Voyager Therapeutics price target lowered to $23 from $32 at BTIG

BTIG analyst Thomas Shrader lowered his price target on Voyager Therapeutics to $23 after the company’s announcement yesterday about increasing the size of its RESTORE-1 Phase 2 trial for VY-AADC in Parkinson’s Disease following FDA feedback. The analyst notes that the “final answer” on the trial represents “about a year delay” in the development of VY-ADCC, but keeps his Buy rating on the stock, saying he remains positive on Voyager Therapeutics investment story.
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845501

Denali Therapeutics, Sanofi initiate dosing in DNL747 trial

Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) announced initiation of dosing in a Phase 1b clinical study of DNL747 in patients with ALS, in collaboration with its partner Sanofi (SNY). RIPK1, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1, is a signaling protein in the TNF receptor pathway, which regulates inflammation and cell death in tissues throughout the body. Denali, together with its partner Sanofi, is investigating several molecules targeting RIPK1 for multiple indications, including DNL747 for ALS.
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845507

Dynavax introduces Heplisav-B into Sam’s Club retail pharmacies

Dynavax and Sam’s Club have teamed up to introduce Heplisav-B into Sam’s Club retail pharmacies nation-wide where pharmacists can immunize patients. Heplisav-B is indicated for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older. This is the first new hepatitis B vaccine in the United States in more than 25 years, and the only two-dose, one-month hepatitis B vaccine for adults.
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845513

Prescience Point says MiMedx worth ‘at least $8.09,’ announces long position

Prescience Point announced that it is long MiMedx, which it called “one of the most undervalued companies we have ever identified.” Prescience Point estimates the stock is “worth at least $8.09, almost 4x the current price.” The firm stated in its newly published report: “As frequent publishers of short-biased research, we believe short-selling is vital to the markets and agree with critics that MiMedx has engaged in wrongdoing. But we disagree on the extent of that wrongdoing, and believe that the company will overcome its current challenges and eventually thrive again.”
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845529

Illumina sees FY19 adjusted EPS $6.50-$6.60, consensus $6.37

Sees FY19 revenue $3.76B-$3.8B, $3.81B. While presenting last night at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, Illumina President & CEO Francis deSouza said, according to a transcript: “Looking to 2019, we’re expecting revenue growth in the range of 13% to 14%. We expect our sequencing business to grow in the mid teens with sequencing consumables expected to grow above 20% reflecting the strength of our product portfolio and expanding market opportunities. We’re forecasting low single digit growth in our arrays business in 2019. Our outlook reflects a cautious view of the consumer opportunity as we start the year. Although we expect this business to re accelerate, as consumer health and international opportunities ramp up. Overall, we expect 2019 revenue of between $3.76B-$3.8B, representing an increase of approximately $450 million at the midpoint. Following record system revenue in the fourth quarter, and reflecting expected seasonality, we expect total revenue to be more back end loaded in 2019 than it was in 2018. We expect GAAP EPS in the range of $6.07 and $6.17 and non-GAAP EPS in the range of $6.50 and $6.60. This excludes the expected impact of our acquisition of Pacific Biosciences, which we continue to expect to close in the middle of the year.”
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845547

Axsome Therapeutics price target raised to $20 from $16 at BTIG

BTIG analyst Robert Hazlett raised his price target on Axsome Therapeutics to $20 and kept his Buy rating after the release of its AXS-05 data findings showing “rapid, sustained efficacy” in Phase 2 trial for patients with major depressive disorder. The analyst says his new price target reflects the net present value update in the company’s major depressive disorder, adding that the expected 2019 readouts by Axsome Therapeutics – including the phase 3 data for AXS-05 for treatment resistant depression and Phase 2/3 ADVANCE-1 trial data in agitation in Alzheimer’s – could be potential catalysts for the stock. https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845549

vTv Therapeutics awarded U.S. patent for Bach1 Inhibitors and Nrf2 Activators

The patent granted to vTv Therapeutics relates to use of Bach1 Inhibitors and Nrf2 Activators for “methods of treating diseases such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and COPD,” according to a post to the USPTO website.
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2845557