Akero Therapeutics CEO Cheng sells $1.5m in stock

Published 11/07/2025, 23:36
Akero Therapeutics CEO Cheng sells $1.5m in stock

Akero Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKRO), a $4.1 billion market cap biotech company whose shares have surged over 107% in the past six months, saw its President and CEO Andrew Cheng sell 30,000 shares of common stock on July 10, 2025, in two separate transactions. The sales, executed under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan, totaled $1,534,894. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock is currently trading near its Fair Value.

The first transaction involved 14,686 shares sold at a weighted average price of $50.57, for a total value of $742,855. Prices for these shares ranged from $50.03 to $50.98. The second transaction involved 15,314 shares sold at a weighted average price of $51.732, for a total value of $792,038. Prices for these shares ranged from $51.06 to $52.05. Notably, InvestingPro data shows the stock tends to move independently of the market with a beta of -0.15, making it a potential portfolio diversification tool.

Following these transactions, Cheng directly owns 520,757 shares of Akero Therapeutics.

The sales were reported in a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In other recent news, Akero Therapeutics has been in the spotlight due to its promising financial and clinical developments. The company reported substantial cash reserves of $1.1 billion, which are expected to support its operations until 2028, including the advancement of its Phase III SYNCHRONY program. Akero’s recent Phase 2b SYMMETRY trial results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicated significant improvements in liver fibrosis for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). These findings have been pivotal, as there are currently no approved treatments for MASH, a condition affecting millions.

Analysts have been adjusting their outlooks on Akero, with Jefferies maintaining a Buy rating and a $75 target, citing the strong data from Akero’s FGF21 therapy. Meanwhile, Citi adjusted its price target to $78, maintaining a Buy rating, while Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reduced its target to $84 but kept an Overweight rating, reflecting cautious optimism about the company’s future. Clear Street initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $49 target, highlighting the "best-in-class potential" of Akero’s efruxifermin (EFX) in treating NASH.

Akero’s ongoing clinical trials have shown dose-dependent improvements in liver fibrosis and other non-invasive metrics, which have been well-received by the investment community. Despite the competition, analysts continue to see Akero’s EFX as a standout therapy, with Clear Street noting its strategic value against both emerging therapies and existing drugs like Rezdiffra. As Akero progresses with its clinical trials, these developments are closely watched by investors and analysts for their potential impact on the biotechnology sector.

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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