LENZ Therapeutics Faces Investigation After VIZZ Eye Drop Incident, Stock Plummets 26%

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: PRnewswire

Updated: Jan 08 2026

0mins

LENZ-4.45%

Should l Buy LENZ?

Source: PRnewswire

Stock Plunge: LENZ's stock price fell by $6.36, or 25.96%, to close at $18.14 per share on December 12, 2025, following reports of a retinal tear associated with its VIZZ eye drop, significantly undermining investor confidence.
Legal Investigation Initiated: Pomerantz LLP is investigating whether LENZ and its executives engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, which could lead to a class action lawsuit and heighten market concerns regarding the company's compliance.
Investor Alert: Affected investors are advised to contact Pomerantz LLP, highlighting the firm's expertise in securities litigation and its commitment to protecting investor rights, potentially encouraging more investors to join the class action for compensation.
Industry Impact: This incident not only directly impacts LENZ's stock but may also trigger regulatory scrutiny across the ophthalmic drug market, affecting the market performance and investor confidence of other companies in the sector.

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Analyst Views on LENZ

Wall Street analysts forecast LENZ stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LENZ is 57.50 USD with a low forecast of 52.00 USD and a high forecast of 62.00 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.

5 Analyst Rating

5 Buy

0 Hold

0 Sell

Strong Buy

Current: 14.620

Low

52.00

Averages

57.50

High

62.00

Current: 14.620

Low

52.00

Averages

57.50

High

62.00

BofA

Buy

downgrade

$52 -> $35

2026-02-04

New

Reason

BofA

Price Target

$52 -> $35

AI Analysis

2026-02-04

New

downgrade

Buy

Reason

BofA lowered the firm's price target on Lenz Therapeutics to $35 from $52 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares as the firm updated its model to incorporate preliminary Q4 net product revenue and early Vizz script trends. While the firm lowers its 2027-32 Vizz forecast by 25% on average, reflecting a slower launch ramp, it adds that it remains optimistic the recently initiated DTC ad campaign can drive an acceleration in Vizz uptake.

H.C. Wainwright

Buy

maintain

$56

2025-12-15

Reason

H.C. Wainwright

Price Target

$56

2025-12-15

maintain

Buy

Reason

H.C. Wainwright attributes the selloff in Lenz Therapeutics shares on Friday to an identified retinal tear for a Vizz presbyopia eye drop patient listed in the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System public database. The firm views the selloff as an overreaction, saying the patient did not receive a recent standard peripheral retinal examination before initiating Vizz therapy, which contradicts FDA labeled advisement for retinal examination in all patients prior to initiation of therapy. In addition, the patient had an established history of retinal disease, the analyst tells investors in a research note. H.C. Wainwright reiterates a Buy rating on the shares with a $56 price target.

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About LENZ

LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. is a pre-commercial stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on the development and commercialization of aceclidine-based eye drop to improve near vision in patients with presbyopia. The Company’s lead product candidate LNZ100 is a preservative-free, single-use, once-daily eye drop containing aceclidine. LNZ100 was evaluated in the registration-enabling Phase III CLARITY study as a potential therapy for the treatment of presbyopia, a condition impacting over 1.8 billion people globally and 128 million people in the United States. Its other product LNZ101, is a preservative-free eye drop containing aceclidine and brimonidine.

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.

FDA Approves Tenpoint's New Eye Drop for Presbyopia

6 days agoBenzinga

FDA Approval: The U.S. FDA has approved Tenpoint Therapeutics' Yuvezzi (2.75%/0.1% ophthalmic solution), marking it as the first dual-agent eye drop for presbyopia, expected to be broadly available in the U.S. by Q2 2026, addressing the needs of approximately 2 billion global presbyopia patients.
Market Reaction: LENZ Therapeutics' stock fell about 9% following the approval of Yuvezzi, although analyst William Blair believes this reaction is an overreaction, asserting that VIZZ still possesses a best-in-class profile and has made good progress in its launch efforts.
Product Comparison: Yuvezzi and LENZ's VIZZ exhibit significant label differences, with VIZZ demonstrating superior efficacy, faster onset, and longer durability, while Yuvezzi may introduce new risks, including those associated with vascular insufficiency.
Marketing Strategy: LENZ is focused on promoting VIZZ, with analysts noting that the company has successfully increased awareness among eye care professionals in Q4 and launched a direct-to-consumer campaign to drive demand in the upcoming quarters.

FDA Approves Tenpoint's Eye Drops, Competing with LENZ

6 days agoNewsfilter

New Product Competition: The FDA has approved Tenpoint's Yuvezzi eye drops for the treatment of presbyopia, creating direct competition with LENZ's VIZZ, which could alter market dynamics and drive sales growth for both products.
Market Reaction Analysis: Analysts suggest that LENZ's recent stock price drop may be an overreaction, believing that the launch of Yuvezzi will pose new market challenges for LENZ, prompting it to accelerate product innovation and market strategy adjustments.
Potential Market Opportunity: The introduction of Yuvezzi is viewed as having blockbuster potential, likely attracting a significant number of presbyopia patients and further driving Tenpoint's market share growth in the ophthalmic sector, enhancing its competitive position.
Industry Outlook: As the demand for presbyopia treatments increases, the successful launch of Yuvezzi may trigger more competition, prompting the entire industry to accelerate the development of new products to meet evolving consumer needs.

LENZ Therapeutics Under Investigation, Stock Plummets 26%

Jan 20 2026Globenewswire

Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating LENZ Therapeutics and its executives for potential securities fraud, which could undermine investor confidence and lead to further declines in stock price.
FDA Adverse Event Report: On December 12, 2025, a case of retinal tear associated with LENZ's VIZZ eye drop was reported in the FDA's adverse event system, raising serious concerns about product safety in the market.
Stock Price Plunge: Following the adverse event disclosure, LENZ's stock price fell by $6.36, or 25.96%, closing at $18.14 per share on December 12, 2025, reflecting a pessimistic outlook from investors regarding the company's future.
Legal Action Risks: The investigation may lead to class action lawsuits, with Pomerantz LLP advising investors to stay informed, potentially impacting LENZ's financial health and market reputation in the long term.

LENZ Launches VIZZ Eye Drops, Restoring Near Vision for Up to 10 Hours

Jan 14 2026Newsfilter

Product Launch: LENZ Therapeutics has introduced VIZZ (1.44% aceclidine ophthalmic solution), a once-daily eye drop that enables 93% of participants to achieve 20/40 or better near vision within 30 minutes, lasting up to 10 hours, significantly enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
Marketing Campaign: The 'Make it VIZZable' campaign featuring actress Sarah Jessica Parker emphasizes the convenience of VIZZ in daily life, expected to attract consumer attention and drive sales growth.
User Experience: Parker shares her personal experience of no longer needing reading glasses after using VIZZ, highlighting its convenience in daily activities, indicating that VIZZ is not just a product but a solution for improving quality of life.
Industry Impact: The launch of VIZZ provides an innovative solution for the presbyopia issue faced by approximately 1.8 billion people globally and 128 million in the U.S., potentially transforming traditional vision correction methods and increasing demand for non-glasses solutions.

LENZ Therapeutics Under Investigation, Stock Plummets 26%

Jan 13 2026Globenewswire

Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating LENZ Therapeutics for potential securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, which could lead to significant losses for investors and damage the company's reputation and shareholder confidence.
FDA Adverse Event Report: On December 12, 2025, a case of retinal tear associated with LENZ's VIZZ eye drops appeared in the FDA's adverse event reporting system, raising serious concerns about product safety and triggering a market reaction.
Stock Price Plunge: Following the adverse event disclosure, LENZ's stock price fell by $6.36, or 25.96%, to close at $18.14 per share on December 12, 2025, reflecting investors' pessimism about the company's future prospects.
Law Firm Background: Pomerantz LLP, recognized as a leading firm in securities class action litigation, has successfully recovered multimillion-dollar damages for numerous victims, highlighting its significant influence and expertise in securities fraud cases.