Praxis Precision Medicines Faces Setbacks After POWER1 Study Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 01 2026
0mins
Praxis Precision Medicines Inc. shares fell 3.44% as the stock hit a 20-day low amid negative market sentiment.
The POWER1 study results revealed that the primary endpoint was not met, although a 50% response rate was observed in the higher dose group. This prompted the company to pause enrollment in the POWER2 study to reassess the vormatrigine program, reflecting a cautious approach to future research directions. Additionally, Wedbush lowered its price target for the stock from $355 to $162, maintaining an Underperform rating due to concerns over clinical development uncertainty.
The implications of these developments suggest that while there is some therapeutic potential for vormatrigine, the failure to meet primary endpoints may hinder investor confidence and impact the company's future growth strategies.
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Analyst Views on PRAX
Wall Street analysts forecast PRAX stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 313.500
Low
95.00
Averages
456.71
High
843.00
Current: 313.500
Low
95.00
Averages
456.71
High
843.00
About PRAX
Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. is an integrated, central nervous system (CNS) precision neuroscience biopharmaceutical company, translating insights from genetic epilepsies into the development of therapies for CNS disorders characterized by neuronal excitation-inhibition imbalance. The Company is applying genetic insights to the discovery and development of therapies for neurological disorders through two platforms. Its platform includes Cerebrum, a small-molecule platform, which utilizes deep understanding of neuronal excitability and neuronal networks and applies a series of computational and experimental tools to develop orally available precision therapies, and Solidus, an antisense oligonucleotide platform, is a targeted precision medicine discovery and development engine anchored on a proprietary, computational methodology. The Company's product candidates include Ulixacaltamide, Vormatrigine, Relutrigine, PRAX-080, Elsunersen, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Short Seller Allegations: Culper Research has accused Tarsus Pharmaceuticals of using questionable practices to boost sales of its sole product, XDEMVY, resulting in a 5% drop in stock price on Wednesday, potentially marking its worst day since April.
- Medicare Copay Scheme: Culper claims Tarsus has funded copay assistance for Medicare patients through the HealthWell Foundation, with donations of $5.7 million in 2023 and an expected $31.2 million in 2024, arguing this violates the Anti-Kickback Statute and poses legal risks.
- Inflated Market Size: Tarsus has touted a 25 million patient opportunity for Demodex blepharitis, but a survey indicates only 18% of patients are diagnosed, leading Culper to estimate a true market size closer to 5 million, with peak annual revenues for XDEMVY projected below $800 million.
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- No Safety Concerns: During the extension, the FDA did not identify any safety or manufacturing issues and did not request new clinical studies, indicating that the existing data is sufficient to continue the review process.
- Positive Clinical Trial Results: In the Phase 2/3 EMBOLD trial, Relutrigine was generally well tolerated and demonstrated reductions in seizures along with behavioral and functional improvements, which further solidified the FDA's acceptance of the NDA for priority review.
- Strong Market Performance: Praxis's stock has traded between $37.19 and $366.52 over the past year, closing at $350.56 on Monday with a 6.95% increase, reflecting investor confidence in the drug's future prospects.
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- No New Studies Required: The extension does not require new studies from Praxis, nor were any safety or manufacturing issues mentioned, indicating the FDA's focus on existing data, which may facilitate a faster approval process.
- Positive Market Reaction: Praxis's performance under FDA Breakthrough Therapy status has garnered market attention, particularly regarding its potential treatment for SCN2A and SCN8A developmental epileptic encephalopathies, which may boost investor confidence.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With other drugs like Ulixacaltamide expected to receive PDUFA in early 2027, Praxis demonstrates ongoing innovation and market potential in the neuroscience sector.
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- No New Clinical Studies Required: The FDA did not request new clinical studies nor raised any safety or manufacturing concerns, suggesting that the existing data is sufficient to support the review process, and Praxis remains confident in the market potential of relutrigine.
- Urgent Patient Need: Praxis is actively preparing to deliver relutrigine to the patient community suffering from SCN2A and SCN8A developmental epileptic encephalopathies, emphasizing the drug's potential to address significant unmet medical needs.
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- Clinical Data Support: Findings from Part A of the EMBRAVE study indicate that patients treated with Elsunersen experienced a 77% reduction in monthly seizure frequency compared to the sham control group, with improvements sustained for up to one year in the open-label extension, demonstrating significant efficacy of the therapy.
- Ongoing Registrational Study: Praxis is continuing enrollment in its EMBRAVE3 registrational trial, which follows a streamlined development pathway agreed upon with the FDA, planning to enroll approximately 30 patients, with all participants receiving Elsunersen for an initial 24-week treatment period followed by a 24-week extension.
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- Breakthrough Therapy Designation: The US FDA has awarded Praxis Precision Medicines (PRAX) Breakthrough Therapy Designation for its seizure drug forelsunersen, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of SCN2A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, which is expected to expedite the clinical development process.
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- Clinical Trial Progress: The pivotal study EMBRAVE3 is currently enrolling patients, demonstrating Praxis's proactive efforts in advancing the clinical trial of the drug, with successful completion potentially leading to significant commercial opportunities for the company.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Praxis showcased its product line at recent healthcare conferences, and despite facing high market expectations for Essential Tremor, its stock price has declined due to setbacks in seizure therapy trials, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding its future prospects.
See More
Tarsus Accused of Market Manipulation by Culper Research
- Short Seller Allegations: Culper Research has accused Tarsus Pharmaceuticals of using questionable practices to boost sales of its sole product, XDEMVY, resulting in a 5% drop in stock price on Wednesday, potentially marking its worst day since April.
- Medicare Copay Scheme: Culper claims Tarsus has funded copay assistance for Medicare patients through the HealthWell Foundation, with donations of $5.7 million in 2023 and an expected $31.2 million in 2024, arguing this violates the Anti-Kickback Statute and poses legal risks.
- Inflated Market Size: Tarsus has touted a 25 million patient opportunity for Demodex blepharitis, but a survey indicates only 18% of patients are diagnosed, leading Culper to estimate a true market size closer to 5 million, with peak annual revenues for XDEMVY projected below $800 million.
- Financial Guidance Downgrade: Culper asserts that Tarsus is likely to miss its 2026 guidance, as analysts have underestimated rising patient assistance and other SG&A costs, which could lead to further declines in stock price in the future.
See More
Praxis Drug Review Period Extended by Three Months
- FDA Review Extension: The FDA has extended the review period for Praxis Precision Medicines' New Drug Application for Relutrigine by three months, moving the target action date from September 27, 2026, to December 27, 2026, due to significant amendments in clinical data sensitivity analyses submitted by the company.
- No Safety Concerns: During the extension, the FDA did not identify any safety or manufacturing issues and did not request new clinical studies, indicating that the existing data is sufficient to continue the review process.
- Positive Clinical Trial Results: In the Phase 2/3 EMBOLD trial, Relutrigine was generally well tolerated and demonstrated reductions in seizures along with behavioral and functional improvements, which further solidified the FDA's acceptance of the NDA for priority review.
- Strong Market Performance: Praxis's stock has traded between $37.19 and $366.52 over the past year, closing at $350.56 on Monday with a 6.95% increase, reflecting investor confidence in the drug's future prospects.
See More
FDA Extends Review Period for Praxis Drug Application
- Review Period Extended: The FDA has extended the review period for Praxis Precision Medicines' application for relutrigine by three months to December 27, due to the submission of additional sensitivity analyses, which the agency considers a 'major amendment.'
- No New Studies Required: The extension does not require new studies from Praxis, nor were any safety or manufacturing issues mentioned, indicating the FDA's focus on existing data, which may facilitate a faster approval process.
- Positive Market Reaction: Praxis's performance under FDA Breakthrough Therapy status has garnered market attention, particularly regarding its potential treatment for SCN2A and SCN8A developmental epileptic encephalopathies, which may boost investor confidence.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: With other drugs like Ulixacaltamide expected to receive PDUFA in early 2027, Praxis demonstrates ongoing innovation and market potential in the neuroscience sector.
See More
FDA Extends Review Period for Praxis Drug Application
- Review Period Extended: The FDA has extended the PDUFA date for Praxis Precision Medicines' relutrigine NDA from September 27, 2026, to December 27, 2026, allowing an additional three months for thorough review, indicating the FDA's significant attention to the drug.
- Supplementary Data Analysis: This extension follows Praxis's submission of additional sensitivity analyses, which the FDA classified as a 'major amendment,' thereby enhancing the credibility of the application based on existing clinical data.
- No New Clinical Studies Required: The FDA did not request new clinical studies nor raised any safety or manufacturing concerns, suggesting that the existing data is sufficient to support the review process, and Praxis remains confident in the market potential of relutrigine.
- Urgent Patient Need: Praxis is actively preparing to deliver relutrigine to the patient community suffering from SCN2A and SCN8A developmental epileptic encephalopathies, emphasizing the drug's potential to address significant unmet medical needs.
See More
Praxis Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Elsunersen
- FDA Breakthrough Designation: Praxis Precision Medicines' Elsunersen has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. FDA for treating seizures associated with SCN2A Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy, based on promising early clinical results, which is expected to expedite the therapy's development timeline.
- Clinical Data Support: Findings from Part A of the EMBRAVE study indicate that patients treated with Elsunersen experienced a 77% reduction in monthly seizure frequency compared to the sham control group, with improvements sustained for up to one year in the open-label extension, demonstrating significant efficacy of the therapy.
- Ongoing Registrational Study: Praxis is continuing enrollment in its EMBRAVE3 registrational trial, which follows a streamlined development pathway agreed upon with the FDA, planning to enroll approximately 30 patients, with all participants receiving Elsunersen for an initial 24-week treatment period followed by a 24-week extension.
- Multiple Regulatory Designations: Elsunersen has received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug, and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations in the U.S., as well as Orphan Drug and PRIME status in Europe, reinforcing its potential to address a significant unmet medical need.
See More
Praxis Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Seizures
- Breakthrough Therapy Designation: The US FDA has awarded Praxis Precision Medicines (PRAX) Breakthrough Therapy Designation for its seizure drug forelsunersen, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of SCN2A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, which is expected to expedite the clinical development process.
- Multiple Drug Status: The asset has already received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug, and Rare Pediatric Disease designations from the FDA, indicating its potential in treating rare diseases, which may attract more investor interest and enhance the company's market value.
- Clinical Trial Progress: The pivotal study EMBRAVE3 is currently enrolling patients, demonstrating Praxis's proactive efforts in advancing the clinical trial of the drug, with successful completion potentially leading to significant commercial opportunities for the company.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Praxis showcased its product line at recent healthcare conferences, and despite facing high market expectations for Essential Tremor, its stock price has declined due to setbacks in seizure therapy trials, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding its future prospects.
See More
