- Alkermes plc (NASDAQ: ALKS)'s drug ALKS7290 demonstrated significant efficacy in a Phase 1b study for ADHD treatment, showing a 14- to 19-point improvement on a 54-point rating scale in just two weeks.
- This positive clinical trial result surpasses typical placebo improvements, which usually range from 6 to 14 points over a much longer period.
- Analyst firms like Cowen & Co. and RBC Capital Markets have issued positive ratings and "impressive" assessments, leading to a 2.30% stock increase for Alkermes.
Alkermes plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on creating medicines for central nervous system disorders. It develops treatments for conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. The company operates in a competitive field, often against larger pharmaceutical firms developing similar therapies for the brain.
On September 21, 2026, analyst firm Cowen & Co. confirmed its "Buy" rating for Alkermes. At the time of the rating, the stock price was $43.69. The firm noted the company is showing "important initial validation beyond sleep disorders," suggesting its drug pipeline has potential in new areas.
This validation stems from positive results for Alkermes's drug, ALKS7290. The drug is an orexin 2 receptor agonist, which means it works by activating a brain chemical involved in wakefulness. It is being tested as a new treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In a Phase 1b study, patients with ADHD showed a 14- to 19-point improvement on a 54-point rating scale after only two weeks. This result is significant when compared to typical placebo improvements of 6 to 14 points, which are usually seen over a much longer six-to-eight-week period.
This positive outlook is shared by others. RBC Capital Markets called the early results "impressive," as highlighted by Investors Business Daily. Following the news, Alkermes stock rose to $44.39, an increase of 2.30%, on a trading volume of about 1.32 million shares.
