Everything You Should Know About the Upgrade to Buy for Kezar Life Sciences (KZR)

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: NASDAQ.COM

Updated: Sep 17 2025

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KZR0%

Should l Buy KZR?

Source: NASDAQ.COM

Kezar Life Sciences Upgrade: Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (KZR) has received a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) upgrade, indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which could lead to favorable stock price movements.
Importance of Earnings Estimates: The Zacks rating system emphasizes the correlation between earnings estimate revisions and stock price trends, suggesting that tracking these revisions can be beneficial for investors seeking to make informed decisions.

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Analyst Views on KZR

Wall Street analysts forecast KZR stock price to fall

3 Analyst Rating

0 Buy

3 Hold

0 Sell

Hold

Current: 6.700

Low

5.00

Averages

6.00

High

7.00

Current: 6.700

Low

5.00

Averages

6.00

High

7.00

Jefferies

Maury Raycroft

Buy -> Hold

downgrade

$18 -> $7

2025-10-17

Reason

Jefferies

Maury Raycroft

Price Target

$18 -> $7

AI Analysis

2025-10-17

downgrade

Buy -> Hold

Reason

Jefferies analyst Maury Raycroft downgraded Kezar Life Sciences to Hold from Buy with a price target of $7, down from $18. The company announced it could not align with the FDA on a registrational path for zetomipzomib in autoimmune hepatitis, leading to a formal process to explore strategic alternatives, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm lowered the probability of sucess of zetomipzomib to 10% from 25% and downgraded the shares.

William Blair

Matthew Phipps

Outperform -> Market Perform

downgrade

2025-10-17

Reason

William Blair

Matthew Phipps

Price Target

2025-10-17

downgrade

Outperform -> Market Perform

Reason

William Blair analyst Matthew Phipps downgraded Kezar Life Sciences to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target. The company announced it has been unable to align with the FDA on a registrational trial for zetomipzomib in autoimmune hepatitis and is initiating a process to explore strategic alternatives, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm is surprised to see the FDA refusing to host a Type C meeting. Considering Kezar's current cash balance and liabilities, Blair believes a potential acquisition in the $6 to $7 per share range could be feasible.

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About KZR

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases. The Company's lead product candidate, zetomipzomib, is a first-in-class selective immunoproteasome inhibitor that has completed Phase Ia testing in healthy volunteers and a Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with or without lupus nephritis (LN). The Company is focused on the development of zetomipzomib in autoimmune hepatitis, or AIH, a rare, chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the liver and causes inflammation and tissue damage. Its PORTOLA is a placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase IIa clinical trial of zetomipzomib in patients with AIH that were insufficiently responding to standard of care or have relapsed.

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.

KZR Secures FDA Type C Meeting to Discuss Zetomipzomib Development

Jan 09 2026NASDAQ.COM

FDA Meeting Approval: Kezar Life Sciences has received approval from the FDA Division of Hepatology and Nutrition to hold a Type C meeting in Q1, aimed at discussing the development of zetomipzomib for autoimmune hepatitis patients, marking a significant advancement in the company's drug development efforts.
Clinical Study Plan: The meeting will review a potential global randomized Phase 2b clinical study for patients with relapsed and refractory autoimmune hepatitis, and if approved, it will provide a clear clinical pathway for this new therapy.
Safety Data Analysis: CEO Chris Kirk stated that additional safety and pharmacokinetic data analysis conducted in response to FDA feedback further supports confidence in zetomipzomib's potential to change the treatment landscape, highlighting the company's commitment to the drug's potential.
Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on NasdaqCM, Kezar Life Sciences shares fell 2.3% to $6.35, reflecting market caution regarding the progress of the new drug development.

Jefferies Lowers Kezar Life Sciences Rating to Hold and Reduces Price Target to $7

Oct 17 2025Benzinga

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Kezar Initiates Strategic Review Following FDA Setback on Liver Drug Development

Oct 17 2025Benzinga

Regulatory Challenges: Kezar Life Sciences is facing difficulties in aligning with the FDA regarding a clinical trial for zetomipzomib aimed at treating autoimmune hepatitis, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled Type C meeting and a requirement for additional studies that could delay future trials by approximately two years.
Strategic Review and Restructuring: The company has initiated a strategic review process with the help of TD Cowen and plans to implement a restructuring plan that includes workforce reductions and cost-containment measures, while also experiencing a significant increase in stock price despite recent challenges.