FBR Upgrades Keryx Biopharma To Outperform, Sees Meaningful Auryxia Sales & Potential Label Expansion

FBR’s Christopher S. James upgraded the rating for Keryx Biopharmaceuticals KERX from Market Perform to Outperform, with a price target of $10.

The company reported a higher-than-expected 4Q loss per share of $0.36, due to interest expenses related to the amortization of convertible debt. Keryx Biopharma announced that the prescription volume for Auryxia [ferric citrate] grew approximately 46 percent during the quarter and was driven by growth in non-IMS channels.

Analyst Christopher James expects the company to execute the European strategy for Fexeric [ferric citrate] through a series of regional partnerships and not a Pan-European partnership. He added, “We believe 2016 will be a year of meaningful Auryxia sales and remain focused on potential label expansion.”

The readout of data from the Phase III study in iron deficiency anemia [IDA] patients is expected in early 2Q16 with a potential regulatory filing in 3Q16. The EPS estimates for the current FY and the next FY have been reduced from ($0.66) to ($0.81) and from ($0.04) and ($0.31), respectively.