Arcturus Therapeutics: Strategic Focus and Promising CF Program Drive Buy Rating

Yanan Zhu, an analyst from Wells Fargo, maintained the Buy rating on Arcturus Therapeutics (ARCT – Research Report). The associated price target was lowered to $45.00.

Yanan Zhu has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors influencing Arcturus Therapeutics’ outlook. The company has shown promising potential in its cystic fibrosis (CF) program, with expectations of positive efficacy and safety outcomes in its Phase 2 trials by mid-2025. This is particularly notable as a competitor’s program is currently paused due to tolerability issues, positioning Arcturus favorably in the market.
Additionally, Arcturus reported better-than-expected financial results for the first quarter of 2025, with a net loss per share significantly lower than consensus estimates, attributed to reduced R&D expenses. The company’s strategic decision to prioritize its mRNA therapeutics pipeline, focusing on key programs like ARCT-032 for CF and ARCT-810 for OTCD, has extended its cash runway to the first quarter of 2028. This strategic focus, alongside the potential for milestone payments from its COVID-19 vaccine program, underpins the positive outlook and Buy rating by Yanan Zhu.

In another report released yesterday, Canaccord Genuity also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $66.00 price target.

ARCT’s price has also changed moderately for the past six months – from $19.180 to $11.860, which is a -38.16% drop .