Alkermes (ALKS) recent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder data increased its management's confidence in ALKS7290 and reinforced the potential of its broader "orexin pipeline," RBC Capital Markets said in a note Tuesday.
According to the note, ADHD data showed dose-dependent improvement and deeper responses over time, despite questions around the small placebo and use of median rather than mean results.
Management characterized the findings as consistent with what it hoped to see and believes the drug has demonstrated sufficient proof of concept to advance in phase 2, the note said.
The study's small and difficult-to-interpret placebo group limited comparisons, the note added. However, the active-arm results provided sufficient proof of concept to support further testing in a phase 2 adult trial.
RBC has an outperform rating on Alkermes with a price target of $56, adding that the company's profitable core business and pipeline potential are not fully reflected in the stock price and recommended buying the shares.
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