---
title: "Matt Phipps Initiates Buy on Upstream Bio, Citing Favorable FDA Progress and Best-in-Class Potential for Verekitug"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/295578639.md"
description: "William Blair analyst Matt Phipps initiated a Buy rating on Upstream Bio (UPB), citing favorable FDA progress and the best-in-class potential of its drug verekitug. The recommendation is based on orderly end-of-Phase-II interactions supporting a 2027 Phase III start, reducing regulatory uncertainty. Additionally, the strategy for a higher-dose quarterly regimen in asthma and CRSwNP targets superior efficacy within the TSLP inhibitor category. Truist Financial also maintained a Buy rating with a $25 price target."
datetime: "2026-08-11T19:05:21.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/295578639.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/295578639.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/295578639.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Matt Phipps Initiates Buy on Upstream Bio, Citing Favorable FDA Progress and Best-in-Class Potential for Verekitug

William Blair analyst Matt Phipps has maintained their bullish stance on UPB stock, giving a Buy rating today.

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Matt Phipps has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors tied to Upstream Bio’s clinical and regulatory progress. He views the company’s ongoing end-of-Phase-II interactions with the FDA as moving according to plan, supporting the timeline for initiating Phase III trials of verekitug in 2027. This orderly progression reduces regulatory uncertainty and underpins confidence in the development path.

He also highlights Upstream’s strategy to advance a higher-dose, quarterly regimen of verekitug in asthma and CRSwNP, targeting best-in-class efficacy within the TSLP inhibitor category. Physician feedback suggesting that efficacy will be more decisive than marginally longer dosing intervals further strengthens the commercial rationale. Taken together, these elements support an attractive risk-reward profile that, in his view, justifies a Buy recommendation on UPB.

In another report released today, Truist Financial also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $25.00 price target.

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> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**