Piper Jaffray analyst Tyler Van Buren said the initial 88% response rate reported by Agios Pharmaceuticals in its study of mitapivat in non-transfusion dependent beta thal patients was "very encouraging." Though it is early, mitapivat "now appears to be a competitive oral agent for beta thal" and the probability of success in sickle cell disease, which could result in a value five times greater than beta thal, has now increased as well, Van Buren tells investors. He reiterated his Overweight rating on Agios shares following the company's ASH meeting presentation.