Akebia target upped by Piper

Piper incrementally positive on Akebia shares, ups target to $22. Piper Jaffray analyst Christopher Raymond is incrementally positive on shares of Akebia Therapeutics after new nephrologist survey data indicated that Auryxia “has not just turned a corner, but is really on quite a roll, both in terms of the drug’s perception and its market share dynamics.” With the stock down 4% since before last month’s merger announcement with Keryx (KERX), Raymond sees a “significant opportunity” to own Akebia before the drug’s near-term share gains and the “real potential of a nephrology powerhouse with both Auryxia and vadadustat, become more apparent.” He raised his price target for the shares to $22 from $20 and keeps an Overweight rating on the name

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