Why Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH) Shares Are Rising Today

Recent Developments at Amphastar Pharmaceuticals

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMPH) experienced a 5.8% surge in its stock price during afternoon trading after revealing an exclusive licensing partnership with Nanjing Hanxin Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. This agreement centers on a novel drug candidate.

The partnership grants Amphastar the rights to develop and market AMP-110—a fully synthetic analog of a human hormone—across the United States and Canada. Designed to address inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, AMP-110 may offer a safer alternative to current therapies. Under the terms, Amphastar will pay $2 million upfront, with the possibility of an additional $14 million tied to development milestones and up to $75 million based on sales achievements.

By the end of the trading day, Amphastar’s shares closed at $29.41, marking a 6% increase from the previous session.

Market Insights and Performance

Amphastar’s stock has shown notable volatility, recording 13 swings greater than 5% over the past year. Today’s uptick suggests investors view the licensing news as significant, though not transformative for the company’s overall outlook.

One of the most substantial price movements in the last year occurred two months ago, when shares climbed 10.9% after Amphastar’s third-quarter results exceeded analyst forecasts. The company reported $191.8 million in revenue and adjusted earnings of $0.93 per share, both surpassing Wall Street’s expectations. Strong sales of Baqsimi and Primatene Mist contributed to this performance. Following these results, Needham reaffirmed its ‘Buy’ recommendation on Amphastar, though it revised its price target downward from $36 to $34.

Since the start of the year, Amphastar’s stock has risen 11.1%. However, at $29.41 per share, it remains 23.6% below its 52-week peak of $38.48, reached in January 2025. An investor who purchased $1,000 of Amphastar shares five years ago would now see their investment grow to $1,507.