Fulcrum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:FULC) shares are up on Thursday as the company faces significant challenges following its decision to discontinue pociredir, its lead experimental drug for sickle cell disease.
The stock was down in a volatile premarket trading session.
Blood Disorder Drug Program Halted
Fulcrum Therapeutics on Monday said it halted the development of pociredir due to concerns from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its benefit-risk profile, particularly after observing malignancy risks associated with another drug targeting the same pathway.
In May, Fulcrum received meeting minutes from recent end-of-phase interactions with the FDA.
The minutes reflected heightened FDA concerns regarding pociredir’s benefit-risk profile in SCD, stemming from an unexpectedly high rate of secondary hematologic malignancies observed with Tazverik (tazemetostat), another PRC2 inhibitor, which was withdrawn from the global market in March 2026.
Mechanistic Differences Between Drug Targets
Fulcrum submitted information to the FDA supporting the position that mechanistic differences between EED (pociredir’s target) and EZH2 (tazemetostat’s target), which perform different biological roles, were relevant to the benefit-risk assessment.
FDA considered this position but concluded that any pharmacological intervention targeting the PRC2 complex carries equivalent malignancy risk regardless of the specific subunit engaged.
FDA’s position is informed by pociredir’s previously disclosed preclinical malignancy observations, and left no viable regulatory path forward for further clinical development of pociredir.
Fulcrum’s Strategic Review To Evaluate Alternatives
The company is also launching a strategic review process to explore options that may include a merger or acquisition to maximize shareholder value.
FULC Technical Outlook: Bearish Trend And Key Levels
The stock’s current price of $3.17 is significantly below its moving averages, with the 20-day simple moving average (SMA) at $6.38, indicating a bearish trend.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently sits at 20.43, suggesting that the stock is oversold, which may indicate potential for a rebound if buying interest returns.
Additionally, the 50-day SMA is at $7.08, placing the stock 55.1% below this level, further confirming the bearish sentiment.
Key Resistance: $6.38 — This level represents the 20-day SMA, which has historically acted as a significant barrier for upward price movement. Key Support: $2.83 — This level is close to the 52-week low, providing a critical floor for the stock’s price.
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Hold rating with an average price target of $8.67. Recent analyst moves include:
- JP Morgan: Downgraded to Underweight (June 3)
- Stifel: Downgraded to Hold (Lowers Target to $3.00) (June 2)
- Piper Sandler: Downgraded to Underweight (Lowers Target to $3.00) (June 2)
FULC Price Action: Fulcrum Therapeutics shares were up 2.17% at $3.29 at the time of publication on Thursday. The stock is near its 52-week low of $2.83, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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