Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS) Stock Analysis

Why this analysis is different

• A sector-relative MoonshotScore — five pillars (business quality, financial safety, valuation, growth durability, momentum) re-ranked nightly against the full universe of US-listed common stocks.
• An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
• Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.

Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS) Healthcare & Pipeline Overview

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel therapies for immune-inflammatory diseases, leveraging its innovative pipeline to address unmet medical needs in dermatology and immunology.

What Is the Investment Thesis for ACRS?

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. presents a unique investment thesis characterized by its focus on unmet medical needs within the immune-inflammatory disease sector. The company’s drug pipeline includes several candidates with significant potential, such as Zunsemetinib and ATI-1777, which target large patient populations suffering from chronic conditions. The global market for rheumatoid arthritis alone is projected to reach $42.5 billion by 2028, providing a substantial revenue opportunity for successful therapies. Furthermore, Aclaris's gross margin stands at 76.3%, indicating strong potential for profitability as products move through the development pipeline. However, investors should be aware of the inherent risks associated with clinical-stage companies, including regulatory hurdles and the uncertainty of trial outcomes, which could impact timelines and financial performance.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

ACRS Key Highlights

Market Cap of $743M reflects the company's valuation in the biopharmaceutical sector.

• Profit Margin of -832.6% indicates the challenges faced in achieving profitability during the clinical development phase.
• Gross Margin of 76.3% suggests strong potential for profitability upon successful commercialization of therapies.
• Beta of 0.87 indicates lower volatility compared to the broader market, appealing to risk-averse investors.
• No dividend yield as the company reinvests in research and development to advance its drug pipeline.

Who Are ACRS's Competitors?

ACRS is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are ACRS's Key Strengths?

Innovative drug pipeline addressing significant unmet medical needs.

• Strong gross margins indicating potential profitability.
• Expertise in immune-inflammatory disease research and development.
• Established laboratory services enhancing operational capabilities.

What Are ACRS's Weaknesses?

Negative profit margins reflecting the challenges of clinical-stage operations.

• Limited financial resources compared to larger competitors.
• Dependence on successful clinical trial outcomes for growth.
• Relatively small workforce may limit operational scalability.

What Could Drive ACRS Stock Higher?

Clinical trial results for Zunsemetinib expected in Q4 2026.

• Development of ATI-1777 in Phase 2 trials for atopic dermatitis.
• Initiation of Phase 1 trials for ATI-2138 in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases in early 2027.
• Expansion of laboratory services to support increased demand from contract research.
• Regulatory submissions for ATI-2231 anticipated in late 2026.

What Are the Key Risks for ACRS?

Financial-distress signal — its Altman Z-Score of -0.44 sits in the distress zone (elevated bankruptcy risk).

• Negative return on equity (-55.9%) — the business is not currently generating profit on shareholder capital.
• Weak fundamentals — a Piotroski F-Score of 2/9 flags soft profitability, leverage or efficiency.
• Regulatory approval risks associated with clinical trials.
• Dependence on successful trial outcomes for pipeline candidates.
• Market competition from established pharmaceutical companies.
• Financial sustainability concerns during the clinical development phase.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for ACRS?

• Growth opportunity 1: Aclaris's lead candidate, Zunsemetinib, targets moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, a market projected to grow to $42.5 billion by 2028. The increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases, coupled with a lack of effective treatments, positions Aclaris to capture significant market share upon successful clinical trials and regulatory approval.
• Aclaris's innovative approach could differentiate its offerings in a crowded market, driving adoption and revenue growth.
• Growth opportunity 3: Aclaris's Gut-Biased Program for inflammatory bowel disease targets a market projected to reach $25 billion by 2026. With increasing awareness and diagnosis rates, successful development could lead to substantial revenue streams as the company addresses significant unmet needs in this therapeutic area.
• Growth opportunity 4: The potential of ATI-2138 as a treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases could tap into a market valued at approximately $24 billion. As the understanding of these conditions evolves, Aclaris's innovative therapies may become essential options for patients and healthcare providers.
• Aclaris's focus on targeted therapies could position it favorably within this high-growth sector.

What Opportunities Does ACRS Have?

• Growing market for immune-inflammatory therapies with increasing patient demand.
• Potential for partnerships and collaborations to enhance research capabilities.
• Expansion into oncology with promising drug candidates.
• Increased focus on personalized medicine and targeted therapies.

What Threats Does ACRS Face?

• Intense competition from established pharmaceutical companies.
• Regulatory hurdles and uncertainties in clinical trial outcomes.
• Market volatility affecting funding and investment opportunities.
• Potential for rapid technological changes in drug development.

What Are ACRS's Competitive Advantages?

• Strong pipeline of innovative drug candidates targeting significant unmet needs.
• Expertise in developing therapies for complex immune-inflammatory diseases.
• Established relationships with research institutions and healthcare providers.
• Potential for high gross margins upon successful commercialization.
• Focus on niche therapeutic areas with limited competition.

What Does ACRS Do?

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing innovative drug candidates for immune-inflammatory diseases. The company operates through two primary segments: Therapeutics and Contract Research. The Therapeutics segment focuses on identifying and developing novel therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in the field of immuno-inflammatory diseases, while the Contract Research segment provides essential laboratory services to support its drug development initiatives. Aclaris is actively developing several promising drug candidates, including Zunsemetinib, an MK2 inhibitor targeting moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, and ATI-1777, a soft JAK 1/3 inhibitor for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Additionally, the company is advancing ATI-2138, an ITK/TXK/JAK3 inhibitor aimed at treating T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, and is exploring a Gut-Biased Program for inflammatory bowel disease. Aclaris is also developing ATI-2231, another MK2 inhibitor targeting pancreatic and metastatic breast cancer. With a workforce of 61 employees, Aclaris is navigating the complexities of the biopharmaceutical landscape, striving to bring innovative solutions to the market and improve patient outcomes in the therapeutic areas it serves.

What Products and Services Does ACRS Offer?

• Develop novel drug candidates for immune-inflammatory diseases.
• Operate through two segments: Therapeutics and Contract Research.
• Provide laboratory services to support drug development.
• Focus on addressing unmet medical needs in dermatology and immunology.
• Advance multiple drug candidates through clinical trials.
• Engage in research to innovate therapies for chronic conditions.

How Does ACRS Make Money?

• Generate revenue through the development and commercialization of drug candidates.
• Provide contract research services to other pharmaceutical firms.
• Leverage partnerships and collaborations for funding and resource sharing.
• Focus on clinical trials to validate drug efficacy and safety.
• Aim for regulatory approvals to bring therapies to market.

What Industry Does ACRS Operate In?

The healthcare industry, particularly the biopharmaceutical sector, is characterized by rapid advancements in drug development and a growing focus on personalized medicine. The global market for immune-inflammatory diseases is expanding, with increasing prevalence driving demand for innovative therapies. Aclaris Therapeutics operates within this competitive landscape, facing challenges from established players and emerging biotech firms. The industry's growth is supported by advancements in technology and a heightened emphasis on addressing unmet medical needs, positioning Aclaris favorably to capitalize on these trends.

Who Are ACRS's Key Customers?

• Patients suffering from immune-inflammatory diseases.
• Healthcare providers seeking innovative treatment options.
• Pharmaceutical companies requiring laboratory services.
• Investors interested in the biopharmaceutical sector.
• Research institutions collaborating on drug development.

Aclaris Therapeutics Financial Trajectory

Aclaris Therapeutics (ACRS) reported $1.6M in revenue for Q2 FY2026, a decline of 18.4% compared to the prior quarter. The company recorded a net loss of $21.5M, with diluted EPS of $-0.15. Quarter-over-quarter revenue has been mixed, typical for a small-cap company operating in Healthcare. Across the four most recent quarters, ACRS averaged $-0.15 in diluted EPS.

Company Profile

Aclaris Therapeutics operates in the Biotechnology industry within the Healthcare sector. It is headquartered in Wayne, US. The company is led by CEO Neal S. Walker. ACRS has traded publicly since 2015.

How Aclaris Therapeutics Is Valued

Aclaris Therapeutics carries a market capitalization of $743M, placing it in the small-cap category. Analyst price targets span from $10.00 to $12.00, with a consensus of $10.60. At the current price of $5.32, that implies approximately 99% upside potential. Relative to its peer group, ACRS's quantitative score of 14/100 is below the peer average of 62/100.

Return on equity for Aclaris Therapeutics stands at -55.9%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is -35.1%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. Its free cash flow yield is -9.5%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 4.03 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations. Its earnings yield is -11.9%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.

Aclaris Therapeutics's Piotroski F-Score is 2/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — flagging fundamental weakness worth scrutiny. Its Altman Z-Score of -0.44 places it in the distress zone, a signal of elevated financial risk.

Aclaris Therapeutics has beaten Wall Street's EPS estimate in 4 of its last 8 reported quarters — more hits than misses. Reported results have landed about 26.3% below estimates on average.

Over the past six months, Aclaris Therapeutics insiders filed 30 SEC Form 4 transactions — 10 sales and 20 purchases. On net that is roughly 298K shares acquired (about $1.1M) — insiders putting money in tends to read as conviction.

ACRS Financials

ACRS Latest News

ACRS Analyst Consensus

ACRS MoonshotScore

Aclaris Therapeutics Healthcare Stock: Key Questions Answered

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

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