Mereo BioPharma stock steadies premarket as JPM Healthcare Conference puts MREO back in play

New York, January 12, 2026, 05:24 EST — Premarket

• Mereo BioPharma shares were indicated near $0.49 in premarket, following a steep rise in the previous session
• After a crucial trial setback, investors are zeroing in on this week’s J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference for strategic clues
• Denise Scots-Knight, the CEO, is set to present on Jan. 14

Mereo BioPharma Group plc shares held steady near $0.49 in U.S. premarket trading Monday, following a strong 28.6% jump to $0.4944 at Friday’s close. (The Wall Street Journal)

Timing is key here. The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is set for Jan. 12-15 in San Francisco, a week known for sharp moves in small biotech stocks on any news of partnerships, cost reductions, or strategic shifts. Last week, Mereo announced that CEO Denise Scots-Knight will present on Jan. 14. (JPMorgan Chase)

Mereo has been struggling to bounce back since late December, when it revealed its Phase 3 ORBIT and COSMIC trials for setrusumab in osteogenesis imperfecta missed the primary endpoint: reducing the annualized fracture rate, which tracks how frequently patients break bones each year. “Whilst we are disappointed by these results,” Scots-Knight said then, noting the company planned more analyses and spending cuts. (Mereo BioPharma)

Jefferies downgraded Mereo to “Hold” following the recent readout, slashing its price target from $7.00 to just $0.50. The firm flagged the company’s future now hinges more on a European play for osteogenesis imperfecta and securing a deal for alvelestat, its alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency lung disease asset. (Investing)

The setback with setrusumab sent shockwaves through Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, its partner working on the antibody for pediatric and young adult patients. The stumble has sharpened focus on the company’s cash discipline and raised questions about whether more data could carve out a viable regulatory route. (Fierce Biotech)

Broader sentiment barely budged early Monday. The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF edged up slightly in premarket action, putting the spotlight on Mereo’s upcoming moves to hinge more on its own news than on sector trends.

Traders remain fixated on two key questions: can management reposition the setrusumab data beyond just fracture-rate stats? And is there a chance to accelerate a partnering deal for alvelestat that boosts the runway without steep dilution?

The downside risk is clear. Should further analyses fall short of swaying regulators or partners — or if funding costs climb for a microcap with a troubled lead program — the stock’s recent gains could vanish fast, leaving late buyers exposed to sharp swings.

The next event is the Jan. 14 presentation. Investors will be keen to catch any firm timelines on the setrusumab post-hoc analysis, clearer direction on spending reductions, and if Mereo can lay out solid milestones regarding alvelestat talks.