Power Hour Playbook: Biotech Booms, Pill Deals & Spider Silk Dreams
DENVER, Colo., Oct 17, 2025 (247marketnews.com)- As the trading week hits the final stretch, the biotech sector has emerged as the clear market leader, with needle-free biologics, fast-track cell therapies, and strategic pivots dominating the headlines. Throw in a few speculative moonshots and a surprise move from a legacy alt-protein name, and we’ve got a closing session worth watching closely.
The needle-free revolution is no longer theoretical. Rani Therapeutics (NASDAQ:RANI) soared over 50% after announcing a landmark collaboration with Chugai Pharmaceutical, part of Roche Holding AG (OTCQX:RHHBY). The deal centers around Rani’s RaniPill platform, a robotic pill capable of delivering biologics orally, a major leap from traditional injections.
Roche is betting big: a $10M upfront payment, plus milestone-based options that could push the deal value over $1 billion. On top of that, RANI disclosed a $60.3M private placement backed by elite biotech investors, extending its runway into 2028. With 5 additional biologic targets on the table, this is validation.
Artiva Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ:ARTV) is powering higher in afternoon trade following news that the FDA granted Fast Track designation to its lead candidate AlloNK for refractory rheumatoid arthritis. The company is developing an off-the-shelf, NK cell-based therapy, which could avoid the complexity and hospitalization requirements of traditional CAR-T approaches.
Artiva is targeting a pivotal trial launch in 1H 2026, and will release new safety/translational data next month. With over 100,000 U.S. patients currently underserved, ARTV may be riding a new wave of autoimmune-focused cell therapies.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (OTCQB:KBLB) may not be on your main biotech radar, but its genetically engineered spider silk silkworms could place it at the intersection of biotech and sustainable fashion. The company’s BAM 1 Alpha silkworm platform is producing biodegradable silk for luxury and defense-grade applications.
With the circular fashion market projected to hit $200B+ by 2030, KBLB’s tech could carve out meaningful value. IP is in place, and production is scaling.
Kezar Life Sciences (NASDAQ:KZR) is under pressure after the company announced a strategic review process and halted further development of zetomipzomib for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The move follows a cancelled Type C FDA meeting, despite earlier promising data.
While the stock has taken a hit, KZR holds $90.2 million in cash, giving it flexibility to explore M&A, partnerships, or even divestiture of assets. The company also extended its shareholder rights plan, indicating a strong intent to protect against hostile takeovers during this transitional period.
Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) is bouncing off lows after a wave of short-covering and contrarian buying hit the tape mid-session. While fundamentals remain challenged, with slowing revenue and margin pressures, some bulls argue that lower input costs and renewed interest in plant-based proteins ahead of Q3 earnings could offer short-term upside.
Volume is ticking up, and options traders are speculating on a potential move. Still a high-risk/reward scenario, but one to keep on the watchlist into afterhours.
ATAI Life Sciences (NASDAQ:ATAI) is seeing late-session strength as it rides broader sentiment in psychedelic-based therapies. The company is approaching several Phase 2 readouts tied to TRD (treatment-resistant depression) and opioid use disorder, two areas drawing global mental health funding.
For more information about Kraig Labs’ spider silk technology and partnership opportunities, visit www.kraiglabs.com
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