** JonesTrading starts coverage on drug developer Sagimet Biosciences SGMT.O with "buy" rating, sets PT at $42
** PT represents 900% upside to stock's last close
** Brokerage says co's experimental drug, denifanstat, is "overlooked potential" in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
** MASH is a severe liver disease caused by fat buildup, leading to inflammation and damage
** JonesTrading notes denifanstat has " best-in-disease potential for fibrosis improvement as GLP-1 combo" with "well-derisked lead asset" in expanding market
** Brokerage says it estimates peak sales of $1.6 bln for denifanstat in 2034
** SGMT fell 15.6% in 2024
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)
((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))