Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA) shares surge 5.04% on FDA approval of NEREUS for motion sickness.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VNDA) shares surged 5.04% in pre-market trading on January 8, 2026, driven by renewed investor optimism following recent regulatory and analytical developments.

The upward momentum stems from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of NEREUS (tradipitant) for motion sickness, the first new therapy in the category in over four decades. Analysts highlighted the drug’s commercial potential, with HC Wainwright upgrading Q1 2026 earnings estimates to ($0.24) per share from ($0.26) and reaffirming a $22.00 price target. Wall Street Zen also upgraded the stock to “Hold” from “Sell” earlier in the week.

Institutional confidence appears to be growing, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Krensavage Asset Management LLC increasing their holdings in Q3 2025. The stock’s 52-week high of $9.60 and recent institutional buying activity suggest continued interest in the biopharmaceutical company’s pipeline, which includes CNS therapies and rare disease treatments.

Despite a recent earnings miss in Q4 2025 and a negative net margin, the FDA approval and revised analyst forecasts have positioned Vanda for potential near-term growth. The stock now trades with a market capitalization of $504.71 million and a beta of 0.60, reflecting its defensive profile amid broader market uncertainty.

Institutional investment trends and evolving regulatory approvals remain key drivers for the company’s future trajectory. Investors are now weighing the long-term sustainability of VNDA’s growth, especially as new drug developments and clinical trials progress in 2026.