AUPH Breakout Ignites Buzz: Delayed AUR200 Data and Buyout Speculation Fuel Surge
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH) is once again the center of retail trading chatter after a noticeable surge in price and volume over the past few sessions. The Canadian biotech firm, which develops therapies for autoimmune diseases, has seen its stock climb sharply this week, catching the attention of investors across platforms like Reddit, Stocktwits, and X (formerly Twitter).
Much of the renewed interest seems tied to speculation surrounding the company's drug AUR200, which has been quietly progressing and may have sparked a delayed bullish response from the market. Though no major new press releases have been issued, the move appears to be fueled by anticipation ahead of earnings and growing rumors of a potential buyout. Traders are now sharing target prices ranging from $12 to $15 per share — a sharp jump from its recent trading range between $7.50 and $8.50.
AUPH has been a favorite in the biotech community, but many retail traders grew frustrated with its stagnation throughout 2024. This week’s action — driven by significant volume spikes and bullish sentiment — is breathing new life into the ticker. Some believe institutions may also be quietly accumulating shares ahead of a strategic event.
Volume data from the last three sessions shows a consistent uptick, with Thursday closing on more than 10 million shares traded — well above its average daily volume of around 1.8 million. That, combined with strong price action and chatter around M&A possibilities, suggests that something bigger may be brewing behind the scenes.
While no deal has been confirmed, and Aurinia has made no public comment on the speculation, the market seems to be pricing in more than just optimism around future earnings. Traders familiar with the biotech sector are pointing out historical patterns where such volume spikes precede acquisition offers or strategic partnerships, especially for companies with viable pipelines and de-risked assets like AUR200.
For those late to the trade, the risk-reward setup remains highly debated. Bulls argue that the upside far outweighs downside risk if the buyout rumors are even partially true, while bears caution that without hard news, the stock could retrace rapidly.
Regardless, AUPH is back on the radar. And if recent history in the biotech space is any indicator, where there’s smoke, there could soon be fire.