Workflow
Vyjuvek
icon
Search documents
KRYS Begins Dosing With Gene Therapy in Rare Eye Disease, Stock Up
ZACKS· 2025-07-10 17:11
Company Overview - Krystal Biotech (KRYS) announced the dosing of the first patient in a phase I/II study for its eye drop KB801, aimed at treating neurotrophic keratitis (NK), a rare corneal disease [1][7] - KB801 is a redosable gene therapy designed to enhance nerve growth factor (NGF) production in the eye, promoting corneal healing and preventing complications associated with NK [2][8] Market Context - NK affects an estimated 10 to 50 individuals per 100,000, with increasing awareness and diagnosis in the U.S.; claims for NK reached approximately 68,000 in 2024, up from 31,000 in 2020 [3] - Year-to-date, KRYS shares have declined by 5%, while the industry has seen a 2% decline [6] Clinical Development - The EMERALD-1 study is a double-masked, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of KB801 in up to 27 adults with NK [7][8] - This study represents a significant step towards providing a simple eye drop treatment option for patients with NK [8] Other Developments - In addition to KB801, Krystal Biotech is also advancing its phase III IOLITE study for KB803, another investigational eye drop treatment for corneal abrasions in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) [9] - The company's only marketed product, Vyjuvek, is FDA-approved for treating DEB in patients aged six months and older [10]
10 Under-the-Radar Healthcare Stocks With Incredible Growth Potential
The Motley Fool· 2025-06-28 13:10
Core Viewpoint - The healthcare sector is highlighted as a critical area in the stock market, driven by the need for innovative therapies and medical technologies to address an aging population and rising chronic diseases. There are ten under-the-radar healthcare stocks identified as potential investment opportunities. Group 1: Company Highlights - **Certara**: Positioned to benefit from AI-driven transformations in medicine, providing bio-simulation software that accelerates drug development, with over 90% of novel drugs approved by the FDA since 2014 utilizing its technology [3][4]. - **Beam Therapeutics**: A clinical-stage biotech focusing on precision gene editing therapies for genetic diseases, with its lead candidate in phase 1/2 trials for sickle cell disease, showing promise for long-term growth [5][6]. - **Inspire Medical Systems**: Develops implantable devices for obstructive sleep apnea, reporting a 23% year-over-year revenue increase to $201 million, indicating strong market demand [8]. - **Insulet**: Specializes in tubeless insulin pump technology, targeting a revenue growth of 19% to 22% by 2025, with significant expansion opportunities in international markets [9]. - **Krystal Biotech**: Focuses on rare skin diseases, with its gene therapy expected to generate approximately $400 million in revenue this year, reinforcing its market position [10]. - **LifeMD**: Operates a telehealth platform with a 49% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by a partnership with Novo Nordisk, indicating potential for further growth [11]. - **Option Care Health**: Leading provider of home infusion services, positioned to benefit from the shift towards personalized healthcare [12]. - **Tempus AI**: Utilizes AI for precision medicine, projecting over 80% revenue growth this year to about $1.3 billion, highlighting its expansive data ecosystem [13]. - **TransMedics Group**: Innovates in organ transplantation with its FDA-approved Organ Care System, projecting a 30% revenue growth this year [14][15]. - **Veeva Systems**: Offers cloud-based software for life sciences, serving over 1,000 customers and positioned to capitalize on the industry's digital transformation [16].
3 Promising Genomics Stocks to Keep an Eye On in 2025
ZACKS· 2025-06-27 13:06
Industry Overview - The field of genomics has rapidly evolved over the past decade, focusing on the complete set of genes and their interactions rather than individual genes [1] - Genomics is pivotal for developing targeted therapies, leading to a revolutionary era in genetic medicine, attracting significant attention from pharmaceutical and biotech companies [2] Technological Innovations - Synthetic biology, which applies engineering principles to biology, has emerged as a key concept within genomics, aiding in drug discovery, disease detection, and gene editing [3] - The cost, accuracy, and time required to map an individual's genome have drastically reduced, enhancing the spotlight on genomics companies [4] Market Potential - The genomics market is projected to reach $157.47 billion by 2033, while the global synthetic biology market was valued at $16.22 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 17.30% from 2025 to 2030 [6] Company Highlights - MeiraGTx Holdings plc is focused on genetic medicine with a pipeline addressing conditions like Parkinson's disease and retinal dystrophy, showing promising efficacy data [8][9] - Beam Therapeutics is advancing base editing programs for genetic diseases, with FDA orphan drug designation for its BEAM-101 treatment for sickle cell disease [12][13] - Krystal Biotech received FDA approval for Vyjuvek, the first gene therapy for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, and is advancing a pipeline in various therapeutic areas [14][15]
KRYS Up 4% on Initiating Dosing in Rare Eye Disease Phase III Study
ZACKS· 2025-06-25 16:21
Company Overview - Krystal Biotech's shares increased by 4.2% following the announcement of dosing the first patient in a late-stage study for KB803, aimed at treating and preventing corneal abrasions in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) [1][5] - The company's only marketed product, Vyjuvek, is FDA-approved for DEB patients aged six months or older, known as B-VEC outside the U.S. [2] Disease Context - DEB is a rare, severe monogenic disease affecting skin and mucosal tissues, with over 25% of patients experiencing eye complications. There are no corrective treatments available, leading to reliance on wound management and occasional surgery. Approximately 750 individuals in the U.S. and 2,000 globally are affected [3][6]. Study Details - The phase III IOLITE study will enroll 16 DEB patients, administering either placebo or KB803 eye drops for 12 weeks, followed by a switch for another 12 weeks. The study is decentralized, allowing home dosing by healthcare professionals [7][8]. - The primary endpoint is to measure the change in average monthly days with corneal abrasion symptoms in patients receiving KB803 compared to placebo, with safety and secondary efficacy data collected throughout the 24-week study [8]. Previous Efficacy Evidence - KB803 (B-VEC) previously demonstrated efficacy in a compassionate use case, leading to full corneal healing and significant visual acuity improvement in a DEB patient after eye surgery [9].
Strength Seen in Krystal Biotech (KRYS): Can Its 4.2% Jump Turn into More Strength?
ZACKS· 2025-06-25 14:56
Company Overview - Krystal Biotech, Inc. (KRYS) shares increased by 4.2% to close at $143.67, with trading volume significantly higher than usual, reflecting a 10.3% gain over the past four weeks [1][2] Product Development - The stock price surge followed the initiation of patient dosing in the phase III IOLITE study for KB803 eye drops, targeting DEB-related corneal damage, which is a next-generation version of the approved gene therapy Vyjuvek [2] - KB803 addresses a rare patient population lacking corrective treatments, and the decentralized, at-home study design, along with prior compassionate use data showing strong efficacy, has bolstered investor confidence [2] Financial Performance Expectations - The company is projected to report quarterly earnings of $1.31 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 52.3%, with revenues expected to reach $102.5 million, up 45.9% from the previous year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained stable over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not sustain without trends in earnings estimate revisions [4] Industry Context - Krystal Biotech is categorized under the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, where Coherus Oncology (CHRS) also operates, having closed 5.6% higher at $0.77, but with a -3.9% return over the past month [5] - Coherus Oncology's consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report is -$0.25, representing a significant year-over-year decline of 78.6% [6]
Pharma Fire Sale: 3 Stocks the RSI Says You Shouldn't Ignore
MarketBeat· 2025-05-14 12:30
Core Viewpoint - Investors should focus on pharmaceutical stocks that are currently trading at extremely oversold levels, as indicated by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which can signal potential rebounds [1][13]. Group 1: Sarepta Therapeutics - Sarepta Therapeutics has an RSI of 22, indicating extreme oversold conditions, and has seen its stock price drop over 40% following an earnings miss [2][3]. - The 12-month stock price forecast for Sarepta is $131.22, suggesting a potential upside of 262.48% from the current price of $36.20 [2]. - Analysts, including those from Wells Fargo, maintain a Buy rating and are optimistic about Sarepta's long-term pipeline, particularly its FDA-approved gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy [3][4]. Group 2: Krystal Biotech - Krystal Biotech's RSI has risen to 33, indicating a recovery from oversold levels, with a recent stock price of $134.53 [5][6]. - The 12-month stock price forecast for Krystal is $218.63, representing a potential upside of 62.51% [5]. - Analysts remain bullish on Krystal, with Guggenheim reiterating a Buy rating and a price target of $189, indicating nearly 40% upside potential [7][8]. Group 3: Lantheus Holdings - Lantheus Holdings has an RSI of 28, showing signs of being oversold after a 25% drop following an earnings miss [9][10]. - The 12-month stock price forecast for Lantheus is $132.67, suggesting a potential upside of 68.04% from the current price of $78.95 [9]. - Truist Financial has reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $117, indicating more than 45% upside potential, supported by the company's strong product portfolio [11][10].
Krystal Biotech Q1 Earnings and Sales Miss Estimates, Stock Down
ZACKS· 2025-05-06 18:40
Core Viewpoint - Krystal Biotech (KRYS) reported Q1 2025 earnings that missed expectations, with EPS of $1.20 compared to the consensus estimate of $1.38, although it showed significant improvement from $0.03 in the same quarter last year [1][2] Financial Performance - Revenues for Q1 2025 reached $88.1 million, a 95% increase year over year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $95 million [1] - The gross margin for the reported quarter was 94% [5] - Research and development expenses were $14.2 million, up 30.1% year over year, while selling, general, and administrative expenses totaled $32.7 million, up 25.6% from the previous year [5] - As of March 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents, and investments amounted to $765.3 million [6] Product Development and Regulatory Approvals - The FDA approved Vyjuvek in 2023, the first gene therapy for treating dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) in patients aged six months or older [4] - As of April, Krystal secured over 540 reimbursement approvals for Vyjuvek in the U.S., achieving positive access determinations for 97% of lives covered under commercial and Medicaid plans [5] - The European Commission approved Vyjuvek for treating wounds in DEB patients with COL7A1 gene mutations, with a launch expected in Germany in mid-2025 [7] Pipeline Progress - Krystal Biotech is advancing a pipeline of investigational genetic medicines across various fields, including respiratory, oncology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and aesthetics [8] - The company is evaluating KB407 for cystic fibrosis, with ongoing enrollment in a multi-center study [9] - KB408 is being assessed for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, with enrollment ongoing in its clinical study [10] - KB803 is under evaluation for ocular complications of DEB, with plans to initiate a registrational phase III study [11][12] - The company is also developing KB801 for neurotrophic keratitis and expects to begin dosing patients in a clinical study soon [12][13] - Jeune Aesthetics, a subsidiary, is developing treatments for dynamic wrinkles and has completed enrollment in a study for another wrinkle treatment [14][15] Market Performance - Shares of KRYS have declined following the earnings report, although they have risen 3.6% year to date, contrasting with a 2.2% decline in the industry [2]