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Here's Why You Should Add AURA Stock to Your Portfolio Now
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Key Takeaways
Aura completed enrollment and dosing in its phase III CoMpass study of bel-sar for early choroidal melanoma.
Top-line data from the CoMpass study are expected in the second half of 2027.
Bel-sar is also being evaluated for choroidal metastases and ocular surface cancers.
Aura Biosciences (AURA - Free Report) is focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with ocular cancers. The company’s growth largely depends on belzupacap sarotalocan (bel-sar), its sole investigational candidate designed to destroy tumor cells while activating the body's immune response against cancer. This dual mechanism could offer a new treatment option for patients with ocular cancers, particularly those who need effective tumor control while preserving vision.
Aura’s Bel-sar is currently being evaluated in the global phase III CoMpass study for the treatment of early choroidal melanoma, a type of eye cancer that originates in the choroid, the layer of blood vessels beneath the retina. The disease carries a significant risk of spreading to other parts of the body. Currently, no FDA-approved drug therapies are available for this indication.
During the third quarter of 2026, patient enrollment and dosing in the CoMpass study were completed, with top-line data expected in the second half of 2027. Positive data could support a potential biologics license application filing for the drug. If successful, bel-sar could become the first FDA-approved frontline vision-preserving drug therapy for early choroidal melanoma.
Year to date, AURA shares have risen 39.6% compared with the industry’s 11.3% growth.
Beyond early choroidal melanoma, Aura is exploring bel-sar in other ocular cancers, creating additional opportunities to expand its pipeline.The company is advancing bel-sar in choroidal metastases, which occur when cancer spreads to the choroid from other parts of the body. The program could extend the candidate's potential use beyond primary ocular cancers. Aura is evaluating bel-sar in cancers of the ocular surface. These programs remain in early clinical development but could provide additional growth opportunities if future studies demonstrate meaningful clinical benefits. The company expects to provide updates on both programs in the first quarter of 2027.
Notably, its expected cash runway into the first half of 2029 provides financial support for the company's key development plans and reduces near-term financing pressure.
Over the past 30 days, estimates for Aura’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from $1.61 to $1.50 and the same for 2027 have narrowed from $1.39 to $1.19.
Other Stocks to Consider
Some other top-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Amneal Pharmaceuticals (AMRX - Free Report) , currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1, AC Immune (ACIU - Free Report) and Adaptive Biotechnologies (ADPT - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 each.
Over the past 30 days, earnings per share estimates for Amneal Pharmaceuticals have increased from $1.03 to $1.06 for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 earnings per share have risen from $1.16 to $1.21. AMRX’s shares have climbed 72.3% year to date.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 27.21%.
Over the past 30 days, loss per share estimates for AC Immune have narrowed from 60 cents to 54 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 earnings per share have increased from 17 cents to 43 cents. ACIU’s shares have plunged 28% year to date.
AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 37.79%.
Over the past 30 days, loss per share estimates for Adaptive Biotechnologies have narrowed from 55 cents to 44 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 loss per share have improved from 17 cents to 8 cents. ADPT’s shares have surged 84.3% year to date.
Adaptive Biotechnologies’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 53.62%.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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Here's Why You Should Add AURA Stock to Your Portfolio Now
Key Takeaways
Aura Biosciences (AURA - Free Report) is focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with ocular cancers. The company’s growth largely depends on belzupacap sarotalocan (bel-sar), its sole investigational candidate designed to destroy tumor cells while activating the body's immune response against cancer. This dual mechanism could offer a new treatment option for patients with ocular cancers, particularly those who need effective tumor control while preserving vision.
Aura’s Bel-sar is currently being evaluated in the global phase III CoMpass study for the treatment of early choroidal melanoma, a type of eye cancer that originates in the choroid, the layer of blood vessels beneath the retina. The disease carries a significant risk of spreading to other parts of the body. Currently, no FDA-approved drug therapies are available for this indication.
During the third quarter of 2026, patient enrollment and dosing in the CoMpass study were completed, with top-line data expected in the second half of 2027. Positive data could support a potential biologics license application filing for the drug. If successful, bel-sar could become the first FDA-approved frontline vision-preserving drug therapy for early choroidal melanoma.
Year to date, AURA shares have risen 39.6% compared with the industry’s 11.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Aura's Bel-sar Potential Expands Beyond Choroidal Melanoma
Beyond early choroidal melanoma, Aura is exploring bel-sar in other ocular cancers, creating additional opportunities to expand its pipeline.The company is advancing bel-sar in choroidal metastases, which occur when cancer spreads to the choroid from other parts of the body. The program could extend the candidate's potential use beyond primary ocular cancers. Aura is evaluating bel-sar in cancers of the ocular surface. These programs remain in early clinical development but could provide additional growth opportunities if future studies demonstrate meaningful clinical benefits. The company expects to provide updates on both programs in the first quarter of 2027.
Notably, its expected cash runway into the first half of 2029 provides financial support for the company's key development plans and reduces near-term financing pressure.
Aura Biosciences, Inc. Price and Consensus
Aura Biosciences, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Aura Biosciences, Inc. Quote
AURA’s Zacks Rank & Estimates
Aura currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Over the past 30 days, estimates for Aura’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from $1.61 to $1.50 and the same for 2027 have narrowed from $1.39 to $1.19.
Other Stocks to Consider
Some other top-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Amneal Pharmaceuticals (AMRX - Free Report) , currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1, AC Immune (ACIU - Free Report) and Adaptive Biotechnologies (ADPT - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 each.
Over the past 30 days, earnings per share estimates for Amneal Pharmaceuticals have increased from $1.03 to $1.06 for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 earnings per share have risen from $1.16 to $1.21. AMRX’s shares have climbed 72.3% year to date.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 27.21%.
Over the past 30 days, loss per share estimates for AC Immune have narrowed from 60 cents to 54 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 earnings per share have increased from 17 cents to 43 cents. ACIU’s shares have plunged 28% year to date.
AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 37.79%.
Over the past 30 days, loss per share estimates for Adaptive Biotechnologies have narrowed from 55 cents to 44 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 loss per share have improved from 17 cents to 8 cents. ADPT’s shares have surged 84.3% year to date.
Adaptive Biotechnologies’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 53.62%.