DSGN
Design Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$881M
5Y Perf.-52.8%
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Stock Comparison
DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
IMVT
Immunovant, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$5.53B
5Y Perf.+69.7%
RARE
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$2.57B
5Y Perf.-77.1%
ACAD
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$3.86B
5Y Perf.-12.5%
DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | DSGN | IMVT | RARE | ACAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $881M | $5.53B | $2.57B | $3.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $669M | $1.10B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-70M | $-464M | $-609M | $376M |
| Gross Margin | — | — | 83.6% | 91.5% |
| Operating Margin | — | — | -83.9% | 7.4% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 50.9x |
| Total Debt | $645K | $98K | $1.28B | $52M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $17M | $714M | $434M | $178M |
DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
DSGN
IMVT
RARE
ACAD
| Stock | Mar 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Therapeutics… (DSGN) | 100 | 47.2 | -52.8% |
| Immunovant, Inc. (IMVT) | 100 | 169.7 | +69.7% |
| Ultragenyx Pharmace… (RARE) | 100 | 22.9 | -77.1% |
| ACADIA Pharmaceutic… (ACAD) | 100 | 87.5 | -12.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ACAD leads in 3 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Design Therapeutics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. RARE also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
DSGN
Design Therapeutics, Inc.
The Momentum Pick
DSGN is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if momentum is your priority.
- +323.4% vs RARE's -21.8%
Best for: momentum
IMVT
Immunovant, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
IMVT is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 173.6% 10Y total return vs ACAD's -22.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.37, Low D/E 0.0%, current ratio 11.16x
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
RARE
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
The Growth Play
RARE is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 20.1%, EPS growth 7.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 22.8%
- 20.1% revenue growth vs DSGN's -24.6%
Best for: growth exposure
ACAD
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Income Pick
ACAD carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- beta 1.26
- Beta 1.26, current ratio 3.83x
- 34.3% margin vs RARE's -91.0%
- Beta 1.26 vs DSGN's 1.51
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | RARE | 20.1% revenue growth vs DSGN's -24.6% |
| Quality / Margins | ACAD | 34.3% margin vs RARE's -91.0% |
| Stability / Safety | ACAD | Beta 1.26 vs DSGN's 1.51 |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | DSGN | +323.4% vs RARE's -21.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ACAD | 26.2% ROA vs RARE's -45.8%, ROIC 10.0% vs -89.4% |
DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2018
DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLACADLAGGINGRARE
Who Leads Where
ACAD leads in 3 of 6 categories
DSGN leads 1 • IMVT leads 0 • RARE leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓RAREUltragenyx Pharmaceut…
0leads
IMVTImmunovant, Inc.
0leads
DSGNDesign Therapeutics, …
1leads
ACADACADIA Pharmaceutical…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs DSGNvs IMVTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ACAD5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ACAD2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ACAD5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
DSGN4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ACAD and IMVT operate at a comparable scale, with $1.1B and $0 in trailing revenue. ACAD is the more profitable business, keeping 34.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to RARE's -91.0%. On growth, ACAD holds the edge at +9.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | IMVTImmunovant, Inc. | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $0 | $669M | $1.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$78M | -$487M | -$536M | $96M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$70M | -$464M | -$609M | $376M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$54M | -$423M | -$487M | $212M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | — | +83.6% | +91.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | — | -83.9% | +7.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | — | -91.0% | +34.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | — | -72.8% | +19.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — | -2.4% | +9.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.5% | +19.7% | -17.2% | -81.8% |
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ACAD leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | IMVTImmunovant, Inc. | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $881M | $5.5B | $2.6B | $3.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $864M | $4.8B | $3.4B | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -11.56x | -9.97x | -4.48x | 9.85x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 50.91x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | 26.91x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | — | 3.82x | 3.61x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.80x | 5.83x | — | 3.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 36.74x |
ACAD leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ACAD delivers a 35.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $36 in annual profit, vs $-6 for RARE. IMVT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ACAD's 0.04x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ACAD scores 6/9 vs IMVT's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | IMVTImmunovant, Inc. | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -33.1% | -47.1% | -6.1% | +35.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -31.3% | -44.1% | -45.8% | +26.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -28.5% | — | -89.4% | +10.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -34.8% | -66.1% | -46.4% | +10.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.00x | — | 0.04x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$16M | -$714M | $842M | -$126M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $17M | $714M | $434M | $178M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $645,000 | $98,000 | $1.3B | $52M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — | -14.49x | — |
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
DSGN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in IMVT five years ago would be worth $16,241 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,281 for RARE. Over the past 12 months, DSGN leads with a +323.4% total return vs RARE's -21.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DSGN at 22.9% vs RARE's -17.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | IMVTImmunovant, Inc. | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +54.9% | +5.1% | +10.7% | -13.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +323.4% | +96.1% | -21.8% | +52.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +85.5% | +40.9% | -44.5% | +4.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -49.7% | +62.4% | -77.2% | +7.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -66.0% | +173.6% | -59.4% | -22.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +22.9% | +12.1% | -17.8% | +1.5% |
DSGN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — IMVT and ACAD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ACAD is the less volatile stock with a 1.26 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DSGN's 1.51 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. IMVT currently trades 90.5% from its 52-week high vs RARE's 61.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | IMVTImmunovant, Inc. | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.51x | 1.37x | 1.42x | 1.26x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.25 | $30.09 | $42.37 | $27.81 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.11 | $13.36 | $18.29 | $14.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.7% | +90.5% | +61.7% | +81.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 62.3 | 60.2 | 66.6 | 44.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 377K | 1.4M | 1.8M | 1.8M |
Evenly matched — IMVT and ACAD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: DSGN as "Buy", IMVT as "Buy", RARE as "Buy", ACAD as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 97.1% upside for RARE (target: $52) vs 18.8% for DSGN (target: $17).
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | IMVTImmunovant, Inc. | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $16.75 | $45.50 | $51.50 | $34.78 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 23 | 33 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
ACAD leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). DSGN leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
DSGN vs IMVT vs RARE vs ACAD: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
(RARE) is the stronger pick with 20. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 11. 9% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD). ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) offers the better valuation at 9. 9x trailing P/E (50. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Design Therapeutics, Inc. (DSGN) a "Buy" — based on 6 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD?
Over the past 5 years, Immunovant, Inc.
(IMVT) delivered a total return of +62. 4%, compared to -77. 2% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IMVT returned +173. 6% versus DSGN's -66. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(ACAD) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 26β versus Design Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 51β — meaning DSGN is approximately 20% more volatile than ACAD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Immunovant, Inc. (IMVT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 4% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
(RARE) is pulling ahead at 20. 1% versus 11. 9% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. grew EPS 68. 4% year-over-year, compared to -45. 2% for Immunovant, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ACAD leads at 27. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(ACAD) is the more profitable company, earning 36. 5% net margin versus -85. 4% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. — meaning it keeps 36. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ACAD leads at 9. 8% versus -79. 5% for RARE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ACAD leads at 91. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for RARE: 97.
1% to $51. 50.
07Which pays a better dividend — DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
08Is DSGN or IMVT or RARE or ACAD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Immunovant, Inc.
(IMVT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+173. 6% 10Y return). Design Therapeutics, Inc. (DSGN) carries a higher beta of 1. 51 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (IMVT: +173. 6%, DSGN: -66. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between DSGN and IMVT and RARE and ACAD?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: DSGN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; IMVT is a small-cap quality compounder stock; RARE is a small-cap high-growth stock; ACAD is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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