Keryx Biopharma upped to Outperform at Ryan Beck; tgt $11 (KERX) 4.62 +0.12: -- Update -- The upgrade from Mkt Perform follows announcement this morning that co has initiated U.S.-based Phase II/III clinical program to evaluate KRX-101 as a possible treatment for diabetic nephropathy (DN), a kidney disorder associated with diabetes that causes protein to leak from the blood stream into the urine and is a precursor to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Firm says it has waited more than two years for this announcement. At an estimated price/patient/year of $1,000-$2,000, Ryan Beck believes DN represents a $3-$6 bln market opportunity for KRX-101, as there are approx 17 mln Americans with diabetes, of which 90-95% (~15.7 mln) have Type II disease and 20% (~3 mln) suffer from DN.
