Hoth Therapeutics HOTH shares jumped 17.4% on Mar 19 and continued to gain another 1.5% in the after-market hours as the company reported positive pre-clinical research data demonstrating the potential of its investigational therapeutic candidate, HT-ALZ, to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). 

Hoth Therapeutics' HT-ALZ uses a novel mechanism of action targeting the Substance P/Neurokinin 1 Receptor pathway to treat neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits associated with AD.

In preclinical models, it was observed that HT-ALZ reduces soluble Aβ levels (an important biomarker for the improvement of neurodegeneration in AD patients) in the brain's interstitial fluid. HT-ALZ significantly reduces anxiety-like behavior and enhances cognitive function.

In the past year, shares of HOTH have plunged 37.8% compared with the industry's 9.4% decline.

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Pe the company, analysis of pre-clinical research data demonstrated HT-ALZ's massive potential to improve memory tasks, which could be a breakthrough in the treatment of AD patients.

HOTH reported that the cognitive benefits provided by HT-ALZ therapy in pre-clinical models suggest that the candidate's novel approach could result in a reduction in brain inflammation, thereby improving cognitive outcomes for AD patients.

However, the company also stated that HT-ALZ's effects on plaque deposition and Aβ levels were inconclusive. Therefore, Hoth Therapeutics is planning the developmental path forward for the candidate based only on its ability to restore cognitive functions and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from AD.

The company is currently gearing up to conduct further research and development of HT-ALZ, including detailed analyses of its effects on microglial activation and brain inflammation.

Hoth Therapeutics plans to report detailed results from the pre-clinical study later in 2024.

The company's clinical-stage pipeline comprises two candidates, HT-001 and BioLexa, which are currently being developed in separate early-stage studies for different dermatology indications.

The company also has several other candidates in its pre-clinical portfolio, which are currently being studied for various oncology, neurology, dermatology and inflammatory indications.

Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Price and Consensus

Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider

Hoth Therapeutics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the drug/biotech industry are ADMA Biologics ADMA, FibroGen FGEN and Adicet Bio, Inc. ACET. While ADMA sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), FGEN and ACET carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.