Sage Therapeutics gains as Stifel touts pipeline

Stifel is bullish (BUY/$240) on Sage Therapeutics (SAGE +4.8%) based on its pipeline prospects.

A key future data readout is lead drug SAGE-217 in major depressive disorder. Other indications in development include bipolar depression, postpartum depression and insomnia.

Candidate #2, SAGE-324, is its Phase 1-stage program for Parkinson’s, essential tremor and epileptiform disorders.

The just-started commercial launch of Zulresso (brexanolone) should, no doubt, contribute to Stifel’s rosy outlook.

Sage is scheduled deliver another pipeline update on July 24.

SA Authors rating is Bullish while the Quant rating is Neutral.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3476567-sage-therapeutics-5-percent-stifel-touts-pipeline

Amarin hit on third citizen petition to invalidate key Vascepa patent

Amarin (AMRN -5.1%) is down on more than double normal volume in what appears to be profit-taking after its 33% rally since late June.

Many observers are attributing today’s drop to the filing of a third Citizen Petition by Medical Research Collaborative, LLC requesting that the company’s U.S. Patent No. 8,188,146 covering the composition of highly purified ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other EPA derivatives, be removed from the FDA’s Orange Book (ultra-pure omega-3 fatty acid is the active ingredient in Vascepa).

On May 31, 2016, the FDA awarded Amarin five years of New Chemical Entity (NCE) exclusivity for Vascepa, meaning that icosapent ethyl should not contain any active moiety previously approved by the agency. As the patent title states, though, icosapent ethyl is an ethyl ester of EPA. GlaxoSmithKline’s Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) is a combination of seven ethyl esters of omega-3 fatty acids so many have argued that the agency erred in granting NCE exclusivity for Vascepa, the removal of which would open the floodgates for competitors.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3476611-amarin-5-percent-third-citizen-petition-invalidate-key-vascepa-patent

Sarepta target upped to $220 from $165 by Morgan Stanley

Maintains  Overweight

https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRPT/ratings

Ryman Hospital Properties cut to Underweight from Neutral by JPMorgan

Target to $77 from $80

https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHP/ratings

NextCure started at Buy by B of A

https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NXTC/ratings

Intellia Therapeutics started at Outperform by Baird

Target $23

https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTLA/ratings

Myriad cut to Market Perform by Cowen

From Outperform

https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MYGN/ratings