BLTE Stock Rises as FDA Grants Priority Review to Tinlarebant NDA

Belite Bio BLTE announced that the FDA has accepted the new drug application (NDA) seeking approval for its lead candidate, tinlarebant, for the treatment of patients with Stargardt Disease type I (STGD1).

With the FDA granting a priority review to the NDA, a decision from the regulatory body is expected on Feb. 12, 2027. Shares rose around 6.2% on Tuesday following the announcement.

A priority review designation means the FDA’s goal is to take action on an application within six months compared with 10 months under standard review.

If approved, tinlarebant would become the first FDA-approved treatment for STGD1, a rare inherited retinal disease caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene that leads to progressive and irreversible vision loss. The disease affects an estimated 53,000 people in the United States.

Year to date, shares of Belite Bio have risen 11.1% compared with the industry’s 6.9% growth.

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NDA Backed by BLTE’s Positive Phase III DRAGON Data

The NDA filing was based on data from the phase III DRAGON study, which evaluated once-daily oral tinlarebant in adolescents and adults with STGD1. The study met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 35.7% reduction in the growth rate of atrophic retinal lesions, measured by definitely decreased autofluorescence, compared with placebo. Tinlarebant was generally well-tolerated, with adverse events consistent with its mechanism of action.

Belite Bio’s Recent Development With Tinlarebant

Tinlarebant is a novel oral therapy designed to reduce the buildup of vitamin A-derived toxins, known as bisretinoids, which contribute to retinal damage in Stargardt Disease and disease progression in geographic atrophy (GA) or advanced dry age-related macular degeneration.

Beyond the completed DRAGON study, Belite Bio is evaluating tinlarebant in the phase II/III DRAGON II study in patients with STGD1 and the phase III PHOENIX study for the treatment of patients with GA.

The candidate received multiple regulatory designations, including Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designations, as well as Japan’s Sakigake designation for Stargardt Disease.

BLTE Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Belite Bio currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Amneal Pharmaceuticals AMRX and Liquidia Corporation LQDA, each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Altimmune ALT, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, earnings per share estimates for Amneal Pharmaceuticals have increased from $1.00 to $1.02 for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for earnings per share have increased from $1.12 to $1.21 for 2027. AMRX shares have risen 35.7% year to date.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals beat on earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 32.82%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Liquidia’s 2026 earnings per share have increased to $3.02 from $2.97. Over the same period, EPS estimates for 2027 have risen to $5.31 from $4.81. LQDA shares have gained 155.3% year to date.

Liquidia’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 54.40%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Altimmune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from 69 cents to 64 cents. Over the same period, loss estimates for 2027 have improved from 73 cents to 64 cents. ALT shares have declined 16.9% year to date.

Altimmune’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 15.81%.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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