Protagonist Therapeutics reported a set of insider transactions on January 27, 2026 in which Chief Financial Officer Asif Ali sold 46,203 shares of the company's common stock for roughly $3.8 million. The disposition was completed across multiple trades at prices between $83.13 and $83.14 per share.
On the same day, Ali exercised stock options to acquire a further 28,000 shares. Those option exercises consisted of 16,000 shares at an exercise price of $19.19 per share and 12,000 shares at $12.17 per share, representing a combined exercise value of $453,080.
After these moves, Ali's direct holdings in Protagonist total 60,320 shares. The market price for PTGX sits at $83.08, according to the report, placing it close to the 52-week high of $96.54 and reflecting a 118.7% return over the prior 12 months. Over the past six months, the stock has gained 47.7%.
InvestingPro data cited in the disclosure indicates that PTGX is trading above its Fair Value estimate. The report also highlights the company's balance-sheet position, noting that Protagonist holds more cash than debt and reports a current ratio of 13.05. At the same time, analysts have revised earnings expectations downward for the upcoming period.
Analyst coverage and program milestones
Several brokerages have recently updated their views and price targets for Protagonist's shares:
- Truist Securities raised its price target to $110.00 and kept a Buy rating, citing a pivotal year ahead for the company's lead assets and the anticipated approval of icotrokinra for psoriasis.
- Management stated that the New Drug Application for rusfertide is on track for a year-end 2025 filing.
- Citizens retained a Market Outperform rating with a $102.00 price target after positive VERIFY trial data, which showed a significant improvement in the phlebotomy-free rate for rusfertide.
- Jefferies maintained a Buy rating and a $95.00 target, emphasizing growth potential with two programs nearing regulatory approvals.
- Clear Street increased its price target to $91.00, attributing the change to a higher peak penetration estimate for rusfertide in polycythemia vera based on its convenient self-administration.
- JPMorgan reiterated an Overweight rating and a $93.00 price target, pointing to momentum toward Icotyde's upcoming launch.
Collectively, these analyst updates underscore a concentrated focus on near-term regulatory catalysts and commercial potential for Protagonist's lead programs.
Context within the company's financials and valuation
The insider transactions come amid a backdrop of notable share performance and contrasting signals from valuation and earnings forecasts. While the stock has delivered double-digit returns over several time frames and sits close to its 52-week high, the company is trading above InvestingPro's Fair Value estimate and analysts have trimmed earnings expectations for the next period. The firm's liquidity metrics, including more cash than debt and a current ratio of 13.05, remain a positive element of the balance-sheet narrative.
InvestingPro is noted to provide 17 additional insights on PTGX, including Pro Research Reports intended to translate complex market data into actionable analysis.
What the filings show
The regulatory filings record both the open-market sales and the exercise of options by the CFO on January 27, 2026. The precise sale prices reported were narrowly clustered at $83.13 to $83.14 per share, and the option exercises were executed at the documented strike prices of $19.19 and $12.17.
Following these transactions, the company remains in a period of active investor and analyst attention as regulatory milestones approach and brokerages adjust targets and ratings in anticipation of data readouts and filings.
Note: The article summarizes insider transactions and recent analyst commentary as disclosed by the company and reported data.