JFrog stock rises as Cantor Fitzgerald maintains Overweight rating after strong Q2
On Thursday, H.C. Wainwright adjusted its price target on shares of PepGen Inc. (NASDAQ:PEPG), reducing it to $14.00 from the previous $16.00 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. Currently trading at $1.54, the stock has experienced significant volatility, falling nearly 88% over the past year. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company appears undervalued relative to its Fair Value estimate. The firm’s analyst, Andrew S. Fein, provided insights into the rationale behind the new price target following PepGen’s announcement regarding the upcoming results from the PGN-EDO51 10 mg/kg cohort of the CONNECT1 study, expected in the third quarter of 2025. InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 4.95, though it’s currently burning through cash at a considerable rate.
Fein noted that the amendments to the CONNECT study protocol could enhance the scientific basis for the trial. Adjustments such as changing the final biopsy timing and increasing the Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) threshold for patient selection are expected to contribute to more robust data. The extension of the biopsy window from Day 7 to Day 28 is intended to allow for greater oligonucleotide accumulation in tissues, potentially leading to higher dystrophin expression levels.
Moreover, the decision to expand the age range of trial participants to 6-16 years is aimed at including individuals who may exhibit better ambulatory capability, which could improve the chances of detecting functional benefits from the treatment. Although these changes might prolong the trial, the potential for stronger efficacy profiles is seen as a reasonable trade-off.
Additionally, increasing the cohort size from three to four patients is seen as a way to address the variability in disease progression, thereby enhancing the robustness of the data set. Fein expressed confidence in PepGen’s ability to achieve competitive dystrophin expression levels in the 10 mg/kg cohort over the six-month study, provided that safety concerns are adequately managed. With a market capitalization of just $50.39 million and holding more cash than debt on its balance sheet, the company appears positioned to support its ongoing clinical programs.
The reevaluation of operational expenditure assumptions by H.C. Wainwright led to the revised price target for PepGen. The analyst emphasized the importance of the upcoming trial results in understanding the drug’s impact on kidney function as well as its competitive position with respect to dystrophin expression. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 12 additional investment tips and comprehensive financial metrics that provide deeper insights into PepGen’s financial health and market position.
In other recent news, PepGen Inc. has announced a temporary suspension of its Phase 2 CONNECT2-EDO51 study for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to review data from an earlier trial. This decision allows the company to focus on completing the CONNECT1-EDO51 study, with results expected in the third quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, PepGen reported promising initial data from its FREEDOM-DM1 Phase 1 trial for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), showing significant splicing correction and a satisfactory safety profile. The trial’s findings have led to increased optimism about the potential regulatory approval for PGN-EDODM1, despite the need for further dosing studies.
Additionally, PepGen’s Chief Medical (TASE:BLWV) Officer, Michelle L. Mellion, MD, resigned effective April 4, 2025, with the company noting no disagreements with her decision. In the financial realm, Stifel analysts adjusted their outlook on PepGen, reducing the price target to $14 from $17 while maintaining a Buy rating. The analysts cited positive biomarker data from the DM1 trial but noted concerns over renal safety signals in the DMD program. Despite these adjustments, Stifel expressed continued support for PepGen’s stock, highlighting the favorable setup for future developments. These recent developments reflect PepGen’s ongoing efforts to advance its therapeutic programs amid executive changes.
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