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Pro Research: Wall Street weighs in on Alnylam's future

EditorRachael Rajan
Published 28/11/2023, 04:44 am
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In the dynamic world of biopharmaceuticals, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has been a company to watch, particularly for its advances in RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics. Analysts have been closely monitoring Alnylam's progress, especially in light of recent clinical trials and regulatory interactions. Here's a deep-dive analysis of the company's standing, its products, and the market's expectations.

Company Profile and Product Segments

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals operates within the biotechnology sector, focusing on RNAi therapeutics for rare diseases. It has a portfolio of four FDA/EMA-approved drugs for rare diseases and two partnered drugs with high potential. Its key product segments include the TTR franchise, with drugs like AMVUTTRA and ONPATTRO, and the Ultra Rare franchise, featuring GIVLAARI and OXLUMO.

Performance in Different Markets

Alnylam's financial performance has shown resilience, with net product revenues for 3Q23 slightly below analyst and consensus estimates but still robust at $313 million. The company's guidance for 2023 product revenue remains between $1.20 billion and $1.285 billion, indicating confidence in its revenue streams.

Competitive Landscape and Market Trends

The competitive landscape in biopharmaceuticals is intense. Alnylam's RNAi therapeutics compete with products from companies like Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) and Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) Pharmaceuticals. In the ATTR amyloidosis market, Alnylam's drugs compete with offerings from Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BridgeBio Pharma (NASDAQ:BBIO). Analysts note that despite competition, Alnylam's gene silencing drugs are viewed favorably, especially compared to stabilizers from competitors.

Regulatory Environment

Alnylam has experienced significant regulatory events, with the FDA issuing a Complete Response Letter (CRL) for Onpattro in ATTR-CM. This decision was unexpected, particularly after a favorable Advisory Committee vote. However, the company is looking ahead to the HELIOS-B trial results expected in early 2024, which could potentially address the FDA's concerns.

Customer Base

Alnylam's customer base primarily consists of patients with rare diseases, a market that often faces significant unmet medical needs. The company's focus on RNAi therapeutics positions it well to meet these needs, provided it can navigate the regulatory environment successfully.

Management and Strategy

Alnylam's management has demonstrated confidence in its pipeline and strategy. The company has highlighted its deep RNAi portfolio and the potential for further drug approvals and market penetration. Management remains committed to addressing regulatory challenges and advancing its clinical programs.

Potential Impacts of External Factors

The biopharmaceutical industry is susceptible to various external factors, including regulatory decisions, clinical trial outcomes, and market acceptance of new therapies. Alnylam's future, particularly its stock performance, will likely be influenced by these factors.

Upcoming Product Launches

Analysts are particularly interested in the upcoming top-line data from the HELIOS-B Phase 3 trial for AMVUTTRA in ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, expected in early 2024. Additionally, interim data from the MARCH Phase 2 trial for ALN-HBV02 in chronic hepatitis B virus infection and the KARDIA-2 readout for Zilebesiran in hypertension are highly anticipated.

Company's Stock Performance

Alnylam's stock performance has been under scrutiny, especially following the CRL for Onpattro. The company's market capitalization has fluctuated, reflecting investor sentiment and confidence in its clinical and regulatory prospects.

Analyst Outlooks and Reasonings

# Bullish Outlook

Bulls recommend buying the stock because:

  • Alnylam's strong pipeline, including drugs like Zilebesiran, shows competitive efficacy and safety profiles.
  • The company's RNAi therapeutics offer a diversified approach to treating rare diseases.
  • Upcoming trial results, particularly from HELIOS-B, could provide significant catalysts for growth.

# Bearish Outlook

Bears recommend avoiding the stock because:

  • The CRL for Onpattro has injected uncertainty into Alnylam's ATTR franchise.
  • Regulatory challenges could impact future approvals and market positioning.
  • Revenue shortfalls, albeit slight, indicate potential headwinds.

Analyst Targets

  • BMO Capital Markets: Outperform rating with a price target of $234.00 (Monday, November 13 2023).
  • H.C. Wainwright & Co: Buy rating with a price target of $395.00 (Monday, November 06 2023).
  • Barclays (LON:BARC): Overweight rating with a price target of $236.00 (Friday, November 03 2023).
  • RBC Capital Markets: Outperform rating with a price target of $235.00 (Wednesday, October 11 2023).

In compiling this analysis, we've considered analyst insights from September to November 2023.

InvestingPro Insights

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has been making waves in the biopharmaceuticals industry with its RNAi therapeutics, and the numbers are there to show for it. According to real-time data from InvestingPro, Alnylam boasts a striking revenue growth of 79.37% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2023, showcasing the company's accelerating growth in the biotech space. This is particularly significant given the competitive nature of the industry and the company's focus on rare diseases.

InvestingPro Tips indicate that six analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, reflecting a positive sentiment towards Alnylam's financial trajectory. This aligns with the company's robust guidance for 2023 product revenue and the upcoming trial results that are eagerly awaited by the market. Additionally, it's noteworthy that Alnylam's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, suggesting a solid financial position to weather potential market fluctuations.

While analysts do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year, Alnylam operates with a moderate level of debt and has not been profitable over the last twelve months. Nonetheless, it has delivered a strong return over the last five years, which may be an attractive point for long-term investors.

For readers interested in a deeper dive into Alnylam's financial health and future prospects, InvestingPro offers a comprehensive suite of additional tips. Currently, there are 9 additional InvestingPro Tips available, providing a more nuanced view of the company's performance and potential.

InvestingPro Data also reveals a market capitalization of $20.05 billion USD and a negative P/E ratio, reflecting the company's current lack of profitability. However, the substantial revenue growth figures suggest that Alnylam is expanding its market presence effectively.

As investors consider Alnylam's prospects, it's an opportune time to explore these insights further. With the InvestingPro subscription now on a special Cyber Monday sale with discounts of up to 55%, accessing these valuable tips and metrics has never been more advantageous.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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