BTIG sets fresh target on Jasper shares, cites pipeline potential By Investing.com

On Monday, BTIG initiated coverage on Jasper Therapeutics (NASDAQ:JSPR) with a Buy rating and set a price target of $90.00 for the shares.

The firm highlighted the potential of Jasper’s briquilimab, particularly for its role in treating chronic urticaria, a condition they note is currently underserved by existing therapies. The analyst pointed to the drug’s promising market potential in not only chronic urticaria but also severe asthma and other possible indications.

Briquilimab’s mechanism, which involves depleting mast cells via c-KIT inhibition, has been substantiated by encouraging clinical data from a similar compound, barzolvolimab, developed by Celldex (NASDAQ:).

The firm believes that Jasper’s briquilimab could stand out in the market due to its safety profile, effectiveness, and a dosing regimen that is more convenient and less frequent than current alternatives, potentially giving it a competitive edge.

The optimism surrounding Jasper Therapeutics is further bolstered by the anticipated catalysts in the near future. BTIG forecasts that the upcoming initial Phase I/II BEACON CSU data, expected in the third quarter of 2024, will act as a positive catalyst for the company’s stock. This could help Jasper’s valuation approach that of Celldex, which currently has a $2 billion valuation gap.

The coverage initiation and the positive outlook from BTIG come at a time when the biopharmaceutical sector continues to seek innovative treatments for complex medical conditions. Jasper Therapeutics’ focus on a novel approach to treating chronic urticaria and other conditions may represent a significant step forward in this field.

Investors and industry watchers will likely be keeping a close eye on Jasper Therapeutics as it progresses through its clinical trials and approaches the release of its Phase I/II BEACON CSU data, which could potentially transform the company’s market standing and bring new treatment options to patients.

In other recent news, Jasper Therapeutics has been making significant strides in the biopharmaceutical industry. The company has announced plans to initiate a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial for its drug briquilimab, targeting asthma patients.

This decision follows the presentation of preclinical data demonstrating briquilimab’s potential in reducing mast cells and preventing allergen-induced asthmatic responses.

Stifel, an investment banking firm, initiated coverage on Jasper Therapeutics with a Buy rating, setting a price target of $86. The firm’s positive outlook is based on the potential success of briquilimab in treating both Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) and Chronic Inducible Urticaria (CIndU).

Additionally, Jasper Therapeutics has announced executive changes and stockholder approvals, including new equity plans and executive employment agreements, aiming to incentivize employees through equity ownership opportunities. Furthermore, the company has entered into amended agreements with key executives, ensuring leadership stability.

Notably, H.C. Wainwright has initiated coverage on Jasper Therapeutics with a Buy rating, based on the potential of briquilimab for treating various conditions. These recent developments reflect the growing recognition of Jasper Therapeutics’ innovative efforts in the biopharmaceutical industry.

InvestingPro Insights

As Jasper Therapeutics (NASDAQ:JSPR) garners attention with BTIG’s optimistic coverage, real-time metrics underscore the company’s financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $318.91 million, Jasper’s financials reflect a challenging environment, as indicated by a negative price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -3.82, and an adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 at -4.94. Furthermore, the company’s stock price has experienced significant volatility, with a 6-month price total return of 202.0%, yet it has seen a decline in the short term with a 1-week price total return of -8.64%.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that Jasper holds more cash than debt, a positive sign of liquidity, and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations. However, analysts caution that the company is quickly burning through cash and has not been profitable over the last twelve months, with weak gross profit margins. These factors contribute to the volatility in stock price movements, with Jasper’s stock taking a notable hit over the last week. Moreover, analysts do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year, and it does not pay a dividend to shareholders.

Investors considering Jasper Therapeutics may find these insights valuable when assessing the company’s potential and risks. For a deeper dive into Jasper’s financials and additional expert analysis, visit InvestingPro for more InvestingPro Tips. There are 11 tips available on InvestingPro, which can be accessed with a subscription. To get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, use the coupon code PRONEWS24.

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