Morgan Stanley cuts Acelyrin stock target, holds equalweight on izokibep halt

Published 19/08/2024, 13:50
Morgan Stanley cuts Acelyrin stock target, holds equalweight on izokibep halt

On Monday, Morgan Stanley adjusted its stock price target for Acelyrin Inc (NASDAQ:SLRN), a biopharmaceutical company, from $13.00 to $6.00. The firm maintained an Equalweight rating on the company's shares. The revision follows Acelyrin's decision to discontinue the development of izokibep for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), shifting focus to the development of lonigutamab for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) therapy.

The analyst from Morgan Stanley noted that the updated stock price target is based on the risk-adjusted success in the development of lonigutamab for TED therapy. The firm's stance remains at Equalweight, indicating a neutral position regarding the stock's expected performance relative to the sector or overall market.

Acelyrin's strategic pivot concentrates resources on the potential of lonigutamab. The company is currently awaiting updated Phase II data for this therapy. The decision to halt izokibep's development in HS and PsA was a significant factor in the reassessment of the company's stock value.

The analyst's commentary underscores the importance of the upcoming Phase II data for lonigutamab in determining Acelyrin's future prospects. This data will be crucial in evaluating the therapy's efficacy and safety, which are key to the company's success in the competitive biopharmaceutical market.

Investors and stakeholders in Acelyrin Inc are now looking forward to the forthcoming results from the Phase II trials. These results will likely have a substantial impact on the company's stock performance and will provide further insight into the potential of lonigutamab as a treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease.

As part of its strategic restructuring, Acelyrin has reduced its workforce by 33% and stopped the development of the anti-c-KIT program, SLRN-517. The company's cash position as of June 30, 2024, was reported at $635 million and is expected to last until mid-2027.

In addition to these developments, Acelyrin is open to partnering options for izokibep. The company is also evaluating lonigutamab's development program to potentially accelerate the Phase 3 trial. These recent developments highlight Acelyrin's strategic moves to strengthen its drug portfolio and financial position in the market.

InvestingPro Insights

Acelyrin Inc's strategic shift in its drug development pipeline comes at a time when its financial metrics and market performance show significant volatility. According to InvestingPro data, Acelyrin has a market capitalization of approximately $412.21 million, with a negative P/E ratio of -1.3, reflecting the company's lack of profitability in the recent period. Over the last year, the stock has experienced a steep decline, with a price total return of -84.44%, indicating a challenging market sentiment.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that Acelyrin holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which could provide some financial flexibility in its operations. Furthermore, two analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, suggesting that there may be a positive outlook on the company's revenue potential. However, it is also noted that the company is not expected to be profitable this year and has been quickly burning through cash, which could raise concerns about its long-term financial sustainability.

For investors considering Acelyrin's stock, these financial insights and additional InvestingPro Tips, which can be found at https://www.investing.com/pro/SLRN, may be valuable in assessing the risks and opportunities associated with the company's recent strategic decisions and market performance.

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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