Re: Another wordy weekend tome -- a take on lack of Progress within a major challenge (Share Price is not the correct Metric)
"In early 2014 you could have bought a share of Ziopharm for $4 and change. (Berkstump chart link, post 111038 on the Z board). It is roughly the same in value to the street today … yet consider the progress that has been made in the past four years."
Hey D4, I most assuredly appreciate the positive spirit of the post but may I once again I'll remind folks to PLEASE stop using share price as the metric. Market cap is what matters. In early 2014 the share count in ZIOP was far lower. What did $4 equate to in market cap back then?
Both ZIOP and its former parent suffer from the same malady-share counts continue to rise and we have not (yet )seen proportionate clinical progress. Hopefully that changes soon. Even with a battered currency, XON sits at more or less $1 billion MC. ZIOP at close to $900 million. Those are not inconsequential numbers given the shared 3 year history of missteps in both companies. Again, let's hope neither is forced into the public markets anytime soon and a dilution reprieve can be earned via a partnership or two. That would be a pleasant (an much needed) change.
Of the two, ZIOP has the superior balance sheet and I don't see much of a risk of a raise for the next 9 months. That should be enough time to accrue some meaningful data.
I sincerely hope that Dr. Deninger can provide a bit of perspective to potential institutional investors on why be came to ZIOP when there are literally dozens and dozens of small companies trying to tackle cancer. I'm hoping his reasons are compelling and convincing enough to garner some much needed institutional support as to date, this name has gotten relatively sparse coverage on "The Street" while the shorts continue to push their luck. (The recent short interest increase was surprising)
The Jets won this weekend so hope springs eternal!