Evercore ISI initiated coverage of Aclaris Therapeutics , a clinical stage biotech working on immunology and inflammation drugs, at an outperform, saying the market is underpricing its odds for success heading into the release of clinical trial data. Admittedly, the upcoming trial results may not be successful, which makes the bet a risky one, he said. If Aclaris is successful with zunsemetinib, it will be the only MK2 inhibitor on the market for rheumatoid arthritis, which Evercore ISI sees as an advantage. A similar drug from Bristol Myers Squibb wasn't successful in a different form of arthritis. Evercore ISI expects investors are only pricing in a 20% chance of positive data from the clinical trial, whereas the firm expects the odds are closer to 50%.

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Persons: Gavin Clark, Clark, Gartner, zunsemetinib, Aclaris, Bristol Myers Squibb wasn't, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Evercore ISI, Aclaris Therapeutics, Gartner, Clark, Bristol Myers Squibb