Enanta rises as J.P. Morgan starts at Overweight on RSV therapy

[Business on Wall Street in Manhattan]
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Shares of Enanta Pharmaceuticals traded higher on Friday after two straight sessions of losses as J.P. Morgan launched its coverage with an Overweight recommendation, citing the potential of zelicapavir, an experimental therapy developed by the biotech against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Analyst Anupam Rama issued a December 2026 price target of $17 per share for the antiviral developer, projecting more than $1.5B in peak global sales for zelicapavir, including more than $1B from the U.S. alone.

His bullish view came after ENTA surged more than 90% in September following topline data from a mid-stage trial for the oral, once-daily therapy in high-risk outpatient adults with acute RSV. [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4499861-enanta-shares-rise-despite-rsv-trial-failing-to-meet-main-goal]

“Importantly, we see zelicapavir as strategically attractive on the back of the strong phase 2b data and long-term market potential,” Rama wrote, arguing that the readout has derisked a potential Phase 3 trial in high-risk adults, which is expected to begin after FDA feedback.

“Our sense is that Enanta is focused on partnering the product out—i.e., a potential source of significant non-dilutive financing,” the analyst added, noting, however, that subject to a partnership, peak net global revenue from zelicapavir could reach more than $300M.

MORE ON ENANTA PHARMA

* Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ENTA) RSVHR Study Results Presentation - Slideshow [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4826730-rsvhr-study-results-call]
* Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ENTA) RSVHR Study Results Call (Transcript) [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4826721-enanta-pharmaceuticals-inc-enta-rsvhr-study-results-call-transcript]
* Enanta: Despite Primary Endpoint Miss Zelicapavir Could Benefit From Trial Design Change [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4826700-enanta-primary-endpoint-miss-zelicapavir-benefit-from-trial-design-change]
* Enanta upgraded to buy at Jefferies on promise of RSV antiviral zelicapavir [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4500818-enanta-upgraded-buy-jefferies-promise-rsv-antiviral-zelicapavir]
* Enanta pharmaceuticals prices $65M common stock offering [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4500393-enanta-pharmaceuticals-prices-65m-common-stock-offering]