Humana up 7% premarket on Q2 beat; raised 2019 guidance

Humana (HUM) Q2 results: Revenues: $16,245M (+13.9%); Premiums: $15,776M (+15.0%); Services: $355M (-7.1%); Investment income: $114M (-30.5%).

Net Income: $940M; EPS: $6.94; Non-GAAP EPS: $6.05 (+52.8%).

Q2 Benefit ratio was 84.4%; Retail benefit ratio of 85.2%; Group and Specialty benefit ratio of 86.3%.

Individual Medicare Advantage membership was 3,484,500 (+15% Y/Y).

Group Medicare Advantage membership was 519,100 (+5% Y/Y).

2019 Guidance: Total Revenues: $64.2B – 64.8B from $63.3B – 63.9; GAAP EPS: ~$17.97 from ~$16.63 – 16.88; Non-GAAP EPS: ~$17.60 from ~$17.25 – 17.50; Individual Medicare Advantage: up 480K – 500K from 415K – 440K;  Group Medicare Advantage: up ~30,000 (unch); Retail Benefit Ratio: 86.4% – 86.8% from 86.4% – 87.4%; Group and Specialty segment Benefit Ratio: 82.4% – 82.8% from 81.3% – 81.8%.

Shares are up 7% premarket.

Previously: Humana EPS beats by $0.78, beats on revenue (July 31)

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484209-humana-7-percent-premarket-q2-beat-raised-2019-guidance

Late-stage study underway for Biohaven’s verdiperstat

The first subject has been enrolled in a Phase 3 clinical trial, M-STAR, evaluating Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company’s (NYSE:BHVN) verdiperstat (BHV-3241) in patients with a rare degenerative neurological disorder called multiple system atrophy (MSA) characterized by Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.

The primary endpoint is the change from baseline in an MSA scale called UMSARS at week 48 compared to placebo. The estimated completion date is October 2021.

Verdiperstat is an orally available, blood-brain barrier penetrant, irreversible inhibitor of an enzyme called myeloperoxidase that plays a key role in oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484278-late-stage-study-underway-biohavens-verdiperstat-msa

Omeros secures long-term production deal for OMS721

Omeros (NASDAQ:OMER) inks an agreement with Basel, Switzerland-based Lonza Group (OTCPK:LZAGF) for the commercial production of narsoplimab (OMS721). Financial terms remain confidential.

The company is preparing marketing applications in the U.S. and Europe for hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA).

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484287-omeros-secures-long-term-production-deal-oms721

FDA calls key Impossible Foods ingredient safe

The FDA says heme looks safe and suitable for use in Impossible Foods (IMPSBL) products.

The soy leghemoglobin additive gives Impossible Burgers their meat-like flavor and red coloring.

Beyond Meat (BYND +3.5%) uses pea protein and beet extract instead of soy protein and soy leghemoglobin.

FDA notice

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484302-fda-calls-key-impossible-foods-ingredient-safe

LivaNova Q2 top-line down 4%; reiterates guidance

LivaNova (LIVN +1.6%) Q2 results: Revenues: $277.2M (-3.6%); Cardiovascular: $172.2M (-2.4%); Neuromodulation: $104.3M (-5.8%); Other: $0.7M (+75.0%).

Net Loss: ($29.4M); Loss Per Share: ($0.61); Non-GAAP Net Income: $34.3M (-27.8%); Non-GAAP EPS: $0.70 (-27.1%); CF Ops: ($17.4M) (-135.9%).

2019 guidance: Revenue growth: 1% – 3% (unch); non-GAAP EPS: $3.00 – 3.10 (unch).

Previously: LivaNova PLC EPS beats by $0.05, beats on revenue (July 31)

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484301-livanova-q2-top-line-4-percent-reiterates-guidance

TCR2 teams up with NCI in cancer study of proprietary T cells; shares up 3%

TCR² Therapeutics (TCRR +2.7%) will collaborate with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating its proprietary T cell receptor (TCR) Fusion Construct T cells (TRuC-T cells) (named TC-210 at present) as a cancer therapeutic agent against a protein called mesothelin that is overexpressed in certain cancers (e.g., mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma).

NCI’s activities will be aimed at better understanding TC-210’s pharmacodynamics via translational studies, measuring potential biomarkers in treated patients.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484305-tcr2-therapeutics-teams-nci-cancer-study-proprietary-t-cells-shares-3-percent

DelMar Pharma up 43% on advancement of VAL-083

Nano cap DelMar Pharmaceuticals (DMPI +42.9%) is up more than a 5x surge in volume in reaction to its announcement that enrollment in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating VAL-083, combined with radiation therapy, in newly diagnosed patients with MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer) is 2/3 (~20 subjects) of the way there.

Target enrollment in the China-based trial is 30. The estimated primary completion date is December.

Orphan Drug-tagged VAL-083 (dianhydrogalactitol) is a small molecule chemotherapeutic, specifically, a bifunctional alkylating agent that kills cancer cells by breaking up DNA.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3484318-delmar-pharma-43-percent-advancement-valminus-083