Oppenheimer Downgrades Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Removes Price Target On Disappointing Epilepsy Study Results

Oppenheimer has downgraded Marinus Pharmaceuticals Inc MRNS to Perform after the company's first Phase 3 epilepsy study for adult focal onset seizures failed to meet its primary endpoint.

Even though company indicated there were certain sub-demographics of better responders in the greater studied populations, it effectively shut the door on any possibility of moving ganaxolone ahead in adult epilepsy.

Marinus will now focus on ganaxolone for indications within Status Epilepticus and pediatric orphan.

Related Link: In Wake Of Orlando Shooting, Here Are Some Positive Business Responses

"As we only took into account the adult epilepsy indication in our valuation, and left any contribution from the other programs as upside, we are moving to a Perform rating," analyst Rohit Vanjani wrote in a note.

Vanjani said his 2016/2017 EPS estimates move to ($1.55)/($1.10) from prior ($1.57)/($1.22). The analyst also removed his $17 price target.

At the time of writing, shares of Marinus Pharma plunged more than 11 percent to $1.44. The stock touched a new 52-week low of $1.43.