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Advancements In Genomics And Rare Therapies Will Expand Prospects

Published
21 Mar 25
Updated
07 Nov 25
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AnalystConsensusTarget's Fair Value
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1Y
-39.2%
7D
-11.5%

Author's Valuation

US$84.163.6% undervalued intrinsic discount

AnalystConsensusTarget Fair Value

Last Update 07 Nov 25

Fair value Decreased 2.27%

RARE: Upcoming Study Results Will Drive Future Reward Versus Risk Profile

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical’s consensus analyst price target has decreased from approximately $86 to $75, as analysts cite slightly lighter total revenues, partially offset by robust product performance and reaffirmed profitability guidance.

Analyst Commentary

Analysts provided updated price targets and shared their perspectives on Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical's recent performance, balancing positive revenue highlights with areas of caution regarding growth outlook and valuation.

Bullish Takeaways
  • Bullish analysts maintain a Buy or Overweight rating, reflecting confidence in Ultragenyx's product portfolio and near- to mid-term growth prospects.
  • Revenues from Crysvita in the third quarter surpassed expectations, underpinning optimism about core product performance and execution.
  • Profitability guidance for 2025 and 2027 was reaffirmed, emphasizing management's commitment to a clear path toward achieving key financial milestones.
  • Upcoming clinical study updates, particularly for setrusumab, are viewed as significant potential catalysts. Some major institutions express a positive reward versus risk profile for the shares at current levels.
Bearish Takeaways
  • Bearish analysts highlight that overall total revenues for the quarter came in lighter than anticipated, raising some concerns about the pace of top-line growth.
  • Lowered price targets reflect adjustments for near-term revenue expectations and sector-wide peer group evaluations, which tempers valuation upside.
  • Cautious views persist around the company's pipeline execution risks. Future performance remains tied to upcoming study results and broader market conditions.
  • There is attention to the competitive biotech landscape. Some analysts moderate expectations amid industry-wide volatility and fiscal adjustments in target forecasts.

What's in the News

  • Ultragenyx reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2025, projecting total revenue in the range of $640 million to $670 million. This represents expected growth of approximately 14-20% compared to 2024 (Key Developments).
  • The company announced that the first patient has been dosed in the global Aurora study evaluating GTX-102 (apazunersen) for Angelman syndrome. The study expands the treated patient population and includes multiple genotypes and age groups (Key Developments).
  • Enrollment for the Phase 3 Aspire study of GTX-102 in Angelman syndrome patients aged 4 to 17 was completed ahead of plan. Data from the study are expected in the second half of 2026 (Key Developments).
  • Ultragenyx reported positive longer-term results from its Phase 3 study of DTX401 gene therapy for glycogen storage disease type Ia. The results showed significant and sustained reductions in daily cornstarch intake with an acceptable safety profile (Key Developments).
  • The company has initiated a rolling submission of its Biologics License Application to the FDA for DTX401 and aims to finalize the application by the end of 2025 (Key Developments).

Valuation Changes

  • Fair Value: Decreased modestly from $86.05 to $84.10 per share.
  • Discount Rate: Increased slightly from 7.09% to 7.45%, reflecting higher perceived risk or market adjustments.
  • Revenue Growth: Projected to rise marginally, from 31.98% to 32.49%.
  • Net Profit Margin: Improved significantly from 3.34% to 9.78%, indicating expectations for stronger profitability.
  • Future P/E: Declined sharply from 243.6x to 79.3x, suggesting analyst expectations for increased earnings relative to share price.

Key Takeaways

  • Expansion of the rare disease market and favorable regulatory environment are driving strong revenue growth and pricing power for Ultragenyx's therapies.
  • Advancing late-stage pipeline, successful product launches, and gene therapy innovation position the company for diversified growth and improved profitability.
  • Ongoing losses, regulatory setbacks, pricing pressures, industry competition, and reliance on key launches and vouchers threaten revenue growth, profitability, and financial stability.

Catalysts

About Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical
    A biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the identification, acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel products for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare genetic diseases in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific.
What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
  • The accelerating global identification and diagnosis of rare diseases, supported by advancements in genomics and genetic testing, are expanding the addressable patient pool for Ultragenyx's existing and future therapies, which should drive sustained long-term revenue growth.
  • Healthcare payers and regulatory agencies are increasingly recognizing the value of orphan drugs, as evidenced by faster development timelines (FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for GTX-102) and ongoing pricing/reimbursement wins in regions like Latin America and EMEA, supporting robust revenue streams and pricing power over the next several years.
  • Ultragenyx's clinical pipeline is advancing with five Phase III programs (including UX143 and GTX-102), multiple BLA submissions expected in the coming quarters, and near-term Phase III data readouts (notably for UX143 in OI by year-end and GTX-102 in Angelman syndrome in 2026) serving as upcoming value inflection points that can diversify and significantly accelerate the company's revenue base.
  • Commercial execution remains strong, with ongoing double-digit top-line growth (20% YoY revenue increase in 1H25) across a diversified, globally expanding portfolio, while new product launches (Evkeeza, continued Crysvita growth, and Dojolvi expansion) and new payer agreements in large international markets are expected to further scale revenues and improve operating leverage.
  • Ongoing investment and leadership in gene therapy and mRNA modalities positions Ultragenyx to benefit from process technology improvements that enable scalable, lower-cost manufacturing of complex biologics, offering the prospect of higher long-term margins and improving the company's path to profitability (targeted for GAAP break-even in 2027).

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Earnings and Revenue Growth

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Future Earnings and Revenue Growth

Assumptions

How have these above catalysts been quantified?
  • Analysts are assuming Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical's revenue will grow by 32.0% annually over the next 3 years.
  • Analysts assume that profit margins will increase from -87.3% today to 3.3% in 3 years time.
  • Analysts expect earnings to reach $46.9 million (and earnings per share of $0.4) by about September 2028, up from $-532.9 million today. However, there is a considerable amount of disagreement amongst the analysts with the most bullish expecting $227.4 million in earnings, and the most bearish expecting $-438 million.
  • In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 243.6x on those 2028 earnings, up from -5.7x today. This future PE is greater than the current PE for the US Biotechs industry at 15.5x.
  • Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to grow by 4.25% per year for the next 3 years.
  • To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 7.09%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Risks

What could happen that would invalidate this narrative?
  • Persistent lack of profitability and a high cash burn rate-Ultragenyx reported a net loss of $115 million in Q2 2025 and expects net cash used in operations to increase in 2025, risking dilution or financial strain if revenue ramp-up and cost control do not materialize, which would negatively impact future earnings and margins.
  • Heavy reliance on regulatory success for pipeline assets (e.g., UX111 and DTX401)-recent delays due to a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA and CMC issues highlight vulnerability to further regulatory or operational setbacks, which could result in unpredictable or declining revenue streams.
  • Increasing pricing and reimbursement pressure-commercial performance relies on navigating country-by-country pricing negotiations and payer approval, with acknowledgments of "lumpiness" and risk of future tighter restrictions from governments or payors, potentially constraining long-term topline revenue growth.
  • Intensifying industry competition and technological disruption-rising competition in the rare disease and gene therapy space (including gene-editing and CRISPR technologies) alongside the risk that new modalities could outpace existing Ultragenyx treatments, posing threats to revenue sustainability and gross margin stability.
  • Dependence on Priority Review Vouchers (PRVs) and successful launches for achieving future profitability-company guidance assumes receipt and monetization of multiple PRVs, but timing and regulatory reauthorization risks around the PRV program or launch execution shortfalls could delay or reduce anticipated cash inflows, impacting liquidity and earnings targets.

Valuation

How have all the factors above been brought together to estimate a fair value?
  • The analysts have a consensus price target of $86.05 for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $128.0, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $34.0.
  • In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be $1.4 billion, earnings will come to $46.9 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 243.6x, assuming you use a discount rate of 7.1%.
  • Given the current share price of $31.55, the analyst price target of $86.05 is 63.3% higher.
  • We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.

How well do narratives help inform your perspective?

Disclaimer

AnalystConsensusTarget is a tool utilizing a Large Language Model (LLM) that ingests data on consensus price targets, forecasted revenue and earnings figures, as well as the transcripts of earnings calls to produce qualitative analysis. The narratives produced by AnalystConsensusTarget are general in nature and are based solely on analyst data and publicly-available material published by the respective companies. These scenarios are not indicative of the company's future performance and are exploratory in nature. Simply Wall St has no position in the company(s) mentioned. Simply Wall St may provide the securities issuer or related entities with website advertising services for a fee, on an arm's length basis. These relationships have no impact on the way we conduct our business, the content we host, or how our content is served to users. The price targets and estimates used are consensus data, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and they do not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that AnalystConsensusTarget's analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

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