Needham Upgrades Sarepta, Says Stock Underalued Even In Conservative Case

Needham's Chad Messer raised Sarepta

from Hold to Buy Tuesday morning, also setting a new $36 price target on the stock. Messer sees Sarepta's Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment dirsapersen as being ultimately approved, but warned a Phase 3 study may be needed before the company can file a new drug application with the FDA. Earlier this month, Prosensa

stated that data supports earlier and longer treatment with DMD drugs which, upon approval of dirsapersen, could provide future gains for Sarepta shares. The stock surged 40 percent on that trading session; Prosensa shares surged almost 25 percent on the same day. Sarepta shares are currently trading at $28.05, up approximately 5 percent for the day. Messer's new price target implies potential upside of about 28 percent.