Roth Capital analyst David Solomon initiated Sensus Healthcare with a Buy rating and $12.50 price target, as he sees the company being able to sustain its revenue growth as it capitalizes on the resurgence of superficial radiation therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer and intra-operative radiation therapy for solid tumors.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
First Patient Enrolled In Biohaven’s Phase 2/3 Mild-To-Moderate Alzheimer’s Trial
Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) (“Biohaven” or the “Company”) announced today that it has enrolled the first patient in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial of trigriluzole (BHV-4157), a novel glutamate modulator for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of trigriluzole in patients diagnosed with AD of mild-to-moderate severity (Mini-Mental State Examination scores of 14-24 at screening), and is being conducted in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) at sites throughout the U.S.
Howard Feldman, MD, FRCP, Director of the ADCS and Professor of Neurosciences at University of California San Diego School of Medicine added, “We are excited that the first patient has been enrolled into this innovative clinical trial that we are conducting with Biohaven. The preclinical evidence for the active metabolite of trigriluzole to modulate glutamate and confer neuroprotective effects in patients with AD is compelling, and the new formulation of trigriluzole should improve its pharmaceutical properties with potential for efficacy in AD.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative dementia that accounts for 60 – 80 percent of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s disease currently has no cure. Although there are FDA-approved medications for symptomatic treatment of AD, their clinical benefits are generally limited. Novel therapeutic approaches aimed at normalizing synaptic and extra-synaptic glutamate levels, such as trigriluzole, may offer the potential for symptomatic benefit in AD by improving cognitive function, as well as the potential for disease modification by preventing the loss of synapses.
Irfan Qureshi, M.D., Executive Director of Neurology at Biohaven, commented, “Biohaven is committed to efficiently developing novel therapies for severe neurological diseases so this is an important clinical milestone for the company. Based on compelling preclinical research, trigriluzole represents a promising therapeutic option for patients and families suffering from mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and we look forward to collaborating with the ADCS.”
Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven, added, “We are excited to advance trigriluzole in another late-stage clinical trial that reflects the broad therapeutic potential of trigriluzole in neurologic conditions. The trial, if positive, may contribute to the regulatory package necessary to establish the effectiveness of trigriluzole for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”
QIAGEN to Collaborate with Japan’s Largest Clinical Lab Testing Firm, SRL
QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced a collaboration with SRL, Inc. the largest clinical testing laboratory company in Japan, to prepare for introduction of new companion diagnostics simultaneous with new drug approvals. The non-exclusive master collaboration agreement for clinical laboratory research services will enable rapid implementation by SRL of QIAGEN´s companion diagnostic workflows upon approval of the drugs and tests by Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Several tests QIAGEN is co-developing with pharmaceutical partners are expected to enter registration in Japan in the coming years.
QIAGEN’s Day-One Lab Readiness initiative with SRL includes strategic planning for market access to companion diagnostics, filing for reimbursement, and alignment of medical communication by SRL, QIAGEN and pharmaceutical partners. The agreement will cover a range of QIAGEN companion diagnostics, including real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions for Personalized Healthcare. Initial projects involve QIAGEN companion diagnostics paired with new drugs under development in Japan for solid tumors and leukemia.
Piper recommends Biogen shares after meeting with management
After hosting investor meetings with Biogen investor relations this week, Piper Jaffray analyst Christopher Raymond continues to recommend purchase of the shares. The analyst came away feeling like the “all-important” high-dose APOE4 subset analysis of the BAN2401 results “may be provided sooner than later.” If shown to have little impact on the overall placebo-adjusted ADCOMS benefit, this should be an important event, Raymond tells investors in a research note. Coupling this with “continued solid commercial momentum and a host of other value-enhancing catalysts,” the analyst continues to like the risk/reward on shares of Biogen. He keeps an Overweight rating on the name with a $400 price target.
Incyte risk/reward remains compelling, says Barclays
Barclays analyst Geoff Meacham continues to see “compelling risk/reward profile” for Incyte shares following the company’s Q2 results. Despite signs of commercial strength and the recent positive Reach1 data readout, Incyte shares have remained flat since the end of Q2, Meacham tells investors in a research note. The analyst continues to see upside given the “strong base business” as well as the company’s “attractive and diverse” late-stage pipeline set to begin providing near-term catalysts. He keeps an Overweight rating on Incyte with an $85 price target
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)