Amgen/Adaptive Biotech set webinar on COVID-19 drug partnership

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Adaptive Biotechnologies (NASDAQ:ADPT) will host a webinar tomorrow, April 9, at 11:00 am ET to discuss their collaboration to develop a therapeutic to prevent or treat COVID-19.

Amgen EVP of R&D David Reese, M.D. and Adaptive co-founder and CSO Harlan Robins, Ph.D. will lead.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559217-amgen-adaptive-biotech-set-webinar-on-covidminus-19-drug-partnership

Novavax up on advancement of COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX) announces that it has identified a coronavirus vaccine candidate, a stable prefusion protein that it has named NVX-CoV2373, that will also incorporate its Matrix-M adjuvant.

A Phase 1 study in ~130 healthy volunteers will launch in mid-May. Safety and preliminary immunogenicity data should be available in July.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559220-novavax-up-6-premarket-on-advancement-of-covidminus-19-vaccine-candidate

Bristol applications for Opdivo + Yervoy new use accepted in U.S. and Europe

The FDA and EMA (European Medicines Agency) have accepted for review Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (NYSE:BMY) supplemental marketing applications seeking approval to use the combination of Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab), together with limited chemo, for the first-line treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no EGFR or ALK mutations.

The FDA’s action date is August 6.

The company’s partner in Japan, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., filed a marketing application there about two weeks ago.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559226-bristol-myers-squibb-applications-for-new-use-of-o-y-accepted-in-u-s-and-europe

Analyst action, April 8

Bionano Genomics (NASDAQ:BNGO) initiated with an Outperform rating and a $1.50 (443% upside) price target at Oppenheimer. Shares up 19% premarket.

NovoCure (NASDAQ:NVCR) initiated with an Overweight rating and a $85 (32% upside) price target at Piper Sandler.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) initiated with a Hold rating at Benchmark.

Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:VAR) initiated with an Overweight rating and a $126 (18% upside) price target at Piper Sandler.

DENTSPLY SIRONA (NASDAQ:XRAY) upgraded to Outperform with a $49 (29% upside) price target at Baird. Shares up 1% premarket.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) upgraded to Buy with a $171 (22% upside) price target at Bank of America.

NuVasive (NASDAQ:NUVA) upgraded to Outperform with a $66 (31% upside) price target at Baird.

Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI) upgraded to Sector Outperform at Scotiabank.

Sage Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SAGE) downgraded to Neutral at Guggenheim. Shares down 1% premarket after its announced job cuts.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559236-bofa-likes-molina-healthcare-in-premarket-analyst-action

Keros Therapeutics prices IPO at $16

Keros Therapeutics (KROS) has priced its initial public offering (IPO) of 6M common shares at $16.00/share, for gross proceeds of $96M.

Underwriters’ over-allotment is an additional 900,000 shares.

Closing date is April 13.

Trading kicks off today.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559243-keros-therapeutics-prices-ipo-16

Centene and Roche launch COVID-19 initiatives

Centene (NYSE:CNC) has launched a provider support program to help network providers who are seeking benefits from the Small Business Administration through the CARES Act. The dedicated online portal enables provides to research benefits that they may be eligible for and work directly with experts to apply for them. It will also provide resources to help providers with grant writing and loan applications.

Roche’s (OTCQX:RHHBY) Canadian unit has launched the Roche Data Science Coalition, a group of public and private organizations, aimed at developing solutions to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coalition has developed a centralized location for curated publicly available population datasets from around the world that will be used to enhance research. It is also developing a patient self-assessment tool to anyone can use who suspects that they are infected or have been diagnosed.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559252-centene-and-roche-launch-covidminus-19-initiatives

N-95 Mask-maker Alpha Pro Tech surges after booking 62% order growth

Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd. (NYSEMKT:APT) pops 16% pre-market after disclosing orders for its proprietary N-95 Particulate Respirator face mask rose 62% from March 11, adding $14.1 million to its March 11 total.

APT has seen “exponential increases” in near-term and long-term purchase orders that extend beyond Q3 2020 and 1H 2021. Alpha Pro has also seen a “significant increase” in face shield products, with orders reaching $11.6 million since Jan. 27.

NOTE: APT has booked quarterly revenue in the range of $7-8 million for the past 7 quarters. 

Affirms expectations to ramp up its phase 1 face mask production by early May, and cautions that its JV in India to produce other disposable protective apparel is under a Government mandated shutdown and the co. will seek other measures.

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3559256-nminus-95-mask-maker-alpha-pro-tech-surges-after-booking-62-order-growth