Cerevel's epilepsy, schizophrenia drug candidates look promising- Jefferies

Karuna Therapeutics

24/03/2022 12:50

** Jefferies optimistic about safety and efficacy data on
Cerevel Therapeutics'  CERE.O  schizophrenia and epilepsy
treatments after meetings with the drugmaker
    ** Brokerage says emraclidine's efficacy looks solid and is
in line with rival Karuna Therapeutics'  KRTX.O  developmental
schizophrenia treatment, adds if data from CERE's mid-stage
trials looks good, it may not need a late-stage study to submit
for U.S. approval
    ** The experimental schizophrenia drug is set to be studied
in two mid-stage trials expected to launch in mid-2022
     ** Brokerage, which rates the stock "buy" with a $50 PT,
highlights investors will attempt to read through from
late-stage data on KRTX's schizophrenia drug expected later this
year
    ** Results from a mid-stage study of CERE's drug, darigabat,
among epilepsy patients, may not show the same safety concerns
as in an early-stage stage study testing it for anxiety; results
are expected in H2 2022 - brokerage

 (Reporting by Amruta Khandekar)
 ((Amruta.Khandekar@thomsonreuters.com;))