10 Best Performing Mid Cap Stocks to Buy According to Analysts

3. Akero Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO)

Year-to-Date Performance as of February 24: 80.01%

Upside Potential as of February 24: 49.55%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41

Akero Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRO) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops treatments for serious metabolic diseases, primarily MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis). Its lead candidate efruxifermin (EFX) is currently in Phase 3 trials and aims to address the underlying metabolic dysfunctions associated with these conditions.

The company is heavily reliant on efruxifermin (EFX). The Phase 2b SYMMETRY study highlighted EFX’s potential and showed a 39% cirrhosis reversal rate in patients treated with 50mg EFX at week 96, as compared to the 15% in the placebo group. This improvement, coupled with a favorable safety profile like no deaths and only mild side effects, has fueled investor confidence. The absence of approved therapies for MASH positions EFX as a potential first-in-class treatment.

EFX acts like the body’s FGF21 hormone, which regulates metabolism. By mimicking it, EFX aims to correct the metabolic problems that cause liver damage in MASH. The positive Phase 2b results and ongoing Phase 3 trials indicate strong momentum, making EFX the key driver of Akero Therapeutics Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AKRO) future growth.