** Shares of New Zealand's AFT Pharmaceuticals AFT.NZ rise as much as 2.7% to NZ$2.63, their highest level since September 5
** Pharmaceutical firm says sales tracking in line with NZ$300 million ($174.45 million) FY27 revenue target
** Says clinical trial supports potential patient benefits of iron IV development project and an active licensing programme is supporting growth
** About 24,000 shares change hands, 1.7 times the 30-day avg
** Stock down 6.9% YTD, including session's moves
($1 = 1.7197 New Zealand dollars)
(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)
((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com;))