Piper Jaffray Reiterates Overweight on Fresenius Medical Care

Piper Jaffray maintains its Overweight rating on Fresenius Medical Care

as Peginesatide panel vote came out positive for dialysis providers. Piper Jaffray says, “We continue to believe FMS will continue to pursue adding an ESA to its product lineup as part of the company's strategy to own or control all of the components used to treat dialysis patients. We believe FMS could look to acquire or create a joint venture with a manufacturer, similar to its JV with Galenica for the IV Iron drug Venofer. Additional ESA competition and lower pricing for EPO should be positive for FMS since its contract with Amgen is non-exclusive and shorter-term in nature.” FMS closed at $66.67 per share on Wednesday.