H.C. Wainwright analyst Ed Arce maintained a Buy rating on Inventiva (IVA – Research Report) today and set a price target of $13.00.
Ed Arce has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors related to Inventiva’s ongoing clinical developments and strategic positioning. The company’s Phase 3 NATiV3 trial for lanifibranor in F2-F3 MASH patients is progressing well, with patient screening completed and full enrollment expected in the first half of 2025. This trial is crucial as it aims to confirm the efficacy and safety of lanifibranor, potentially making it the second orally-dosed MASH therapy approved by the FDA. The trial’s design, which has been reviewed and agreed upon by the FDA, includes a robust statistical power of 90%, and recent safety reviews have shown no need for protocol modifications.
Furthermore, the potential market for lanifibranor is significant, especially among MASH patients who also have type-2 diabetes (T2D), a group that represents over 50% of the MASH population and is at higher risk for fibrosis progression. The combination of lanifibranor with empagliflozin has shown promising cardiometabolic benefits in this subgroup, as evidenced by the Phase 2 LEGEND trial. These factors, along with the anticipated financial support tied to the trial’s milestones, underpin Arce’s positive outlook on Inventiva’s stock, suggesting a strong competitive advantage in the MASH + T2D market segment.
According to TipRanks, Arce is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 14.7% and a 46.43% success rate. Arce covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Arcturus Therapeutics, Akebia Therapeutics, and Pliant Therapeutics.
In another report released yesterday, LifeSci Capital also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $14.00 price target.