Contrasting Oncocyte (NASDAQ:IMDX) & Agenus (NASDAQ:AGEN)
by Michael Walen · The Markets DailyAgenus (NASDAQ:AGEN – Get Free Report) and Oncocyte (NASDAQ:IMDX – Get Free Report) are both small-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Agenus and Oncocyte, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Agenus | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.25 |
| Oncocyte | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.33 |
Agenus currently has a consensus target price of $19.50, indicating a potential upside of 184.26%. Oncocyte has a consensus target price of $10.50, indicating a potential upside of 156.10%. Given Agenus’ higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Agenus is more favorable than Oncocyte.
Profitability
This table compares Agenus and Oncocyte’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Agenus | 69.33% | -47.68% | 57.73% |
| Oncocyte | -2,955.63% | N/A | -107.52% |
Risk and Volatility
Agenus has a beta of 1.38, meaning that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Oncocyte has a beta of 1.8, meaning that its stock price is 80% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation and Earnings
This table compares Agenus and Oncocyte”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Agenus | $114.20 million | 2.70 | $120,000.00 | $2.58 | 2.66 |
| Oncocyte | $4.05 million | 33.12 | -$50.22 million | ($1.49) | -2.75 |
Agenus has higher revenue and earnings than Oncocyte. Oncocyte is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Agenus, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
61.5% of Agenus shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 55.3% of Oncocyte shares are held by institutional investors. 6.5% of Agenus shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.2% of Oncocyte shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Summary
Agenus beats Oncocyte on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Agenus
Agenus Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, discovers and develops immuno-oncology products in the United States and internationally. The company offers Retrocyte Display, an antibody expression platform for the identification of fully human and humanized monoclonal antibodies; and display technologies. It develops QS-21 Stimulon adjuvant, a saponin-based vaccine adjuvant. The company also develops Balstilimab, an anti-PD-1 antagonist that has completed Phase II clinical trial to treat second line cervical cancer; AGEN1181, an antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blocking antibody that is in Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and and melanoma; AGEN2373, a CD137 monospecific antibody that is in Phase 1b clinical trial; AGEN1423, a CD73/TGFß TRAP antibody; AGEN1571, an ILT2 monospecific antibody that is in Phase 1 clinical trial; and BMS-986442, a TIGIT bispecific antibodies. In addition, it develops INCAGN1876, a GITR agonist; INCAGN2390, a TIM-3 monospecific antibody; INCAGN2385, a LAG-3 monospecific antibody; MK-4830, a monospecific antibody targeting ILT4 that is in Phase 2 clinical trial; UGN-301, a zalifrelimab intravesical solution for the treatment of cancers of the urinary tract that is in a Phase 1 clinical trial; and AGEN1884, a first-generation anti-CTLA-4 monospecific antibody. The company operates under Agenus, MiNK, Prophage, Retrocyte Display, and Stimulon trademarks. It has collaborations with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Betta Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Incyte Corporation, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, and Gilead Sciences, Inc. The company was formerly known as Antigenics Inc. and changed its name to Agenus Inc. in January 2011. Agenus Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts.
About Oncocyte
OncoCyte Corporation, a molecular diagnostics company, researches, develops, and commercializes proprietary laboratory-developed tests for the detection of cancer in the United States and internationally. The company offers DetermaRx, a molecular test for early-stage adenocarcinoma of the lung; and DetermaIO, a proprietary gene expression assay. It also provides biomarker discovery testing, assay design and development, and clinical trial support services, as well as various biomarker tests for pharmaceutical companies. The company has a collaboration agreement with Life Technologies Corporation to develop and collaborate in the commercialization of Oncomine Comprehensive Assay Plus and Determa IO assay for use with Ion Torrent Genexus integrated sequencer and purification system. OncoCyte Corporation was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Irvine, California.