SAN FRANCISCO - 89bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:ETNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Dr. Charles McWherter to its Board of Directors, effective as of July 30, 2024.
Dr. McWherter, who has a storied career in drug development, brings his expertise to 89bio at a critical juncture as the company advances its Phase 3 trials for non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), as well as severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG).
The CEO of 89bio, Rohan Palekar, expressed enthusiasm for Dr. McWherter's addition to the board, citing his valuable knowledge in liver inflammation and fibrosis. Dr. McWherter's background includes a recent tenure as Chief Scientific Officer and President of Research and Development at CymaBay Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CBAY), which was acquired by Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) in March 2024. His career also spans significant positions at Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Sugen Inc., highlighting his extensive experience in cardiovascular and oncology research.
Dr. McWherter's appointment coincides with 89bio's ongoing Phase 3 studies for its lead candidate, pegozafermin, which is being investigated as a potential treatment for MASH and SHTG. Pegozafermin is a specifically engineered fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analog designed to optimize biological activity and extend half-life.
In his statement, Dr. McWherter expressed honor in joining 89bio's board during a promising phase, noting the potential of pegozafermin as a leading treatment option for MASH, based on its demonstrated benefits in fibrosis reduction and metabolic improvement. He looks forward to contributing to the strategic goals and supporting the growth of the company.
This appointment comes as 89bio continues to focus on the development of therapies for patients with liver and cardiometabolic diseases. The company's dedication to advancing treatment options is underscored by its commitment to the clinical development of pegozafermin.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement from 89bio.
In other recent news, 89bio Inc . has been the subject of several analyst revisions. UBS maintained a Buy rating on the company, keeping its price target steady at $25. This followed the presentation of full results for survodutide, a GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist, at the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the release of a publication in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Despite concerns about potential cardiac safety risks, UBS expressed confidence in the launch uptake of Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MDGL)' Rezdiffra, which is expected to benefit 89bio as well.
Evercore ISI reduced 89bio's price target to $33 due to projected expenses, while maintaining an Outperform rating. This revision comes as 89bio advances with Phase 3 clinical studies for Pegozafermin, a treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. RBC Capital Markets also adjusted its outlook on 89bio, lowering the price target to $13 due to model adjustments, but maintaining its Sector Perform rating.
H.C. Wainwright lowered its price target for 89bio to $29, but sustained a Buy rating. This followed the company's announcement of its plan to initiate the ENLIGHTEN-Cirrhosis Phase 3 trial. These are recent developments that highlight the ongoing analyst attention and adjustments related to 89bio's progress.
InvestingPro Insights
As 89bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:ETNB) fortifies its board with the expertise of Dr. Charles McWherter, investors may be keen to understand the company's financial health and market performance. Here are some key InvestingPro data metrics and tips that shed light on the current standing of 89bio in the market:
InvestingPro Data:
- The market capitalization of 89bio stands at $876.6 million, reflecting the company's size and valuation in the industry.
- With a negative Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of -4.33, and an adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 at -5.1, the company's earnings are currently not covering its share price, which is common for many clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies.
- The company has experienced a significant one-month price total return of 18.48%, indicating a strong recent performance in the market.
InvestingPro Tips:
- 89bio is noted to be quickly burning through its cash reserves, which is a critical factor for investors to consider, especially as the company is in the midst of advancing Phase 3 trials for its lead candidate, pegozafermin.
- Analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, and they do not anticipate the company to be profitable this year. This insight aligns with the company's strategic focus on research and development, which often requires substantial investment before reaching profitability.
These InvestingPro Tips highlight the importance of considering both the potential and the risks associated with investing in 89bio. For more in-depth analysis, there are additional tips listed on InvestingPro's platform, which can provide further guidance to investors looking to make informed decisions about their investments in 89bio.
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