Tonix Pharmaceuticals stock halted ahead of FDA approval news
On Wednesday, H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating on Esperion (NASDAQ:ESPR) Therapeutics shares, with a price target of $16.00, representing significant upside from the current price of $0.88. According to InvestingPro data, the stock has attracted varied analyst opinions, with targets ranging from $1.85 to $16.00. The firm’s endorsement follows Esperion’s recent R&D Day, which focused on the expansion of its early-stage development pipeline, particularly a new program aimed at primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a disease with significant unmet medical needs.
Esperion is capitalizing on its extensive knowledge in ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) biology. The company’s bempedoic acid (BDA; NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET), is currently the only ACLY inhibitor (ACLYi) on the market. BDA is designed to lower LDL-cholesterol levels by selectively inhibiting ACLY in hepatocytes.
The company’s next-generation ACLY inhibitors are being developed to target various liver cell types, including cholangiocytes, stellate cells, and Kupffer cells. These cells are implicated in metabolic dysregulation and are critical in the development of diseases like PSC.
During the R&D Day, Esperion provided an overview of its new research and development strategy. This included the scientific rationale behind targeting ACLY in different liver cell types, potential indications for the therapy, market opportunities, initial preclinical data, and the anticipated timeline for development.
Esperion’s efforts to address diseases with high unmet needs and its progress in expanding its pipeline appear to support H.C. Wainwright’s positive outlook on the company’s stock. The firm’s maintained price target of $16 reflects confidence in Esperion’s strategic direction and the potential of its ACLY inhibitor programs. With the next earnings report due on May 13, investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis and additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports.
In other recent news, Esperion Therapeutics announced its latest research on treatment candidates for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver disease. The company is focusing on allosteric inhibitors of ATP citrate lyase, with preclinical models indicating potential benefits in reducing liver injury and inflammation. Additionally, Esperion revealed that Eric Warren will step down as Chief Commercial Officer, effective April 18, 2025, with no disagreements cited as the reason for his departure. In a related development, Robert E. Hoffman has been appointed to the board of directors and will serve as Chairperson of the Audit Committee starting May 29, 2025. Meanwhile, JMP Securities has reaffirmed a Market Outperform rating for Esperion, highlighting the potential benefits of label expansion for bempedoic acid. The company is set to launch Phase 3 trials for pediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, aiming to extend market exclusivity. These developments reflect Esperion’s ongoing efforts to expand its therapeutic offerings and strengthen its market position.
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