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Advancements In Genomics And Rare Therapies Will Expand Prospects

Published
21 Mar 25
Updated
23 Nov 25
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AnalystConsensusTarget's Fair Value
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1Y
-27.0%
7D
3.5%

Author's Valuation

US$83.458.3% undervalued intrinsic discount

AnalystConsensusTarget Fair Value

Last Update 23 Nov 25

Fair value Decreased 0.83%

RARE: Upcoming Study Data Will Drive Risk Reward Into 2027 Profitability

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical's analyst price target has been revised downward by analysts, dropping from $84.10 to $83.40. This change reflects recent updates to revenue outlooks and profit margin expectations following lighter-than-anticipated quarterly revenues and sector-wide target adjustments.

Analyst Commentary

Recent Street research on Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical has highlighted both opportunities and challenges the company faces following its latest quarterly performance and sector-wide target reviews.

Bullish Takeaways

  • Bullish analysts reaffirmed their positive outlook on Ultragenyx's mid- and long-term guidance, with particular confidence in the company's pathway to profitability by fiscal year 2027.
  • Recent performance of key products, including Crysvita and Dojolvi, met or exceeded quarterly expectations, supporting continued confidence in revenue drivers.
  • Upcoming clinical study updates for setrusumab, particularly in the ORBIT and COSMIC studies, are seen as significant catalysts. Major institutions highlight a favorable risk-reward profile at current share price levels.
  • Maintained Buy and Overweight ratings from several analysts reflect enduring optimism in Ultragenyx's growth trajectory and execution capability, despite some revenue headwinds.

Bearish Takeaways

  • Bearish analysts have lowered price targets due to lighter-than-expected total revenues, signaling uncertainty over near-term execution and commercial momentum.
  • Recent target adjustments across multiple firms suggest broader sector caution and possible challenges in achieving aggressive top-line growth estimates.
  • While key products performed well, total revenues lagged. This raises concerns about the company's ability to consistently deliver on revenue expectations in upcoming quarters.
  • The extent of upside from new therapies remains subject to successful clinical outcomes and subsequent market adoption. This carries inherent risk and could impact valuation if not achieved.

What's in the News

  • Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2025, projecting total revenue between $640 million and $670 million. This represents an estimated 14-20% growth over 2024. (Key Developments)
  • The first patient has been dosed in the global Aurora study of GTX-102 (apazunersen), expanding clinical trials to include a broader Angelman syndrome patient population and regions not covered in previous studies. (Key Developments)
  • Enrollment for the global Phase 3 Aspire study of GTX-102 in Angelman syndrome was completed ahead of schedule. Data is expected in the second half of 2026. (Key Developments)
  • Ultragenyx announced positive longer-term Phase 3 results for DTX401 gene therapy in glycogen storage disease type Ia. Results showed sustained reductions in daily cornstarch intake and improved glycemic control through 96 weeks, with an acceptable safety profile. (Key Developments)

Valuation Changes

  • Consensus Analyst Price Target has decreased moderately from $84.10 to $83.40. This reflects recent adjustments in analyst expectations.
  • Discount Rate has risen slightly, increasing from 7.45% to 7.46%. This change indicates a marginal increase in perceived investment risk.
  • Revenue Growth projections have fallen modestly, moving from 32.49% to 31.88%.
  • Net Profit Margin estimate has dropped significantly, declining from 9.78% to 5.65%. This suggests a more cautious outlook on future profitability.
  • Future P/E ratio has increased sharply, rising from 79.3x to 136.8x. This reflects reduced earnings expectations relative to Ultragenyx’s 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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