JMP Says Forgotten Spruce Biosciences Could Draw Attention In 2023

JMP Securities initiated coverage on Spruce Biosciences, Inc. SPRB with a Market Outperform and a price target of $8.
The company's lead asset tildacerfont – a CRF1 receptor antagonist – could be a paradigm-changing therapeutic for the 20-30K adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients in the U.S.
CAH is a rare autosomal recessive disease, resulting in reduced cortisol production.
Tildacerfont has completed two Phase 2a trials showing proof of concept via reductions in disease biomarkers and a clean safety profile.
The company has designed its late-stage trials - CAHmelia-203 and -204 to focus on distinct patient populations, potentially improving the probability of success.
Recently, the company announced that CAHmelia-203 is approaching 50% enrollment, and CAHmelia-204 surpassed 25%.
Data from ‘203 are coming in 2H 2023, possibly derisking for ‘204 data slated for 2H 2024.
SPRB has also started a Phase 2 trial for pediatric CAH, reinforcing analysts' confidence in tildacerfont's safety profile, with initial data in 1H 2023.
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $90.4 million at the end of Q3.
Price Action: SPRB shares are up 15.24% at $1.21 on the last check Wednesday.

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