H.C. Wainwright reiterates Buy rating on Capricor Therapeutics stock

Investing.com - H.C. Wainwright reiterated its Buy rating and $24.00 price target on Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CAPR), representing over 200% upside from the current price of $7.70. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets range from $12 to $29, with strong consensus supporting the bullish outlook. The reaffirmation follows the company’s announcement that it has dosed the first patients in its Phase 1 clinical trial for StealthX exosome-based vaccine.

The trial, announced on August 18, initially targets SARS-CoV-2 with plans to expand into other therapeutic areas including rare diseases. The study includes four dosing arms focusing on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, with Capricor seeking to add an additional arm incorporating the nucleocapsid protein, pending FDA clearance.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is conducting and funding the trial under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Project NextGen. Initial data from the study is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

Preclinical data has demonstrated StealthX’s potential to deliver viral proteins for immunization at nanogram levels without requiring adjuvants, while broadening reactivity and improving T cell response. The platform could potentially be used to rapidly develop other vaccines or therapeutics.

Capricor recently held a type A meeting with the FDA regarding its Deramiocel program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), separate from the StealthX vaccine development program.

In other recent news, Capricor Therapeutics reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, revealing a larger-than-expected loss. The company posted an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.57, which was below the analysts’ forecast of -$0.48. Additionally, Capricor’s revenue for the quarter was $0, a significant drop from $4 million in the same period last year. These financial figures have raised concerns among investors regarding the company’s financial health and future prospects. Meanwhile, Capricor announced the commencement of a Phase 1 clinical trial for its StealthX exosome-based vaccine. This trial is the first human testing of the platform and is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Project NextGen. The trial follows the FDA’s clearance of the Investigational New Drug application. These developments highlight Capricor’s ongoing efforts in advancing its vaccine platform amidst financial challenges.

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