Shares of Avadel Pharmaceuticals (AVDL.O) surged to a 52-week high today, climbing approximately 19% to $22.50 in pre-market trading. This significant price movement follows an unsolicited acquisition proposal from Danish drugmaker Lundbeck, which offers up to $23 per share, surpassing a previous bid from Alkermes. The heightened investor interest is fueled by the competitive nature of the bids, as Lundbeck's offer includes $21 in cash and potential additional payments tied to sales performance of Avadel's products. Meanwhile, ongoing investigations into the company by Halper Sadeh LLC for potential securities violations add a layer of complexity to the situation, prompting shareholders to consider their legal rights. As the market reacts to these developments, Avadel's board continues to evaluate the merits of both offers.
Wall Street analysts forecast AVDL stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for AVDL is 20.29 USD with a low forecast of 18.50 USD and a high forecast of 22.50 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast AVDL stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for AVDL is 20.29 USD with a low forecast of 18.50 USD and a high forecast of 22.50 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
0 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 21.560
Low
18.50
Averages
20.29
High
22.50
Current: 21.560
Low
18.50
Averages
20.29
High
22.50
Wells Fargo
Equal Weight
maintain
$20
2025-11-20
Reason
Wells Fargo
Price Target
$20
AI Analysis
2025-11-20
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Wells Fargo raised the firm's price target on Avadel Pharmaceuticals (AVDL) to $22.50 from $20 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm says updated Alkermes' (ALKS) offer looks better to Wells, with a similar upfront but better CVR terms that it thinks are likely to pay out.
Truist
initiated
$50
2025-11-11
Reason
Truist
Price Target
$50
2025-11-11
initiated
Reason
Truist initiated coverage of Alkermes (ALKS) with a Buy rating and $50 price target. The firm values the base business and cash at about $29 per share, which it sees "setting a high floor" heading into Phase 2 Vibrance-2 data in narcolepsy type 2. Narcolepsy type 1 alone is worth $8 per share in the firm's sum-of-the-parts valuation, while NT2 and idiopathic hypersomnia contribute $8 per share and $5 per share, respectively, the analyst tells investors. Alkermes "doubling down" in sleep space with the acquisition of Avadel (AVDL) is a strategic move that gives it a first-mover advantage over Takeda (TAK), the analyst added.
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UBS
Buy
to
Neutral
downgrade
$20
2025-10-28
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$20
2025-10-28
downgrade
Buy
to
Neutral
Reason
UBS downgraded Avadel Pharmaceuticals (AVDL) to Neutral from Buy with an unchanged price target of $20 after Alkermes (ALKS) announced an agreement to acquire Avadel for $18.50/share plus a contingent value right entitling shareholders to a $1.50 per share potential payment contingent on the FDA approval of Lumryz in idiopathic hypersomnia.
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley
Overweight
maintain
$180 -> $183
2025-10-24
Reason
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley
Price Target
$180 -> $183
2025-10-24
maintain
Overweight
Reason
Morgan Stanley raised the firm's price target on Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) to $183 from $180 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares after the company announced a settlement of ongoing patent litigation with Avadel (AVDL) over high sodium oxybate Lumryz. The firm now includes royalty revenues from Lumryz in its estimates.
About AVDL
Avadel Pharmaceuticals PLC is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company's product, LUMRYZ, is an extended-release formulation of sodium oxybate, indicated to be taken once at bedtime for the treatment of cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adults with narcolepsy. Its approach includes applying solutions to the development of medications that address the challenges patients face with treatment options. Its drug delivery technologies include MICROPUMP, LIQUITIME, and MEDUSA. Its MICROPUMP technology allows for the development of modified-release solid, oral dosage formulations of drugs. Its LIQUITIME technology allows for the development of modified-release oral products in a liquid suspension formulation, which may make such formulations particularly suited for children and/or patients having issues swallowing tablets or capsules. Its MEDUSA technology allows for the development of modified-release injectable dosage formulations of drugs.
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.
