10 Top Performing European Stocks Heading into 2025

3) Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS)

% Increase on a YTD Basis: ~90.4%

Average Upside Potential: ~61.4%

Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS) is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, which is engaged in the development of antibody therapeutics. The company is headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS)’s platform technology enables the creation of full-length human bispecific antibodies, possessing the potential to aim multiple cancer pathways simultaneously. Zenocutuzumab, the company’s lead candidate, demonstrated promising results in pre-clinical studies. Recent data by Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS) reflected significant inhibition of tumor growth in high NRG1-expressing patient-derived xenografts throughout various tumor types. Wall Street analysts are optimistic about the potential for zenocutuzumab in the treatment of brain, ovarian, esophageal, gallbladder, and liver cancers.

Furthermore, the MCLA-129 data in NSCLC patients was well-received, reflecting the versatility of Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS)’s approach in aiming for different cancer types. The oncology market provides a strong opportunity for the company. Given the favorable outlook for the global cancer therapeutics market, innovative approaches like bispecific antibodies appear to be well-positioned to capture market share.

Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS)’s focus on difficult-to-treat cancers and combination therapies should offer a competitive edge. The combination therapies, like pairing petosemtamab with pembrolizumab, align with the present trend in oncology towards multi-targeted approaches.

Guggenheim upped its price objective on the shares of Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS) from $93.00 to $111.00, giving a “Buy” rating on 1^st October.

 TimesSquare Capital Management, an equity investment management company, released its second-quarter 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:

“Our preferences among Health Care stocks are those companies providing novel therapies for unmet needs that deserve premium pricing, or specialized service providers. A new addition this quarter is Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS), a clinical-stage immune-oncology biotechnology company. Their pipeline consists of several programs targeting solid tumors with various bispecific antibodies.”