** Shares of Tvardi Therapeutics TVRD.O rise 4.5% to $27.40

** Piper Sandler initiates coverage of TVRD with an "overweight" rating and PT of $78

** Piper believes that TVRD's lead drug, TTI-101, is positioned to drive broad improvement with an optimal profile

** TTI-101 is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful anti-fibrotic effects for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis $(IPF.UK)$, a chronic lung disease, at cellular and immune levels - brokerage

** TVRD is developing TTI-109 as a next generation STAT3 inhibitor, with investigational new drug application submitted in June 2025

** TTI-109 offers a significant pipeline opportunity for TVRD with an optimized product profile and extended coverage to ensure sustained use over time - Piper Sandler

** TVRD stock up ~43% YTD, as of last close

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City)

((Juby.Babu@thomsonreuters.com;))