ImmunityBio Soars 35% on Groundbreaking CAR-NK Trial Results and Bladder Cancer Momentum

Summary
• ImmunityBio (IBRX) surges 35.54% intraday, trading at $5.3537 after reporting 15-month complete responses in Waldenstrom’s lymphoma trial.
• QUILT-106 trial demonstrates 100% disease control with CAR-NK therapy, eliminating chemotherapy and lymphodepletion.
• Bladder cancer trial QUILT-2.005 enrollment exceeds 85%, with BLA filing expected by year-end 2026.
• Intraday range spans $4.38 to $5.55, with turnover hitting $136.3M—41.2% of float traded.

ImmunityBio’s stock erupted on data showing durable remissions in Waldenstrom’s lymphoma patients using its CAR-NK therapy, coupled with progress in bladder cancer trials. The 35.5% surge reflects investor optimism over the platform’s potential to redefine immunotherapy standards, with options chains and technical indicators amplifying the bullish momentum.

CAR-NK Trial Breakthrough Ignites Biotech Rally
ImmunityBio’s 35.5% intraday surge was catalyzed by the QUILT-106 trial update, which reported 15-month complete responses in Waldenstrom’s lymphoma patients using its off-the-shelf CAR-NK therapy. The data highlighted 100% disease control without chemotherapy or lymphodepletion, positioning the therapy as a next-generation outpatient solution. Additionally, the QUILT-2.005 bladder cancer trial’s 85% enrollment progress and interim results showing prolonged complete responses with ANKTIVA+BCG further fueled investor enthusiasm. These milestones validate the company’s BioShield platform and its potential to disrupt traditional cell therapy paradigms.

Biotech Sector Mixed as ImmunityBio Outpaces Peers
The broader biotech sector showed mixed performance, with Amgen (AMGN) down 0.02% as investors rotated into high-conviction catalysts like ImmunityBio. While peers like Moderna and BMS focused on late-stage deals, ImmunityBio’s dual clinical milestones—CAR-NK durability and bladder cancer enrollment—positioned it as a standout. The sector’s cautious tone contrasted with IBRX’s aggressive move, driven by its unique outpatient immunotherapy approach and regulatory momentum.

Options and ETFs to Capitalize on IBRX’s Volatility Surge
• MACD: 0.2407 (bullish divergence), Signal Line: 0.0712, Histogram: 0.1695 (expanding bullish momentum)
• RSI: 92.49 (overbought, suggesting short-term exhaustion)
• Bollinger Bands: Price at $5.35 vs. Upper Band $3.26 (overshooting volatility)
• 200D MA: $2.51 (price at 212% above)

ImmunityBio’s technicals and options chain signal a high-conviction short-term trade. The stock’s 35.5% move has pushed RSI into overbought territory, but the MACD’s bullish divergence and 200D MA gap suggest continued momentum. For options, focus on high-leverage calls with moderate delta and gamma to capture volatility without overpaying for time decay.

Top Option 1: IBRX20260220C5
• Code: IBRX20260220C5
• Type: Call
• Strike: $5.00
• Expiration: 2026-02-20
• IV: 167.13% (high volatility)
• Leverage Ratio: 4.38% (moderate)
• Delta: 0.6419 (moderate sensitivity)
• Theta: -0.0168 (rapid time decay)
• Gamma: 0.1355 (high sensitivity to price swings)
• Turnover: $1.01M (liquid)
This call offers a balance of leverage and liquidity, ideal for a 5% upside scenario. A 5% move to $5.62 would yield a 12% payoff (max(0, 5.62-5.00) = $0.62).

Top Option 2: IBRX20260220C5.5
• Code: IBRX20260220C5.5
• Type: Call
• Strike: $5.50
• Expiration: 2026-02-20
• IV: 167.01% (high volatility)
• Leverage Ratio: 5.25% (moderate)
• Delta: 0.5721 (moderate sensitivity)
• Theta: -0.0173 (rapid time decay)
• Gamma: 0.1425 (high sensitivity to price swings)
• Turnover: $386.6K (liquid)
This strike offers higher leverage for a 5% upside to $5.62, yielding a 11.3% payoff (max(0, 5.62-5.50) = $0.12).

Action: Aggressive bulls should target IBRX20260220C5 into a break above $5.50 (52W high). Conservative traders may use IBRX20260220C5.5 for a 5.50+ breakout with a 5% buffer.

Backtest ImmunityBio Stock Performance
The backtest of IBRX's performance following a 36% intraday surge from 2022 to the present indicates positive short-to-medium-term gains, with the 3-Day, 10-Day, and 30-Day win rates being 46.44%, 45.52%, and 51.49%, respectively. However, the maximum return during the backtest period was only 6.90%, which suggests that while IBRX showed consistent gains, they were not exceptionally high.

IBRX’s 35% Surge: A Catalyst-Driven Buy or Sell?
ImmunityBio’s 35.5% surge is fueled by durable CAR-NK trial data and bladder cancer enrollment progress, validating its outpatient immunotherapy platform. While RSI overbought levels suggest short-term exhaustion, the MACD’s bullish divergence and 200D MA gap indicate continued momentum. Investors should monitor the $5.50 52W high and $5.00 support. For context, sector leader Amgen (AMGN) fell 0.02%, underscoring IBRX’s outperformance. Act now: Buy IBRX20260220C5 if $5.50 breaks, or short-term traders may target a pullback to $5.00 for a higher-probability entry.