NASDAQ:LIFE   aTyr Pharma, Inc.
Ahealthy immune system is like Goldilocks’s pudding where if it is too active, then the immune system attacks healthy tissue causing an autoimmune disease, while if it is not that active, then a simple cold could be fatal. The immune system has to be just right to combat diseases without harming healthy tissue and immuno-oncology biotech companies are looking to modulate the human immune system to combat cancer. That said, aTyr Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIFE) discovered a way to utilize immuno-modulating technology in order to keep autoimmune diseases in check. Since this discovery has unprecedented implications in the field of medicine and could result in the monopolization of the autoimmune market, LIFE stock could be one to hold onto for the long term in anticipation of more data on its treatment.

LIFE Fundamentals

Potential To Monopolize The Market

As a biotech company, LIFE is in an extremely unique position since it is currently utilizing efzofitimod which is an immuno-modulator to combat Pulmonary Sarcoidosis – an autoimmune disease. Usually, immuno-modulators are used in the field of oncology which is why LIFE’s ability to use immuno-modulating tech to treat autoimmune diseases is unique and promising. With this in mind, LIFE stock was given a price target of $35 which shows that if the company’s treatment is approved by the FDA, it would unlock significant value for the company.

Most of the coverage surrounding LIFE stock fails to encapsulate the significance of efzofitimod as a treatment for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Generally, there are no approved treatments for autoimmune immune diseases and there are no cures. Autoimmune treatments usually consist of anti-inflammatory medications and steroids which fail to address the central issue – the immune system – making efzofitimod unique in that it is an immuno-modulator that combats autoimmune diseases.

If efzofitimod is approved by the FDA, LIFE could utilize its discoveries to create a market for autoimmune disease treatments which is in high demand since one in ten people have an autoimmune disease.

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Treatment

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy lung tissue causing significant scarring referred to as fibrosis which decreases quality of life and may cause complications that result in death. LIFE’s efzofitimod is the second closest pulmonary sarcoidosis treatment to market release, however, it is the only one that utilizes immuno-modulating technology which gives it an edge over its competitors since it modulates the immune system as opposed to simply suppressing it.

LIFE’s phase 3 trial concerning efzofitimod for pulmonary sarcoidosis treatment is expected to conclude in January 2025. As is, efzofitimod stands a decent chance of passing considering its phase 1b-2a results since 58% of patients in the 5 mg group were able to decrease their steroid use, and 33% stopped taking steroids altogether due to drastic improvements in quality of life. Moreover, 3.3% of the patients in the trial recorded improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) which is the amount of air one can inhale. Overall, all these margins are significant which is extremely promising for efzofitimod chances of being approved by the FDA. In that case, LIFE would be able to monopolize the pulmonary sarcoidosis treatment market – providing it with the freedom to price its treatment which could allow it to become profitable.

With this in mind, less than 200,000 people are diagnosed with sarcoidosis a year which makes it a rare disease, however, despite its rarity, demand for an FDA-approved treatment is high. The reason for this high demand is that there are only two approved FDA treatments for sarcoidosis prednisone and ACTHAR gel, so if efzofitimod is approved by the FDA, it is not likely to witness any shortage in demand. Based on this, LIFE stock could be a bargain at current levels since efzofitimod provides it with significant value if approved.

LIFE Financials

According to its Q1 2023 report, LIFE’s assets increased QoQ from $95.7 million to $136 million. This increase was mostly due to an increase in available for sale investments from $56.1 million to $93.6 million and cash on hand more than doubling from $9.9 million to $20.6 million. Liabilities, on the other hand, decreased slightly from $13.8 million to $13.6 million.

LIFE’s operating expenses increased YoY from $13.3 million to $13.7 million. Meanwhile, net loss decreased from $12.1 million to $11.9 million. Overall LIFE’s finances seem to be promising since assets are increasing, liabilities are decreasing, and its operating expenses remained relatively unchained.

Technical Analysis

LIFE stock is in neutral trend trading in a sideways channel between its support at $2.26, and its resistance at $2.57. Looking at the indicators, LIFE is trading above the 200 and 21 MAs, however, it is trading below the 50 MA. Meanwhile, the RSI is neutral at 50 and the MACD is approaching a bearish crossover.

As for the fundamentals, LIFE is entering uncharted medical territory by utilizing immuno-modulating treatments to combat autoimmune diseases. Its efzofitimod treatment is showing promising results, and due to its groundwork, LIFE may monopolize the market for autoimmune diseases. Given the company’s long-term potential, the current PPS could be a good entry into the stock especially since it is trading near support.

LIFE Forecast

LIFE is on the verge of charting a new frontier as its use of immuno-modulating technology in combating autoimmune diseases is groundbreaking work. If efzofitimod is approved by the FDA, LIFE might get a decent shot at developing and monopolizing a market for autoimmune treatments. In this way, LIFE stock may reach its price target of $35 which is a substantial increase from its current PPS.

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