Fulcrum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:FULC) shares are up on Thursday as the company faces significant challenges following its decision to discontinue pociredir, its lead experimental drug for sickle cell disease.



The stock was down in a volatile premarket trading session.



<h2>Blood Disorder Drug Program Halted</h2>



Fulcrum Therapeutics on Monday said it halted the development of pociredir due to concerns from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its benefit-risk profile, particularly after observing malignancy risks associated with another drug targeting the same pathway.



<div>




Read Also:

What's Going On With Fulcrum Therapeutics Stock Tuesday?




</div>


In May, Fulcrum received meeting minutes from recent end-of-phase interactions with the FDA.



The minutes reflected heightened FDA concerns regarding pociredir’s benefit-risk profile in SCD, stemming from an unexpectedly high rate of secondary hematologic malignancies observed with Tazverik (tazemetostat), another PRC2 inhibitor, which was withdrawn from the global market in March 2026.



<h2>Mechanistic Differences Between Drug Targets</h2>



Fulcrum submitted information to the FDA supporting the position that mechanistic differences between EED (pociredir’s target) and EZH2 (tazemetostat’s target), which perform different biological roles, were relevant to the benefit-risk assessment.



FDA considered this position but concluded that any pharmacological intervention targeting the PRC2 complex carries equivalent malignancy risk regardless of the specific subunit engaged.



FDA’s position is informed by pociredir’s previously disclosed preclinical malignancy observations, and left no viable regulatory path forward for further clinical development of pociredir.



<h2>Fulcrum’s Strategic Review To Evaluate Alternatives</h2>



The company is also launching a strategic review process to explore options that may include a merger or acquisition to maximize shareholder value.



<h2>FULC Technical Outlook: Bearish Trend And Key Levels</h2>



The stock’s current price of $3.17 is significantly below its moving averages, with the 20-day simple moving average (SMA) at $6.38, indicating a bearish trend.



The Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently sits at 20.43, suggesting that the stock is oversold, which may indicate potential for a rebound if buying interest returns.



Additionally, the 50-day SMA is at $7.08, placing the stock 55.1% below this level, further confirming the bearish sentiment.



Key Resistance: $6.38 — This level represents the 20-day SMA, which has historically acted as a significant barrier for upward price movement. Key Support: $2.83 — This level is close to the 52-week low, providing a critical floor for the stock’s price.



Analyst Consensus &amp; Recent Actions: The stock carries a Hold rating with an average price target of $8.67. Recent analyst moves include:



<ul>
<li>JP Morgan: Downgraded to Underweight (June 3)</li>



<li>Stifel: Downgraded to Hold (Lowers Target to $3.00) (June 2)</li>



<li>Piper Sandler: Downgraded to Underweight (Lowers Target to $3.00) (June 2)</li>
</ul>



FULC Price Action: Fulcrum Therapeutics shares were up 2.17% at $3.29 at the time of publication on Thursday. The stock is near its 52-week low of $2.83, according to Benzinga Pro data.



Photo: Faces Portrait/Shutterstock

FULC

Fulcrum Therapeutics halted development of its lead drug pociredir due to FDA concerns over malignancy risks associated with the PRC2 pathway. Consequently, the company has initiated a strategic review to explore options such as mergers or acquisitions. Despite the negative news, shares rose slightly on Thursday amid bearish technical trends and recent analyst downgrades.

benzinga_article

Fulcrum Therapeutics

JPMorgan Chase

Stifel Financial

Piper Sandler Cos

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 4.20% DEP SHS REPSTG 1/400TH PFD SER MM

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 6%NON CUM DEP SHS REP 1/400TH PFD SER EE

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. DEP REP 1/400TH (5.75% NON CUM PFD DD)

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 4.625% DEP SH RE 1/400TH INT NO CU PF LL

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 4.55% DEP SHS REPSTG 1/400TH PFD SER JJ

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. 4.75 DEP SHS REP 1/400 NCUM PFD SR GG

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP 6.125% DEP SHS REP 1/1000 NON CU PF SR C

Stifel Financial Pref Share SFB 5.2 10/15/47

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP 6.25%NON CUM DEP SHS REP 1/1000TH SER B

STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP 4.50% DEP SHS REP 1/1000TH PREF SHS SR D

What's Going On With Fulcrum Therapeutics Stock On Thursday?