Oppenheimer Predicts Up to ~840% Surge for These 2 ‘Strong Buy’ Stocks

In a sector where innovation often outpaces valuation, two biotechnology stocks have caught the eye of Oppenheimer & Co. analysts, who see potential for eye-popping returns. Quince Therapeutics (QNCX) and Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT) are positioned for transformative catalysts in the next 12–18 months, with upside targets that defy conventional market expectations. But behind the numbers lies a story of cutting-edge science, regulatory hurdles, and the high-stakes race to treat rare diseases.

Quince Therapeutics (QNCX): Riding the Wave of Rare Disease Innovation

Quince’s eDSP therapy—a novel formulation of dexamethasone delivered via its proprietary AIDE (Autologous Intracellular Drug Encapsulation) technology—is at the heart of its valuation. Unlike traditional steroids, eDSP is encapsulated in patients’ red blood cells, aiming to minimize adrenal suppression while combating inflammation. The therapy is currently in a Phase 3 NEAT trial for ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), a rare genetic disorder affecting roughly 500 children in the U.S.

With 61 of 106 patients enrolled as of the Oppenheimer report and topline results expected in Q4 2025, the clock is ticking. Analyst Leland Gershell envisions a $10 price target (up from ~$1.06), implying an 840% upside, citing a $200 million U.S. sales forecast by 2031 and durable exclusivity through Quince’s platform. The A-T market alone could hit $1 billion globally, but the true catalyst is the NEAT trial’s outcome.

Critically, Quince’s pipeline extends beyond A-T. A Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is planned for late 2024, opening another high-value door. Yet the stock’s success hinges on execution: a failed NEAT trial could erase its premium valuation.

Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT): Navigating Controversy in Gene Therapy

Sarepta’s Elevidys, the first FDA-approved gene therapy for DMD, has been a double-edged sword. While $658 million in Q4 2024 revenue (up 66% year-over-year) underscores its commercial potential, a patient death linked to acute liver failure in March 2024 triggered an EMA pause on trials and a stock selloff.

Analyst Andreas Argyrides remains bullish, assigning a $184 price target (up from ~$63.51), arguing that Elevidys’s benefit-risk profile remains favorable. Sarepta’s collaboration with Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals—adding seven programs, including therapies for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1)—bolsters its pipeline. A potential expanded label for younger DMD patients (<4 years old) and $500 million in share buybacks could further stabilize the stock.

Yet risks loom large. Regulatory scrutiny over Elevidys’s safety could delay approvals, and competition in DMD—from Roche’s SRP-9001 to Novartis’s Zolgensma—remains fierce. Sarepta’s success depends on balancing innovation with risk mitigation.

Catalysts and Risks: 2025–2026 Will Be Defining Years

• QNCX’s NEAT trial (Q4 2025) is a binary event: positive results could unlock a $10 billion market cap, while failure might send shares plummeting.
• Sarepta’s EMA reinstatement for Elevidys trials and data from its Phase 1/2 trial for DM1 (expected in 2025) are critical near-term milestones.
• Both companies face execution risks, including manufacturing scalability, pricing negotiations with insurers, and competitive dynamics.

Conclusion: High Risk, Higher Reward in Biotech’s Final Frontier

Oppenheimer’s 840% upside call for QNCX and 190% target for SRPT reflect the extraordinary potential—and peril—of rare disease therapeutics. For investors willing to stomach volatility, these stocks offer asymmetric payoffs:

• QNCX’s $10 price target is supported by a $200 million sales forecast for eDSP, but hinges on clinical success.
• SRPT’s $184 target assumes Elevidys’s safety profile improves and its pipeline diversifies revenue streams.

With a consensus $6.67 average target for QNCX (529% upside) and $148 for SRPT (133% upside), the market is cautiously optimistic. However, the stakes are existential. Should either company miss its key catalysts, valuations could crater.

For now, the 840% target remains a headline-grabbing outlier, but it underscores a truth in biotech investing: breakthroughs in rare diseases can redefine markets—and portfolios.

Investors should proceed with eyes wide open: the payoff is massive, but the path is lined with scientific and regulatory landmines.