Analyst Downgrades Sarepta As Elevidys Safety Clouds Future Demand

Core Insights - Sarepta Therapeutics provided a safety update on Elevidys, the only approved gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, following a second case of acute liver failure resulting in death [1] - Investor hesitancy is attributed to uncertainty regarding the number of non-ambulatory patients treated and their risk of developing acute liver failure [2] - Analyst Sami Corwin downgraded Sarepta from Outperform to Market Perform due to concerns over revenue estimates and competition from other gene therapies [2][3] Company Developments - The company is taking steps to strengthen the safety profile of Elevidys in non-ambulatory patients after the reported cases of acute liver failure [1] - There is a growing concern that the penetration of the non-ambulatory population may not meet previous peak revenue estimates, impacting future revenue potential [3] - Sarepta's stock price decreased by 3.18% to $20.11, reflecting investor concerns over the safety profile and revenue outlook [4] Market Context - The potential entry of other AAV gene therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy by 2027 could further impact Sarepta's peak revenue estimates [3] - Early clinical data from competitors suggests they may have a safer profile with fewer liver-related side effects, increasing competitive pressure on Sarepta [3] - Despite expected strong interest among commercial ambulatory patients, the uncertainty surrounding non-ambulatory patient treatment is seen as a deterrent for investors [4]