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Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS)
NASDAQ:ACRS

Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS) AI Stock Analysis

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ACRS

Aclaris Therapeutics

(NASDAQ:ACRS)

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Neutral 50 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:50Neutral
Price Target:
$2.50
▼(-6.02% Downside)
The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance (deep losses, declining TTM revenue, and ongoing cash burn). Technical indicators also lean cautious in the near term. Offsetting factors include a low-leverage balance sheet and positive pipeline-related corporate events that could drive future catalysts, but these do not yet resolve current profitability and cash-flow risks.
Positive Factors
Low leverage balance sheet
Very low debt-to-equity reduces refinancing and interest risk, giving management flexibility to fund clinical programs and pursue partnerships. A stronger balance sheet supports multi-year R&D investment and strategic optionality, lowering solvency risk during development timelines.
Strong Phase 1a ATI-052 data
Favorable first-in-human safety, extended half-life and concentration-dependent pharmacodynamics suggest ATI-052 could enable infrequent dosing and meaningful pathway coverage. If reproduced in POC and later trials, this provides durable clinical differentiation across chronic immuno-inflammatory indications.
Broadened inflammation pipeline
A wider pipeline across oral and multispecific antibody programs reduces single-program dependency and creates multiple 2026 value inflection points. Emphasis on partnerships and capital discipline structurally improves commercialization optionality and risk diversification over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Deep unprofitability and negative margins
Sustained large operating losses erode shareholder equity and heighten the need for external funding. Very negative margins indicate current operations cannot self-finance growth, increasing dilution risk and pressuring long-term viability unless offset by successful partnering or commercialization.
Negative operating and free cash flow
Ongoing negative OCF and FCF mean Aclaris relies on external capital to progress trials. This elevates execution risk if markets or funding windows tighten, may force dilutive financings or strategic trade-offs, and constrains ability to invest opportunistically across its multi-year R&D roadmap.
Declining recent revenue trend
A recent TTM revenue decline amid heavy R&D and SG&A weakens operating leverage and exacerbates cash burn. Lower top-line traction reduces internal funding capacity for development, increases dependence on partners or capital markets, and raises the bar for achieving sustainable profitability.

Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Aclaris Therapeutics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAclaris Therapeutics, Inc. operates a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, develops novel drug candidates for immune-inflammatory diseases in the United States. It operates through two segments: Therapeutics and Contract Research. The Therapeutics segment is involved in identifying and developing innovative therapies to address significant unmet needs for immuno-inflammatory diseases. The Contract Research segment engages in the provision of laboratory services. The company also develops Zunsemetinib, an MK2 inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid and Psoriatic arthritis, and Hidradenitis suppurativa; and ATI-1777, a soft JAK 1/3 inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. In addition, it develops ATI-2138, an ITK/TXK/JAK3 inhibitor as a potential treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases; Gut-Biased Program for inflammatory bowel disease; and ATI-2231, an MK2 inhibitor treatment for pancreatic and metastatic breast cancer. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
How the Company Makes MoneyAclaris Therapeutics generates revenue primarily through the development and commercialization of its therapeutic products. The company may receive funding through various streams, including upfront payments and milestone payments from partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies, as well as royalties on product sales. Additionally, Aclaris may also generate revenue from licensing agreements that allow other companies to develop or market its drug candidates. The company actively seeks collaborations to enhance its research capabilities and expand its market reach, which contributes to its overall earnings.

Aclaris Therapeutics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2024
(Q1-2024)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlights Aclaris' strong financial position and promising advancement of ATI-2138, despite some challenges in cash reserves and competitive landscape considerations. The company is making strategic moves in its drug development with a focus on efficiency and differentiation.
Q1-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Position
Aclaris ended the first quarter with $161 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, with no outstanding debt. This positions the company well financially for upcoming initiatives.
Advancement of ATI-2138
Decision to move ATI-2138 forward in a proof-of-concept study for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, showing promising preclinical and Phase I results.
Cost Containment Success
Cost containment initiatives are on track, with significant reductions in cash expenditures expected for the remainder of the year.
Potential Best-in-Class Treatment
ATI-2138 shows potential as a best-in-class dual inhibitor of ITK and JAK3, designed to treat autoimmune diseases with a favorable safety profile.
Negative Updates
Decreased Cash Reserves
Cash reserves decreased from $182 million at year-end to $161 million at the end of Q1, partly due to nonrecurring payments related to discontinued programs and severance.
Indication Reevaluation Required
Reevaluation of indication selection for ATI-2138 was necessary, indicating potential prior misalignment in strategy.
Competitive Landscape Challenges
The competitive landscape in atopic dermatitis is evolving, with a need to differentiate ATI-2138 from existing treatments, such as upadacitinib and biologics like dupilumab.
Company Guidance
During the Aclaris Therapeutics Q1 2024 earnings call, several key metrics and strategic updates were provided. The company ended the first quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $161 million, down from $182 million at the end of the previous year. Approximately $14 million of the expenditures in the first quarter were related to nonrecurring payments. Aclaris has decided to advance ATI-2138, their oral small molecule ITK JAK3 inhibitor, into a Phase II proof-of-concept study targeting atopic dermatitis. The study is designed as an open-label trial involving 15 patients over 12 weeks, with a focus on safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and early efficacy signals. Joseph Monahan highlighted that ATI-2138 is 44.4 times more potent than ritlecitinib in blocking ITK-dependent cytokine production and 5.4 times more potent in JAK3-dependent readouts. Financially, Aclaris is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet with ongoing cost containment initiatives and exploring business development opportunities to source nondilutive capital.

Aclaris Therapeutics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Aclaris Therapeutics faces significant financial challenges, with declining revenues and negative profitability metrics. The balance sheet shows low leverage, but the company struggles with negative returns on equity. Cash flow metrics indicate operational inefficiencies, although there is some ability to convert income to cash flow. Overall, the company needs to address its profitability and cash flow issues to improve its financial health.
Income Statement
Aclaris Therapeutics has experienced declining revenue with a negative growth rate of -5.56% in the TTM. The company shows weak profitability with a negative net profit margin of -8.02% and a gross profit margin of 24.18%. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also negative, indicating operational challenges.
Balance Sheet
The company maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.018, suggesting limited leverage. However, the return on equity is significantly negative at -95.92%, reflecting poor profitability. The equity ratio stands at 69.65%, indicating a strong equity base relative to total assets.
Cash Flow
Aclaris Therapeutics has a negative free cash flow growth rate of -4.76% in the TTM, and the operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating cash flow challenges. The free cash flow to net income ratio is positive at 4.59, suggesting some efficiency in converting net income to free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue15.74M18.72M31.25M29.75M6.76M6.48M
Gross Profit3.55M15.93M13.17M17.79M2.05M1.35M
EBITDA-62.78M-51.72M-115.45M-84.36M-64.46M-47.20M
Net Income-141.68M-132.06M-88.48M-86.91M-90.86M-51.02M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets175.53M220.33M197.41M254.60M251.21M70.78M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments95.91M113.59M119.11M217.57M191.41M54.13M
Total Debt2.24M0.00426.00K684.00K693.00K11.26M
Total Liabilities55.43M64.77M40.23M56.98M53.87M33.13M
Stockholders Equity120.10M155.55M157.18M197.62M197.34M37.65M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-78.82M-20.20M-79.63M-68.17M-52.44M-39.09M
Operating Cash Flow-42.92M-20.07M-78.33M-67.57M-52.13M-38.63M
Investing Cash Flow-50.73M-69.77M46.22M12.63M-167.63M6.39M
Financing Cash Flow71.25M74.54M26.71M72.87M225.05M18.37M

Aclaris Therapeutics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price2.66
Price Trends
50DMA
2.76
Negative
100DMA
2.37
Positive
200DMA
1.91
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.05
Positive
RSI
44.63
Neutral
STOCH
32.65
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ACRS, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 2.66 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.91, below the 50-day MA of 2.76, and above the 200-day MA of 1.91, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.05 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.63 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 32.65 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for ACRS.

Aclaris Therapeutics Risk Analysis

Aclaris Therapeutics disclosed 72 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Aclaris Therapeutics reported the most risks in the "Tech & Innovation" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Aclaris Therapeutics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
50
Neutral
$288.20M-1.96-113.23%-41.87%-165.76%
48
Neutral
$138.75M-4.68-47.69%1.06%22.41%
44
Neutral
$169.78M-5.67-720.01%21.68%58.30%
44
Neutral
$135.60M-2.18-239.53%78.62%32.39%
43
Neutral
$21.25M-0.27-44.77%4.54%47.11%
43
Neutral
$134.85M-5.56-122.81%14.08%1.34%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ACRS
Aclaris Therapeutics
2.71
0.20
7.97%
NOTV
Inotiv
0.60
-3.66
-85.96%
MDXH
MDxHealth
3.61
1.61
80.50%
STIM
Neuronetics
1.80
-0.53
-22.75%
XGN
Exagen
5.15
2.03
65.06%
SERA
Sera Prognostics
3.60
-3.01
-45.54%

Aclaris Therapeutics Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Aclaris Therapeutics Expands Inflammation and Immunology Pipeline Strategy
Positive
Jan 12, 2026

On January 12, 2026, Aclaris Therapeutics updated its corporate overview presentation to highlight a broadened inflammation and immunology pipeline and a strategy centered on innovative oral and bispecific or multispecific antibody therapies for Th1-, Th2- and Th17-mediated diseases. The presentation underscored four anticipated clinical programs and multiple potential value inflection points in 2026, including progress on bosakitug (ATI-045), ATI-052, ATI-2138, next-generation ITK-selective inhibitors, and bispecific antibodies across dermatology, respiratory and gastrointestinal indications, while emphasizing prudent capital management and the need for strategic partnerships, moves that could materially influence its competitive position and long-term growth prospects in large, underserved markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (ACRS) stock is a Hold with a $2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Aclaris Therapeutics stock, see the ACRS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
Aclaris advances ATI-052 after positive Phase 1a results
Positive
Jan 6, 2026

On January 6, 2026, Aclaris Therapeutics reported positive interim data from a first-in-human Phase 1a single and multiple ascending dose trial of its bispecific antibody ATI-052 in healthy adults, showing the drug was well tolerated up to 720 mg with mostly mild, self-resolving injection site reactions and no serious adverse events or discontinuations. The study demonstrated a potentially best-in-class pharmacokinetic profile with an effective half-life of at least 26 days and dose-proportional exposure, alongside robust pharmacodynamic effects including strong target engagement and sustained inhibition of key inflammatory markers at low doses, supporting the possibility of dosing as infrequently as once every three months. On the back of these results, the company moved to rapidly advance ATI-052’s development, planning imminent initiation of Phase 1b proof-of-concept trials in atopic dermatitis and asthma in the first quarter of 2026, with top-line data expected in the second half of 2026 and a Phase 2b trial in atopic dermatitis slated to start in the same period, potentially strengthening Aclaris’s position in the competitive immunology and allergy market if later-stage trials confirm these early findings.

The most recent analyst rating on (ACRS) stock is a Hold with a $3.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Aclaris Therapeutics stock, see the ACRS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
Aclaris Therapeutics Hosts R&D Day for Innovations
Positive
Oct 14, 2025

On October 14, 2025, Aclaris Therapeutics will hold an R&D Day to showcase their innovative therapeutic developments. The company is advancing several promising product candidates, including bosakitug, ATI-052, and ATI-2138, which have the potential to be best-in-class treatments for various immune-mediated diseases. Aclaris is well-financed with a cash runway extending into 2028, and they are poised for significant growth with multiple clinical programs and strategic partnerships on the horizon.

The most recent analyst rating on (ACRS) stock is a Hold with a $2.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Aclaris Therapeutics stock, see the ACRS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 12, 2026