Altimmune Shares Surge on Promising Trial Results for Liver Disease Treatment

Biotechnology firm Altimmune is witnessing a substantial rally in its share price following the release of impressive mid-stage clinical trial data for its drug candidate, pemvidutide, a treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The 24-week results from the IMPACT Phase 2b study have significantly exceeded market expectations, fueling investor optimism.

Analyst Confidence and Market Reaction

The financial markets have responded swiftly to these developments. Altimmune’s stock posted a notable gain of 14.13% over the past week. This bullish sentiment is echoed by industry analysts. Citizens JMP Securities has reaffirmed its “Market Outperform” rating on the stock, accompanied by a price target of $14.00. Furthermore, six market researchers have revised their earnings projections upward for the upcoming period, with price targets now spanning a range from $1 to $28.

Groundbreaking Data Published in Prestigious Journal

The compelling data underpinning this surge were recently published in the highly respected medical journal, The Lancet. Concurrently, the findings were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the AASLD Liver Meeting® 2025. The results demonstrate a strong efficacy profile:

• Among patients receiving the 1.2 mg dose, 58% achieved MASH resolution, a stark contrast to the 20% observed in the placebo group.
• Treatment with the 1.8 mg dose led to the normalization of liver fat in 44% of patients, compared to just 4% in the placebo cohort.
• Patients undergoing active treatment also experienced a marked reduction in body weight, with decreases of up to 5.8%.

These outcomes indicate a statistically significant achievement of MASH remission without any worsening of liver fibrosis, all while maintaining a favorable tolerability. This positions pemvidutide as a highly promising contender in the MASH therapeutic landscape.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Altimmune?

Corporate Performance and Regulatory Pathway

Altimmune’s recent corporate updates have also contributed to the positive momentum. The company reported unexpectedly strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with revenue soaring to $5,000 against expectations of just $600. The adjusted earnings per share also improved, coming in at -$0.21 versus an anticipated -$0.27.

Attention is now firmly fixed on the critical End-of-Phase-2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), scheduled for the current quarter. This meeting is expected to finalize the design for the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial program, which is likely to incorporate advanced methodologies such as non-invasive testing and AI-assisted biopsy analysis.

The upcoming release of the full 48-week data from the study later this quarter has the potential to provide additional positive catalysts. The regulatory environment appears supportive, as the FDA has already granted pemvidutide Fast Track designation for both MASH and alcohol use disorder, underscoring the significant unmet medical need in these areas.