ImmunityBio $IBRX ( ▲ 33.67% ) is ripping again after dropping basically an entire week of good news back to back, and now it’s sitting right in the middle of the retail short squeeze spotlight.
This isn’t one random headline pump. It’s been a stair-step rally powered by multiple catalysts, which is exactly the setup that pulls retail in fast.
What sparked the move
Management delivered its 4th and 5th positive update of the week, including:
ANKTIVA’s bladder cancer trial being 85%+ complete with a positive interim look
A separate combo treatment study showing patients stayed clear of Waldenstrom Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for up to 15 months
At the peak Friday premarket, the stock had already doubled on the week.
Why retail is circling this one
Retail loves momentum that keeps getting reinforced, and that’s what this week looked like:
Thursday: +30% after management said ANKTIVA sales volume jumped 750% in 2025
Wednesday: +7% after Saudi Arabia approved ANKTIVA for bladder cancer and non-small cell lung cancer
Tuesday: +9% after ANKTIVA showed statistically significant immune restoration in NSCLC trials
When you stack bullish headlines like that, squeeze communities start treating it like a mission.
The squeeze math
Short interest is still massive. About 36.5% of the float was sold short heading into 2026, and that’s why retail thinks this can turn into a forced-covering event.
It’s already dominating squeeze forums too. As of early Friday, two of the top three posts on r/ShortSqueeze were about $IBRX ( ▲ 33.67% ) , including a cross-post showing a $90K+ position from r/WallStreetBets.
Bottom line
Even if this doesn’t turn into a classic squeeze, the current setup is still dangerous for shorts. Momentum traders are locked in, volume is exploding, and the headline flow hasn’t slowed down.
If the news keeps coming, shorts become gasoline.