Insider Trading February 18, 2026

MapLight Director Sells $220,632 in MPLT Shares as Company Advances Phase 2 Timelines

Director Robert C. Malenka disposed of 12,116 shares on Feb. 13 while MapLight reports accelerated trials, FDA Fast Track status and a $200M collaboration

By Avery Klein MPLT
MapLight Director Sells $220,632 in MPLT Shares as Company Advances Phase 2 Timelines
MPLT

MapLight Therapeutics director Robert C. Malenka sold 12,116 shares of voting common stock on February 13, 2026, generating $220,632 in proceeds. The company, valued at roughly $753 million, has pushed forward timelines for two Phase 2 trials and received Fast Track designation for one of its lead candidates, while analysts hold a Strong Buy consensus ahead of an earnings report scheduled for February 25.

Key Points

  • Director Robert C. Malenka sold 12,116 shares on February 13, 2026, for total proceeds of $220,632 at prices between $18.00 and $18.59.
  • MapLight is valued at about $753 million, with shares trading at $17.31, below the sale price range; analysts hold a Strong Buy ahead of earnings on February 25.
  • The company accelerated timelines for two Phase 2 trials with topline results expected in Q3 2026, obtained FDA Fast Track for ML-007C-MA in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, and entered a $200 million collaboration focused on a novel GPCR target.

A director of MapLight Therapeutics executed a notable equity sale in mid-February as the biotech reported program and partnership updates. On February 13, 2026, Robert C. Malenka sold 12,116 shares of the company’s voting common stock for aggregate proceeds of $220,632. The disposals were executed at prices between $18.00 and $18.59 per share.

At the time of the transactions, the company’s market value stood at approximately $753 million. MapLight’s shares were trading at $17.31, placing the market price below the range at which Malenka sold.

Following these sales, Malenka’s direct ownership consists of 339,254 shares. He also holds an indirect stake of 31,672 shares through the Robert C. Malenka Living Trust.


Financial and analyst snapshot

Analyst coverage ahead of MapLight’s upcoming earnings report, scheduled for February 25, remains favorable. According to the cited data, analysts maintain a Strong Buy consensus on the stock.

Financial metrics highlighted in company analysis point to a solid liquidity profile. MapLight is reported to have more cash than debt on its balance sheet and a current ratio of 13.22, indicating a strong short-term liquidity position. The company, however, is not yet profitable, a factor that keeps operational runway and future financing on the strategic agenda.


Clinical progress and strategic partnerships

MapLight has accelerated timelines for two Phase 2 clinical programs, now targeting topline data in the third quarter of 2026. The ZEPHYR trial, testing ML-007C-MA for schizophrenia, is progressing faster than anticipated and is benefiting from robust patient enrollment.

In regulatory developments, ML-007C-MA received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, which could streamline development and review processes for that indication.

Strategically, the company entered a $200 million collaboration with SandboxAQ focused on discovering therapies for central nervous system disorders, concentrating on a novel GPCR target. In broker commentary, Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating and cited the potential of ML-007C-MA as a promising candidate for schizophrenia treatment.


What this means for markets

The insider sale, combined with the company’s clinical acceleration, regulatory recognition and a sizable discovery collaboration, presents a mixed signal for investors. The disposal occurred above the current trading price, and management ownership remains significant after the transaction. Meanwhile, liquidity metrics suggest MapLight has financial flexibility as it advances its pipeline, though profitability has not yet been achieved.

Given the proximity of the company’s earnings report and the importance of upcoming clinical readouts, market participants will likely be watching both operational progress and any commentary on financial position closely.

Risks

  • MapLight is not yet profitable - continued operations depend on clinical progress and financial management, affecting the biotech and healthcare sectors.
  • Upcoming clinical readouts and regulatory developments create outcome uncertainty, which could impact biotech valuations and investor sentiment in capital markets.
  • An insider sale executed at prices above the current market price may be viewed variably by investors and could influence trading dynamics in the stock.

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