BMO Capital cuts Terns Pharma stock target to $15, keeps Outperform

Published 13/05/2025, 15:22
BMO Capital cuts Terns Pharma stock target to $15, keeps Outperform

On Tuesday, BMO Capital Markets adjusted its outlook on Terns Pharmaceuticals stock, reducing the price target to $15 from the previous $26, while maintaining an Outperform rating. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets for TERN currently range from $7.50 to $34, with the stock showing signs of being slightly undervalued based on comprehensive Fair Value analysis. The adjustment follows recent developments within the company’s clinical programs and patent proceedings, alongside broader economic factors.

Terns Pharmaceuticals, which trades on (NASDAQ:TERN), has been actively progressing with its CARDINAL study, focusing on TERN-701, a treatment candidate in their pipeline. The company, which maintains a strong financial position with more cash than debt and a healthy current ratio of 30.89, recently reported positive updates as it enrolled the first patient in a dose expansion trial in April, investigating higher doses of 320mg and 500mg administered once daily. This milestone indicates the dose expansion phase is reaching its highest dose range, signaling a forward momentum in the drug’s development process.

Additionally, Terns Pharmaceuticals has received favorable updates regarding its intellectual property status. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has resolved double patenting rejections related to TERN-601, a move that could pave the way for a potential composition of matter patent in the future. This patent would be particularly significant as it relates to Pfizer (NYSE:PFE)’s danuglipron, a comparator in the same therapeutic area. InvestingPro analysis shows the company’s market capitalization stands at $263 million, with financial health metrics indicating a ’FAIR’ overall rating.

The analyst from BMO Capital, Etzer Darout, cited recent macroeconomic headwinds as a contributing factor to the increased weighted average cost of capital (WACC) assumptions. These heightened WACC assumptions have influenced the decision to lower the price target for Terns Pharmaceuticals’ shares.

Despite the reduction in the price target, the Outperform rating suggests that BMO Capital Markets continues to view Terns Pharmaceuticals positively, with expectations of performance that could exceed the average sector or industry returns. The company is anticipated to provide further data from the TERN-701 dose expansion study in the fourth quarter, which will be a critical period for evaluating the drug’s efficacy and safety at higher doses.

In other recent news, Terns Pharmaceuticals has reported significant progress in its clinical trials and development programs. The company announced updates on its CARDINAL study for TERN-701 and the forthcoming FALCON trial for TERN-601, with cash reserves projected to support operations into 2028. Promising interim data from the CARDINAL study indicated strong molecular responses and a favorable safety profile, with further data expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. Additionally, Terns Pharmaceuticals has appointed Andrew Gengos as the new Chief Financial Officer, bringing extensive experience from the life sciences and biotechnology sectors. Analyst firms JMP Securities and Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities have maintained their positive outlooks on Terns, with price targets of $20 and $14, respectively. These affirmations come in light of Pfizer’s recent discontinuation of its oral GLP-1 agonist, danuglipron, which analysts see as beneficial for Terns. Terns is progressing with its own oral GLP-1 therapy, TERN-601, and anticipation is building for its Phase 2 data release in late 2025. The company continues to explore opportunities in metabolic diseases and obesity, with a strong financial foundation and strategic leadership in place.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.