D. Boral says Anavex Alzheimer’s approach superior to Cassava

D. Boral Capital keeps a Buy rating on Anavex Life Sciences (AVXL) with a $46 price target after Cassava Sciences’ (SAVA) Phase 3 trial for simufilam in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease failed to meet its co-primary endpoints, casting doubt on its filamin A-targeting strategy. In contrast, Anavex’s blarcamesine, a sigma-1 receptor agonist, continues to show promise in addressing Alzheimer’s multifaceted pathology, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says the broader neuroprotective mechanism of Anavex positions it as a potentially superior therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease. The failure of Cassava ‘s ReThink-ALZ trial highlights the challenges of addressing Alzheimer’s through a narrow mechanism, contends D. Boral. It notes Anavex’s blarcamesine activates the sigma-1 receptor, a master regulator of cellular stress and mitochondrial function, offering a unique and comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s disease. Shares of Anavex are up 8% to $9.85 in premarket trading while Cassava Sciences is down 84% to $4.36.