JMP Securities sees Zevra stock upside with key Niemann-Pick therapy approval

Published 24/09/2024, 08:40
JMP Securities sees Zevra stock upside with key Niemann-Pick therapy approval


On Tuesday, JMP Securities initiated coverage on Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA) stock, assigning a Market Outperform rating to the stock and setting a price target of $17.00.

The firm expressed confidence in Zevra's focus on developing and commercializing novel medicines for rare diseases, highlighting a diverse pipeline that includes both acquired candidates and in-house developments.

The new coverage follows the recent approval of Zevra's MIPLYFFA for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease type C, which occurred last week. JMP Securities views this approval as a potential turning point for Zevra, suggesting that MIPLYFFA could become a foundational therapy for patients afflicted with this rare condition.

Zevra's pipeline strategy leverages its legacy prodrug platform, which has been instrumental in developing MIPLYFFA. The analyst from JMP Securities underscored the significance of the recent approval, stating it could be "transformational" for the company. The $17 price target is based on a risk-adjusted, discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, reflecting the firm's optimism about Zevra's future financial performance.

The company's focus on rare diseases positions it within a specialized segment of the pharmaceutical market. Zevra's MIPLYFFA, now approved for treating Niemann-Pick disease type C, represents a significant advancement in the company's portfolio and offers a new option for managing this challenging condition.

JMP Securities' positive outlook on Zevra Therapeutics underscores the potential they see in the company's strategic direction and recent regulatory success. The Market Outperform rating and $17 price target indicate the firm's belief in Zevra's ability to outperform the general market, based on its current projects and prospects.

In other recent news, Zevra Therapeutics received FDA approval for its drug Miplyffa, marking the first approved treatment for Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC), a rare neurodegenerative disorder.

This development came after an 11-5 Advisory Committee vote in favor of the drug. Analysts from H.C. Wainwright have upgraded Zevra's stock target to $20.00 from $18.00 and maintained a Buy rating.

The approval is anticipated to transform Zevra, with peak Miplyffa sales projected to reach approximately $250 million, a significant increase from Zevra's current revenue base of less than $20 million. Moreover, Zevra is expected to receive a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher (PRV), valued at a minimum of $100 million.

In financial developments, Canaccord Genuity revised its outlook on Zevra, reducing the price target but maintaining a buy rating. The firm forecasts the first commercial sales in the US in 2025, with a potential European market launch in 2026. Lastly, Zevra reported a net revenue of $4.4 million and a net loss of $19.9 million in their Q2 2024 earnings call.


InvestingPro Insights


As Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZVRA) garners attention with the recent approval of MIPLYFFA, InvestingPro data reveals a mixed financial landscape. The company's market cap stands at approximately $398.84 million, and it's trading at a high Price / Book multiple of 12.28, pointing to a premium valuation relative to its book value. Despite a significant revenue growth of 43.21% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, analysts are cautious, with expectations of a sales decline and a drop in net income for the current year. This is reflected in Zevra's negative P/E ratio of -4.32, which further adjusts to -5.95, indicating that profitability remains a challenge.

InvestingPro Tips suggest that Zevra's stock price movements have been quite volatile, which may align with the nature of biotech investing where regulatory approvals can significantly impact market sentiment. Analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, but they do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year. Moreover, Zevra operates with a moderate level of debt and has not been profitable over the last twelve months. It's also worth noting that the company does not pay a dividend, which could be a consideration for income-focused investors.

For those looking to delve deeper into Zevra's financials and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional insights and metrics. Interested readers can find a comprehensive list of over 10 InvestingPro Tips on the performance and expectations for Zevra by visiting https://www.investing.com/pro/ZVRA.

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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