Insider Trading January 27, 2026

Protagonist Therapeutics CMO Disposes $1.9M in Stock; Exercises Options

Arturo Molina records multiple share sales and option exercises as analysts raise targets ahead of potential 2026 regulatory milestones

By Marcus Reed PTGX
Protagonist Therapeutics CMO Disposes $1.9M in Stock; Exercises Options
PTGX

Protagonist Therapeutics' Chief Medical Officer, Arturo Molina MD, sold 23,151 shares across three trades late January 2026 for about $1.9 million and exercised 10,000 options. The transactions were disclosed in a Form 4 filing and come amid a string of analyst price-target increases and maintained Buy/Outperform ratings tied to upcoming regulatory events for the company’s partnered programs.

Key Points

  • Arturo Molina sold 23,151 shares on January 23, January 26 and January 27, 2026, for about $1.9 million with prices between $82.0 and $82.42.
  • Molina exercised options to buy 10,000 shares at $8.04 on January 26 and January 27, 2026, totaling $80,399; post-transactions he directly owns 84,115 shares.
  • Multiple analysts raised or maintained price targets and Buy/Outperform ratings, citing 2026 regulatory milestones and positive VERIFY trial data for rusfertide.

Protagonist Therapeutics reported that Arturo Molina MD, the company's Chief Medical Officer, completed a series of equity transactions late in January 2026. Molina sold a total of 23,151 shares of common stock on January 23, January 26, and January 27, 2026. The sales generated approximately $1.9 million, with reported sale prices ranging from $82.0 to $82.42 per share.

Separately, Molina exercised stock options to acquire 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $8.04 per share. The option exercises occurred on January 26 and January 27, and the filing records the aggregate value of those exercises as $80,399.

The transactions were documented in a Form 4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Following the sales and option exercises, Molina is reported to directly own 84,115 shares of Protagonist Therapeutics.


These insider moves coincide with a wave of analyst coverage and revised price targets for Protagonist Therapeutics. Several investment firms reiterated or raised their ratings and targets while citing upcoming milestones and recent clinical data.

Truist Securities raised its price target for the company to $110 and kept a Buy rating, noting that 2026 is viewed as a pivotal year with anticipated regulatory milestones for icotrokinra and rusfertide. JPMorgan reaffirmed an Overweight rating with a $93 price target, pointing to the expected launch of Icotyde and the potential royalty stream from that product as meaningful valuation drivers.

Citizens retained a Market Outperform rating and a $102 target after positive VERIFY trial results for rusfertide, which the firm said demonstrated significant efficacy in treating polycythemia vera. Jefferies maintained a Buy rating with a $95 price target, citing growth potential tied to two partnered programs approaching regulatory approval.

Clear Street also increased its price target to $91, emphasizing a higher projected peak penetration for rusfertide in polycythemia vera owing to the product’s self-administration convenience. Collectively, these analyst actions reflect a broadly positive reception from several investment firms as the company advances key programs.


While the Form 4 provides the definitive record of Molina’s transactions, the filing does not include commentary from the executive or the company about the sales and option exercises.

Risks

  • The Form 4 documents the insider sale and option exercises but includes no executive commentary explaining the transactions - this limits public insight into motivations behind the trades.
  • Analyst projections and price-target adjustments are forward-looking and depend on anticipated regulatory outcomes for icotrokinra, rusfertide and partnered programs, which are inherently uncertain.
  • Positive trial data and analyst optimism do not guarantee regulatory approvals or commercial success; outcomes for drugs and royalty expectations may vary, affecting valuations.

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