Broker Watch

The ASX 200 stocks attracting the biggest broker upgrades: Neuren Pharmaceuticals

Mon 08 Jan 24, 11:32am (AEDT)
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Key Points

  • Neuren's stock soared 30% after positive late-stage trial results for its Phelan-McDermid syndrome drug
  • Brokers remain optimistic, with consensus target prices up 31% since 8 December 2023
  • Neuren also boasts the first approved drug for Rett syndrome, with strong sales and promising pipeline

Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX: NEU) shares soared almost 30% on Monday, 18 December after phase-two clinical trial results demonstrated "significant improvements" for its drug to treat the cognitive disorder Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Neuren was the best performing stock on the ASX 200 in 2023, up 212%. But even after this stellar run, brokers remain bullish on its outlook.


Stocks with the Biggest Broker Upgrades

Ticker

Company Name

Close Price

1-Week

Target Price

Prev Target Price

% Dif

NEU

Neuren Pharmaceuticals

$24.11

-4.0%

$26.43

$20.15

31.2%

SGP

Stockland

$4.34

-3.8%

$4.50

$4.31

4.4%

BSL

Bluescope Steel

$22.04

-5.6%

$22.62

$21.88

3.4%

COH

Cochlear

$297.95

-0.8%

$254.31

$246.13

3.3%

MFG

Magellan Financial

$9.65

2.9%

$7.68

$7.45

3.1%

BGA

Bega Cheese

$3.43

-4.2%

$3.33

$3.24

2.8%

SGM

Sims

$14.19

-9.3%

$14.22

$13.91

2.2%

PME

Pro Medicus

$90.48

-6.2%

$81.74

$80.08

2.1%

FMG

Fortescue Metals

$28.19

-3.3%

$19.83

$19.45

2.0%

WAF

West African Resources

$0.93

-5.6%

$1.64

$1.61

1.9%

'Target price' is an aggregate of Refinitiv broker target prices. % Dif compares target prices between 8 December 2023 and 5 January 2024

Neuren is a clinical pharmaceutical company focused on development drugs that treat rare and complex neuro-developmental conditions. In March 2023, the US FDA approved DAYBUE for the treatment of Rett syndrome, a genetic brain disorder, making it the first approved drug for the condition.

Neuren has a commercial agreement with major partner Acadia, which allows for global rights to manufacture and distribute the drug in exchange for ongoing royalties and milestone payments to Neuren. Acadia has exclusive rights to DAYBUE.

The latest DAYBUE sales update for the third quarter of 2023 noted:

  • Acadia had 800 patients on DAYBUE as at 30 September 2023, the surge in initial demand exceeded pre-launch expectations

  • Q3 net sales of DAYBUE in the US of US$66.9 million

  • Guidance for net sales in Q4 2023 between US$80 million to US$87.5 million

  • Neuren said it expects royalties (assuming guidance is met) of $10.4 million in Q3 and $12.5 million to $13.7 million in Q4

The below table shows the company's clinical pipeline, including registration for global DAYBUE distribution as well as a number of upcoming phase two trial results.

2024-01-08 10 50 40-Window
Source: Neuren Pharma

 

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Written By

Kerry Sun

Content Strategist

Kerry holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. He is an avid swing trader, focused on technical set ups and breakouts. Outside of writing and trading, Kerry is a big UFC fan, loves poker and training Muay Thai. Connect via LinkedIn or email.

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