Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR)
NKTR has been on a hot streak lately and closed higher yesterday for the fourth consecutive day. NKTR ended Wednesday higher by over 5% fueled by the news that the company will replace Caseys General Stores in the Small Cap 600 at the close of trading.
NKTR also just announced a collaboration agreement with MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas to research a Phase 1 study for NKTR-214. NKTR-214 was developed to increase production of CD8 positive T cells, which are known to kill naturally occurring Tumor cells found in the body.
Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of drug candidates that utilize its PEGylation and polymer conjugate technology platforms, which are designed to improve the benefits of drugs for patients. Its product pipeline consists of drug candidates across a number of therapeutic areas, including oncology, pain, anti-infectives, anti-viral and immunology. Nektar.com
Novovax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX)
Traders and investors alike have been quite content with NVAX and its strong upward trend in the past nine months, but can it continue?
A few analysts firms have initiated coverage of NVAX and also upped their price targets. Guggenheim Securities initiated coverage of NVAX with a Buy rating and a $11 price target. In addition, Citigroup reiterated their Buy rating with a $10 price target.
Yesterday, June 24, the company announced an addition to the board. Gail Boudreaux, the former VP of United Health Group with nearly 30 years in the healthcare sector, was appointed to the NVAX board of directors.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of NVAX, Stanley Erck, said,
“Her outstanding leadership and business experience will be important to our continued growth and success. Gail’s insight on health payors will be particularly important as we continue to move towards commercialization of our vaccines.”
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Novavax, Inc. is a clinical-stage vaccine company committed to delivering novel products to prevent a broad range of infectious diseases. Our recombinant nanoparticles and adjuvant technology are the foundation for groundbreaking innovation that improves global health through safe and effective vaccines. Our product pipeline targets a variety of infectious diseases with vaccine candidates currently in clinical development for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), seasonal influenza, pandemic influenza, and Ebola virus (EBOV). We also have additional pre-clinical stage programs, including the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS). Novovax.com
Transition Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTHI)
Yesterday, June 24, TTHI announced that its lead drug candidate ELND005, which treats symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, had failed to meet primary endpoints. In result the stock plummeted and closed lower by 74%, or $6.74; a new 52 week low.
The company noted that a full analysis is being conducted and additional data from the Phase 2/3 study shall be presented at an upcoming medial conference.
Transition is a biopharmaceutical company, developing novel therapeutics for disease indications with large markets. The Company’s lead CNS drug candidate is ELND005 for the treatment of agitation/aggression associated with Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome. Transition’s lead metabolic drug candidate is TT401 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and accompanying obesity. TransitionTherapeutics.com
