Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA) is one of the best growth stocks to buy for the next 20 years. On February 6, Piper Sandler analyst Allison Bratzel lowered the firm’s price target on Akebia to $4 from $6 and kept an Overweight rating. This adjustment was made as part of a broader review of commercial-stage companies, with the firm updating estimates and price targets following several year-end preliminary reports and ahead of official Q4 2025 results. In Q3, Akebia Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA) ...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akebia Therapeutics®, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA) today announced plans to release its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025 on Thursday, February 26, 2026, prior to the open of financial markets. Akebia will host a conference call on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. EST to discuss its financial results and recent business highlights. To access the call, please register by clicking on this Registration Link, and yo ...

Core Viewpoint - The presentation is part of the Guggenheim Emerging Outlook: Biotech Summit, focusing on the latest developments in the biotech sector, particularly featuring Akebia Therapeutics and its leadership team [1]. Company Overview - Akebia Therapeutics is represented by its CEO John Butler, CMO Steve Burke, and CFO/CBO Erik Ostrowski at the conference, indicating a strong leadership presence [2]. - The company aims to provide an overview of its current status and developments, highlighting the evolution of its story over the past few years [3].

Akebia Therapeutics Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Akebia Therapeutics (NasdaqCM:AKBA) - **Focus**: Improving the lives of individuals affected by kidney disease - **Commercial Products**: - Auryxia: A phosphate binder nearing the end of its life cycle - VAFSEO: A HIF-PHI for treating anemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis, launched about a year ago [4][5] Key Points on VAFSEO - **Initial Uptake**: Strong initial uptake observed post-launch, but faced challenges due to the unique nature of the dialysis market [7][8] - **Market Dynamics**: Dialysis providers control the prescription process, affecting product availability [8] - **Discontinuation Rates**: Higher than expected due to initial hemoglobin dips in patients; efforts are being made to improve patient retention [10][12] - **Dosing Strategy**: Transitioning to a three times weekly (TIW) dosing regimen has shown promising results in reducing discontinuation rates [12][13] - **Patient Access**: By the end of 2025, access to approximately 275,000 patients was achieved [13] - **Long-term Growth**: Data supporting VAFSEO's potential to become the standard of care for anemia in dialysis patients is anticipated [14][24] Clinical Trials and Studies - **VOCAL and VOICE Trials**: - VOCAL: A study comparing VAFSEO to Mircera, expected to show excellent hemoglobin control [20][29] - VOICE: A randomized comparison against Epogen, with results expected early in 2027 [29][31] - **Economic Perspective**: Demonstrating reduced hospitalization costs could enhance the economic proposition for dialysis organizations [31] Pipeline Developments - **Rare Kidney Disease Pipeline**: - Praliciguat: Phase II study initiated for FSGS, targeting rapid progression to end-stage kidney disease [5][40] - AKB-097: A tissue-targeted complement inhibitor, with a basket study planned for IgAN, C3G, and lupus nephritis [40][58] - **Mechanistic Rationale**: Praliciguat stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase, beneficial for podocytes and anti-inflammatory [42][44] - **Patient Focus**: Targeting primary FSGS and genetic mutation-related FSGS while excluding secondary causes [56] Financial Position - **Cash Reserves**: $166 million as of Q3, with at least two years of cash runway [69] Upcoming Catalysts - **Key Events**: - Continued monitoring of VAFSEO's market performance - Progress on Praliciguat and AKB-097 studies - Results from VOCAL and VOICE trials expected within the next 12 months [70][72] Conclusion - **Outlook**: The next 12 months are anticipated to be critical for Akebia, with significant clinical readouts and potential market shifts for VAFSEO and pipeline products [72]

Company Overview - Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of individuals affected by kidney disease, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts [3]. Event Participation - Members of Akebia's executive team will participate in a Fireside Chat at the Guggenheim Emerging Outlook: Biotech Summit 2026 on February 12 at 9:30 AM EST [1]. - The Emerging Outlook: Biotech Summit will be held from February 11-12 in New York City [2]. Webcast Information - A webcast of the presentation will be available in the "Investors" section of Akebia's website following the conference [2].

Company Overview - Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (AKBA) primarily generates revenue through the commercialization of Vafseo, an oral therapy approved for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults [1] Analyst Background - The analyst has a Master's degree in Cell Biology and extensive experience as a lab technician in drug discovery, providing a strong foundation in the challenges of drug development [1] - The analyst has been active in the investment space for five years, focusing on biotechnology companies that innovate through unique mechanisms, first-in-class therapies, or platform technologies [1] Investment Focus - The analyst aims to identify promising biotechnology companies and evaluates the science behind drug candidates, competitive landscape, clinical trial design, and market opportunities while balancing financial fundamentals and valuation [1] - The goal is to provide insights that help investors understand both opportunities and risks in the biotech sector, which can yield significant returns through breakthrough science [1]

分组1 - Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (AKBA) primarily generates revenue through the commercialization of Vafseo, an oral therapy approved for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults [1] - The company focuses on identifying promising biotechnology innovations, including novel mechanisms of action and first-in-class therapies, to reshape treatment paradigms [1] - The analysis emphasizes the importance of evaluating the science behind drug candidates, the competitive landscape, clinical trial design, and potential market opportunities while balancing financial fundamentals and valuation [1]

Product Development and Clinical Trials - The first patient was dosed in the Phase 2 clinical trial for Praliciguat, targeting focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), with initial data expected in 2027[6] - Akebia plans to initiate an open-label Phase 2 rare kidney disease basket study for AKB-097 in the second half of 2026, with initial data generation expected in 2027[12] - The company enrolled approximately 350 patients in the VOCAL Phase IV trial, which is expected to report data in Q4 2026[7] - VOICE trial topline results are expected in early 2027, which may help establish Vafseo as a standard of care for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease in dialysis[4] Revenue and Market Access - Akebia Therapeutics has secured broad prescribing access for Vafseo, covering approximately 275,000 patients on dialysis, which is expected to drive additional demand in 2026[3] - The company anticipates revenue growth to resume in Q1 2026 due to increased patient access and expected improvements in adherence and compliance[7] - Vafseo's underlying patient dosing demand in Q4 2025 was estimated to be between $10.5 million and $11.5 million, with net product revenue expected to be in the range of $5 million to $6 million[7] - The total number of prescribers for Vafseo increased by 8% in Q4 2025 compared to Q3 2025, reaching approximately 785[7] - At least 25% of new patients in Q4 2025 came from dialysis organizations other than U.S. Renal Care, up from less than 10% in Q3 2025[7] - Akebia's future market opportunities for Vafseo are being evaluated, including potential demand and reimbursement scenarios[25] Strategic Focus and Competitive Landscape - Akebia is leveraging its scientific leadership in nephrology to progress its mid-stage rare kidney disease pipeline, aiming to provide new therapies for patients[2] - Akebia is focused on the potential therapeutic benefits and market acceptance of its products, particularly Vafseo and Auryxia[25] - The company is currently assessing the competitive landscape for Auryxia and Vafseo, including the impact of generic entrants[25] Operational Management and Risks - Akebia is working to maintain profitability while managing operating expenses in line with its operational plan[25] - The company faces risks related to regulatory decisions by health authorities, including the FDA, which could impact its clinical trials and product approvals[25] - Akebia is addressing manufacturing, supply chain, and quality matters, which could affect its product availability and financial performance[25] - The company is aware of geopolitical risks and uncertainties surrounding U.S. trade policy that may influence its operations[25] - Akebia has not committed to updating forward-looking statements unless required by law, indicating a cautious approach to future projections[26] - The company emphasizes the importance of attracting and retaining qualified personnel to support its growth and operational needs[25] - The company has outlined various risks in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025[26]

Core Insights - Akebia Therapeutics is positioned to enhance the prescribing of Vafseo, targeting approximately 275,000 patients by 2026, with ongoing clinical trials and pipeline developments in rare kidney diseases [1][2] Vafseo Commercial Business - The company anticipates increased demand for Vafseo as existing customers accelerate adoption and new customers implement Vafseo protocols [2] - Vafseo is being positioned as the standard of care for treating anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dialysis patients, supported by ongoing clinical data [2] - The company expects Q4 2025 net product revenue for Vafseo to be between $5 million and $6 million, with a projected revenue growth resuming in Q1 2026 [5] Clinical Trials and Pipeline Developments - The first patient has been dosed in the Phase 2 clinical trial for Praliciguat, targeting focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) [1] - The AKB-097 Phase 2 rare kidney disease basket trial is set to begin in the second half of 2026, with initial data expected in 2027 [1][12] - Enrollment in the VOICE trial, a Phase IV study with over 2,100 patients, has been completed, with topline results expected in early 2027 [5] Performance Metrics - The total number of prescribers for Vafseo increased by 8% in Q4 2025, reaching approximately 785 [5] - At least 25% of new patients in Q4 2025 came from dialysis organizations other than U.S. Renal Care, up from less than 10% in Q3 [5] - The underlying patient dosing demand for Vafseo in Q4 2025 was estimated between $10.5 million and $11.5 million [5] Rare Kidney Disease Pipeline - AKB-9090, a HIF-PH inhibitor, is entering Phase 1 for acute kidney injury associated with cardiac surgery in the first half of 2026 [7] - The company plans to evaluate IgA Nephropathy, Lupus Nephritis, and C3 Glomerulopathy as part of the AKB-097 study [12]

Core Insights - Akebia Therapeutics has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial for praliciguat, targeting biopsy-confirmed FSGS, a rare kidney disease affecting approximately 40,000 patients in the U.S. [2] - The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of praliciguat, with a primary endpoint of change in urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) at Week 24 [2][3]. Company Overview - Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of individuals affected by kidney disease, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts [4]. - The company has a mid-stage pipeline for rare kidney diseases, with praliciguat being a key component [2]. Clinical Trial Details - The Phase 2 trial is randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multicenter, involving approximately 60 patients already on maximally tolerated doses of ACE inhibitors or ARBs [2]. - Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either praliciguat or placebo for an initial 24-week period, followed by an open-label phase for an additional 24 weeks [2]. Safety and Efficacy - No significant safety issues were reported for praliciguat in previous Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies, indicating a favorable safety profile [3]. - Adverse events were infrequent and consistent with the known blood pressure-lowering effects of praliciguat [3].