ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) Stock Analysis
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) trades at $0.8657 with AI Score 49/100 (Grade C). ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing immuno-oncology therapies for cancer patients. Market cap: $208M, Sector: Healthcare.
Price as of Jul 23, 2026 · Last analyzed: May 10, 2026Analyst Coverage for ZIOP: ZIOP does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates ZIOP against Healthcare peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns an underweight signal based on the underlying data.
ZIOP: 1/3 scored disciplines lean bearish. Dominant signal: Ken Griffin bullish.
How is this calculated? →Why this analysis is different
- A 9-signal quantitative MoonshotScore built from filings, insider activity, and market data — computed from the numbers, not from opinion.
- An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
- Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) Healthcare & Pipeline Overview
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. pioneers immuno-oncology therapies, leveraging its Sleeping Beauty platform and Controlled IL-12 technology to engineer T-cells and stimulate the immune system against cancer. The company focuses on solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, operating in the competitive biotechnology sector.
What Is the Investment Thesis for ZIOP?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. presents a high-risk, high-reward investment opportunity within the immuno-oncology space. The company's innovative Sleeping Beauty and Controlled IL-12 platforms offer potential for breakthrough cancer therapies. Key value drivers include successful clinical trial outcomes for its lead product candidates, particularly Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Upcoming clinical data releases throughout 2026 will be critical in validating the efficacy and safety of these therapies. However, the company's significant negative profit margin of -83520.0% and gross margin of -3600.0% highlight the substantial financial challenges. The company's success hinges on securing regulatory approvals and establishing commercial partnerships. The high beta of 1.69 indicates significant volatility, reflecting the speculative nature of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical investments.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
ZIOP Key Highlights
- Market capitalization of $208M reflects investor sentiment regarding ZIOPHARM's pipeline and potential.
- Negative profit margin of -83520.0% indicates substantial ongoing research and development expenses.
- Negative gross margin of -3600.0% highlights the cost-intensive nature of developing novel cancer therapies.
- Beta of 1.69 suggests higher volatility compared to the overall market, typical for clinical-stage biotech companies.
- ZIOPHARM employs 103 individuals, reflecting its focus on research and development activities.
Who Are ZIOP's Competitors?
ZIOP is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE bluebird bio, Inc. | $4.97 | +0.00% | $48.7M | 67 |
| CRSP CRISPR Therapeutics AG | $47.53 | +0.61% | $4.58B | 44 |
| JUNO Juno Lighting, Inc. | $86.96 | +0.00% | 63 | |
| CGEN Compugen Ltd. | $2.34 | -3.31% | $221M | 76 |
| ORMP Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. | $4.16 | +3.48% | $170M | 75 |
| ORTX Orchard Therapeutics plc | $16.70 | +0.30% | $380M | 69 |
| JNCE Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. | $1.88 | +0.00% | $99.0M | 71 |
| ADGI Adagio Therapeutics, Inc. | $4.64 | +0.87% | $506M | 71 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are ZIOP's Key Strengths?
- Innovative Sleeping Beauty and Controlled IL-12 platforms.
- Focus on immuno-oncology, a rapidly growing field.
- Strategic collaborations with leading research institutions.
- Pipeline of product candidates targeting various cancer types.
What Are ZIOP's Weaknesses?
- Clinical-stage company with no currently approved products.
- Significant negative profit and gross margins.
- Reliance on successful clinical trial outcomes and regulatory approvals.
- High cash burn rate.
What Could Drive ZIOP Stock Higher?
- Clinical data releases for Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme throughout 2026.
- Initiation of clinical trials for new T cell receptor + T therapies targeting solid tumors by Q4 2026.
- Continued advancement of chimeric antigen receptor + T cell therapies targeting CD19 for hematologic malignancies.
- Potential for new strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand research capabilities.
What Are the Key Risks for ZIOP?
- Unsuccessful clinical trial outcomes for key product candidates.
- Regulatory hurdles and delays in obtaining approvals from agencies like the FDA.
- Competition from other immuno-oncology companies developing similar therapies.
- Financial constraints and the need for additional funding to support research and development activities.
- Intellectual property challenges and patent disputes.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for ZIOP?
- Expansion of T cell receptor + T therapies: ZIOPHARM has the opportunity to expand its T cell receptor + T therapies to target a broader range of solid tumors. The solid tumor market represents a significant unmet medical need, with a market size estimated to reach $400 billion by 2030. Successful development and commercialization of these therapies could generate substantial revenue streams for ZIOPHARM.
- Advancement of chimeric antigen receptor + T cell therapies: ZIOPHARM can further advance its chimeric antigen receptor + T cell therapies targeting CD19 for hematologic malignancies. The hematologic malignancy market is projected to grow to $80 billion by 2028. Positive clinical trial results and regulatory approvals in this area could establish ZIOPHARM as a key player in the cell therapy space.
- Development of Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: ZIOPHARM has the potential to develop Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex as a treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme in adults. The glioblastoma multiforme market is expected to reach $2 billion by 2027. Successful commercialization of this therapy could provide a significant revenue stream and improve patient outcomes.
- Strategic partnerships and collaborations: ZIOPHARM can pursue additional strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand its research capabilities and access new technologies. Collaborations with academic institutions and other biotechnology companies can accelerate the development of novel immuno-oncology therapies and broaden ZIOPHARM's pipeline.
- Expansion into new geographic markets: ZIOPHARM has the opportunity to expand its operations into new geographic markets, such as Europe and Asia. These markets offer significant growth potential for immuno-oncology therapies, driven by increasing cancer prevalence and rising healthcare expenditures. International expansion could diversify ZIOPHARM's revenue streams and reduce its reliance on the US market.
What Opportunities Does ZIOP Have?
- Expansion of existing therapies to new indications.
- Development of new immuno-oncology technologies.
- Strategic partnerships and collaborations.
- Expansion into new geographic markets.
What Threats Does ZIOP Face?
- Competition from other immuno-oncology companies.
- Unsuccessful clinical trial outcomes.
- Regulatory hurdles and delays.
- Financial constraints and the need for additional funding.
What Are ZIOP's Competitive Advantages?
- Proprietary Sleeping Beauty platform for genetic engineering of immune cells.
- Controlled IL-12 technology for targeted immune stimulation.
- Patent protection for its key technologies and product candidates.
- Strategic collaborations with leading research institutions.
What Does ZIOP Do?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc., headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, acquiring, developing, and commercializing a diverse portfolio of immuno-oncology therapies. The company's primary focus is on treating various forms of cancer by harnessing the power of the patient's own immune system. ZIOPHARM's core technology revolves around two innovative platforms: the Sleeping Beauty platform and Controlled IL-12. The Sleeping Beauty platform facilitates the non-viral genetic engineering of immune cells, specifically T-cells, outside the body. These engineered T-cells are then infused back into the patient to target and destroy cancer cells. The Controlled IL-12 platform is designed to stimulate the expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12), a key regulator of the immune system. By controlling the production of IL-12, the company aims to focus the patient's immune system to specifically attack cancer cells. ZIOPHARM's pipeline includes T cell receptor + T therapies targeting solid tumors, chimeric antigen receptor + T cell therapies targeting CD19 for hematologic malignancies, and Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex, a gene delivery system to regulate IL-12 production for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme in adults. The company has established several strategic collaborations, including a license agreement with PGEN Therapeutics, Inc., a research and development agreement with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a patent license agreement with the National Cancer Institute, and a cooperative research and development agreement with the National Cancer Institute. These partnerships enhance ZIOPHARM's research capabilities and expand its access to cutting-edge technologies.
What Products and Services Does ZIOP Offer?
- Develops immuno-oncology therapies to treat cancer.
- Utilizes the Sleeping Beauty platform for non-viral genetic engineering of immune cells.
- Employs Controlled IL-12 technology to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Focuses on T cell receptor + T therapies for solid tumors.
- Develops chimeric antigen receptor + T cell therapies for hematologic malignancies.
- Creates gene delivery systems to regulate IL-12 production for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.
How Does ZIOP Make Money?
- Develops and patents novel immuno-oncology therapies.
- Conducts clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates.
- Seeks regulatory approvals from agencies like the FDA.
- Partners with other companies for research, development, and commercialization.
What Industry Does ZIOP Operate In?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. operates within the rapidly evolving immuno-oncology sector, a segment of the biotechnology industry focused on harnessing the body's immune system to fight cancer. The market is characterized by intense competition, with numerous companies developing novel therapies, including cell therapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and oncolytic viruses. ZIOPHARM's competitive positioning depends on the success of its Sleeping Beauty and Controlled IL-12 platforms in demonstrating superior efficacy and safety compared to existing and emerging therapies.
Who Are ZIOP's Key Customers?
- Cancer patients seeking innovative treatment options.
- Hospitals and oncology clinics.
- Research institutions and universities.
- Pharmaceutical companies through licensing and collaboration agreements.
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) Valuation Context
Valued at $208M, ZIOP is classified as a micro-cap stock. Relative to its peer group, ZIOP's quantitative score of 49/100 is below the peer average of 65/100.
Key Financial Metrics
Its free cash flow yield is -68.8%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 1.63 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations. Its earnings yield is -109.8%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.
F-Score 4/9Financial Health
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 4/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile.
ZIOP Financials
Fundamental Snapshot
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis · FY 2025
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Recent insider buying suggests confidence in ZIOPHARM's upcoming trials, indicating a belief in positive outcomes.
- The community sentiment has shifted positively as discussions around the company's innovative therapies gain traction.
- Increased media coverage on ZIOPHARM's unique approach to cancer treatment has sparked interest among retail investors.
- Positive feedback from recent conferences has highlighted the potential of ZIOPHARM's pipeline, enhancing market perception.
Bear Case
- Concerns over the competitive landscape in oncology have dampened enthusiasm, with analysts highlighting potential challenges ahead.
- Social sentiment has shown signs of skepticism, particularly regarding the timeline for clinical trial results.
- Insider selling activity has raised red flags for some investors, suggesting a lack of confidence amid ongoing developments.
- Market perception remains cautious, as investors await clearer data from ongoing studies before committing capital.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
ZIOP Latest News
No recent news available for ZIOP.
ZIOP Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for ZIOP.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for ZIOP.
ZIOP MoonshotScore
What does this score mean?
The MoonshotScore rates ZIOP 0-100 on quantitative fundamentals — growth, financial health, valuation, momentum, and risk.
Leadership: Laurence Cooper
CEO
Laurence Cooper serves as the CEO of ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. His background includes extensive experience in the field of immuno-oncology and cell therapy. He has held leadership positions in various biotechnology companies and academic institutions. Cooper's expertise spans from basic research to clinical development and commercialization of novel cancer therapies. He is recognized for his contributions to the advancement of cell-based immunotherapies.
Track Record: Under Laurence Cooper's leadership, ZIOPHARM has focused on advancing its Sleeping Beauty and Controlled IL-12 platforms. Key milestones include the progression of product candidates through clinical trials and the establishment of strategic collaborations. Cooper has overseen the company's efforts to develop innovative immuno-oncology therapies for various cancer types. His strategic decisions have shaped ZIOPHARM's research and development priorities.
ZIOP Healthcare Stock FAQ
What does the AI Score mean for ZIOP?
ZIOP holds an AI Score of 49/100 (Grade: C). This is an educational research signal, not a buy or sell recommendation. ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing immuno-oncology therapies for cancer patients. Their innovative platforms, like Sleeping Beauty …
What does ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. do?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing immuno-oncology therapies to treat various cancers. The company leverages its proprietary Sleeping Beauty platform for non-viral genetic engineering of immune cells and its Controlled IL-12 technology to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells.
What do analysts say about ZIOP stock?
Analyst coverage of ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) is limited, reflecting its status as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The consensus view typically focuses on the potential of its immuno-oncology platforms and pipeline. Key valuation metrics include assessments of future revenue potential based on clinical trial outcomes and regulatory approvals.
What are the main risks for ZIOP?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. faces several key risks inherent to the biotechnology industry. Clinical trial risk is paramount, as the success of its product candidates depends on demonstrating safety and efficacy in clinical studies. Regulatory risk is also significant, as obtaining approvals from agencies like the FDA is crucial for commercialization.
What are the key factors to evaluate for ZIOP?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) holds an AI score of 49/100 (low). Not financial advice.
How frequently does ZIOP data refresh on this page?
ZIOP's price was last updated on Jul 23, 2026 and refreshes on page view during U.S. market hours — it is not a real-time exchange feed. Fundamentals update after quarterly filings; the MoonshotScore recalculates nightly; news aggregates continuously.
What has driven ZIOP's recent stock price performance?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Innovative Sleeping Beauty and Controlled IL-12 platforms. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Should investors consider ZIOP overvalued or undervalued right now?
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) has no trailing P/E available here, so lean on price-to-sales and cash flow in the Financials tab. Compare P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA against sector peers for a full view.
How do I research ZIOP before investing?
Before investing in ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP), research these four areas: (1) the company's revenue model and competitive position (see Company Overview), (2) financial health through revenue growth, margins, and cash flow (see MoonshotScore), (3) analyst consensus ratings and price targets (see Analyst tab), and (4) specific risk factors that could impact the stock (see Risk Factors section).
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Information is based on available data as of 2026-05-10.
- Clinical trial outcomes and regulatory approvals are subject to change.
- Financial data may not reflect the most recent reporting period.