BTIG starts Tvardi's coverage with 'buy' as co's drug to reverse lung scarring shows promise

BTIG starts coverage on Tvardi Therapeutics TVRD.O with "buy" rating and $55 PT, 108.7% upside to stock's last close

Brokerage says TVRD is "presumptive first mover" in developing STAT3 inhibitors for fibrotic diseases, targeting previously "undruggable" protein with "highly validated and well-characterized" profile

Fibrotic diseases are type of lung illnesses

Co's lead drug, TTI-101, has potential to be "breakthrough therapy" that can actually reverse these diseases, rather than just slowing their progression, BTIG says

Says early results from clinical trial are "unusually persuasive", with over 50% of patients showing improvement - outcome that is "unlikely without an active therapy"

Upcoming mid-stage trial data expected in 2H25 could be major catalyst for stock, BTIG says

As of last close, stock up 43.5% YTD