Graduation Year
2023
Date of Submission
12-2023
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Economics
Reader 1
Ben Gillen
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
2023 Maria Izabella V Sakoda
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of firm characteristics (Therapeutic Focus, Treatment Type, and Clinical Stage at IPO) on post-IPO firm performance. A clearer understanding of firm characteristics and their nuances are crucial for potential investors as early-stage biotech companies are unable to be valued using traditional metrics. The sample studied biotech IPO classes from 2018-2021 and used firm returns 1-year post IPO as a proxy for firm performance. Results show that Therapeutic Focus and Clinical Stage at IPO were not significant predictors of post-IPO performance. Treatment Type, however, was a significant factor in post-IPO firm performance. Subsequent analyses were conducted to observe how each firm characteristic subcategories performed relative to others. No differences emerged between Therapeutic Focus and Clinical Stage subcategories, demonstrating that holding other firm characteristics constant, firm performance will not differ between subcategories. There were significant differences between Treatment Type subcategories. The outcomes can be explained by the efficient market hypothesis, optimistic investor sentiment during “hot” IPO markets, and strong data catalysts or FDA approvals driving performance.
Recommended Citation
Sakoda, Maria Izabella, "Breaking the Biotech Code: A Closer Look at Therapeutic Focus, Treatment Type, and Clinical Development Stage in Post-IPO Performance of Biotech Companies" (2023). CMC Senior Theses. 3436.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3436
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
