Biotech Rally Builds as Investors Eye Clinical Catalysts and Fed-Driven Recovery

Extended trading hours witnessed a remarkable surge across the biotech sector on Wednesday, with both small-cap and micro-cap names participating in what appears to be a coordinated recovery. The momentum split into two distinct narratives: companies advancing on concrete catalysts versus those riding broader market sentiment following the Federal Reserve’s rate decision.

Data Anticipation Fuels Select Movers

Several biotech names delivered notable gains tied to upcoming or recently presented developments. Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (CRBP) climbed 12.76% after hours to $11.57, drawing strength from investor anticipation surrounding upcoming Phase 1a study results for CRB-913. The company indicated results would be released before market open on December 11, 2025, with an 8:00 a.m. ET conference call to follow—a clear catalyst driving the pre-announcement buying.

Similarly, Curis, Inc. (CRIS) advanced 7.68% to $1.3999 after hours, extending momentum that began following the company’s clinical data presentation at the 67th ASH Annual Meeting on December 9. The latest poster update on the frontline AML triplet study (CA-4948-104) continued to capture investor interest and underpin the move higher.

Cerus Corporation (CERS) posted a more measured 3.17% gain to $1.95 after hours, supported by a newly announced group purchasing agreement with Blood Centers of America. The partnership covers Cerus’s complete INTERCEPT product line and represents a meaningful expansion opportunity for the company’s pathogen-reduction technology platform.

Macro-Driven Rebounds Lift Beaten-Down Names

Beyond catalyst-specific moves, a substantial portion of biotech’s after-hours strength reflected risk appetite returning to speculative segments following the Fed’s policy shift. Agape ATP Corp. (ATPC) delivered the session’s most dramatic move, surging 29.41% to $0.088 despite the absence of company-specific news. The spike represents part of a broader sector reallocation into micro-cap names.

Cue Biopharma, Inc. (CUE) jumped 13.12% to $0.54, Anebulo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANEB) climbed 8.37% to $2.33, and Skye Bioscience, Inc. (SKYE) advanced 7.02% to $1.22—all posting double-digit or solid single-digit gains despite absent corporate developments. These moves underscore how the Fed’s rate cut has reignited investor appetite for high-volatility biotechs that endured significant selloffs earlier in the year.

The divergence between catalyst-driven and sentiment-driven gainers highlights the current biotech landscape: while clinical data and business developments remain important price drivers, the improved macro backdrop is creating opportunities for investors to re-evaluate names trading at depressed valuations.

(Views and opinions expressed are those of market observers and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.)