Sign in

    Ed Arce

    Research Analyst at WestPark Capital

    Ed Arce is Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at WestPark Capital, specializing in emerging and small-to-midcap biotechnology companies with nearly two decades of industry experience. He covers a wide range of biopharmaceutical and specialty pharmaceutical companies, drawing on a track record built at prior firms including H.C. Wainwright, Roth Capital Partners, MLV & Co., Wedbush Securities, and UBS Securities. Since beginning his equity research career in 2005, Arce has become recognized for his deep expertise across multiple therapeutic areas, and holds a Master of Science in Finance from Boston College alongside an MBA and a bachelor's in civil engineering from Florida International University; he is a board-licensed professional engineer and a Level III CFA candidate. Arce joined WestPark Capital as Managing Director in August 2025, continuing a career distinguished by leadership in healthcare equity research and consistent delivery of high-quality industry analysis.

    Ed Arce's questions to TALPHERA (TLPH) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to TALPHERA (TLPH) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Ed Arce from WestPark Capital asked for clarification on the expected enrollment acceleration for the NEFRO study and inquired about leveraging data from the compassionate use program for future publications or commercial support.

    Answer

    CEO Vincent Angotti stated that the enrollment target can be met by maintaining the current per-site run rate as new, larger sites are added, not necessarily by accelerating the rate at existing sites. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shakil Aslam added that data from the compassionate use program, while not for the primary efficacy submission, will be included in the safety dataset for the FDA and used for publications to support commercial efforts, particularly for patient populations with contraindications to existing anticoagulants.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Ed Arce of H.C. Wainwright & Co. requested a review of the Vafseo launch metrics Akebia will share quarterly. He also asked about the current gross-to-net percentage, the payer mix between Medicare and commercial, and sought more details on the VALOR study's design and whether its costs are included in the company's financial runway.

    Answer

    CEO John Butler and Chief Commercial Officer Nicholas Grund reviewed the early launch metrics, highlighting over 500 prescribing physicians with an average of 8 prescriptions each. Butler addressed the gross-to-net question, stating that while specific figures won't be provided, the WAC is $1,278 for the starting dose and discounts will increase with volume. An executive noted that an encouraging 15% of early prescriptions are for Medicare Advantage patients. Finally, Butler confirmed the cost of the VALOR study is fully embedded in their financial runway.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Ed Arce asked for perspective on the impact of new ACR treatment guidelines on rheumatologist prescribing habits for LUPKYNIS. He also inquired about the long-term development timeline for AUR200, including indication selection and the move to Phase II.

    Answer

    President and CEO Peter Greenleaf highlighted that the ACR guidelines encourage earlier diagnosis and longer treatment durations, which are beneficial for the market and LUPKYNIS. He noted that over 50% of prescriptions already come from rheumatologists and expects the guidelines' impact to grow over time. For AUR200, he reiterated that the company will provide more details on future plans after analyzing the upcoming SAD data.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to Travere Therapeutics (TVTX) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to Travere Therapeutics (TVTX) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Ed Arce asked about potential ADCOM questions for FSGS based on the PARASOL findings, specific pre-commercial activities to ensure rapid uptake, and the expected incremental SG&A investment for the launch.

    Answer

    CEO Eric Dube stated that SG&A for the FSGS launch would be incremental as the core infrastructure is already in place. He emphasized that the high unmet need in FSGS will be a key driver of adoption. CMO Dr. Jula Inrig added that a potential ADCOM would focus on educating stakeholders on the clinical meaningfulness of proteinuria reduction and the overall benefit-risk profile of sparsentan in FSGS.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    An analyst on behalf of Ed Arce asked how the Phase II/III Aurora study for GTX-102 will differ from the Aspire study and if its data will support the BLA filing.

    Answer

    CEO Emil Kakkis explained that the main Aspire study focuses on deletion patients aged 4-17. The Aurora study is supportive, designed to expand the label to other genotypes and age groups (under 4 and older). The company intends to have a cut of data from Aurora available at the time of the BLA filing to support a broader label.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings (ARCT) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings (ARCT) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Thomas, on behalf of Ed Arce, asked which efficacy measurement from the upcoming Phase II OTC data readout has the potential to support an approvable endpoint. He also requested an update on the LUNAR-flu program partnered with CSL.

    Answer

    CEO Joseph Payne explained that a key goal of the OTC Phase II study is to identify the most appropriate biomarker for a pivotal trial from the many being collected, with the strategy to be shared alongside the data in H1 2025. Regarding the flu program, Payne confirmed it is a very active collaboration with increasing funding, but all updates on data and commercial strategy are controlled by CSL.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to DURECT (DRRX) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to DURECT (DRRX) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Inquired about the specific details to be released after receiving FDA meeting minutes, the planned primary endpoint for the Phase III trial, whether the trial will be U.S.-only, and the estimated total cost of the trial.

    Answer

    The company will finalize and share details on trial design, powering, and patient numbers after receiving the FDA minutes. They are leaning towards a U.S.-only trial due to more consistent patient management and are confident in the trial design based on learnings from AHFIRM. The external trial cost is estimated at $25 million, with additional G&A operating costs of about $3.5-$4 million per quarter through the trial's completion in H2 2026.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) leadership • Q1 2024

    Question

    On behalf of Ed Arce, Thomas asked if the next pivotal study for imdusiran would evaluate it as a monotherapy or in combination, questioned the rationale for the different durvalumab dosing intervals in the new Phase IIa trial, and inquired about the next steps for the AB-101 program.

    Answer

    Interim President and CEO Michael McElhaugh confirmed that the next study will be a combination therapy to address the three pillars of an HBV cure. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Sims detailed that the durvalumab trial's varied dosing aims to find an optimal balance between immunomodulatory effects and safety. She also clarified that the AB-101 Phase I study will move into dosing HBV patients in its third part, after which the goal is to initiate a Phase II combination study with imdusiran.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Ed Arce's questions to GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS (GALT) leadership

    Ed Arce's questions to GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS (GALT) leadership • Q4 2016

    Question

    Ed Arce of HC Wainwright inquired about the NASH-CX trial, specifically regarding the analysis of patient cohorts based on HVPG levels, the current patient dropout rate, the company's perspective on competing NASH cirrhosis programs, its presence at the upcoming EASL conference, and the financial outlook for 2017 operating expenses.

    Answer

    Peter Traber, President and CEO, confirmed that the NASH-CX trial has a low dropout rate of 10 patients (6%), well below the anticipated 25%. He explained the trial enrolled patients with clinically significant portal hypertension and will analyze subgroups based on HVPG levels. He also noted that competitor trials from Conatus and Gilead will not report data until long after Galectin's. Dr. Traber added that the company will present a late-breaking abstract at EASL on the methacetin breath test. CFO Jack Callicut stated that 2017 R&D and G&A expenses are expected to be similar to 2016 levels.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI