Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) Price Target Raised to $18.00

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) had its price target increased by Needham & Company LLC from $14.00 to $18.00 in a report issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Raymond James Financial upgraded Vir Biotechnology from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $19.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Vir Biotechnology from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $15.00 price objective on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Barclays set a $26.00 target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Vir Biotechnology has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $19.89.

Vir Biotechnology Trading Down 6.8%

Vir Biotechnology stock opened at $9.32 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.04. Vir Biotechnology has a 1-year low of $4.16 and a 1-year high of $10.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.95 and a beta of 1.69.

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.42) by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $64.07 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.91 million. Vir Biotechnology had a negative return on equity of 49.31% and a negative net margin of 638.88%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 417.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.76) earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Vir Biotechnology will post -3.92 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Vir Biotechnology

In other news, major shareholder Endurance (Cayman) Ltd Svf sold 191,854 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.98, for a total value of $1,147,286.92. Following the transaction, the insider owned 13,728,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $82,098,965.52. This represents a 1.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Vicki L. Sato sold 42,377 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.75, for a total transaction of $413,175.75. Following the sale, the director owned 1,144,391 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,157,812.25. This trade represents a 3.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 369,400 shares of company stock valued at $2,592,241. Company insiders own 16.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in Vir Biotechnology by 25.9% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,761 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,390 shares during the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Vir Biotechnology in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Vir Biotechnology in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in Vir Biotechnology by 1,418.7% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 7,062 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 6,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in Vir Biotechnology by 153.8% during the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 8,085 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 4,899 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.32% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Vir Biotechnology

Here are the key news stories impacting Vir Biotechnology this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Astellas collaboration materially derisks and monetizes VIR‑5500 — a global co‑development/co‑commercialization deal and strong validation for Vir’s PSMA T‑cell engager program boosted investor confidence in the company’s oncology upside. Astellas and Vir collaboration
• Positive Sentiment: Updated Phase 1 data for VIR‑5500 showed encouraging safety and activity (higher‑dose ORR reported ≈45%), underpinning the collaboration value and near‑term commercial potential. VIR‑5500 Phase 1 results
• Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings beat: Vir reported EPS above estimates and revenue (~$64.1M) well ahead of consensus, signaling better near‑term commercial execution and supporting improved revenue momentum. Q4 earnings highlights
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support increased — price‑target raises and upgrades (including Needham) have amplified positive sentiment and provided upside narratives for the stock. Needham raises PT to $18
• Neutral Sentiment: Management engagement with investors: CEO scheduled to speak at major healthcare conferences in early March — investors will look for additional commercialization and cash‑flow color. Investor conference participation
• Neutral Sentiment: Wide media coverage has amplified visibility and trading volume but does not itself change fundamentals; expect higher volatility while the market digests catalysts. Media coverage / 52‑week high
• Negative Sentiment: Public offering priced at $8.50 for 17.65M shares (~$150M gross) — strengthens the balance sheet but is dilutive and likely a key reason for near‑term selling pressure. Public offering pricing
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple insiders (CEO, several EVPs, CFO, CAO, a director) reported sales this week — while insider sales can be routine, clustered selling increases float and can weigh on sentiment and near‑term price action. Insider selling filings
• Negative Sentiment: Company remains loss‑making with wide negative margins; long‑term upside depends on execution, milestone receipts from partners and successful commercialization. 2025 financial results

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

Vir Biotechnology, Inc is a clinical‐stage immunology company dedicated to developing therapies that prevent and treat serious infectious diseases. The company leverages a suite of proprietary technology platforms—ranging from antibody isolation and screening tools to cell‐based assays and bioinformatics—to identify and advance antiviral and antibacterial candidates. Its scientific approach centers on harnessing the human immune system through monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory agents.

The company’s pipeline includes product candidates targeting influenza A, COVID‐19, HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.