CareDx shares upgraded to Buy rating

Published 19/08/2024, 13:42
CareDx shares upgraded to Buy rating

CareDx, Inc (NASDAQ:CDNA) received an upgrade from Neutral to Buy by a BTIG analyst, with a new price target established at $40.00. This change in rating follows the recent decision by Medicare contractor Palmetto GBA not to finalize its draft Local Coverage Determination (LCD) from August 2023 that proposed more restrictive measures.

Instead, Palmetto GBA will issue a new LCD in the upcoming months, continuing coverage under the original 2021 policy.

The analyst's decision was influenced by the announcement made last Friday that Palmetto GBA would revisit its draft LCD. CareDx management, having been in communication with Palmetto, expressed satisfaction with this development.

The management believes that the new policy will likely be in line with the original one, addressing Palmetto's concerns regarding the overutilization of transplant testing.

According to the analyst, there was a misunderstanding regarding the coding of tests for patients, which may have led to the perception of overutilization. The distinction between 'for-cause' testing for patients experiencing active rejection and routine surveillance was not clear.

CareDx is currently performing approximately 25,000 fewer tests annually compared to peak levels in Q1'23. This gap indicates a potential annual revenue upside of over $33 million for the company, based on the analyst's calculations and the normalized average selling prices in Q2'24. The upgrade reflects a growing confidence in the company's outlook, particularly with John Hanna now leading as CEO.

More updates on the company's performance and strategy are expected at CareDx's analyst day, scheduled for October 15th in New York City. The event could provide further insights into the company's future plans and the impact of the new LCD on its operations.

In other recent news, CareDx, Inc., a healthcare solutions company for transplant patients, announced a significant 31% year-over-year increase in revenue for Q2 2024, reaching $92.3 million. This robust growth was seen across its Testing Services, Patient and Digital Solutions, and Lab Products segments.

Furthermore, the company has raised its 2024 revenue guidance, reflecting confidence in its continued growth trajectory. In addition to these financial highlights, CareDx delivered approximately 43,700 tests in the quarter, representing a 17% increase from the previous year.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently decided not to proceed with a policy that could have limited coverage for certain non-invasive surveillance tests used to detect early signs of organ transplant rejection. This decision effectively reinstates longstanding Medicare coverage for CareDx's AlloSure and AlloMap tests, as well as HeartCare.

These are the latest developments for CareDx, which continues to advocate for policies that improve access to transplantation innovations. The company is also looking forward to hosting an Investor Day in Q4 2024 to outline its long-term growth strategy.

InvestingPro Insights

Following the positive outlook from BTIG analysts, CareDx, Inc (NASDAQ:CDNA) seems to be on a path of optimistic expectations. According to InvestingPro Tips, the company's management has been aggressively buying back shares, a move that often reflects leadership's confidence in the company's future. Additionally, CareDx holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, providing a solid financial foundation for future growth. This aligns with the analyst's confidence and the company's potential to increase testing volumes.

From a financial perspective, CareDx's recent performance data from InvestingPro shows a market capitalization of $1.74 billion, indicating a significant presence in its sector. While the company's P/E Ratio stands at -10.82, suggesting it is not currently profitable, the strong return over the last year of 292.39% highlights the market's positive response to its potential. It's worth noting that the company is trading near its 52-week high, with a price close to $33, reflecting investor optimism. For those seeking further insights, InvestingPro offers additional tips on CareDx, available at https://www.investing.com/pro/CDNA.

Investors and analysts alike will be watching closely for the outcomes of the upcoming analyst day and the new LCD policy, which could further clarify CareDx's trajectory and solidify its position in the market.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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