ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX) is one of the best penny stocks to buy for 2026. On December 16, ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBRX) delivered positive clinical trial results for its ANKTIVA plus BCG treatment. The candidate drug being trialed in high-grade papillary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer demonstrated strong long-term efficacy in patients. H.C Wainwright Asserts Buy Stance as ImmunityBio, Inc. (IBRX) Achieves Positive Results on Bladder Cancer Treatment Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com The trial re ...

ImmunityBio (IBRX) shares added ~12% in the premarket on Wednesday after the Saudi Food and Drug Authority approved its best-selling immunotherapy, Anktiva, for certain patients with bladder cancer. According to the San Diego, California-based biotech, the SFDA’s approval allows the company to ...

Core Viewpoint - ImmunityBio, Inc. has received accelerated approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority for ANKTIVA® in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors for treating adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who have progressed after standard therapy [1] Group 1 - The approval of ANKTIVA® represents a significant milestone as it is the first approval of this treatment in the region [1] - The indication is specifically for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed following standard-of-care therapy [1]

Core Viewpoint - ImmunityBio, Inc. has received approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority for ANKTIVA® in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for treating adult patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer carcinoma in situ [1] Regulatory Approval - The approval by the SFDA expands the existing approvals for ANKTIVA® in the United States [1]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are significant, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid strain and rising electricity prices [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is highlighted as a critical player in the AI energy sector, owning essential energy infrastructure assets that are poised to benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to profit from the surge in electricity demand driven by AI data centers [3][6] Market Position - The company is described as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and benefiting from the onshoring trend due to tariffs [5][6] - It has a unique footprint in nuclear energy, which is crucial for America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7][8] Financial Health - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a significant cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened by debt [8][10] - It also has a substantial equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium [9][10] Market Sentiment - There is a growing interest from Wall Street in this company, as it is seen as undervalued and capable of delivering real cash flows while being tied to the booming AI and energy sectors [8][10] - The company is trading at less than 7 times earnings, making it an attractive investment option in the current market landscape [10]

Industry Overview - The biotech and drug industry experienced a significant rebound in 2025 after a cautious start, driven by drug pricing agreements and increased M&A activity [1] - The FDA approved 44 novel therapies in 2025, with 26 approvals occurring in the second half of the year, indicating an acceleration in regulatory activity [1][2] Company Analysis: Altimmune (ALT) - Altimmune is focused on developing therapies for liver diseases, with its lead candidate pemvidutide currently in mid-stage studies for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) [4] - Shares of Altimmune have decreased over 46% year-to-date due to mixed results from the phase IIb IMPACT study, although it met one primary endpoint related to MASH resolution [5] - Recent 48-week results from the IMPACT study showed further improvements in non-invasive tests and significant reductions in liver health biomarkers [6] - Altimmune plans to initiate a late-stage study for pemvidutide in MASH in 2026 after aligning with the FDA on key parameters [7] - The company is also exploring pemvidutide for alcohol use disorder and alcohol-associated liver disease, with data expected next year [8] Company Analysis: ImmunityBio (IBRX) - ImmunityBio focuses on therapies for cancer and infectious diseases, with its marketed drug Anktiva approved for bladder cancer [11] - Shares of ImmunityBio have declined over 16% this year due to a regulatory setback from the FDA regarding a label expansion for Anktiva [12] - Despite the setback, Anktiva generated nearly $75 million in sales this year, a significant increase from $7 million in the previous year, and the company is seeking EU market expansion [13] - ImmunityBio is also developing Anktiva for other cancer indications, with promising data in non-small cell lung cancer and glioblastoma expected to be updated in 2026 [14] - Loss per share estimates for 2026 have improved from $0.37 to $0.33 in the past 60 days [15] Company Analysis: Seres Therapeutics (MCRB) - Seres Therapeutics is developing SER-155, an oral live biotherapeutic aimed at preventing bloodstream infections in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation [16] - Investor interest in SER-155 increased after a phase Ib study showed a 77% relative reduction in bacterial infections compared to placebo [17] - The FDA has provided positive feedback for SER-155's advancement to mid-stage development, with an interim update expected within 12 months of study initiation [18] - Shares of Seres Therapeutics have decreased nearly 12% year-to-date, but loss per share estimates for 2026 have improved from $10.66 to $7.67 in the past 60 days [18]

Core Viewpoint - ImmunityBio, Inc. has announced that Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong has been recognized as one of "The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025" by OncoDaily, highlighting his significant contributions to the field of oncology and the company's mission towards a cancer-free society [1] Company Summary - ImmunityBio, Inc. is a commercial-stage immunotherapy company focused on advancing cancer treatment [1] - Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong serves as the Founder, Executive Chairman, and Global Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of ImmunityBio [1] Industry Summary - The recognition of Dr. Soon-Shiong underscores the importance of leadership and innovation in the oncology sector, reflecting the ongoing efforts to improve cancer therapies and outcomes [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of patient investing and the accumulation of high-quality assets, while also suggesting a mix of high-risk opportunities and transformative technologies for wealth creation [1]. Group 1: Investment Philosophy - The key to creating wealth is the slow accumulation of high-quality assets [1] - Mixing steady investment approaches with high-risk/high-reward opportunities can enhance the investment experience [1] - Investing with integrity involves selecting companies and industries that contribute positively to society [1] Group 2: Personal Background - The author has over 25 years of investing experience and has been self-taught without formal education in investing or business [1] - The author has been teaching at the college/university level for over 20 years and holds a PhD from Brunel University [1]

Industry Overview - The global oncology market is evolving significantly due to rising cancer incidence and rapid scientific advancements, with the American Cancer Society estimating approximately 2.04 million new cancer diagnoses and over 618,000 cancer-related deaths in the U.S. by 2025 [2] - Aging populations and lifestyle-related risk factors are contributing to higher cancer prevalence, leading to sustained growth in healthcare spending on oncology [2] Innovation in Cancer Care - Breakthroughs in immunotherapies, targeted treatments, and personalized vaccines are expanding therapeutic options beyond conventional chemotherapy and radiation [3] - Immune-based strategies, including checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies, are harnessing the body's immune system to target tumors, while targeted therapies focus on specific genetic alterations [3] - Emerging technologies like genomic sequencing, AI, and machine learning are enhancing biomarker discovery and supporting earlier diagnosis, improving survival rates and quality of life across several cancer types [4] Pharmaceutical Investment - Major pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Pfizer, AbbVie, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Eli Lilly, are investing aggressively in oncology portfolios with new therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies [5] - Smaller biotech firms are also crucial in driving innovation through partnerships, licensing agreements, and acquisitions [5] Market Dynamics - Oncology is considered one of the most durable and attractive segments within the global healthcare sector for long-term investors, supported by ongoing innovation and favorable reimbursement dynamics [6] Company Focus: Johnson & Johnson - J&J's oncology segment currently accounts for approximately 27% of its total revenues, with oncology sales rising 20.6% to $18.52 billion in the first nine months, driven by key products like Darzalex and Erleada [9] - J&J's oncology pipeline has gained momentum with promising developments in colorectal and head and neck cancers, and the company expects its oncology sales to reach $50 billion by the end of the decade [10][12] - J&J is also enhancing its oncology pipeline through M&A, including a recent agreement to acquire Halda Therapeutics [11] Company Focus: ImmunityBio - ImmunityBio's lead drug, Anktiva, was approved for treating BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, generating $74.7 million in sales with a 467% increase in volume [13] - The drug is under review in the EU, and ImmunityBio is evaluating Anktiva for expanded use in other cancer indications [15] Company Focus: Foghorn Therapeutics - Foghorn Therapeutics is developing precision therapies targeting genetically driven vulnerabilities, with a collaboration with Lilly to co-develop its selective SMARCA2 oncology program [17] - Foghorn's lead candidate, FHD-909, is advancing in a phase I study for SMARCA4-mutated cancers, with initial data expected in 2026 [17][18]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is highlighted as a potential investment opportunity, possessing critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI data centers [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to benefit significantly from the anticipated surge in electricity demand driven by AI technologies [3][6] Energy Demand and Infrastructure - AI technologies, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, are extremely energy-intensive, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities [2] - The company in focus is involved in nuclear energy infrastructure, which is crucial for America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering, procurement, and construction projects across various energy sectors [7][8] Financial Position - The company is noted for being completely debt-free and holding a substantial cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened with debt [8] - It is trading at less than 7 times earnings, indicating a potentially undervalued investment opportunity in the context of its critical role in the AI and energy sectors [10] Market Trends - The company is expected to benefit from the onshoring trend driven by tariffs, as well as the surge in U.S. LNG exports under the current administration's energy policies [5][14] - There is a growing recognition on Wall Street of this company's potential, as it quietly capitalizes on multiple favorable market trends without the high valuations typical of many tech stocks [8][9] Future Outlook - The influx of talent into the AI sector is anticipated to drive continuous innovation and advancements, making investments in AI infrastructure increasingly attractive [12] - The overall narrative suggests that investing in this company represents a strategic move to capitalize on the intersection of AI and energy, with the potential for significant returns in the near future [15][19]