else to know The new stake re ...

Core Insights - Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CNTA) is identified as one of the 17 biotechnology stocks with more than 50% upside potential [1] - Analysts from Truist Financial and Piper Sandler have set price targets of $38 for CNTA, indicating a potential upside of 15% and 57% respectively [1][2] Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Danielle Brill from Truist Financial raised the price target on Centessa Pharmaceuticals from $33 to $38, maintaining a Buy rating [1] - Biren Amin from Piper Sandler maintained an Overweight rating with a price target of $38, suggesting a 57% upside potential [2] Group 2: Catalysts and Market Opportunities - Two major catalysts for Centessa Pharmaceuticals this quarter include the initiation of Phase 3 trials for ORX750 across NT1, NT2, and IH, and findings from the CRYSTAL-1 Phase 2 study [3] - The market opportunity for idiopathic hypersomnia is highlighted as potentially larger and underappreciated [3] Group 3: Company Overview - Centessa Pharmaceuticals focuses on the discovery and development of transformative medicines for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases [4] - The company operates under an asset-centric Research and Development model, treating individual programs as separate entities for efficient decision-making [4]

Summary of Centessa Pharmaceuticals Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS:CNTA) - **Focus**: Development of orexin agonists for treating rare hypersomnias, including Narcolepsy Type 1 (NT1), Narcolepsy Type 2 (NT2), and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Vision and Strategy - The CEO, Mario Alberto Accardi, emphasized a transformational year for Centessa, aiming to leverage orexin agonists across multiple indications [2] - The company is transitioning into a pre-commercial stage, focusing on rare hypersomnias and expanding its pipeline in neuroscience [3] Clinical Development - Centessa plans to initiate registrational studies for at least one, potentially all three indications (NT1, NT2, IH) within the current quarter [6][24] - The company has demonstrated a best-in-class profile for its lead candidate, ORX750, showing significant efficacy in NT1 and promising data in NT2 and IH [3][17] Data and Efficacy - In previous studies, ORX750 showed a greater than 10-minute improvement from baseline on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) at a 4 mg dose for NT2, with an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score dropping to 8 [17][22] - The company aims to push doses higher to maximize efficacy, with a focus on data-driven decisions for dose selection [18][20] Competitive Landscape - Centessa aims to be first in class for NT2 and IH, with a competitive edge over existing treatments [17][29] - The CEO highlighted the importance of being ahead of competitors in the clinical development of orexin agonists [8][29] Regulatory Strategy - Positive feedback from the FDA has been received regarding the clinical development strategy, with no gating factors preventing the initiation of registrational studies [24] - The company is evaluating potential regulatory measures to accelerate drug development, including Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) [27][28] Future Directions - Centessa is exploring next-generation assets like ORX142, which may address a broader range of symptoms beyond rare hypersomnias, including fatigue and cognitive function [32][34] - The company is committed to building a diverse pipeline and is already hiring for commercial roles, indicating readiness for market entry [36][37] Additional Important Insights - The CEO discussed the potential for orexin agonists to provide a functional cure for NT1 by stabilizing the sleep-wake boundary, addressing both excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy [29][30] - The company is capturing various exploratory endpoints in its studies, including patient-reported outcomes and sleep quality assessments, to better understand the impact of its treatments [31][23] This summary encapsulates the key points from the Centessa Pharmaceuticals conference call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, clinical development plans, and competitive positioning in the biotech industry.

Core Insights - Tanager Wealth Management has completely divested its stake in Centessa Pharmaceuticals, selling 598,044 shares for an estimated value of $14.50 million [2][3] - Centessa Pharmaceuticals has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion and focuses on developing therapies for rare and serious diseases [4][5] - The company's stock price increased by approximately 56.7% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 14% gain during the same period [3][10] Company Overview - Centessa Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in the UK, with a diversified pipeline targeting nephrology, hematology, immunology, and respiratory diseases [5][7] - The company reported a total revenue of $15 million and a net income loss of $242.7 million for the trailing twelve months [4] - Centessa's strategy involves developing differentiated therapies for underserved patient populations, aiming to leverage innovation and clinical expertise [5][7] Financial Position - As of January 26, Centessa had $349 million in cash, equivalents, and investments, along with $250 million raised from investors in November [9] - The company's stock price as of January 26 was $25.73, reflecting a strong performance in the biotech sector [4][3] Market Context - The exit of Tanager Wealth Management indicates a shift in the allocation of assets, as CNTA now represents 0% of their reportable 13F AUM, down from 1.5% in the previous quarter [3] - Centessa's focus on clinical-stage products includes candidates like Lixivaptan for polycystic kidney disease and SerpinPC for hemophilia, among others [7]

Core Insights - Centessa Pharmaceuticals announced new preclinical data demonstrating that OX2R activation with a potent OX2R agonist reduced behavioral despair and enhanced wakefulness in an animal model of major depressive disorder, suggesting a potential mechanism for rapid-onset treatment of mood symptoms and hypersomnolence [1][2] Group 1: OX2R Agonist Program - The company is focused on developing a pipeline of OX2R agonists aimed at addressing excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired attention, cognitive deficits, and fatigue across various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders [4][5] - Current investigational candidates include ORX750, ORX142, and ORX489, with ORX750 being evaluated in a Phase 2a study for sleep-wake disorders [4][5] Group 2: Leadership and Strategy - The CEO of Centessa emphasized the importance of exploring orexin pharmacology to unlock the full potential of their OX2R agonist pipeline, aiming to expand beyond rare hypersomnias into high-value indications with significant unmet clinical needs [2] Group 3: Presentation and Data Availability - The preclinical findings will be presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, with a poster detailing the effects of CNT-9982 on wakefulness and behavioral despair [2][3]

Group 1 - Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CNTA) is considered a promising stock under $50, with Truist raising its price target to $33 from $30 while maintaining a Buy rating [1] - Needham increased its price target for Centessa to $38 from $35, also with a Buy rating, anticipating continued momentum into 2026 driven by Phase 2a data for ORX-750 [2] - Oppenheimer resumed coverage with an Outperform rating and raised its price target to $62 from $40, highlighting Centessa's best-in-class orexin agonists and projected commercial launch in H1 2028 [3] Group 2 - Centessa is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering medicines [4]

Core Insights - Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CNTA) is recognized as a promising stock by Wall Street, with analysts projecting strong momentum through 2026 due to upcoming clinical data [1][2][3] Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Needham raised its price target for Centessa to $38 from $35, maintaining a Buy rating, citing the potential for ongoing ORX-750 Phase 2a study data to drive stock momentum [1] - Oppenheimer initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and a price target of $62, increased from $40, highlighting the company's pipeline of orexin agonists as a key factor [2] Group 2: Clinical Developments - Centessa's lead candidate, ORX750, demonstrated potential best-in-class efficacy for treating Narcolepsy Type 1 and Type 2, as well as Idiopathic Hypersomnia, with Phase 2a data showing significant normalization of wakefulness [3] - The company plans a major clinical expansion in Q1 2026, including the launch of the ORX750 registrational program and initiation of studies for ORX142 and ORX489 [3]

Core Viewpoint - Centessa Pharmaceuticals is undergoing a leadership transition, appointing Dr. Mario Alberto Accardi as CEO effective January 1, 2026, to focus on advancing its orexin portfolio, which is central to the company's strategic evolution [1][2]. Leadership Transition - Dr. Accardi, previously President of Centessa's Orexin Program, will succeed Dr. Saurabh Saha, who will become an advisor to the CEO [1][2]. - The Board of Directors emphasizes the need for specialized leadership to unlock the company's potential in the orexin therapeutic area [2]. Strategic Focus - Centessa is shifting from a diversified early-stage pipeline to a concentrated focus on orexin therapeutics, particularly OX2R agonists, which are seen as promising for various neurological disorders [2]. - The company has a robust pipeline of potential best-in-class OX2R agonists targeting conditions such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, with significant milestones planned for 2026 [2][3]. Pipeline Development - ORX750, the most advanced OX2R agonist, is expected to initiate a registrational program in Q1 2026, demonstrating a potential best-in-class profile for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia [2]. - Additional OX2R agonists, ORX142 and ORX489, are being developed for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric indications, with key milestones anticipated in 2026 [2][3]. Company Background - Centessa Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing transformative medicines, particularly in the area of orexin therapeutics [5]. - The orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist program aims to address excessive daytime sleepiness and cognitive deficits associated with various neurological disorders [3][5].

Summary of Centessa Pharmaceuticals FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS:CNTA) - **Focus**: Orexin biology and orexin agonism, particularly in the treatment of narcolepsy and other neurodegenerative psychiatric disorders Key Points Clinical Development - Centessa is advancing its orexin agonist franchise, with ORX750 showing promising results in a Phase 2 study for narcolepsy type 1, type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) [2][3] - The Phase 2 study has enrolled over 96 patients, with ongoing dose exploration to determine optimal dosing for registrational studies [15][19] - Initial data from 50 patients indicate no adverse events (AEs) that limit the therapeutic index of ORX750, suggesting a favorable safety profile [3][22] Efficacy and Market Potential - The Phase 2 data demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant efficacy across all three indications, positioning ORX750 as a potential best-in-class treatment [2][22] - The mechanism of orexin agonism is believed to extend beyond narcolepsy, potentially addressing symptoms related to cognition, mood, and fatigue, which could open up broader market opportunities [8][9][11] - The company is also developing ORX142 and ORX489, both entering Phase 1 studies in Q1 2026, targeting larger indications beyond narcolepsy [4][10] Competitive Landscape - The orexin agonist category is becoming increasingly competitive, with other players like Takeda and Alkermes also developing similar treatments [5][6] - Centessa aims to differentiate its products through robust clinical data and a strong safety profile, particularly in visual disturbances, which were reported as mild and transient [33][36] Future Outlook - Centessa plans to provide updates on its registrational program in Q1 2026, with potential data releases on the Phase 2 study and insights into the broader orexin agonist franchise [39][40] - The company is focused on maintaining its leadership position in the competitive orexin space by strategically timing the disclosure of data and indications for its new assets [11][39] Additional Insights - The Phase 2 trial's design allows for flexibility in dosing, with the potential for more than three cohorts based on patient responses [15][19] - The company has observed a significant reduction in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, indicating improved wakefulness among patients [30] - The ongoing studies are expected to provide further granularity on the efficacy and safety of the orexin agonist treatments, with a focus on optimizing patient outcomes [39][40]