United Therapeutics Corporation, listed on Nasdaq under the ticker UTHR, provided an update on Monday regarding the results from its phase 1 clinical study of miroliverELAP, an externally applied liver assist device designed to support patients experiencing acute liver failure. This product is developed by Miromatrix Medical, a fully owned subsidiary of United Therapeutics.
MiroliverELAP is composed of an external blood circuit combined with a single-use, bioengineered liver that is maintained outside the patient's body. It is intended to deliver temporary liver functionality for patients in critical conditions where the liver is failing acutely. The manufacturing process of the bioengineered liver involves seeding a decellularized liver scaffold, derived from porcine tissue, with human endothelial cells and liver cells collected from donated human livers deemed unsuitable for transplantation. These donated livers are procured through organ procurement organizations but are excluded from use in transplant surgeries.
Within the phase 1 study, five patients diagnosed with acute liver failure, who were not candidates for transplantation, underwent treatment with miroliverELAP for a minimum duration of 44 hours. The primary endpoint of the trial, defined as survival during the treatment period, was achieved successfully. Additionally, no unexpected serious adverse events were reported during an extended follow-up period spanning 32 days post-treatment.
These positive data signify the potential for miroliverELAP to serve as a vital temporary support technology for individuals facing acute liver failure when transplantation is not viable. The detailed findings of this clinical study are scheduled for publication and presentation in the latter half of 2026.
Analyzing the technical indicators for United Therapeutics’ stock, the current trading price sits 2.7% below the 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 2.5% under the 50-day SMA, although it maintains a position 3.7% above the 100-day SMA. This pattern suggests some degree of underlying long-term strength despite shorter-term weaknesses. Over the past 12 months, the stock has appreciated approximately 26.89%, and its present price is nearer to its 52-week highs than lows.
Examining momentum indicators, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 39.40, which is categorized as a neutral level, neither indicating overbought nor oversold conditions. Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) metric is below its signal line, signaling bearish momentum exerting pressure on the stock price. The combination of a neutral RSI and a bearish MACD conveys a mixed momentum environment for the shares.
Key technical levels to watch include resistance at $512.50 and support at $470.00.
Attention is now turning towards United Therapeutics’ upcoming earnings announcement, set for February 25, 2026. Market analysts forecast earnings per share (EPS) of $6.82, marking an increase from $6.19 registered in the equivalent quarter last year. Revenue expectations are projected to reach approximately $810.08 million, up from $735.90 million in the prior year’s comparative quarter.
The analyst consensus currently assigns a Buy rating to United Therapeutics stock, with an average price target around $447.43.
Additional insights into United Therapeutics’ valuation and market positioning are provided by the Benzinga Edge scorecard. The stock holds a Value Rank of 61.88, indicating a fair valuation relative to its sector peers. The company’s Quality Rank is 75.91, reflecting a robust balance sheet, while its Momentum Rank is notably strong at 86.84, suggesting outperformance versus the broader market.
These metrics collectively indicate that United Therapeutics enjoys a favorable momentum and quality profile, although the company's valuation remains moderate within its peer group.
Regarding institutional ownership and thematic fund involvement, United Therapeutics is significantly held by several healthcare-focused ETFs, including:
- Invesco S&P MidCap Quality ETF (NYSE:XMHQ) with a 3.55% allocation to UTHR
- First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (NYSE:FXH) holding 2.44% in UTHR
- Simplify Health Care ETF (NYSE:PINK) carrying 3.24% weight in United Therapeutics
On the trading front, as of the last check on Monday during premarket hours, UTHR shares were trading modestly higher by 0.44% at $471.00, based on real-time data from Benzinga Pro.
In summary, United Therapeutics has showcased promising phase 1 trial outcomes for miroliverELAP, positioning the device as a potential breakthrough in temporary liver failure support options. While the product’s clinical progress is encouraging, the company’s stock performance illustrates a nuanced picture with mixed technical momentum. Upcoming earnings, slated for late February 2026, will provide further insight into the company’s financial trajectory, with current projections indicating growth in both earnings and revenue relative to previous periods.
This balanced but cautiously optimistic outlook is further supported by strong momentum and quality scores, balanced against a valuation profile typical of its market segment. Investors monitoring UTHR may also consider the company’s inclusion in various health care ETFs, which signals institutional interest and potential liquidity influences.