VECT - VectivBio initiated at buy at Jefferies on promise for intestinal disease candidate

• Jefferies has initiated VectivBio ( NASDAQ: VECT ) with a buy saying that its GLP2 candidate apraglutide "could revolutionize short bowel syndrome-intestinal failure (SBS- IF) by achieving/accelerating independence from IV nutrition."
• The firm has an $18 price target (115% upside based on Monday's close).
• Analyst Chris Howerton noted that data so far indicates that apraglutide has "outsized efficacy" over other GLP2 analogs "in a population previously considered unreachable."
• He said that the only approved drug for the condition, Takeda Pharmaceutical's ( TAK ) Gattex (teduglutide) requires daily injections and modest quality of life improvements Apraglutide, however, is only given once a week and has shown superior efficacy.
• Howerton gives the candidate a 60% probability of success with risk-adjusted peak sales of $750M.

• Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating gives VectivBio ( VECT ) a hold rating with strong marks for momentum and growth .

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