stem cell – Stock Market Research, Option Picks, Stock Picks,Financial News,Option Research

August 5, 2020

Fulgent Genetics shares soar on Covid-19 testing

Fulgent Genetics surges after ‘record’ Q2 results

Shares of Fulgent Genetics (FLGT) have surged during Wednesday’s session after the company reported second quarter results after the market close last night.

The company noted that it had “record” figures for quarterly revenue, billable tests, adjusted earnings, and adjusted EBITDA, as it has commercially launched several tests for COVID-19 since March 2020.

EARNINGS

In its latest report, Fulgent Genetics reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 17c on revenue of $17.3M, compared to analysts’ estimates of (5c) and $10.05M.

The company delivered 180,513 billable tests in the quarter, an increase of 1003% year-over-year, and gross margin for the quarter improved roughly eight percentage points from the previous quarter and roughly 81% year-over-year.

Commenting on the results, chairman and CEO Ming Hsieh said, “The global COVID-19 pandemic has tested who we are as a company, and now more than ever we have demonstrated that Fulgent is a technology company with a proprietary platform built for massive scale.

Our technology is the cornerstone for all facets of our business, including cloud computing, pipeline services, record management, web portal services, clinical workflow, sequencing as a service and automated lab services.

Our second quarter results illustrate how we quickly applied our technology to the needs of today, organically developing and launching multiple tests to detect COVID-19 with Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA, including an at-home test offered through Picture Genetics, our patient-initiated product.

These offerings have attracted major new customer accounts, resulting in an inflection point in our business and outlook.”

GUIDANCE:

On Fulgent’s quarterly conference call, CFO Paul Kim said that based on the “explosive” demand the company is seeing from the market and the quality of its customers, he continues to see the upward trajectory and transformation of the business continuing for the balance of 2020.

Fulgent now projects test volumes for 2020 to be over 1.3M, which translates to into over $120M in revenues. Kim added that he sees adjusted net income of $25M, or about $1.00 per share in FY20.

Analysts had expected the company to report FY20 EPS of 12c on revenue of $45.02M.

Analysts Comments:

Following the results, Piper Sandler analyst Steven Mah maintained an Overweight rating on Fulgent Genetics and raised his price target on the stock to $68 from $31.

Mah, who continues to believe COVID-19 testing is durable for the coming years, said he is encouraged by Fulgent’s early success in test volume, adding that his higher revenue estimates are due to increased COVID-19 expectations.

PRICE ACTION:

In afternoon trading, Fulgent Genetics shares are up nearly 23%, trading at $36.46.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.

July 30, 2020

Sangamo signs deal with Novartis, shares jump

Sangamo executes global licensing agreement with Novartis for genomic medicines

Sangamo (SGMO) announced that it has executed a global licensing collaboration agreement with Novartis (NVS) to develop and commercialize gene regulation therapies to address three neurodevelopmental targets, including autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Sangamo signs distribution agreement with Novartis

The collaboration will leverage Sangamo’s propriety genome regulation technology, zinc finger protein transcription factors, or ZFP-TFs, to aim to upregulate the expression of key genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Zinc-finger protein transcription factors (ZFP TFs) can be designed to control the expression of any desired target gene, and thus provide potential therapeutic tools for the study and treatment of disease.

Novartis receives positive CHMP opinion for Kymriah, Stockwinners — Novartis to use Sangamo to expand its markets

The collaboration will leverage ZFP-TFs engineered by Sangamo scientists in an effort to upregulate, or activate, the expression of genes that are inadequately expressed in individuals with certain types of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Under the terms of the agreement, over a three-year collaboration period, Novartis has exclusive rights to ZFP-TFs targeted to three undisclosed genes which are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD and intellectual disability.

Novartis also has the option to license Sangamo’s proprietary AAVs.

Sangamo is responsible for certain research and associated manufacturing activities, all of which will be funded by Novartis, and Novartis assumes responsibility for additional research activities, investigational new drug-enabling studies, clinical development, related regulatory interactions, manufacturing and global commercialization.

Under the collaboration agreement, Novartis will pay Sangamo a $75 million upfront license fee payment within thirty days.

In addition, Sangamo is eligible to earn up to $720 million in other development and commercial milestone payments, including up to $420 million in development milestones and up to $300 million in commercial milestones.

Sangamo is also eligible to receive from Novartis tiered high single-digit to sub-teen double-digit royalties on potential net commercial sales of products arising from the collaboration.

SGMO is up 15% to $11.40. NVS is down 22 cents to $84.19.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

December 23, 2019December 22, 2019

BeiGene announces acceptance of supplemental NDA in China for REVLIMID

BeiGene announces acceptance of supplemental NDA in China for REVLIMID for the treatment of lymphoma

BeiGene (BGNE) announced that the China National Medical Products Administration has accepted a supplemental new drug application for #REVLIMID, in combination with rituximab, for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory indolent lymphoma.

BeiGene shares have been active lately, Stockwinners

REVLIMID was first approved in China in 2013 for the treatment of multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone, in adult patients who have received at least one prior therapy, and the label for the combination was expanded in 2018 to include adult patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for transplant.

REVLIMID used for the treatment of multiple myeloma, Stockwinners

It is currently marketed in China by BeiGene under an exclusive license from Celgene Logistics Sarl, a Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) company.

The sNDA is supported by a clinical, non-clinical, and chemistry, manufacturing and control data package, including the results from the pivotal Phase 3 AUGMENT study sponsored and conducted by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Bristol-Myers treatment for colorectal cancer approved, Stockwinners — Bristol-Myers purchased Celgene and *REVLIMID* awhile back, Stockwinners

AUGMENT is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial in which a total of 358 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular or marginal zone lymphoma were randomized 1:1 to receive REVLIMID and rituximab or rituximab and placebo.

With a median follow-up of 28.3 months, R2 demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival, evaluated by an independent review committee, relative to the control arm with a 54% reduction in the risk of progression or death.

The median PFS was 39.4 months for the R2 arm and 14.1 months for the control arm with an improvement by more than 2 years. Overall response rate, a secondary endpoint, was 78% in the R2 arm vs. 53% in the control arm, as assessed by the IRC.

Duration of response was significantly improved for R2 vs. control with median DoR of 37 vs. 22 months, respectively.

Bristol Meyers Comments on Celgene purchase, Stockwinners

The most frequent adverse event in the R2 arm was neutropenia, vs. 22% in the control arm.

Additional commonly observed AEs in more than 20% of patients included diarrhea, constipation, cough, and fatigue. Adverse events that were reported at a higher rate in the R2 arm were neutropenia, constipation, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and tumor flare.

BMY closed at $63.51. BGNE closed at $173.14.

See our other blogs about BeiGene.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

November 24, 2019

The Medicines Co. sold for $9.7B

Novartis to pay $85 per share in cash for each MDCO share

The Medicines Company (MDCO) announced that it has entered into definitive agreement in which Novartis (NVS) will acquire the company for $85 per share in an all-cash transaction, implying a fully diluted equity value of $9.7B.

The stock closed Friday down $1.21 to $68.55. See our previous blog post.

The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 45% to The Medicines Company’s closing share price of $58.65 on November 18, the last trading day prior to news reports of a potential transaction between The Medicines Company and Novartis.

The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of both companies. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Novartis will commence a tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of The Medicines Company for $85 per share in cash.

Following the completion of the tender offer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis will merge with The Medicines Company and shares of The Medicines Company that have not been tendered and purchased in the tender offer will be converted into the right to receive the same price per share.

Completion of the transaction is expected in Q1 of 2020, pending the successful completion of the tender offer and other customary closing conditions.

Until that time, The Medicines Company will continue to operate as a separate and independent company. The company expects to file regulatory submissions for inclisiran in the U.S. in Q4 of 2019 and in Europe in the first quarter of 2020.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

November 19, 2019

CRISPR Therapeutics sharply higher on gene editing data

Crispr, Vertex announce interim data from first two patients treated with CTX001

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) announced positive, interim data from the first two patients with severe hemoglobinopathies treated with the investigational CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing therapy CTX001 in ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials.

Gene Editing shows promises in treating patients, Stockwinners

One patient with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia received CTX001 in the first quarter of 2019 and data for this patient reflect nine months of safety and efficacy follow-up.

Stockwinners offers stocks to buy, stocks to watch, upgrades, downgrades, earnings, Stocks to Avoid — Vertex and CRISPR report positive data, Stockwinners

One patient with severe sickle cell disease received CTX001 in mid-2019 and data for this patient reflect four months of safety and efficacy follow-up.

These studies are ongoing and patients will be followed for approximately two years following infusion.

Several additional patients have been enrolled and have had drug product manufactured across the two studies.

The patient with TDT has the beta0/IVS-I-110 genotype and required 16.5 transfusions per year before enrolling in the clinical study. The patient achieved neutrophil engraftment 33 days after CTX001 infusion and platelet engraftment 37 days after infusion.

Two serious adverse events occurred, neither of which the principal investigator considered related to CTX001: pneumonia in the presence of neutropenia and veno-occlusive liver disease attributed to busulfan conditioning; both subsequently resolved.

At nine months after CTX001 infusion, the patient was transfusion independent and had total hemoglobin levels of 11.9 g/dL, 10.1 g/dL fetal hemoglobin, and 99.8% F-cells.

The patient with SCD experienced seven vaso-occlusive crises per year before enrolling in the clinical study. The patient achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment 30 days after CTX001 infusion.

Three SAEs occurred, none of which the PI considered related to CTX001: sepsis in the presence of neutropenia, cholelithiasis, and abdominal pain, all of which resolved.

At four months after CTX001 infusion, the patient was free of VOCs and had total hemoglobin levels of 11.3 g/dL, 46.6% fetal hemoglobin, and 94.7% F-cells.

William Blair

The firm upgrades Crispr Therapeutics to Outperform after ‘impressive’ data .

William Blair analyst Raju Prasad upgraded Crispr Therapeutics to Outperform from Market Perform after the company presented initial results from the ongoing Phase I/II trials of CTX001 for the treatment of beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

The analyst says today’s data cut was “impressive” as it exceeds the 30% fetal hemoglobin threshold that he viewed as critical.

To date, Crispr has shown initial proof-of-concept in beta thalassemia and sickle cell that exceeded expectations and de-risks its wholly owned immuno-oncology platform, Prasad tells investors in a research note. Further, given the “optionality” of the CRISPR-Cas9 platform and potential cost-effectiveness when compared with lentiviral-based therapies, Crispr could be a potential takeout candidate, adds the analyst.

Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs analyst Salveen Richter raised his 12-month price target for Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP) to $75 from $52 while keeping a Neutral rating on the shares.

The first clinical results from the ongoing CTX001 trial impress, Richter tells investors in a research note. The analyst, who cautions the data represents small patient numbers, is “highly encouraged” with the profile of CTX001 and sees today’s positive data as initial validation of Crispr’s ex-vivo gene editing platform.

Roth Capital

Roth Capital analyst Tony Butler raised his price target for Crispr Therapeutics to $100 from $65 and maintained a Buy rating after the company and partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) announced the first CTX001 early clinical data in two patients.

In a research note to investors, Butler says that though only two patients have been treated with CTX001, these data provide a hint that CRISPR-Cas9 could be curative for hemoglobinopathies, adding that gene-editing is “clearly not a fiction.”

The results utilizing gene-editing with CRISPR-Cas9 to create allogenic CAR-T cells against various cancers may also increase its probability of success based on successful editing in the CLIMB trials, he said.

Cantor Fitzgerald

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Alethia Young raised her price target for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) to $229 from $217 after the company and partner Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP) announced the first CTX001 early clinical data in two patients.

The analyst finds the data “highly encouraging” and thinks this could be an “exciting pipeline program of focus for Vertex by this time next year.” She increased her probability of success for CTX001 to 20% from 10% and reiterates an Overweight rating on shares of Vertex.

Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray analyst Edward Tenthoff raised his price target for Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP) to $107 from $100 after the company and partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reported first-ever CTX001 data on one beta thalassemia and one sickle cell disease patient. Tenthoff is “impressed by these early results showing potential curative effect and look for more patients and longer follow-up next year.” He reiterates an Overweight rating on Crispr Therapeutics.

CRSP is up $10 to $68.55. VRTX is up $5.07 to $215.07

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

October 16, 2019October 22, 2019

Assembly Biosciences reports chronic hepatitis data, shares jump

Assembly Biosciences announces presentation of ABI-H0731, ABI-H2158 data

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB) announced that data on its lead HBV core inhibitor candidates, ABI-H0731 and ABI-H2158 for the treatment of chronic HBV will be featured in a late-breaking poster session during the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Annual Meeting.

Shares jump on hepatitis data, Stockwinners

A hepatitis B infection can result in either an acute infection or a chronic infection. When a person is first infected with the hepatitis B virus, it is called an “acute infection” (or a new infection). Most healthy adults that are infected do not have any symptoms and are able to get rid of the virus without any problems. Some adults are unable to get rid of the virus after six months and they are diagnosed as having a “chronic infection.”

Title: Continued Therapy with ABI-H0731+Nrtl Results in Sequential Reduction/Loss of HBV DNA, HBV RNA, HBeAg, HBcrAg and HBsAg in HBeAg-Positive Patients.

Abstract Summary: Final results from Phase 2a are reported for HBeAg+ patients with chronic HBV infection treated with 731+Nrtl for 24 weeks.

In Study 202, greater mean log10 declines in HBV DNA and RNA were achieved with 731+Nrtl versus entecavir alone.

In Study 201, the proportion of patients on 731+Nrtl versus Nrtl alone achieving DNA target not detected was 69% vs 0%, and the proportion of patients achieving RNA less than35 U/mL whose RNA was greater than or equal to35 U/mL at baseline was 52% vs 0% respectively.

In Study 211, there are 64 HBeAg+ patients currently on extended treatment beyond 24 weeks. Among the 27 HBeAg+ patients receiving 731+Nrtl in Study 201, 41% have now achieved DNA TND along with RNA less than35 U/mL and HBeAg less than1 IU/mL.

At their last time point, Study 202 patients now in Study 211 have demonstrated mean DNA and RNA declines of 6.1 and 3.0 logs, respectively, with observed mean log changes of greater than or equal to 0.6 for HBeAg, greater than 0.8 log for HBcrAg and greater than or equal to 0.4 log for HBsAg.

731 continues to exhibit a favorable safety and tolerability profile in patients treated for up to 1 year, with only mild/moderate adverse events and lab abnormalities, and only a single discontinuation due to a Grade 1 rash.

The combination of 731+NrtI results in faster and deeper declines in HBV DNA and RNA than NrtI alone, as well as subsequent declines in the surrogate markers of cccDNA predictive of cccDNA pool depletion, and HBsAg.

A Visual Guide to Hepatitis, Stockwinners

The emergent data supports the continued development of 731.

Abstract data are as of the time of submission; the poster is expected to include updated safety and efficacy results. Title: The Second-Generation Hepatitis B Virus Core Inhibitor ABI-H2158 is Associated with Potent Antiviral Activity in a 14-Day Monotherapy Study in HBeAg-positive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.

Abstract Summary: The Phase 1b study is enrolling sequential cohorts of 9 patients and each cohort will be randomized to receive 2158 or placebo QD for 14 days in a blinded manner.

Dosing in the 1st cohort has been completed. In patients receiving 2158, mean declines from Baseline to Day 15 in HBV DNA and RNA levels were 2.3 log10 and 2.1 log10 IU/mL respectively.

No serious AEs, dose limiting toxicities or premature discontinuations were reported.

Three patients reported a total of 5 mild, drug-related AEs that recovered without intervention; dizziness, fatigue, rash, headache and upper abdominal pain.

Treatment emergent laboratory abnormalities were infrequent, mild and transient, with no ALT elevations Grade greater than or equal to 1 in severity.

Day 14 plasma 2158 Cmax and AUC0-24hr were 3,390 ng/mL and 46,100 hr*ng/mL, respectively.

Results from the initial 100 mg low dose of ABI-H2158 cohort demonstrated potent antiviral activity, a favourable safety profile when administered for 14 days, and support once daily dosing in CHB patients.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

July 3, 2019

Karyopharm Therapeutics shares jump on FDA decision

Karyopharm announces FDA approval of XPOVIO-dexamethasone combination for multiple myeloma

Karyopharm Therapeutics shares soar on FDA approval, Stockwinners

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (KPTI) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved oral XPOVIO, a nuclear export inhibitor, in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate.

Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

XPOVIO to become commercially available in the U.S. on or before July 10, 2019, Stockwinners

The ongoing, randomized Phase 3 BOSTON study evaluating selinexor in combination with Velcade and low-dose dexamethasone will serve as the confirmatory trial.

The FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program was developed to allow for expedited approval of drugs that treat serious conditions and that fill an unmet medical need.

Karyopharm expects XPOVIO to become commercially available in the U.S. on or before July 10, 2019.

A Marketing Authorization Application for selinexor is also currently under review by the European Medicines Agency.

The FDA advises health care professionals to tell females of reproductive age and males with a female partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Xpovio.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Xpovio because it may cause harm to a developing fetus or newborn baby. Xpovio must be dispensed with a patient Medication Guide that describes important information about the drug’s uses and risks.

The FDA granted this application Fast Track designation. Xpovio also received Orphan Drug designation, which provides incentives to assist and encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases.

Executive Changes

In a regulatory filing, Karyopharm disclosed that on July 2, Karyopharm Therapeutics promoted Perry Monaco to Senior Vice President, Sales responsible for the company’s sales function under the direction of Michael Kauffman, Chief Executive Officer of the company.

On July 2, following the buildout of the company’s commercial organization and development of the company’s product launch strategy, Anand Varadan resigned as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer of the company, effective July 5.

KPTI last traded at $8.15.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

June 2, 2019

Bempegaldesleukin data should send Nektar shares higher

Nektar presents biomarker, clinical data from PIVOT-02 Phase 2 study

Stockwinners offers winning stock and option picks since 1998 — Nektar presents biomarker, clinical data from PIVOT-02 Phase 2 study, Stockwinners

Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) announced that biomarker and clinical data from PIVOT-02 was presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

#Bempegaldesleukin is an investigational, CD122-preferential IL-2 pathway agonist designed to provide sustained signaling through the IL-2 beta-gamma receptor.

Bempegaldesleukin is under investigation in clinical trial NCT03729245 (A Study of NKTR-214 in Combination With Nivolumab Compared With the Investigator’s Choice of a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) Therapy (Either Sunitinib or Cabozantinib Monotherapy) for Advanced Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)).

PIVOT-02 is an ongoing Phase 2 study evaluating bempeg in combination with nivolumab in solid tumors.

Exploratory biomarker analyses of PIVOT-02 baseline tumor biopsies identified immune signatures that potentially enrich for response in patients with 1L metastatic melanoma and not 1L metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Notable response rates were seen in both 1L metastatic melanoma and 1L metastatic urothelial cancer patients, regardless of PD-L1 status or unfavorable tumor microenvironments.

At a median time of follow-up of 12.7 months, confirmed objective response rate was 53% in efficacy-evaluable patients, with 34% of patients achieving confirmed complete responses. 42% of patients achieved a maximum reduction of 100% in target lesions. DCR, also known as disease control rate was 74%.

Median time to response was 2 months. Median duration of response was not reached. At the 12.7 month median follow-up, data were too immature to calculate median progression-free survival. 80% of patients with responses have ongoing responses. Amongst the 35 patients with known pre-treatment PD-L1 status, ORR in PD-L1 negative patients was 6/14 and in PD-L1 positive patients was 13/21.

One of three patients with unknown PD-L1 baseline status experienced a CR.

A total of 6/41 of patients experienced a Grade 3 or higher TRAE with 4/41 patients discontinuing treatment due to a TRAE. A total of 41 patients have been treated at the RP2D with 3 patients discontinuing prior to 1st scan due to an unrelated treatment-emergent adverse event and patient decision.

A Phase 3 trial evaluating bempeg in combination with nivolumab versus nivolumab in first-line advanced melanoma patients is currently recruiting patients.

A Phase 2 pivotal trial evaluating bempeg in combination with nivolumab in first-line metastatic urothelial cancer is currently recruiting patients.

Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray analyst Tyler Van Buren reiterates an Overweight rating and $100 price target on Nektar, and believes shares should be up significantly on Monday following updated data from the bempegaldesleukin + nivo PIVOT-02 melanoma cohort.

The increase in complete response rate from 24% to 34% at just beyond 12 months is more than the analyst and investors were anticipating and “the waterfall plot is like nothing [he has] ever seen in solid tumors.”

Ultimately, Van Buren believes the high quality of responses and the ability to maintain patients on therapy is contributing to robust durability, which increases his confidence in the ultimate outcome of the Phase III trial which will have a final mPFS evaluation around Q3 of 2020.

NKTR closed at $31.32.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

March 3, 2019March 3, 2019

Verrica Pharmaceuticals reports positive data on its molluscum contagiosum drug

Verrica Pharmaceuticals presents results from Phase 3 clinical trials of VP-102

Verrica Pharmaceuticals reports positive data on its molluscum contagiosum drug, Stockwinners

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA) presented data from the company’s pivotal Phase 3 CAMP-1 and CAMP-2 trials of lead product candidate, VP-102, at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting being held in Washington, DC from March 1-5.

Both trials of VP-102 in patients with molluscum contagiosum successfully met their primary endpoints.

In each trial, a clinically and statistically significant proportion of patients treated with VP-102 demonstrated complete clearance of all treatable molluscum lesions in 12 weeks.

On average, molluscum can take approximately 13 months to resolve without treatment, and in some cases can remain unresolved for several years.

The two randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trials evaluated the efficacy of dermal application of VP-102 compared to placebo in subjects with molluscum.

In total, the trials enrolled 528 subjects two years of age and older with molluscum at 31 centers in the U.S. Subjects were treated once every 21 days with topical solution of 0.7% cantharidin for up to four applications.

Complete clearance of molluscum lesions was evaluated by assessment of the number of lesions at study visits over 12 weeks. Results from CAMP-1 and CAMP-2 showed 46% and 54% of subjects treated with VP-102, respectively, achieved complete clearance of all treatable molluscum lesions at the end of the trials versus 18% and 13% of subjects in the placebo groups.

By Day 84, VP-102 treated subjects had a 69% and 83% mean reduction in the number of molluscum lesions, a pre-specified endpoint, in CAMP-1 and CAMP-2 respectively, compared to a 20% increase and a 19% reduction for subjects on placebo. VP-102 was well-tolerated in both trials, with no serious adverse events reported in VP-102 treated subjects.

The most frequently reported adverse events were application site reactions that are well-known, reversible side effects related to the mechanism of action of cantharidin, a blistering agent, which is the active ingredient in VP-102.

There were no treatment-related serious adverse events reported in CAMP-1 or CAMP-2. Verrica previously announced topline results from both trials on January 3, 2019.

Based on the positive results, the company plans to submit a New Drug Application for VP-102 in the second half of 2019. If approved, VP-102 would be the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum contagiosum.

VRCA closed at $12.11.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

June 29, 2018

Novartis receives positive CHMP opinion for Kymriah

Novartis (NVS) announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of Kymriah – a novel one-time treatment that uses a patient’s own T cells to fight cancer.

The positive opinion includes two B-cell malignancies: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia that is refractory, in relapse post-transplant or in second or later relapse in patients up to 25 years of age; and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that is relapsed or refractory after two or more lines of systemic therapy in adults.

If approved by the European Commission, Kymriah will be the first CAR-T cell therapy available in the European Union for both DLBCL and B-cell ALL.

Both B-cell ALL and DLBCL are aggressive malignancies with significant treatment gaps for patients.

In Europe, ALL accounts for approximately 80% of leukemia cases among children, and for those patients who relapse, the outlook is poor. This low survival rate is in spite of patients having to undergo multiple treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy or stem cell transplant, and further highlights the need for new treatment options.

DLBCL is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for up to 40% of all cases globally.

For patients who relapse or don’t respond to initial therapy, there are limited treatment options that provide durable responses, and survival rates are low for the majority of patients due to ineligibility for autologous stem cell transplant or because salvage chemotherapy or ASCT have failed.

The positive CHMP opinion is based on two pivotal Novartis-sponsored global, multi-center, Phase II trials, ELIANA and JULIET, which included patients from Europe, the US, Australia, Canada and Japan. The collaboration of Novartis and the University of Pennsylvania has led to historic milestones in CAR-T cell therapy since 2012, including the initiation of the first global CAR-T trials, the PRIME designation granted by the EMA for Kymriah in pediatric patients with r/r B-cell ALL, and the approval of Kymriah in two distinct indications by the US Food and Drug Administration.

ELIANA is the first pediatric global CAR-T cell therapy registration trial, treating patients in 25 centers in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and the EU, including: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Spain. JULIET is the first multi-center global registration study for Kymriah in adult patients with r/r DLBCL.

JULIET is also the largest global study evaluating a CAR-T cell therapy in patients with DLBCL, enrolling patients from 27 sites in 10 countries across the US, Canada, Australia, Japan and the EU, including: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and the Netherlands.

The Novartis CAR-T cell manufacturing platform includes cryopreservation, the process of freezing patients’ harvested cells in order to preserve them, which provides physicians with the flexibility to decide when to initiate both the harvesting of patients’ cells and the infusion of Kymriah, based on each patient’s condition, and allows for this individualized treatment approach on a global scale.

The European Commission will now review the CHMP recommendation to deliver its final decision, applicable to all 28 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

NVS closed at $73.00, it last traded at $75.50.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

June 21, 2018

Heron Therapeutics HTX-001 achieves primary endpoints

Heron Therapeutics HTX-001 achieves primary endpoints in Study 209, 211

Heron Therapeutics (HRTX) announced positive topline results from two completed Phase 2b studies of HTX-011: Study 209 and Study 211.

HTX-011 achieved the primary endpoints in both studies.

Study 209 was a randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, double-blind, Phase 2b clinical study in patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty to evaluate the analgesic efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of HTX-011 locally administered into the surgical site.

Following a dose-escalation phase, 222 patients were randomized to receive: HTX-011 400 mg administered via instillation into the surgical site; HTX-011 400 mg administered via instillation into the surgical site with a low dose of ropivacaine injected into the posterior capsule (HTX-011 combination); bupivacaine 125 mg administered via multiple injections into the surgical site; and placebo.

Ropivacaine and bupivacaine are generically available standard-of-care local anesthetics used in the management of postoperative pain.

This study included a pre-specified hierarchical testing strategy for the primary and key secondary endpoints for the HTX-011 400 mg treatment groups. The primary endpoint was pain intensity as measured by the area under the curve, or AUC, from 0 to 48 hours post-surgery for HTX-011 compared to placebo.

The key secondary endpoint was pain intensity as measured by the AUC from 0 to 72 hours post-surgery for HTX-011 compared to placebo.
The primary and key secondary endpoints were achieved.

Study 211 was a randomized, placebo- and active-controlled, double-blind, Phase 2b dose-finding study in patients undergoing augmentation mammoplasty to evaluate the analgesic efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of HTX-011 when administered by instillation into the surgical site or via ultrasound-guided lateral and medial pectoral nerve block before surgery.

The study consisted of three cohorts comparing HTX-011 nerve block to the standard dose of bupivacaine 50 mg, administered as a nerve block, and placebo, and a final cohort comparing both HTX-011 400 mg administered by instillation and HTX-011 400 mg administered as a nerve block to the same two control groups.

A total of 243 patients were enrolled.

The primary endpoint was pain intensity as measured by the AUC from 0 to 24 hours post-surgery compared to placebo. The primary endpoint of the study was achieved.

HRTX closed at $30.70. it last traded at $40.00

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

June 15, 2018

Bluebird Bio reports data from Phase 1 HGB-206

Bluebird Bio reports interim data from Phase 1 HGB-206 study of LentiGlobin

https://stockwinners.com/ — Bluebird Bio reports interim data from Phase 1 HGB-206 study of LentiGlobin

bluebird bio (BLUE) announced new interim data from the ongoing HGB-206 Phase 1 multicenter clinical study of LentiGlobin investigational gene therapy in patients with severe sickle cell disease will be presented in an oral presentation on Saturday, June 16 at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association by Julie Kanter, M.D., Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

“The consistent production of increased amounts of anti-sickling HbAT87Q in the Group C patients reflects the substantial positive impact of the changes introduced with the amended HGB-206 study protocol and refined manufacturing process.

All four Group C patients with greater than or equal to three months follow-up are making over 30 percent anti-sickling HbAT87Q.

The first patient treated, now with six months of follow-up, is producing over 60 percent anti-sickling HbAT87Q with a normal total hemoglobin level of 14.2 g/dL,” said David Davidson, M.D., chief medical officer, bluebird bio.

“The upward trajectory in Group C at these early time points suggests the potential for these patients to exceed the initially proposed therapeutic target of 30 percent anti-sickling HbAT87Q. We continue to define the development plan with regulatory authorities, and with further follow-up, we hope to see even higher levels of HbAT87Q, as well as sustained clinical benefit for patients.”

“The early data from Group C patients are very exciting and provide increasing confidence that LentiGlobin has the potential to deliver transformative benefit to patients. The longer-term data from patients treated earlier in the study show that levels of anti-sickling HbAT87Q in patients with SCD treated with LentiGlobin remain stable for at least two years,” said Dr. Kanter, a lead investigator of the HGB-206 study.

“Treatment options that can address the underlying cause of sickle cell disease are limited and LentiGlobin gene therapy has the potential to prevent or substantially reduce damaging symptoms associated with this debilitating disease.”

Separately, bluebird bio announced that new data from the completed Phase 1/2 Northstar (HGB-204) study in adolescents and adults with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia and any genotype, and its ongoing, Phase 3 Northstar-2 (HGB-207) multicenter clinical study of LentiGlobin investigational gene therapy in patients with TDT and non-beta0/beta0 genotypes, will be presented in an oral session on June 16 at the 23rd Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association by Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D., of the IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu of Rome, Italy.

“The maturing data from HGB-204 and HGB-207 suggest that one-time treatment with LentiGlobin may address the underlying genetic cause of TDT.

With our refined manufacturing process, the majority of patients with TDT and non-beta0/beta0 genotypes are transfusion-free and producing total hemoglobin at normal or near-normal levels,” said David Davidson, M.D., chief medical officer, bluebird bio.

“We are on track to submit a marketing authorization application in the European Union later this year, and we continue to work closely with clinical investigators and regulatory authorities to complete our ongoing clinical trials and bring this important treatment option to patients as soon as possible.”

“Consistently higher in vivo vector copy numbers and HbAT87Q hemoglobin levels in patients indicate that LentiGlobin manufacturing refinements have resulted in improved gene therapy characteristics and may enable sustained transfusion independence for a great majority of patients,” said Professor Locatelli, the lead investigator of the Northstar-2 study.

“Further, we are now seeing more than three years of data from the Northstar study indicating that LentiGlobin therapy may enable long-term transfusion independence in the majority of patients with non-beta0/beta0 genotypes.

These results hold the promise to change the natural history of many patients with this severe genetic disorder of hemoglobin production.”

BLUE closed at $197.00. It last traded at $204.65.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

March 7, 2018

Ultragenyx reports ‘positive’ topline results for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.

Ultragenyx reports ‘positive’ topline results from Phase 1/2 DTX301 study

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (RARE) announced positive longer-term safety and efficacy data from the first dose cohort of the Phase 1/2 study of DTX301, an investigational adeno-associated virus gene therapy for the treatment of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.

The 52-week study is designed to enroll patients with late-onset disease who are clinically stable and on a stable dose of alternate pathway medication.

All three patients in the first, lowest-dose cohort received a single DTX301 dose of 2.0 10^12 GC/kg, and the pre-defined endpoint for efficacy evaluation occurred 12 weeks after dosing.

As of the February 15, 2018 data cutoff date, patient 1 has been followed for 24 weeks, patient 2 for 20 weeks, and patient three for 12 weeks The first patient’s rate of ureagenesis was normalized, maintained and then substantially increased over 24 weeks.

The rate of ureagenesis at baseline was 67% of normal, with the normal rate of ureagenesis defined as 300 umol/kg/hr. The patient had an initial peak effect at 6 weeks at 112% of normal, and then declined at week 12 to 87% of normal during the steroid regimen that was used to treat the patient’s mild ALT elevations.

After steroids were weaned, ureagenesis began to rebound to 91% of normal at week 20 and then substantially increased to 134% of normal at week 24. The protocol allows for the tapering or discontinuation of alternate pathway medications and all alternate pathway medications were stopped at week 24 for patient 1 based on their choice. In the 3 weeks since stopping these medications, the patient has been doing well clinically as reported by the investigator.

The second and third patients did not show a clinically meaningful change in rate of ureagenesis over 20 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively.

As of February 15, 2018 there have been no infusion-related adverse events and no serious adverse events reported. All adverse events have been Grade 1 or 2 and have resolved.

The only treatment-related adverse events were the previously-reported mild, clinically asymptomatic and manageable elevations in alanine aminotransferase in two patients, peaking at 45 and 118 IU/L.These ALT elevations were mild and similar to what has been observed in other programs using AAV gene therapy.

Both patients completed a standard tapering course of corticosteroids as outpatients to treat the ALT elevations and their ALT levels have remained in the normal range since completing the tapering course. The third patient’s ALT levels remained in the normal range through twelve weeks. All three patients have remained clinically and metabolically stable.

The Data Monitoring Committee has completed its review of the current Cohort 1 data, and Ultragenyx will proceed to the second, higher-dose cohort of the study. Three patients will be enrolled in Cohort 2 and will each receive a single DTX301 dose of 6.0 10^12 GC/kg.

The first patient is expected to be enrolled in March 2018, and data from the second cohort are expected in the second half of 2018.

RARE closed at $52.66. It last traded at $54.00

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

March 5, 2018

GTx Phase 2 trial of enobosarm meets primary endpoint

GTx (GTXI) announced additional results from a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial of 3 mg enobosarm administered orally in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence, or SUI, including magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI results from patients’ pelvic floor muscle.

New data in a subset of women also suggests a positive treatment effect of enobosarm for urge incontinence, or UI, suggesting a possible treatment effect for women with mixed incontinence.

Results from a pre-specified analysis of MRI data demonstrate a statistically significant increase in pelvic floor muscle thickness and urethral muscle diameter after enobosarm treatment.

Treatment with enobosarm also reduced mean UI episodes by approximately 68 percent in patients who experienced UI as well as SUI, based on a post hoc analysis of a subset of women with both UI and SUI.

These results were outlined during a podium presentation which took place at the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, & Urogenital Reconstruction.

The presentation included clinical data from all 18 patients completing 12 weeks of enobosarm treatment, which, as previously reported, demonstrated an 81% reduction in the number of mean stress leaks per day, the primary endpoint of the clinical trial, as well as additional data demonstrating duration of response following completion of treatment, including nine patients who have now reached seven months post-treatment.

MRI was used to quantitatively measure muscle in the pelvic floor of 17 women at 12 weeks compared to their baseline. The results showed a statistically significant increase in several important measurements and support the mechanism of action of enobosarm on the pelvic floor.

While all of the women in the trial had predominant SUI, some also experienced urge incontinence.

Eleven of the 18 women completing 12 weeks of treatment were determined to have both SUI and UI at baseline, and these 11 women with mixed incontinence demonstrated a mean reduction in their UI episodes of approximately 68%.

Consistent with previous findings, at the end of the 12-week treatment period, all of the 18 enobosarm-treated women showed a clinically meaningful reduction in stress urinary incontinence episodes per day.

The reduction in incontinence episodes was sustained, or durable, well beyond the 12-week treatment period.

There were no serious adverse events reported and reported adverse events were minimal and included headaches, nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, insomnia, muscle weakness and acne.

Mild transient elevations in liver enzymes that were within normal limits were observed, except for one patient with levels greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal which returned to normal following her 12-week treatment period. Reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides were also observed.

GTXI closed at $16.81. It last traded at $19.00 in pre-market trading.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.

February 9, 2018

Pieris Pharmaceuticals higher on collaboration with Seattle Genetics

Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Seattle Genetics enter collaboration, license agreement

Pieris Pharmaceuticals higher on collaboration with Seattle Genetics

Pieris Pharmaceuticals (PIRS) and Seattle Genetics (SGEN) announced they have entered into a collaboration and license agreement with the goal of developing multiple targeted bispecific immuno-oncology treatments for solid tumors and blood cancers.

The collaboration leverages the expertise and core technologies of both companies to develop novel Antibody-Anticalin fusion proteins.

Under the terms of the agreement, Seattle Genetics will pay Pieris a $30M upfront fee, tiered royalties on net sales up to low double-digits, and up to $1.2B in total success-based payments across three product candidates.

The companies will pursue multiple Antibody-Anticalin fusion proteins during the research phase, and Seattle Genetics has the option to select up to three therapeutic programs for further development.

Prior to the initiation of a pivotal trial, Pieris may opt into global co-development and US commercialization of the second program and share in global costs and profits on a 50/50 basis.

Seattle Genetics will solely develop, fund and commercialize the other two programs.

PIRS closed at $7.14. It last traded at $8.32.

STOCKWINNERS

To read timely stories similar to this, along with money making trade ideas, sign up for a membership to Stockwinners.