BofA Upgrades Acadia Pharmaceuticals to Buy Amid Price Pullback
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy ACAD?
Source: seekingalpha
- 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.
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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: 20.750
Low
23.00
Averages
31.17
High
40.00
Current: 20.750
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.
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
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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings with $1 Billion Annual Revenue
- Significant Revenue Growth: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals reported adjusted total revenues of $298 million in Q4 2025, a 16% increase year-over-year, with annual revenues surpassing $1 billion for the first time at $1.08 billion, indicating strong commercial execution in the NUPLAZID and DAYBUE brands.
- Optimistic NUPLAZID Sales Outlook: The company expects NUPLAZID net sales to reach between $760 million and $790 million in 2026, representing a growth of 10% to 14% over 2025, laying a solid foundation for achieving blockbuster status with $1 billion in sales by 2028.
- DAYBUE Market Expansion: DAYBUE's net sales were reported at $110 million for Q4 and $391 million for the year, successfully expanding into the U.S. community physician market, with 76% of new prescriptions originating from community-based physicians, reflecting the company's success in broadening its market reach.
- R&D and Financial Outlook: Projected R&D expenses for 2026 are between $385 million and $410 million, with SG&A expenses expected to be between $660 million and $700 million, reflecting ongoing investments in foundational capabilities and field force expansion to support future growth potential.
See More
ACADIA (ACAD) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
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 Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings with $1 Billion Annual Revenue
- Significant Revenue Growth: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals reported adjusted total revenues of $298 million in Q4 2025, a 16% increase year-over-year, with annual revenues surpassing $1 billion for the first time at $1.08 billion, indicating strong commercial execution in the NUPLAZID and DAYBUE brands.
- Optimistic NUPLAZID Sales Outlook: The company expects NUPLAZID net sales to reach between $760 million and $790 million in 2026, representing a growth of 10% to 14% over 2025, laying a solid foundation for achieving blockbuster status with $1 billion in sales by 2028.
- DAYBUE Market Expansion: DAYBUE's net sales were reported at $110 million for Q4 and $391 million for the year, successfully expanding into the U.S. community physician market, with 76% of new prescriptions originating from community-based physicians, reflecting the company's success in broadening its market reach.
- R&D and Financial Outlook: Projected R&D expenses for 2026 are between $385 million and $410 million, with SG&A expenses expected to be between $660 million and $700 million, reflecting ongoing investments in foundational capabilities and field force expansion to support future growth potential.
See More
ACADIA (ACAD) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
