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US IPO Weekly Recap: Big launches and new filings keep the IPO market moving

October 20, 2023
Weekly Recap

Both the calendar and the pipeline saw some movement this past week. Two large IPOs launched, one of which also priced, and two sizable deals submitted new filings.

Cross-listing from Paris, biotech Abivax (ABVX) led the week’s deals, pricing at the low end to raise $236 million at a $760 million market cap. Focused on chronic inflammatory diseases, the company is currently evaluating its sole clinical candidate in Phase 3 trials for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Prior trials have yielded encouraging results, but the UC drug landscape is crowded, with multiple approved and clinical-stage competitors. Abivax finished down 28%.

Two other small issuers completed listings. Singapore-based e-commerce platform WeBuy Global (WBUY) priced at the low end to raise $15 million at a $207 million market cap, and finished down 21%. Northann (NCL), which makes 3D printed flooring products, downsized and priced at the high end to raise $6 million at a $106 million market cap; it finished up 20%.

3 IPOs During the Week of October 16th, 2023
Issuer
Business
Deal
Size
Market Cap
at IPO
Price vs.
Midpoint
First Day
Return
Return
at 10/20
Northann (NCL)$6M$106M25%-8%+20%
Makes and sells 3D printed vinyl flooring products.
WeBuy Global (WBUY)$15M$207M0%+34%-21%
Provides an e-commerce platform for grocery and travel in Singapore and Indonesia.
Abivax (ABVX)$236M$760M-6%-28%-28%
Late-stage French biotech developing therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases.

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Eight IPOs submitted initial filings, led by three sizable names. Hospital billing platform Waystar (WAY) filed for an estimated $500 million IPO. Reinsurer Hamilton Insurance Group (HG) and cancer biotech CARGO Therapeutics (CRGX) both filed to raise $100 million.

10 Filings During the Week of October 16th, 2023
Issuer
Business
Deal
Size
SectorLead
Underwriter
CARGO Therapeutics (CRGX)$100MHealth CareJP Morgan
Phase 2 biotech developing CAR T cell therapies for cancer.
Invea Therapeutics (INAI)$75MHealth CareBofA
Preclinical biotech using AI to develop small molecules for inflammatory diseases.
Iron Horse Acquisitions (IROHU)$60MSPACEF Hutton
Blank check company targeting media and entertainment in the US.
J-Long Group (JL)$15MConsumer DiscretionaryEddid Securities
Hong Kong-based distributor of reflective and non-reflective garment trims.
Lianfeng Acquisition (LFKG)$70MSPAC 
Blank check company targeting the culture tech and art trading sectors in Asia.
Impact BioMedical (MPCT.RC)$15MHealth CareAegis Cap.
Developing a portfolio of biomedical technologies.
Maverick Lifestyle (MVRK)$15MConsumer DiscretionaryBoustead
Sells branded hemp-based smokables and related products.
Correlate Energy (CIPI)$14MIndustrialsAegis Cap.
Provides tech-enabled services for efficiency upgrades to commercial real estate.
Hamilton Group (HG)$100MFinancialsBarclays
Bermuda-based provider of reinsurance and specialty insurance.
Waystar (WAY)$500MTechnologyJP Morgan
Provides cloud-based revenue management software for the healthcare industry.

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IPO Market Snapshot
The Renaissance IPO Indices are market cap weighted baskets of newly public companies. As of 10/19/2023, the Renaissance IPO Index was up 23.9% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 was up 12.9%. Renaissance Capital's IPO ETF (NYSE: IPO) tracks the index, and top ETF holdings include Kenvue (KVUE) and Palantir Technologies (PLTR). The Renaissance International IPO Index was down 22.5% year-to-date, while the ACWX was up 3.2%. Renaissance Capital’s International IPO ETF (NYSE: IPOS) tracks the index, and top ETF holdings include Kuaishou and Porsche.