Medivation, Inc (MDVN) and partner Astellas Pharma Inc (ALPMY) received a major boost with the FDA expanding the label of their prostate cancer treatment, Xtandi. Xtandi, which was earlier approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who had previously received docetaxel (chemotherapy), can now be used in patients with metastatic CRPC who have not received chemotherapy. The prostate cancer market … Continue reading Biotech Stock in Focus: Medivation-Astellas’ Xtandi’s Label Expanded

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. finally gained FDA approval for its weight loss drug, Contrave (NB32, naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets). We expect investors to react positively to the news. The FDA cleared Contrave as an adjunct to a healthy diet (low on calories) and physical activity for chronic weight management in obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) … Continue reading Biotech Stock News: Orexigen’s Obesity Drug Contrave Approved, Stock Set to Rise High

Last week was eventful for the biotech sector with highlights including a couple of FDA approvals (Xtandi’s label expansion and Contrave) and a positive FDA panel outcome (Natpara). However, the biggest gainer was Avanir Pharmaceuticals ( AVNR ), which came out with positive phase II data for the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Shares were up 85.3%. Overall, the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index … Continue reading A Look At the Best Performing Biotech Stocks For this Week

NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP) received encouraging news when the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) of the FDA recommended the approval of the company’s hormone replacement therapy Natpara (rhPTH [1-84]). NPS Pharma’s candidate was recommended for long-term use to treat patients suffering from hypoparathyroidism, a rare disease caused by the deficiency/absence of parathyroid hormone, by 8 of the 13 panel members. The positive opinion rendered … Continue reading Biotech Stocks in News: NPS Pharmaceuticals’ Natpara Gets Positive Review, Stock Set For a High

Shares of Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) gained a massive 85.31% to close the trading session on Sep 15 at $12.49. The jump came on the back of encouraging data from a phase II study (n=220) on Avanir‘s AVP-923, which evaluated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the candidate for treating agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Data revealed that agitation was significantly reduced in patients treated with … Continue reading Biotech Stock Update: Avanir Pharmaceuticals Shoots Up Due to Positive Results

AbbVie (ABBV) was in the news last week thanks to its agreements with Infinity Pharmaceuticals (INFI) and Calico. Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (KERX) was also in the headlines – the company’s shares declined despite receiving FDA approval for its oral, ferric iron-based compound. Gilead (GILD) was in the news as well, once again due to its hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, Sovaldi. AbbVie was very active on … Continue reading Biotech Stocks Update: A Review of the Biotech Stocks for the Week