In a June 14 research note, ROTH Capital Partners analyst Yasmeen Rahimi reported that Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (ENTA:NASDAQ) EDP-928 vaccine "hit the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as hard as possible," according to newly released topline results from its Phase 2a human challenge study. "We are impressed by the data," she added.
Overall, the results validated EDP-928 "with strong efficacy on par with former RSV favorite ALS-008176" and a clean safety profile.
Rahimi compared EDP-938 to Gilead's GS-5806 and Johnson & Johnson's ALS-008176. EDP-938's viral load reduction, the primary endpoint of Enanta's study, came in around that of Johnson and Johnson's product (72–74% versus 73–88%) with a slightly lower decrease in symptom burden (62–74% versus 81–87%). "The alignment between lowered viral load and reduced symptoms shows that EDP-938 is hitting the virus where it hurts," Rahimi commented.
Also, the analyst pointed out that Enanta's EDP-938 "distinguishes itself with good pharmacokinetics and compelling mean trough levels." Mean troughs were 20–40 times higher than the in vitro EC90 for RSV-infected human cells.
ROTH has a Buy rating and a $130 per share price target on Enanta, whose stock is currently trading at around $91.84 per share.
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Disclosures from ROTH Capital Partners, Enanta Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Flash Note, June 14, 2019
Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.
ROTH makes a market in shares of Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and as such, buys and sells from customers on a principal basis.
ROTH Capital Partners, LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking or other business relationships with the covered companies mentioned in this report in the next three months.
