Shattuck Labs Surges After Analyst Upgrade on IBD Drug Confidence
HC Wainwright initiates a 'Buy' rating and a $6 price target, citing potential in the company's next-generation therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.
Shares of Shattuck Labs (NASDAQ: STTK) surged in morning trading after HC Wainwright upgraded the clinical-stage biotechnology firm to a 'Buy' from 'Neutral,' setting a new price target of $6.00. The analyst's renewed confidence is anchored in the potential of Shattuck's lead autoimmune drug candidate, SL-325, for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The Austin-based company's stock jumped nearly 15% to $2.41 following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism in the wake of the bullish analyst note. The $6 price target suggests a potential upside of more than double the stock's current trading level, signaling a significant shift in outlook for the biotech's pipeline.
Shattuck Labs is focused on developing therapies for cancer and autoimmune conditions, with its proprietary technology platforms at the core of its research. The upgrade from HC Wainwright places a spotlight on SL-325, a novel DR3 antagonist antibody. The company is developing the therapy to address the underlying causes of IBD, a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive tract that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
This vote of confidence follows a series of key developments for the company. In August 2025, Shattuck announced it had received clearance for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for SL-325, allowing it to proceed with human trials. The company subsequently initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers during the third quarter of 2025.
Fueling its clinical ambitions, Shattuck also secured up to $103 million through a private placement in August, a strategic financing move expected to extend its operational runway into 2029. This capital infusion provides the necessary resources to advance SL-325 through multiple clinical milestones, including a planned Phase 2 trial in patients with IBD.
With a market capitalization of approximately $133 million, Shattuck is a smaller player in the competitive biopharmaceutical landscape. However, the upgraded rating suggests that its specialized approach is gaining traction. According to data from TipRanks, the consensus among analysts covering the stock is a 'Moderate Buy,' though the HC Wainwright target is now the most optimistic on Wall Street. The average analyst price target sits at a more conservative $3.00.
For investors, the story of Shattuck Labs now revolves around clinical execution. The progress of the SL-325 Phase 1 trial and the subsequent data readouts will be critical catalysts for the company. With funding secured and a fresh endorsement from analysts, the focus will be entirely on proving the therapeutic potential of its pipeline in the clinic.