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Investing.com - Lenz Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:LENZ) stock gained after William Blair reiterated its Outperform rating on the presbyopia treatment developer. The stock has shown strong momentum, rising nearly 11% in the past week, with analysts maintaining a Strong Buy consensus and price targets ranging from $36 to $60. InvestingPro analysis reveals 10+ additional expert insights about LENZ’s potential.
On Monday, July 7, Lenz announced an exclusive license and commercialization agreement with Laboratoires Théa for LNZ100 in Canada. Under the agreement, Lenz is eligible to receive over $70 million in milestone payments, including $7.5 million in upfront and regulatory milestones and $63 million in commercial milestones.
The deal also includes tiered double-digit royalties on net sales for Lenz, allowing the company to maintain favorable economics without building commercial infrastructure in the Canadian market.
William Blair noted that Lenz’s LNZ100 (aceclidine 1.75%) demonstrated strong efficacy in clinical trials, with response rates of 71%-73% within 30 minutes of dosing and daylong durability. This contrasts with the first pharmacologic therapy for presbyopia, Vuity, which failed to gain market traction due to limited efficacy and short duration.
The investment firm views LNZ100 as a potential blockbuster opportunity, citing that early enthusiasm for Vuity demonstrated significant market appetite for a product offering the durable efficacy shown in LNZ100’s Phase II INSIGHT and Phase III CLARITY studies.
In other recent news, LENZ Therapeutics has announced a series of significant developments. The company reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting a strong cash position of $194.1 million despite a net loss per share of $0.53. LENZ is advancing its presbyopia treatment, LNZ100, with an anticipated FDA approval date set for August 8, 2025. The company has also entered into exclusive licensing agreements with Laboratoires Théa and Lotus Pharmaceutical (TADAWUL:2070) for the commercialization of LNZ100 in Canada, Korea, and select Southeast Asian countries, potentially bringing in up to $195 million in payments.
Additionally, LENZ Therapeutics held its 2025 annual stockholder meeting, where directors were elected and Ernst & Young LLP was ratified as the independent auditor. Citi analysts have reiterated a Buy rating for LENZ Therapeutics, citing the potential FDA approval as a significant milestone. The analysts expressed confidence in the approval process, noting the company’s successful Late Cycle FDA meeting. As LENZ prepares for the commercial launch of LNZ100, the company is expanding its sales force and leveraging strategic partnerships to ensure product access and distribution. These developments underscore LENZ Therapeutics’ strategic focus on market expansion and product innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector.
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