Cytokinetics report ‘arguably a best-case scenario’ for Edgewise, says Stifel

Stifel notes that Cytokinetics (CYTK) announced ACACIA-HCM, the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of aficamten in patients with symptomatic non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, met both dual primary endpoints and contends that overall “the big picture is favorable,” though there will be debate on the headline effect sizes. For Edgewise Therapeutics (EWTX) this is “arguably a best-case scenario for the bull case that these drugs ‘work’ but ‘7500 is best-positioned,” adds the analyst, though the firm’s view remains that there are important questions regarding safety and differentiation that will “take time to answer in the backdrop of an increasingly competitive landscape.” Stifel has a Buy rating on Cytokinetics, whose shares are up 18% to $78.15 in early trading, and a Hold on Edgewise, whose shares are up 24% to $39.00.