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Friday, June 7, 2019

FDA OKs expanded use for PTC’s Emflaza

The FDA has approved the use of PTC Therapeutics’ (PTCT +3%) Emflaza (deflazacort) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients as young as two years old.
The agency first approved the corticosteroid in February 2017 for DMD patients at least five years old.

DaVita up 2.5% on expected FTC nod on sale of doctor unit

DaVita (DVA +2.5%) is up on below-average volume in apparent response to a report from Capital Forum that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff reviewing the planned sale of its Medical Group unit to UnitedHealth (UNH +1.7%) will give a thumbs up on the $4.34B deal.

FDA extends action date 90 days for Xeris Pharma’s glucagon rescue pen

The FDA has extended its action date to September 10 for its review of Xeris Pharmaceuticals’ (NASDAQ:XERS) marking application for Gvoke (ready-to-use glucagon injection) for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
The 90-day extension is standard operating procedure for the agency when there is a major amendment to an NDA. In this case, additional information requested by the review team constituted such an amendment.

Stoke Therapeutics readies $100M IPO

Stoke Therapeutics (STOK) has filed a prospectus for an IPO of 6.7M common shares at $14 – 16. The offering will be valued at $100.5M at the midpoint.

Restoration Robotics updates guidance ahead of merger

Restoration Robotics (NASDAQ:HAIRannounces that its previously announced merger with Venus Concept Ltd. is on track to close next quarter.
Venus’ revenue was $102.6M (+15.2%) in 2018 and $24.6M (+15.1%) last quarter.
2019 revenue guidance for the combined company is $130M – 135M.

Axsome down 3% premarket on delay of narcolepsy data

Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AXSM) slips 3% premarket on light volume on the heels of its pipeline update that included a revised timeline for a data readout from a Phase 2 clinical trial, CONCERT, evaluating AXS-12 in narcolepsy. Topline results are now expected in H2 instead of this quarter.
Topline data from the ongoing Phase 3 STRIDE-1 study of lead candidate AXS-05 in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) should be available in H2.
A Phase 3 study assessing AXS-05 in major depressive disorder (MDD) should launch shortly. Topine data should be available in H2. If all goes well, the company plans to file a U.S. marketing application in 2020.
Topline results from the Phase 2/3 ADVANCE study evaluating AXS-05 for the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer’s patients should be available in H1 2020.
Topline data from the Phase 3 MOMENTUM trial evaluating AXS-07 for the treatment of acute treatment of migraine should be available in H2.
The company says that its current resources should be sufficient to fund operations until at least Q1 2021, adding that it does not foresee another equity financing before the Phase 3 data readouts.

Beyond Meat +24% as investors eye fast-food chain potential

Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) management stated on the company’s post-earnings conference call that the company continues to plan to primarily invest in current and additional manufacturing facilities, expand R&D and invest in sales/marketing capabilities.
The company also says it doesn’t see any obstacles in working with large fast-food chains in the future in what could be an interesting development for burger chains such as Shake Shack (NYSE:SHAK), McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD), Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) and Sonic (NASDAQ:SONC).
Shares of Beyond Meat are up 24.2% in premarket trading to $124.00 (new post-IPO high)