BofA lifts Aardvark Therapeutics target to $26, maintains Buy

Published 27/03/2025, 11:06
BofA lifts Aardvark Therapeutics target to $26, maintains Buy

On Thursday, BofA Securities analyst Tim Anderson increased the price target for Aardvark Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:AARD) to $26.00, up from the previous target of $22.00, while reiterating a Buy rating on the stock. Currently trading at $9.42, the stock sits well below the consensus analyst targets ranging from $21 to $50. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a market capitalization of approximately $201 million. Anderson’s assessment comes in light of the pharmaceutical landscape for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)-hyperphagia, a condition that currently lacks FDA-approved treatments.

Aardvark Therapeutics is in the process of developing treatments for PWS-hyperphagia. The company’s optimism is based on the belief that its phase 3 trial data will be robust enough to support a filing with the FDA. Anderson’s report notes that while previous attempts by other companies to gain FDA approval for similar treatments have been unsuccessful, Aardvark’s data may present a more compelling case.

In the past, the FDA rejected Levo Therapeutics’ intranasal carbetocin in 2022 because its efficacy benefits were not clear. Similarly, data from Soleno Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SLNO) showed some promise, but the results were mixed, leading to uncertainty about approval prospects.

Anderson’s analysis includes a detailed comparison of the data submissions from Soleno, Levo, and Aardvark Therapeutics. One key point of differentiation he highlights is that both Soleno and Levo’s submissions encompassed data from more than one randomized trial, with information gathered from a larger patient group over longer treatment durations.

The note from Anderson underscores the cautious optimism for Aardvark Therapeutics’ upcoming phase 3 trial results. While the company believes the data will be sufficient for FDA filing, the history of previous submissions by other firms serves as a reminder of the rigorous standards required for approval. InvestingPro data shows the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, though analysts don’t expect profitability this year. Subscribers can access 5 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics to better evaluate AARD’s investment potential.

In other recent news, Aardvark Therapeutics has caught the attention of several major financial firms with its promising developments. RBC Capital initiated coverage on the company with an Outperform rating and a price target of $21.00, highlighting the potential of Aardvark’s lead drug, ARD-101, in treating Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and its prospects in the obesity market. BofA Securities also began coverage, assigning a Buy rating and a $22.00 price target, driven by the company’s focus on metabolic diseases and the significant unmet medical need for PWS treatments. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) joined in with an Overweight rating and a higher price target of $29.00, emphasizing the potential of ARD-101 as it progresses through clinical trials.

Aardvark Therapeutics, which recently went public, is making strides with ARD-101, currently in phase 3 trials, and is exploring additional applications in hypothalamic obesity and general obesity. The companies’ analysts have expressed optimism based on preliminary data from early trials, suggesting that upcoming data points could enhance Aardvark’s market position. The anticipation surrounding the company’s clinical programs reflects the broader interest in its innovative approach to addressing metabolic disorders. These recent developments position Aardvark Therapeutics as a company to watch in the biotechnology sector.

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

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