** BTIG starts coverage on Tvardi Therapeutics TVRD.O with "buy" rating and $55 PT, 108.7% upside to stock's last close
** Brokerage says TVRD is "presumptive first mover" in developing STAT3 inhibitors for fibrotic diseases, targeting previously "undruggable" protein with "highly validated and well-characterized" profile
** Fibrotic diseases are type of lung illnesses
** Co's lead drug, TTI-101, has potential to be "breakthrough therapy" that can actually reverse these diseases, rather than just slowing their progression, BTIG says
** Says early results from clinical trial are "unusually persuasive", with over 50% of patients showing improvement - outcome that is "unlikely without an active therapy"
** Upcoming mid-stage trial data expected in 2H25 could be major catalyst for stock, BTIG says
** As of last close, stock up 43.5% YTD
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)
((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))
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