Acadia Pharmaceuticals' schizophrenia drug fails in late-stage study
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 11 2024
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Should l Buy ACAD?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
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Analyst Views on ACAD
Wall Street analysts forecast ACAD stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 22.090
Low
23.00
Averages
31.17
High
40.00
Current: 22.090
Low
23.00
Averages
31.17
High
40.00
About ACAD
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company. It develops and commercializes medicines that address unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders and rare diseases. It has a portfolio of product candidates and research programs that are designed to address significant unmet medical needs in CNS disorders and rare diseases. Its pipeline includes NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), DAYBUE (trofinetide), ACP-101, ACP-204, and ACP-711. NUPLAZID is a selective serotonin inverse agonist/antagonist preferentially targeting the 5-HT2A receptor. NUPLAZID is developed for the treatment for Parkinson's Disease Psychosis. Trofinetide is a novel synthetic analog of the amino-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor 1 designed to treat the core symptoms of Rett syndrome by reducing neuroinflammation and supporting synaptic function. Its early-stage research programs and product candidates include ACP-211, ACP-2591, ACP-271, and Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO) Programs.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals to Present Multiple Data at AAN Annual Meeting
- Data Presentation: Acadia Pharmaceuticals will present multiple original data sets at the 2026 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to research in neurological diseases.
- LOTUS Study Findings: The company will share real-world data on DAYBUE® (trofinetide) in adults with Rett syndrome, highlighting its benefits and tolerability in clinical practice, which may enhance market acceptance of the drug.
- Parkinson's Disease Psychosis Analysis: Acadia will also present exploratory analyses of NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin) treatment response trajectories in Parkinson's disease psychosis patients, revealing the impact of baseline sleep disturbances on treatment outcomes, potentially informing personalized treatment approaches.
- ACP-711 Development Progress: The company will debut translational research and pharmacokinetic data for ACP-711, supporting its development for essential tremor, showcasing Acadia's forward-looking strategy in neurological drug development.
See More
Acadia Launches DAYBUE STIX Powder for Rett Syndrome Treatment
- New Drug Launch: Acadia Pharmaceuticals announced that DAYBUE STIX (trofinetide) powder formulation is now broadly available in the U.S. for treating Rett syndrome in patients aged two and older, marking a significant innovation in the neurological disease sector.
- High Patient Satisfaction: Initial feedback indicates that over 80% of early users reported satisfaction with DAYBUE STIX, highlighting its advantages in flexibility and portability, which may enhance the medication experience for patients.
- Expert Consensus Support: A steering group of experts from the International Rett Syndrome Foundation has recognized trofinetide oral solution as part of the standard of care, emphasizing the importance of individualized decision-making to optimize treatment outcomes for patients and families, further solidifying DAYBUE STIX's clinical position.
- Diverse Administration Options: DAYBUE STIX can be mixed with various water-based liquids, providing personalized taste options that cater to the unique needs of patients and caregivers, aligning with modern healthcare's patient-centered treatment philosophy.
See More
BofA Upgrades Acadia Pharmaceuticals to Buy Amid Price Pullback
- Rating Upgrade: BofA Securities has upgraded Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) from neutral to buy, citing that the company's fundamentals remain intact despite a 25% pullback in share price since the beginning of the year, which is attributed mainly to macro factors.
- Price Target Maintained: The bank maintains a price target of $29 for Acadia, which implies approximately 38% upside based on the March 24 close, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance.
- Sales Forecast: Analysts project that steady sales of Nuplazid (pimavanserin) will help mitigate further downside risks, estimating peak sales of $888 million by 2029, indicating strong market potential for the product.
- Pipeline Opportunity: While the company estimates its pipeline could offer an $11 billion opportunity, BofA believes this figure is currently discounted and may provide upside, reiterating a 40% likelihood of success for remlifanserin with projected peak sales of $2.1 billion in 2038.
See More
Latest Rating Changes on Wall Street
- Tesla Neutral Rating: Goldman Sachs maintains a neutral stance on Tesla, expressing caution regarding its semiconductor ventures, noting a mixed track record in semiconductor engineering, while suggesting potential applications for inference chips in data centers and distributed computing remain to be seen.
- Upgrade Based on Iran War: Wells Fargo upgrades Kinetik, ONEOK, and Enterprise Products Partners from equal weight to overweight, anticipating that the Iran war will create a structural shift in global energy markets, boosting demand for U.S. energy, particularly in Permian gas and NGL supply.
- ESCO Technologies Buy Initiation: Deutsche Bank initiates coverage on ESCO Technologies with a Buy rating and a $350 target price, highlighting its potential for “defensive growth at a discount” in the aerospace and defense sectors, indicating strong confidence in the company's future.
- Arm Rating Upgrade: Wolfe upgrades Arm from market perform to outperform, citing the company's recent in-house chip launch and significantly increased earnings forecasts for FY28 and FY31, setting a target price of $166, reflecting optimism about its new business model.
See More
Neuren and Acadia Request Re-examination for Rett Syndrome Drug
- Re-examination Request: Acadia Pharmaceuticals will request a re-examination of the CHMP's opinion on trofinetide, aimed at treating Rett syndrome in patients aged two and older, reflecting ongoing commitment to drug approval efforts.
- Market Authorization: Trofinetide is already approved in the U.S., Canada, and Israel, representing the first and only treatment for Rett syndrome, highlighting its potential and significance in the global market.
- Executive Commentary: Acadia CEO Catherine Owen Adams expressed disappointment over the CHMP's refusal but remains optimistic about the drug's meaningful benefits for Rett syndrome patients, emphasizing positive feedback from patients and clinicians.
- Market Reaction: ACAD shares fell 7.13% to $22.81 during regular trading on Monday, yet gained 0.04% in after-hours trading, indicating cautious optimism in the market regarding the drug's future potential.
See More
Aardvark Pauses PWS Trial, Shares Plunge 53%
- Trial Pause Reason: Aardvark Therapeutics announced a voluntary pause of its ARD-101 trial for Prader-Willi Syndrome due to cardiac observations in a healthy volunteer study, with data release now expected to be delayed until Q3 2026, potentially impacting the company's future R&D trajectory.
- Severe Market Reaction: Following the trial pause announcement, Aardvark's shares plunged 53% in after-hours trading, reflecting extreme investor concern over the company's outlook, which may lead to financing challenges and diminished market confidence.
- Competitor Dynamics: In contrast, Soleno Therapeutics' VYKAT XR has become the first FDA-approved treatment for hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome, despite facing short-selling pressure and safety concerns from Scorpion Capital, highlighting the intense competition in the market.
- Industry-Wide Challenges: Against the backdrop of Aardvark's trial pause, Acadia Pharmaceuticals also halted development of its intranasal Carbetocin, indicating that the challenges and risks associated with successful R&D in the Prader-Willi Syndrome treatment space are increasing, which could affect the overall investment attractiveness of the sector.
See More
Acadia Pharmaceuticals to Present Multiple Data at AAN Annual Meeting
- Data Presentation: Acadia Pharmaceuticals will present multiple original data sets at the 2026 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to research in neurological diseases.
- LOTUS Study Findings: The company will share real-world data on DAYBUE® (trofinetide) in adults with Rett syndrome, highlighting its benefits and tolerability in clinical practice, which may enhance market acceptance of the drug.
- Parkinson's Disease Psychosis Analysis: Acadia will also present exploratory analyses of NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin) treatment response trajectories in Parkinson's disease psychosis patients, revealing the impact of baseline sleep disturbances on treatment outcomes, potentially informing personalized treatment approaches.
- ACP-711 Development Progress: The company will debut translational research and pharmacokinetic data for ACP-711, supporting its development for essential tremor, showcasing Acadia's forward-looking strategy in neurological drug development.
See More
Acadia Launches DAYBUE STIX Powder for Rett Syndrome Treatment
- New Drug Launch: Acadia Pharmaceuticals announced that DAYBUE STIX (trofinetide) powder formulation is now broadly available in the U.S. for treating Rett syndrome in patients aged two and older, marking a significant innovation in the neurological disease sector.
- High Patient Satisfaction: Initial feedback indicates that over 80% of early users reported satisfaction with DAYBUE STIX, highlighting its advantages in flexibility and portability, which may enhance the medication experience for patients.
- Expert Consensus Support: A steering group of experts from the International Rett Syndrome Foundation has recognized trofinetide oral solution as part of the standard of care, emphasizing the importance of individualized decision-making to optimize treatment outcomes for patients and families, further solidifying DAYBUE STIX's clinical position.
- Diverse Administration Options: DAYBUE STIX can be mixed with various water-based liquids, providing personalized taste options that cater to the unique needs of patients and caregivers, aligning with modern healthcare's patient-centered treatment philosophy.
See More
BofA Upgrades Acadia Pharmaceuticals to Buy Amid Price Pullback
- Rating Upgrade: BofA Securities has upgraded Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) from neutral to buy, citing that the company's fundamentals remain intact despite a 25% pullback in share price since the beginning of the year, which is attributed mainly to macro factors.
- Price Target Maintained: The bank maintains a price target of $29 for Acadia, which implies approximately 38% upside based on the March 24 close, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance.
- Sales Forecast: Analysts project that steady sales of Nuplazid (pimavanserin) will help mitigate further downside risks, estimating peak sales of $888 million by 2029, indicating strong market potential for the product.
- Pipeline Opportunity: While the company estimates its pipeline could offer an $11 billion opportunity, BofA believes this figure is currently discounted and may provide upside, reiterating a 40% likelihood of success for remlifanserin with projected peak sales of $2.1 billion in 2038.
See More
Latest Rating Changes on Wall Street
- Tesla Neutral Rating: Goldman Sachs maintains a neutral stance on Tesla, expressing caution regarding its semiconductor ventures, noting a mixed track record in semiconductor engineering, while suggesting potential applications for inference chips in data centers and distributed computing remain to be seen.
- Upgrade Based on Iran War: Wells Fargo upgrades Kinetik, ONEOK, and Enterprise Products Partners from equal weight to overweight, anticipating that the Iran war will create a structural shift in global energy markets, boosting demand for U.S. energy, particularly in Permian gas and NGL supply.
- ESCO Technologies Buy Initiation: Deutsche Bank initiates coverage on ESCO Technologies with a Buy rating and a $350 target price, highlighting its potential for “defensive growth at a discount” in the aerospace and defense sectors, indicating strong confidence in the company's future.
- Arm Rating Upgrade: Wolfe upgrades Arm from market perform to outperform, citing the company's recent in-house chip launch and significantly increased earnings forecasts for FY28 and FY31, setting a target price of $166, reflecting optimism about its new business model.
See More
Neuren and Acadia Request Re-examination for Rett Syndrome Drug
- Re-examination Request: Acadia Pharmaceuticals will request a re-examination of the CHMP's opinion on trofinetide, aimed at treating Rett syndrome in patients aged two and older, reflecting ongoing commitment to drug approval efforts.
- Market Authorization: Trofinetide is already approved in the U.S., Canada, and Israel, representing the first and only treatment for Rett syndrome, highlighting its potential and significance in the global market.
- Executive Commentary: Acadia CEO Catherine Owen Adams expressed disappointment over the CHMP's refusal but remains optimistic about the drug's meaningful benefits for Rett syndrome patients, emphasizing positive feedback from patients and clinicians.
- Market Reaction: ACAD shares fell 7.13% to $22.81 during regular trading on Monday, yet gained 0.04% in after-hours trading, indicating cautious optimism in the market regarding the drug's future potential.
See More
Aardvark Pauses PWS Trial, Shares Plunge 53%
- Trial Pause Reason: Aardvark Therapeutics announced a voluntary pause of its ARD-101 trial for Prader-Willi Syndrome due to cardiac observations in a healthy volunteer study, with data release now expected to be delayed until Q3 2026, potentially impacting the company's future R&D trajectory.
- Severe Market Reaction: Following the trial pause announcement, Aardvark's shares plunged 53% in after-hours trading, reflecting extreme investor concern over the company's outlook, which may lead to financing challenges and diminished market confidence.
- Competitor Dynamics: In contrast, Soleno Therapeutics' VYKAT XR has become the first FDA-approved treatment for hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome, despite facing short-selling pressure and safety concerns from Scorpion Capital, highlighting the intense competition in the market.
- Industry-Wide Challenges: Against the backdrop of Aardvark's trial pause, Acadia Pharmaceuticals also halted development of its intranasal Carbetocin, indicating that the challenges and risks associated with successful R&D in the Prader-Willi Syndrome treatment space are increasing, which could affect the overall investment attractiveness of the sector.
See More
