H.C. Wainwright maintains $35 target on aTyr Pharma stock

Published 14/03/2025, 12:40
H.C. Wainwright maintains $35 target on aTyr Pharma stock

On Friday, H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating with a $35.00 price target for aTyr Pharma (NASDAQ:ATYR), following the company’s announcement of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results. The results revealed earnings per share (EPS) of ($0.18) for the fourth quarter and ($0.86) for the full year, which were both ahead of H.C. Wainwright’s estimates of ($0.22) and ($0.90), as well as the consensus estimates of ($0.23) and ($0.91). According to InvestingPro data, the stock has shown remarkable momentum, delivering a 146% return over the past year and trading near its 52-week high of $4.66.

The company concluded the year with $75.1 million in cash reserves. Additionally, aTyr Pharma raised $18.1 million from its at-the-market (ATM) offering facility during the first quarter of 2025, which is expected to extend the company’s cash runway beyond the anticipated EFZO-FIT readout and Biologics License Application (BLA) filing. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a healthy current ratio of 5.41, with liquid assets well exceeding short-term obligations, though it’s worth noting the company is quickly burning through cash.

Throughout 2024, aTyr Pharma advanced efzofitimod, its lead therapeutic candidate, towards a critical topline data readout expected in the third quarter of 2025. The company recently engaged in a Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize the statistical analysis plan for the pivotal study of efzofitimod. The FDA provided feedback that led to a change in the measurement of steroid reduction, now set to be evaluated as the absolute change from baseline to week 48, rather than the average change from week 12 to week 48.

The modification in the study endpoint assessment is considered positive by the management, as it aims to simplify comparisons between groups and offer a more relevant framework for patient and provider evaluations. In addition, aTyr Pharma received a favorable review from an independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB), which recommended the continuation of the study without modifications, highlighting the favorable safety profile of efzofitimod.

The company is preparing to present key demographic information from patients enrolled in the study at the upcoming American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference in the second quarter of 2024. With analyst targets ranging from $9 to $35 and a strong consensus recommendation, the stock shows significant upside potential despite current challenges. H.C. Wainwright analysts believe that the forthcoming Phase 3 data, expected within the next 6 to 9 months, represents a significant potential milestone for aTyr Pharma and could lead to increased visibility for the company among investment funds. For deeper insights into aTyr Pharma’s financial health and growth prospects, including 14 additional ProTips and comprehensive valuation metrics, visit InvestingPro.

In other recent news, aTyr Pharma reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a smaller-than-expected loss. The company’s earnings per share (EPS) was -0.18, surpassing analysts’ forecast of -0.23. Despite the positive earnings surprise, the company’s stock experienced volatility. aTyr Pharma completed enrollment for its Phase III EFSOFIT study, a significant milestone in its clinical trials. The company ended the year with $75.1 million in cash and equivalents, boosted by $18.8 million from an ATM offering, while reporting collaboration and license revenue of $200,000.

Cantor Fitzgerald maintained its Overweight rating on aTyr Pharma, focusing on the company’s lead drug, Efzofitimod, which is in a Phase 3 trial for pulmonary sarcoidosis. The trial’s primary endpoint analysis was revised following FDA feedback to focus on absolute steroid reduction compared to placebo at Week 48. The continued Overweight rating from Cantor Fitzgerald signals confidence in the potential of Efzofitimod as a treatment for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Research and development expenses for the year were notable at $54.4 million, reflecting the company’s investment in its therapeutic candidates. These recent developments highlight aTyr Pharma’s ongoing efforts in advancing its drug pipeline and financial performance.

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.