Plus Therapeutics Soared 22.18%—What’s Next for This Biotech Breakout?

Summary
• Plus Therapeutics (PSTV) surged 22.18% intraday, hitting $0.533, a 57% pop from its 52-week low of $0.1634
• A $1.6M CPRIT grant advance for REYOBIQ™ and CNSide LM diagnostic test triggered the rally
• Turnover spiked to 19.57% of float, signaling intense retail and institutional participation

The stock’s meteoric rise was fueled by a $1.6M non-dilutive CPRIT grant advance, part of a $17.6M program to accelerate REYOBIQ™ development for leptomeningeal cancer. With a 22.18% intraday gain and a 200-day MA at $0.9268, PSTV’s short-term optimism clashes with its long-term bearish trend. Traders are now weighing whether the catalyst can sustain momentum or if the stock will revert to its 52-week low.

CPRIT Grant Ignites Biotech Breakout
Plus Therapeutics’ 22.18% intraday surge was directly triggered by a $1.6M advance from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) under a $17.6M grant for its REYOBIQ™ radiotherapeutic and CNSide LM diagnostic test. The non-dilutive funding accelerates clinical trials for leptomeningeal metastases, a high-unmet-need indication with a median survival of 2–6 months. CFO Andrew Sims emphasized the grant’s role in strengthening capital position and institutional validation, citing NIH and DoD grants as further tailwinds. The move aligns with broader biotech trends of non-dilutive financing, but PSTV’s 52-week high of $2.31 remains a distant target.

Biotech Sector Mixed Amid Regulatory Hurdles, AMGN Leads
The biotech sector remains fragmented, with Amgen (AMGN) rising 0.47% as a relative outperformer against PSTV’s surge. While PSTV’s rally reflects niche grant-driven optimism, broader peers face regulatory headwinds: Replimune’s melanoma drug rejection and Sarepta’s Duchenne gene therapy pause highlight sector volatility. PSTV’s momentum is isolated to its specific grant progress, lacking sector-wide thematic support. Amgen’s stable growth contrasts with PSTV’s speculative play on a $17.6M CPRIT program.

Technical Breakouts and ETF Alternatives: A High-Risk, High-Reward Play
• MACD: 0.0096 (bullish), Signal Line: -0.0053, Histogram: 0.0149 (positive divergence)
• RSI: 72.59 (overbought), 200D MA: $0.9268 (far above current price)
• Bollinger Bands: Upper $0.4301, Middle $0.3342, Lower $0.2383 (price near upper band)
• 30D/100D/200D MAs: $0.3191, $0.6054, $0.9268 (bearish divergence)

PSTV’s short-term bullish pattern hinges on momentum extending beyond $0.533, with support at $0.4301 and resistance at $0.533. The 72.59 RSI suggests overbought conditions, while the 0.0096 MACD indicates fading bullish momentum. Aggressive traders may target a break above $0.533 for a 10%+ move, but the 200D MA at $0.9268 underscores long-term bearishness. No leveraged ETFs are available for this niche biotech, limiting institutional exposure options.

Backtest Plus Therapeutics Stock Performance
The 22% intraday surge in Plus Therapeutics (PSTV) stock price represents a significant positive development for investors. To assess the potential impact of this surge on PSTV's performance, we can examine its recent trajectory, analyze the factors contributing to the surge, and evaluate its future prospects based on recent news and developments.1. Recent Performance: - Earnings Report: PSTV reported a Q1 2025 earnings loss of ($0.56) per share, missing the analysts' consensus estimate of ($0.17). This indicates ongoing financial challenges. - Stock Surge Context: The 22% intraday surge occurred amid these financial challenges, suggesting that the market may have responded to positive developments outside of the earnings report.2. Factors Contributing to the Surge: - Clinical Trial Results: The company presented final ReSPECT-LM clinical trial results for REYOBIQ™, showing a promising safety profile and response in patients with leptomeningeal metastases. This could have boosted investor confidence in the company's potential for growth. - Grant and Funding: Plus Therapeutics received a $1.6 million advance payment from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) as part of a $17.6 million grant. This non-dilutive financing supports clinical development, indicating strong institutional support and potentially enhancing investor confidence. - Treatment Successes: In the ReSPECT-LM dose optimization trial, five out of seven patients achieved over 80% reduction in LM tumor cells, with at least a year of survival post-treatment. These positive outcomes from clinical trials could have driven the stock price upward.3. Future Prospects: - Upcoming Earnings: The Q2 2025 earnings report is scheduled for August 13, 2025. Investors should monitor this report for any signs of improvement in financial performance or updates on the company's clinical trials. - Ongoing Clinical Trials: The company's ongoing clinical trials and the potential for FDA approval of REYOBIQ™ in the future could significantly impact PSTV's stock performance.In conclusion, the 22% intraday surge in PSTV's stock price reflects positive market reactions to the company's clinical trial successes, grant funding, and the potential for future growth. However, investors should remain cautious due to ongoing financial losses and the need for continued monitoring of clinical trial progress and earnings reports.

Bullish Momentum Unlikely to Sustain Without Catalysts
PSTV’s 22.18% surge is a high-risk, high-reward play driven by a $1.6M CPRIT grant advance, but long-term sustainability depends on maintaining institutional funding and clinical progress. The 52-week low at $0.1634 remains a critical support level to watch, while a break above $0.533 could attract speculative buyers. Amgen’s 0.47% gain highlights sector-wide caution, contrasting with PSTV’s niche optimism. Investors should monitor 30D support at $0.348 and 200D resistance at $0.9268. For now, PSTV’s rally is a short-term trade—exit if the stock fails to hold above $0.4301.