Buy Rating for Upstream Bio: Promising Clinical Progress and Unique Drug Candidate Potential

William Blair analyst Matt Phipps has maintained their bullish stance on UPB stock, giving a Buy rating on March 4.

Matt Phipps has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors including Upstream Bio’s progress in clinical trials and the promising potential of their drug candidate, verekitug. The company has successfully completed enrollment for its Phase II study of verekitug in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), with results expected in the second half of 2025. This progress is complemented by the positive Phase III results of Tezspire in CRSwNP, which supports the therapeutic potential of targeting the TSLP pathway, a strategy also employed by verekitug.
Furthermore, despite competition in the TSLP antibody space, verekitug stands out as the only antibody in clinical development targeting the TSLP receptor, showcasing high potency and a unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. This differentiation could allow for an expanded dosing interval, enhancing its market potential. These factors, combined with ongoing studies in severe asthma and COPD, contribute to the optimistic outlook and the Buy rating by Matt Phipps.

In another report released on March 4, Piper Sandler also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $75.00 price target.