Akebia assumed with a Buy at H.C. Wainwright

H.C. Wainwright analyst Matthew Caufield assumed coverage of Akebia (AKBA) with a Buy rating and $8 price target The company’s approved product Vafseo indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease in adults receiving dialysis for at least three months, continues to gain uptake among dialysis organizations, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm believes the ongoing Vafseo launch can offset generic impact on the company’s other approved product Auryxia, which has focused commercially on the hyperphosphatemia indication.