ImmunityBio Stock Surges on European Market Expansion

ImmunityBio's cancer drug Anktiva wins EU approval, triggering 40%+ stock surge and major distribution deals in Europe and MENA for a rapid global rollout.

ImmunityBio has achieved a series of significant commercial milestones in rapid succession, propelling its stock to multi-year highs. The biotechnology firm secured European Union approval for its cancer immunotherapy, established a key distribution partnership for the region, and finalized an agreement for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market—all within a single week. This flurry of activity triggered a dramatic share price increase exceeding 40 percent.

Strategic Partnerships Fuel Global Rollout

Following closely on the heels of its regulatory success, ImmunityBio announced a pivotal commercial partnership with Accord Healthcare for Europe. The distributor plans to deploy a team of over 100 sales, medical, and marketing specialists to commercialize the therapy, Anktiva, across 30 European nations. To support this strategy, ImmunityBio has established a new subsidiary in Dublin.

The company estimates the addressable patient population in the European Union and United Kingdom includes approximately 157,000 individuals diagnosed annually with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Within this group, an estimated 10 to 20 percent present with carcinoma in situ (CIS).

Simultaneously, on February 20, the company revealed a separate collaboration with Biopharma and Cigalah Healthcare to launch Anktiva in Saudi Arabia and throughout the MENA region. These partners rank among the largest pharmaceutical distributors in the area. The agreement covers marketing for two indications: bladder cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. ImmunityBio also formed a wholly-owned subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, with plans for Anktiva to be available in the country within 60 days. Discussions with regulators in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to expand the drug's approved uses beyond lung and bladder cancers are reportedly already underway.

European Commission Grants Conditional Approval

The catalyst for this activity was the conditional marketing authorization granted by the European Commission on February 18, 2026. The approval covers Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept) in combination with BCG for the treatment of BCG-refractory NMIBC with CIS in patients. It is valid across all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

This authorization makes Anktiva the first approved treatment in Europe for this specific patient group. The drug is now accessible in 33 countries under the purview of four major regulatory bodies: the U.S. FDA (approved April 2024), the UK's MHRA (approved July 2025), Saudi Arabia's SFDA (approved January 2026), and the European Union.

Financial Performance and Stock Reaction

The market responded forcefully to the EU news. On February 18, ImmunityBio shares soared 41.86 percent to close at $8.54, with trading volume surpassing 80 million shares. The momentum continued, with the stock closing at $8.70 on February 20 after hitting a new 52-week intraday high of $9.25. This represents a substantial multiple from its 52-week low of $1.83.

Financially, the company forecasts net Anktiva revenue of $113 million for fiscal year 2025—a staggering 700 percent year-over-year increase. Fourth-quarter 2025 growth alone is reported at 20 percent sequentially. The official quarterly results are scheduled for release on March 2, 2026.

Regulatory Pipeline Progress

Alongside these commercial developments, ImmunityBio provided an update on its U.S. regulatory efforts. The company stated it has submitted its response to the FDA's request for additional data concerning BCG-refractory papillary NMIBC. Furthermore, the randomized BCG-naïve study is nearing full patient recruitment.

Accelerated Global Footprint

ImmunityBio's international expansion has accelerated dramatically, growing from a single-country approval in 2024 to a presence in 33 countries by February 2026. With its entry into the European market, new MENA partnerships, and ongoing work to broaden its U.S. label, the company approaches its early March reporting period at a pivotal juncture in its growth trajectory.