Aclaris Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ACRS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on immuno-inflammatory diseases, shared preclinical results from ATI-2138 in a murine model of severe alopecia areata (AA).
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, mostly in small, round patches.
ATI-2138 Outperforms Pfizer’s Drug
In this model of hair loss, ATI-2138 demonstrated rapid, near-complete, and sustained hair regrowth compared to control and Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE:PFE) Litfulo (ritlecitinib).
ATI-2138 and ritlecitinib were assessed using a reversal model of murine alopecia universalis, the most severe AA phenotype. Mice were randomized to control or drug formulated in chow (100 or 300 ppm ATI-2138; 300 ppm ritlecitinib) after hair loss was established. Hair regrowth was assessed at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6.
- Rapid onset of hair regrowth was observed at week 2 in mice receiving 300 ppm ATI-2138 (mean percent hair regrowth of 37%) and reached near peak effect at week 4 (mean percent hair regrowth of 87%) compared to 300 ppm ritlecitinib (25% and 48%, respectively).
- Mice receiving control chow showed no improvement in hair regrowth.
- At week 6, the mean percent hair regrowth was 93% for ATI-2138 (300 ppm) compared to 78% for ritlecitinib (300 ppm). Mice receiving control chow showed no improvement in hair regrowth.
Aclaris is assessing additional indications for ATI-2138, including alopecias, and expects to initiate a Phase 2b trial in the first half of 2026.
In July 2025, Aclaris Therapeutics shared positive top-line results from its open-label Phase 2a trial of ATI-2138.
The trial involved 14 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
The trial achieved its primary and key secondary endpoints, confirming the favorable tolerability profile of ATI-2138.
ACRS Shows Strong Momentum in Stock Performance
The stock is currently trading 22.6% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 53.7% above its 100-day SMA, indicating strong short-term and medium-term momentum. Over the past 12 months, shares have increased by 58.16% and are currently positioned closer to their 52-week highs than lows.
The RSI is at 60.43, which is considered neutral territory, while the MACD is above its signal line, indicating bullish momentum. The combination of neutral RSI and bullish MACD suggests mixed momentum, reflecting a balance between upward potential and caution.
- Key Resistance: $4.50
- Key Support: $3.00
Analyst Consensus & Benzinga Edge Momentum:
The stock carries a Buy Rating with an average price target of $10.73. Recent analyst moves include:
- HC Wainwright & Co.: Buy (Maintains Target to $16).
Below is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Aclaris Therapeutics, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
- Momentum: Strong (Score: 94.52) — Stock is outperforming the broader market.
The Verdict: Aclaris Therapeutics’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a classic ‘High-Flyer’ setup. While the strong momentum score confirms the positive trend, investors should remain cautious of potential volatility as the stock approaches key resistance levels.
ACRS Price Action: Aclaris Therapeutics shares were up 1.44% at $3.88 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo via Shutterstock
Recent Comments