Xenon Pharmaceuticals price target lowered to $55 from $58 at RBC Capital
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 13 2025
0mins
Should l Buy XENE?
Analyst's Price Target Adjustment: RBC Capital analyst Brian Abrahams has reduced the price target for Xenon Pharmaceuticals from $58 to $55 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares.
Phase 3 Data Timeline Shift: The company’s phase 3 azetukalner epilepsy data release has been delayed to early 2026, but the firm remains optimistic due to strong phase 2 results and potential revenue opportunities estimated at $1.2 billion.
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Analyst Views on XENE
Wall Street analysts forecast XENE stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 41.620
Low
44.00
Averages
54.09
High
62.00
Current: 41.620
Low
44.00
Averages
54.09
High
62.00
About XENE
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Canada-based neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing therapeutics to improve the lives of people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders. The Company is advancing a novel product pipeline to address areas of high unmet medical need, including epilepsy and depression. Azetukalner, a novel, highly potent, selective Kv7 potassium channel opener, represents the advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of multiple indications that include epilepsy, including focal onset seizures (FOS), and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS), as well as neuropsychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar depression (BPD). The Company is evaluating multiple therapeutic candidates targeting Kv7, Nav1.7, and Nav1.1 across various indications.
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.
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Grants 42,300 Stock Options to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: Xenon Pharmaceuticals grants 42,300 stock options to ten new employees to attract talent and enhance employee loyalty, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
- Option Exercise Price: The options have an exercise price of $40.74 per share, equal to the closing price on January 15, 2026, ensuring employees can benefit financially as the company performs well.
- Vesting Schedule: The granted options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after the first year and the remainder vesting monthly, aimed at incentivizing long-term employee retention and driving company growth.
- Clinical Development Progress: Xenon's lead molecule, azetukalner, is in Phase 3 trials for epilepsy and major depressive disorder, and the incentive plan will help attract more talent to support its research and development efforts.
See More
Biohaven's BHV-7000 Fails Phase 2 Depression Trial, Shares Drop 15.45%
- Clinical Trial Outcome: Biohaven Ltd.'s BHV-7000 failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 trial for major depressive disorder, although favorable trends were noted in some severely depressed subgroups, which may impact future R&D directions.
- Safety Assessment: While BHV-7000 was mostly safe with mild to moderate adverse events largely resolving spontaneously, the lack of significant efficacy signals raises investor concerns about its market prospects.
- Resource Reallocation: The company has decided against further psychiatric clinical trials, opting instead to focus resources on key priority areas such as immunology, obesity, and epilepsy, indicating a strategic shift in focus.
- Market Reaction: Biohaven's shares fell 15.45% to $9.14 in premarket trading on Friday, reflecting negative market sentiment regarding the trial results, with analysts remaining cautious about future regulatory clarity and data outcomes.
See More
Significant Monday Options Trading: MDB, XENE, SNOW
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Options Activity: Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc (XENE) has seen a trading volume of 6,057 options contracts today, equating to about 605,700 underlying shares, which is 79.2% of its average daily trading volume over the past month.
High Volume Put Option for XENE: The $30 strike put option expiring on April 17, 2026, has particularly high activity, with 2,000 contracts traded, representing approximately 200,000 underlying shares.
Snowflake Inc Options Activity: Snowflake Inc (SNOW) has recorded a trading volume of 42,519 options contracts today, amounting to around 4.3 million underlying shares, or 76.1% of its average daily trading volume over the past month.
High Volume Call Option for SNOW: The $250 strike call option expiring on December 12, 2025, has notable trading activity, with 2,265 contracts traded, representing about 226,500 underlying shares.
See More
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports 90.9% Monthly Seizure Frequency Reduction in Long-Term Azetukalner Study
- Significant Efficacy: In the X-TOLE OLE study, participants treated for ≥48 months experienced a 90.9% reduction in monthly seizure frequency, demonstrating azetukalner's exceptional efficacy in long-term use, potentially offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.
- Sustained Freedom Periods: Among participants treated for ≥48 months, 38.2% achieved seizure freedom for ≥12 months, indicating that azetukalner not only helps patients attain seizure freedom but also enables them to regain extended periods of freedom after breakthrough seizures, enhancing its clinical applicability.
- Good Safety Profile: The long-term safety of azetukalner was comparable to that observed during the double-blind period, ensuring patient safety and tolerability during treatment, which further solidifies its market position as an anti-seizure medication.
- Broad Research: Xenon presented multiple studies at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, highlighting the impact of depression on epilepsy patients, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health in this population, which may drive adjustments in future clinical treatment strategies.
See More
Xenon Reports 90.9% Seizure Frequency Reduction in Long-Term Epilepsy Study
- Significant Efficacy: In the X-TOLE open-label extension study, patients treated for ≥48 months experienced a remarkable 90.9% monthly reduction in seizure frequency, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of azetukalner and its potential to reshape epilepsy treatment paradigms.
- Sustained Freedom: Among participants treated for ≥48 months, 38.2% achieved seizure freedom for ≥12 months, indicating the drug's potential in difficult-to-treat epilepsy patients and providing crucial insights for future clinical practice.
- Mental Health Impact: Research revealed that 80.6% of epilepsy patients reported depressive symptoms, underscoring the need for routine depression screening in clinical practice to enhance overall patient quality of life.
- New Drug Development: Early-stage research on Dravet syndrome indicates that XPC-837 may improve motor function, signaling further innovation and development in the epilepsy treatment landscape.
See More
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Grants 39,250 Stock Options to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: On December 4, 2025, Xenon Pharmaceuticals granted 39,250 stock options to five new non-officer employees, aimed at attracting and retaining talent, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Option Details: The options have an exercise price of $44.61 per share, equal to the closing price on the grant date, vesting over four years with 25% vesting after the first year and the remainder vesting monthly, ensuring long-term employee commitment.
- Strategic Implications: By implementing this incentive program, Xenon not only boosts employee loyalty but also attracts top talent in the rapidly evolving neuroscience field, facilitating future innovation and growth.
- Clinical Development Progress: Xenon's lead molecule, azetukalner, is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for treating epilepsy and major depressive disorder, and the option grants will help attract key personnel to accelerate the R&D process.
See More
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Grants 42,300 Stock Options to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: Xenon Pharmaceuticals grants 42,300 stock options to ten new employees to attract talent and enhance employee loyalty, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
- Option Exercise Price: The options have an exercise price of $40.74 per share, equal to the closing price on January 15, 2026, ensuring employees can benefit financially as the company performs well.
- Vesting Schedule: The granted options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after the first year and the remainder vesting monthly, aimed at incentivizing long-term employee retention and driving company growth.
- Clinical Development Progress: Xenon's lead molecule, azetukalner, is in Phase 3 trials for epilepsy and major depressive disorder, and the incentive plan will help attract more talent to support its research and development efforts.
See More
Biohaven's BHV-7000 Fails Phase 2 Depression Trial, Shares Drop 15.45%
- Clinical Trial Outcome: Biohaven Ltd.'s BHV-7000 failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 trial for major depressive disorder, although favorable trends were noted in some severely depressed subgroups, which may impact future R&D directions.
- Safety Assessment: While BHV-7000 was mostly safe with mild to moderate adverse events largely resolving spontaneously, the lack of significant efficacy signals raises investor concerns about its market prospects.
- Resource Reallocation: The company has decided against further psychiatric clinical trials, opting instead to focus resources on key priority areas such as immunology, obesity, and epilepsy, indicating a strategic shift in focus.
- Market Reaction: Biohaven's shares fell 15.45% to $9.14 in premarket trading on Friday, reflecting negative market sentiment regarding the trial results, with analysts remaining cautious about future regulatory clarity and data outcomes.
See More
Significant Monday Options Trading: MDB, XENE, SNOW
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Options Activity: Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc (XENE) has seen a trading volume of 6,057 options contracts today, equating to about 605,700 underlying shares, which is 79.2% of its average daily trading volume over the past month.
High Volume Put Option for XENE: The $30 strike put option expiring on April 17, 2026, has particularly high activity, with 2,000 contracts traded, representing approximately 200,000 underlying shares.
Snowflake Inc Options Activity: Snowflake Inc (SNOW) has recorded a trading volume of 42,519 options contracts today, amounting to around 4.3 million underlying shares, or 76.1% of its average daily trading volume over the past month.
High Volume Call Option for SNOW: The $250 strike call option expiring on December 12, 2025, has notable trading activity, with 2,265 contracts traded, representing about 226,500 underlying shares.
See More
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports 90.9% Monthly Seizure Frequency Reduction in Long-Term Azetukalner Study
- Significant Efficacy: In the X-TOLE OLE study, participants treated for ≥48 months experienced a 90.9% reduction in monthly seizure frequency, demonstrating azetukalner's exceptional efficacy in long-term use, potentially offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.
- Sustained Freedom Periods: Among participants treated for ≥48 months, 38.2% achieved seizure freedom for ≥12 months, indicating that azetukalner not only helps patients attain seizure freedom but also enables them to regain extended periods of freedom after breakthrough seizures, enhancing its clinical applicability.
- Good Safety Profile: The long-term safety of azetukalner was comparable to that observed during the double-blind period, ensuring patient safety and tolerability during treatment, which further solidifies its market position as an anti-seizure medication.
- Broad Research: Xenon presented multiple studies at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, highlighting the impact of depression on epilepsy patients, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health in this population, which may drive adjustments in future clinical treatment strategies.
See More
Xenon Reports 90.9% Seizure Frequency Reduction in Long-Term Epilepsy Study
- Significant Efficacy: In the X-TOLE open-label extension study, patients treated for ≥48 months experienced a remarkable 90.9% monthly reduction in seizure frequency, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of azetukalner and its potential to reshape epilepsy treatment paradigms.
- Sustained Freedom: Among participants treated for ≥48 months, 38.2% achieved seizure freedom for ≥12 months, indicating the drug's potential in difficult-to-treat epilepsy patients and providing crucial insights for future clinical practice.
- Mental Health Impact: Research revealed that 80.6% of epilepsy patients reported depressive symptoms, underscoring the need for routine depression screening in clinical practice to enhance overall patient quality of life.
- New Drug Development: Early-stage research on Dravet syndrome indicates that XPC-837 may improve motor function, signaling further innovation and development in the epilepsy treatment landscape.
See More
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Grants 39,250 Stock Options to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: On December 4, 2025, Xenon Pharmaceuticals granted 39,250 stock options to five new non-officer employees, aimed at attracting and retaining talent, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Option Details: The options have an exercise price of $44.61 per share, equal to the closing price on the grant date, vesting over four years with 25% vesting after the first year and the remainder vesting monthly, ensuring long-term employee commitment.
- Strategic Implications: By implementing this incentive program, Xenon not only boosts employee loyalty but also attracts top talent in the rapidly evolving neuroscience field, facilitating future innovation and growth.
- Clinical Development Progress: Xenon's lead molecule, azetukalner, is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for treating epilepsy and major depressive disorder, and the option grants will help attract key personnel to accelerate the R&D process.
See More
