In this article, we will be taking a look at the 10 Best Biotech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
Biotechnology is enjoying one of its strongest years in recent times, which is mostly fueled by a rebound in capital markets, rising merger activity, and renewed investor confidence. Investors are finding these tendencies appealing, especially in early-stage biotech firms with cutting-edge drug pipelines.
According to a June 4 CNBC article, global biopharma mergers and acquisitions are predicted to reach their highest level since the pre-pandemic peak seven years ago. According to PitchBook data, dealmaking has already exceeded $106 billion via 201 transactions in 2026. By year’s end, the sector is predicted to be close to $250 billion if the current enthusiasm persists. The average deal value has increased to $527.3 million from $365 million in 2025 as pharmaceutical companies accelerate acquisitions to strengthen their pipelines and prevent approaching patent expirations.
Oncology, metabolic disease, and central nervous system medicines have drawn a lot of attention, and strategic acquisitions in the $1 billion to $5 billion area have dominated activity. The biotech ETF index XBI has gained more than 50% over the last 12 months as the IPO market has reopened, thanks to the strengthening market environment, which has also improved investor optimism.
On June 9, 2026, Reuters revealed that Parabilis Medicines had raised its U.S. IPO from 25 million to 33.3 million shares, aiming for a valuation of up to $2.3 billion. This was a clear indication of this recovery. More than 150 patients have received doses of the company’s top candidate, zolucatetide, which is presently being tested for various solid tumors. Reuters reported on June 8, 2026, that Johnson & Johnson agreed to buy Firefly Bio for $1 billion in cash to extend its oncology pipeline through the company’s protein-degrading platform targeting KRAS-driven malignancies, demonstrating the continued strength of consolidation.
With that said, let’s take a look at the best biotech stocks.
Our Methodology
For our methodology, we screened for biotech stocks with an analyst upside of at least 20%. From this list, we selected companies with the most recent news and developments and ranked them in ascending order based on their analyst upside as of June 24.
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Here is our list of the 10 best biotech stocks to buy according to analysts.
10. MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MPLT)
Price Target Upside: 25.16%
MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MPLT) is one of the best biotech stocks on this list.
TheFly reported on June 24 that Raymond James initiated coverage of MPLT with a Strong Buy rating and a $46 price target. The firm highlighted Cobenfy as a significant advancement in schizophrenia treatment but noted challenges related to treatment persistence. Raymond James sees potential upside ahead of the Phase 2 ZEPHYR trial readout for ML-007C-MA, expected by mid-August. The firm also identified MPLT’s Alzheimer’s disease psychosis program as a potential value driver, despite limited investor attention toward Alzheimer ’s-focused opportunities.
Separately, on June 22, MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MPLT) announced topline findings from its Phase 2 IRIS trial evaluating ML-004 in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study enrolled 161 participants and assessed multiple measures, including social communication and irritability outcomes. While the trial did not achieve its primary endpoint related to social communication improvement at Week 12, a prespecified analysis showed ML-004 produced clinically meaningful improvements in irritability among adolescents with moderate or higher baseline irritability compared with placebo. The treatment also demonstrated positive trends on clinician-rated irritability measures. ML-004 was generally well tolerated, with mostly mild-to-moderate adverse events and no severe safety concerns reported in treated participants.
MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MPLT) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted treatments for central nervous system disorders using advanced neurotechnologies.
9. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RYTM)
Price Target Upside: 33.72%
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RYTM) is one of the best biotech stocks on this list.
TheFly reported on June 16 that Canaccord analyst Whitney Ijem increased the price target on RYTM to $151 from $143 while maintaining a Buy rating. The update followed a positive interim review from the Phase 2 study of setmelanotide in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Canaccord highlighted continued BMI improvements with longer treatment exposure, with reductions reaching 3.06% at six months compared with 1.84% at three months. The firm also noted that 8 of 10 patients with moderate to severe baseline hyperphagia achieved a clinically meaningful reduction of at least 7 points on the HQ-CT assessment.
On June 15, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RYTM) announced new data presentations from ENDO 2026 highlighting results from its MC4R agonist programs in acquired hypothalamic obesity, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. The company reported positive findings showing improvements in weight-related outcomes and hyperphagia across multiple patient populations. Data included long-term setmelanotide results in acquired hypothalamic obesity, real-world outcomes in BBS patients, and Phase 2 results in PWS. The findings supported the potential of MC4R pathway therapies to address rare neuroendocrine disorders with limited treatment options and demonstrated continued progress across RYTM’s development programs.
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RYTM) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision medicines for rare genetic obesity and neuroendocrine disorders.
