Shares of Krystal Biotech can rally nearly 60% as use of its gene therapy to treat cases of herpes simplex virus mount, Goldman Sachs said. Analyst Madhu Kumar upgraded the under-the-radar biotechnology company to a buy from neutral rating, citing opportunities to utilize its HSV treatment to treatment a rare inherited skin condition referred to as dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). Following conversations with management, “we’ve got revised our market model to raised reflect Vyjuvek’s opportunity in DEB … which we imagine could drive further upside for KRYS shares,” he wrote Tuesday in a note to clients. DEB, a genetic condition primarily causing blistering, affects lower than 5,000 individuals within the U.S., in response to the National Institutes of Health . Given the promising outlook for the treatment, Kumar raised Goldman’s peak global unadjusted sales expectations to $1.2 billion from $1.5 billion. He also expects a rapid launch of the therapy, anticipating 25% and 48% peak penetration in 2024 and 2025. “We view KRYS as an M & A candidate given the potential for the corporate’s HSV GT platform to be applied to rare skin disorders and diseases across other organ systems,” he wrote. Together with the upgrade, Kumar upped the Wall Street firm’s price goal to $124 from $79, suggesting that shares could potentially rally about 59%. Krystal’s stock is now up about 11% this 12 months after gaining greater than 13% in 2022. KRYS YTD mountain Krystal Biotech shares to this point this 12 months — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed reporting
Eli Lilly hits $1 trillion market value, first for health care company
An indication with the corporate logo sits outside of the headquarters of Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 17, 2024.Scott...
