Sorrento could surge 275% in 2021, Here is why...H.C. Wainwright analyst Ram Selvaraju rates SRNE a Buy along with a $30 price target, which implies a 275% upside from current levels.
Factors behind the optimistic outlook:
1. Sorrento has a stake in two cell-based immunotherapy companies that could “drive value in Sorrento shares over the coming months.”
2. the analyst highlights Sorrento’s “burgeoning portfolio of assets spanning three distinct therapeutic areas (non-opioid pain management, oncology and COVID-19).”.
3. two rapid COVID 19 detection tests; COVI-STIX, for which the company filed for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the U.S. in December, and COVI-TRACE, which Selvaraju claims could come in handy at any mass gathering event.
“We believe that the incentive to facilitate the large-scale and indeed ubiquitous deployment of the COVI-TRACE test is extremely high and governments worldwide may seek to implement this in their respective regions,” the 5-star analyst opined.
4. Other Covid-19 candidates include COVIGUARD - a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, COVI-AMG - an affinity-matured version of the COVIGUARD neutralizing antibody, a neutralizing antibody cocktail named COVI-SHIELD and COVIDTRAP, an ACE2 receptor decoy, intended to imitate the mammalian ACE2 receptor that acts as the primary portal for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to penetrate human cells.
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Biotechstock
Oppenheimer Analyst Says buy, following of some positive dataOppenheimer 5-star Analyst Says BioNano Genomics is ready to Execute in 2021.
the latest move was decidedly upbeat. In Wednesday’s session, the stock took off to the tune of 40% following the publication of some positive data.
article which made side-by-side comparisons between Bionano’s optical genome mapping platform Saphyr and PacBio's HiFi chemistry revealed that Saphyr had the upper hand on several metrics.
Across 32 different human genomes, PacBio technologies found only 72% of the large SVs (structural variants) that Bionano’s optical genome mapping (OGM) detected.
Saphyr was also found to be better at locating indels in regions correlated to neurodevelopment.
Additionally, Saphyr appears to be more cost effective. The platform’s estimated cost of $500 per genome coming in far below the $10,000-20,000 per genome when HiFi and SMRT sequencing are put into action.
Oppenheimer’s Kevin DeGeeter believes the data should help Saphyr make further inroads in the “large SV research market.” The analyst views 2021 “largely as an execution year.”
We expect the data to support broader adoption of Saphyr for de novo sequencing and research applications. the 5-star analyst said.
“Furthermore, we expect 2021 to be an important year for adoption of Saphyr for clinical cytogenetics market based on a series of positive recent publications... Based on our current assessment of the competitive landscape, we do not believe long-read sequencing technologies can replicate Saphyr's performance and cost structure for digital cytogenetics testing.”
Accordingly, DeGeeter reiterated an Outperform (i.e. Buy) on BNGO shares, along with a $1.5 price target. The implication for investors? Strong upside of 113% .
Two other analysts have thrown the hat in with a BNGO review recently, one saying Buy and the other recommending a Hold -- all add up to a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Meanwhile, the average price target stands at $1.42, implying gains of 101% could be in the cards over the next 12 months.
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FDA identifies "Assay Kit" able to detect SARS-CoV-2 mutationsU.S. FDA Lists Applied DNA’s Linea™ COVID-19 Assay Kit as 1 of Only 2 EUA-Authorized Tests Able to Detect S-Gene Mutation Found in SARS-CoV-2 U.K. Variant (B.1.1.7)
(FDA) published a safety communication (the "Communication") that identifies the Company’s Linea™ COVID-19 Assay Kit (the "Assay Kit") as one of only two tests marketed under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that are potentially able to identify certain SARS-CoV-2 mutations, including a mutation found in the U.K. variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7). According to recent publications, the B.1.1.7 variant has been identified within the United States and may be associated with an increased risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Based on analysis conducted by the Company and FDA, one of the two S-gene targets (S1 and S2) of the Assay Kit has significantly reduced sensitivity in the presence of certain S-gene mutations, including a mutation found in the B.1.1.7 variant.
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DBV Technologies rally on Positive FDA CommunicationDBV Technologies Spikes on Positive FDA Communication
DBV Technologies received positive responses from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding its application for a peanut allergy treatment.
The U.S. FDA provided type A meeting requests to the questions the French company submitted in October following its receipt of a complete response letter in connection with its biologics license application (BLA) for Viaskin Peanut DBV712, its once-daily epicutaneous patch to treat peanut allergy in children ages four to 11.
"We are very encouraged by the positive feedback received from the FDA, and we appreciate the clarity provided," said Daniel Tassé, CEO of DBV Technologies. “We look forward to working with our investigators, clinical trial sites, and key stakeholders as we continue in our development of investigational Viaskin Peanut."
DBV says it will address details about a new human factor validation study and additional chemistry, manufacturing and controls data in subsequent communication with the FDA.
"We intend to advance a remediation plan for Viaskin Peanut and work closely with FDA to review protocols and re-file our BLA as soon as possible, so that we can bring Viaskin Peanut, if approved, to patients suffering from peanut allergies," Tassé said.
www.thestreet.com
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Full Commercial Launch of Tigereye(TM) Image-Guided CTO CrossingAvinger Initiates Full Commercial Launch of Tigereye(TM) Image-Guided CTO Crossing Catheter
With the initiation of full commercial launch, current and prospective accounts throughout the US and Germany are now able to order the Tigereye device.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, Avinger conducted a limited launch at 12 clinical centers in the U.S. and Germany. Approximately 50 CTO cases were successfully performed, showcasing Tigereye's advanced clinical capabilities and excellent product reliability in a variety of lesion types and settings.
The limited launch program demonstrated Tigereye's strong clinical results and efficiency across a wide range of PAD cases
"We believe full commercial availability of the Tigereye device will be an important contributor to expanding our revenue growth opportunities in 2021, both in terms of attracting new Avinger user sites and supporting higher utilization per site,"
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FDA Emergency Use Authorization for SARS-CoV-2 N Protein AntigenQuanterix Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for SARS-CoV-2 N Protein Antigen Test
As case counts and positivity rates rise globally, the COVID-19 testing landscape is of critical importance
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Sale of Manufacturing Operations and Global Supply AgreementAcorda Therapeutics Announces Agreement for Sale of Manufacturing Operations and Long-Term Global Supply Agreement for INBRIJA®, Corporate Restructuring, and Enters into "At The Market" Offering Agreement
$80 million up-front payment will substantially increase cash balance
Sale, restructuring and other operating expense reductions will reduce annual operating expenses by approximately $40 million
Total 2021 non-GAAP operating expense guidance expected to be $130-$140 million1
At The Market (ATM) offering allows the sale of common stock at aggregate value up to $15.25 million
Supply agreement will ensure uninterrupted supply of INBRIJA (levodopa inhalation powder) to people with Parkinson’s
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Biomerica’s Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Receives CE MarkBiomerica’s Fast 15-Minute Simple to Use Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Receives CE Mark
Biomerica receives first orders and plans to ship tests in coming weeks
Clinical studies demonstrated an overall performance of 94.7% positive agreement (sensitivity) and 99.7% negative agreement (specificity) as compared to lab-based molecular PCR tests
The Company has already received its first European orders and plans to ship the first part of these orders in the coming weeks. The Company will now begin marketing this product broadly in Europe and other regions outside of the US.
merica’s new COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test is highly portable, affordable, and provides results in 15 minutes with no equipment required to perform or read the test.
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BIOLASE Announces Agreement With DSO Dental Care AllianceBIOLASE Announces Agreement With DSO Dental Care Alliance To Expand Laser Adoption In Dental Offices Across The United States
BIOL announced an agreement with Dental Care Alliance (DCA), one of the largest dental support organizations (DSO) in the United States with more than 330 affiliated practices in 20 states, to expand laser adoption and hands-on training programs in targeted geographies. The Company expects the agreement to lead to a rollout across all DCA offices in 2021.
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This NCNA Penny Stock Could Surge Over 300%, Say AnalystThis NCNA Penny Stock Could Surge Over 300%, Say Analyst
NuCana uses a phosphoramidate chemistry technology called ProTide to create a class of drugs that will surmount the limitations of the existing nucleotide analogs behind many chemotherapy drugs. NuCana’s ProTides have already been used in Gilead’s antiviral drug Sovaldi.
In May of last year, NuCana announced the restart of its Phase III trial on Acelarin, the drug candidate furthest along the company’s pipeline, as a treatment for biliary tract cancers. The study encompasses over 800 patients in 6 countries and is currently ongoing. In November, the company published data described as ‘encouraging’ from the Phase Ib study of the same drug.
While Acelarin is the flagship drug in the pipeline, NuCana has two other prospects under development. NUC-3373 is in Phase I trial as a treatment for solid tumors and colorectal cancers, and NUC-7738 is a second pathway under investigation for applications to advanced solid tumors. Of these three, the colorectal study is the farthest advanced.
5-star analyst Robyn Karnauskas sees the pipeline as key to NuCana’s investor potential.
“We believe investors have overlooked the fact that NCNA is a platform Company that we believe is validated, as defined by the production of clinical products. We like that it has brought 3 products to the clinic, including one novel drug and two improved cornerstone chemos. The data suggest to us that the platform works and can produce better chemos While investors are mostly focused on Acelarin, we believe investors should also focus on NUC-3373, another core to our platform-based thesis that has data expected in 1H2021,” Karnauskas noted.
To this end, Karnauskas puts a $22 price target on NCNA, suggesting the stock has room for 384% growth ahead of it, along with a Buy rating.
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This ACRX Penny Stock Could Surge Over 300%, Say AnalystsThis ACRX Penny Stock Could Surge Over 300%, Say Analysts
AcelRx is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the creation of safer treatments for acute pain, developing synthetic opioid drugs for sublingual (under the tongue) dosing.
The company’s main product, Sufentanil, was approved by the FDA under the name Dsuvia in 2018, and by the EU as Dzuveo that same year. A second sublingual Sufentanil system, under the name Zalviso, has also been approved for use by the EU, and is in Phase 3 trial in the US.
In its most recent earning report, the company showed $1.4 million at the top line, driven by $1.3 million in product sales. The sales figure was up 433% sequentially, and the total revenue figure was up 133% year-over-year.
Cantor analyst Brandon Folkes is upbeat on Dsuvia’s prospects as an alternative to current opioid treatments, and he believes that potential will boost the company’s stock.
As ACRX launches a true alternative to IV opioids, we expect investors to begin to appreciate the value of the product.
In line with his bullish stance, Folkes rates ACRX a Buy, and his $9 price target implies room for a stunning 552% upside potential in the next 12 months.
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T2SARS-CoV-2™ Panel can detect multiple variants of the SARS-CoVT2 Biosystems T2SARS-CoV-2™ Panel Proves Effective Amid Global Rise in Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus
Panel can detect multiple variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including those most recently identified in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the U.S.
T2SARS-CoV-2 Panel, which has demonstrated clinical sensitivity of 95 percent and specificity of 100 percent.
The T2SARS-CoV-2 Panel provides results in under two hours utilizing an upper respiratory swab sample. The test runs on the Company’s FDA-cleared and fully-automated T2Dx® Instrument, which is capable of performing seven tests simultaneously and up to sixty samples per day.
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Exclusive Licensing Agreement for GIAPREZA and XERAVA in EuropeLa Jolla Pharmaceutical Company Announces Exclusive Licensing Agreement for GIAPREZA™ (Angiotensin II) and XERAVA™ (Eravacycline) in Europe
La Jolla to receive upfront cash payment of $22.5 million plus potential commercial milestone payments of up to $109.5 million and double-digit tiered royalty payments
Under the terms of the exclusive licensing agreement, La Jolla will be entitled to receive: (i) an upfront cash payment of $22.5 million; (ii) potential commercial milestone payments of up to $109.5 million; and (iii) double-digit tiered royalty payments based on net sales of GIAPREZA and XERAVA. In exchange, La Jolla granted PAION an exclusive license to commercialize GIAPREZA and XERAVA in the Territories.
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Day Traders Lighting Up Reddit Spur Rally in ZomedicaDay Traders Lighting Up Reddit Spur Rally in Tiny Health Stock Zomedica
Such outsized moves in small-caps are becoming par for the course these days.
Surging at the open on the back of mentions in Reddit forums was Zomedica Corp., a company that develops medicines for pets. The stock jumped as much as 98% on Monday and is up almost four-fold from the start or the year.
The penny stock garnered a mention in several Reddit forums over the past few days
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Day Traders Lighting Up Reddit Spur Rally in TransEnterixDay Traders Lighting Up Reddit Spur Rally in Tiny Health Stock TRXC
The stock has surged about 180% since the start of the new year. Today’s trading volume was more than 13 times normal. The penny stock garnered a mention in several Reddit forums over the past few days, with one user comparing it with the roughly $95 billion market-cap leader in surgical robotics, Intuitive Surgical Inc.
TransEnterix markets the Senhance surgical system, cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017. According to the device-maker in an update last week, 10 of the systems were installed in 2020. The Morrisville, North Carolina-based company said it ended 2020 with $17.5 million in cash and equivalents, enough to keep the company afloat into the third quarter.
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GeoVax Awarded NIH Grant to Advance COVID-19 Vaccine DevelopmentGeoVax Awarded NIH Grant to Advance COVID-19 Vaccine Development
announced today that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded the Company a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant in support of its development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The Phase 1 grant, titled, “Preclinical Development of GV-MVA-VLP Vaccines Against COVID-19,” will support the ongoing design, construction and preclinical testing of GeoVax’s vaccine candidates in preparation for human clinical trials. The efficacy testing will be performed in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).
Vaccines using the GV-MVA-VLP platform developed for other pathogens have proven to be efficacious with a single dose, having strong durability which would be a significant advantage for SARS-CoV-2 global vaccination campaigns.”
We are pleased to receive this Phase 1 SBIR funding award, which will supplement the internal resources allocated to our COVID-19 vaccine program and accelerate our progress toward human clinical trials.
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Reduction in Heart Attacks, Strokes and Cardiac DeathSingle Dose of Rexlemestrocel-L Provides Substantial and Durable Reduction in Heart Attacks, Strokes and Cardiac Death in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
results from the landmark DREAM-HF randomized controlled Phase 3 trial in 537 treated patients with chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) who received rexlemestrocel-L (REVASCOR®) or control sham.
A single dose of rexlemestrocel-L resulted in substantial and durable reductions in heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac deaths.
The incidence of heart attacks and strokes were reduced by 60% over a median follow-up period of 30 months following a single dose of rexlemestrocel-L in the population of 537 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III chronic heart failure (5% vs 13%, p=0.002).
The incidence of death from cardiovascular causes was reduced by 60% following a single dose of rexlemestrocel-L in the 206 patients with NYHA class II disease (8% vs 20%, p=0.037)
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“Strong Buy” Penny Stock That Could Deliver Massive Returnis engaged in the development of gene therapies for rare, frequently terminal, diseases, including neurometabolic disorders, primary immune deficiencies, and blood disorders. The gene therapy approach uses blood stem cells to deliver corrected genetic information directly into the patient’s body.
Orchard’s pipeline demonstrates the diversity of disorders amenable to gene therapy – the company has no less than 12 drug candidates in development. Among these candidates, Libmeldy (OTL-200) stands out.
Libmeldy is in commercialization stages as a treatment for MLD (metachromatic leukodystrophy), a rare, mutation-based genetic disorder of the nervous system, received its approval for medical use in the EU in December 2020.
“We look forward to the company’s commercial execution in the EU and an eventual 2022 approval in the US. Last month ORTX received IND clearance from the FDA for the program paving the way for discussions with the US regulators to decide a suitable path forward toward a BLA filing.”
with possibly two gene therapies approved in the next 12-18 months and a pivotal study beginning in a third (MPS-I), we think ORTX shares are undervalued at these levels," the analyst concluded.
Wedbush analyst David Nierengarten rates ORTX as Outperform (i.e. Buy), and his $15 price target indicates a potential for 241% growth in the year ahead.
Only Buy ratings, 3, in fact, have been issued in the last three months. Therefore, ORTX gets a Strong Buy consensus rating. At $15, the average price target indicates shares could appreciate by 241% in the year ahead.
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“Strong Buy” Penny Stock That Could Deliver Massive Returns“Strong Buy” Penny Stock That Could Deliver Massive Returns
The company’s development pipeline features drug candidates under investigation as treatments for short bowel syndrome (SBS) and celiac disease (CeD), two conditions that are both dangerous and difficult to treat.
9 Meters’ flagship product, Larazotide, is in Phase 3 development for the treatment of CeD. CeD affects about 1% of the population, yet there are no approved therapies. Top-line data from the study is expected in the second half of 2021.
this past December, the company announced that it had entered an agreement with EBRIS, the European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno, to investigate Larazotide as a potential treatment for respiratory complications due to COVID-19.
The other major drug in the company’s pipeline is NM-002, for SBS. The company has recently announced positive Phase 1b/2a results, with a measurable impact on disease symptoms from a compound that was well-tolerated by patients.
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positive prelim data from a Phase 1 study-leukemia treatmentCuris Announces Positive Preliminary Data from Ongoing Phase 1 Study of CA-4948 Monotherapy in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes.
Key findings include:
- Marrow blast reductions observed in all evaluable patients (6 patients).
- 6 of 7 patients enrolled remain on study.
- Patients enrolled experienced a median of 3 prior lines of treatment (range 1-4).
- Two patients experienced a marrow complete response, one with blast count going from 23% pretreatment to 1% on treatment, and the other going from 11% pretreatment to 2% on treatment.
- No DLTs observed in 7 DLT-evaluable patients in the 200 mg BID and 300 mg BID cohorts.
- Enrollment has begun in the 400 mg BID cohort.
Curis said its CA-4948 monotherapy in adult patients was well tolerated, has demonstrated signs of biologic activity in the ongoing study and is capable of achieving "relevant levels of drug exposure."
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CYCC Announces at-the-market $7 Million Strategic InvestmentCyclacel Pharmaceuticals Announces at-the-market $7 Million Strategic Investment by Fundamental Investor Acorn Bioventures
Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with Acorn Bioventures, LP, a biotech-focused fundamental investor.
- Strategic investment from single biotech-focused institutional investor -
- Enables clinical development of both fadraciclib and CYC140 in hematological malignancies and solid tumors -
Acorn Bioventures has agreed to purchase in a registered direct offering 485,912 shares of common stock and 237,745 shares of newly designated Series B Preferred Stock (convertible into shares of common stock at a ratio of 1:5), and in a concurrent private placement, warrants to purchase 669,854 shares of common stock, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7 million.
The warrants will be exercisable beginning twelve months following the date of issuance, will expire on the five-year anniversary of the date of issuance, and have an exercise price of $4.13 per share.
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JAGX Signs Second Agreement for $6 Mil Non-dilutive FinanciningJaguar Health Signs Second Agreement for $6 Million Non-dilutive Financing Transaction Involving the Sale of Royalty Rights Related to Future Mytesi (Crofelemer) and Lechlemer Revenue Stream
Jaguar Health, Inc. has signed an agreement (the "Agreement") with a secured lender (the "Lender") for a non-dilutive royalty financing transaction, pursuant to which Jaguar would sell to the Lender for an aggregate purchase price of $6 million (the "Royalty Purchase Price") a royalty interest entitling the Lender to receive 2.0x the Royalty Purchase Price of future royalties of Mytesi® (crofelemer) and lechlemer and certain up-front license fees and milestone payments from licensees and/or distributors as well as any interest, fees, and charges in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement (the "Royalty Repayment Amount"), and to pay interest on the Royalty Repayment Amount at the rate of ten percent per annum until the same is paid in full.
No royalty payments due for 18-24 months
Jaguar intends to use the proceeds to support regulatory activities associated with the Company's development pipeline
This $6 million royalty financing transaction follows an earlier $6 million royalty transaction consummated in October 2020 with an affiliate of the Lender.
We may consider entering into similar agreements in the future and of course business development relationships as additional sources of non-dilutive funding."
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]ImmunityBio and NantKwest to MergeImmunityBio and NantKwest to Merge, Creating a Leading Immunotherapy and Cell Therapy Company (agreement to merge in a stock-for-stock transaction.)
Merged entity brings together 11 Phase II / III clinical trials across oncology and infectious disease that use combined immunotherapy platforms
Together, ImmunityBio and NantKwest will have a broad, clinical-stage pipeline – including 13 assets in clinical trials and 11 in Phase II to III – as well as a robust early stage pipeline to address other difficult to treat cancers.
Broad late-stage pipeline for solid tumors including bladder, lung, breast, and pancreatic in addition to infectious disease programs for HIV and COVID-19
Transaction Details
The transaction is structured as a tax-free 100% stock-for-stock merger, with ImmunityBio to reverse merge with NantKwest. Under the terms of the agreement, ImmunityBio shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.8190 shares of NantKwest for each share of ImmunityBio owned. Upon completion of the transaction, on a fully diluted basis, ImmunityBio shareholders will own approximately 72% of the combined company and NantKwest shareholders will own approximately 28% of the combined company, on a fully diluted basis.
The transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2021. Following the closing of the transaction, the combined company will assume the ImmunityBio name and continue to be listed on the NASDAQ exchange. However, the combined company ticker symbol is expected to be changed to IBRX.
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ImmunityBio Announces Primary Endpoint Met of Phase 2/3 Trial for BCG Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer CIS with 72% Complete Response Rate
QUILT 3.032 study completes planned enrollment of BCG unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer CIS cohort with 59% probability of patients maintaining complete response for at least 12 months
Over 85% of patients in this study have avoided a cystectomy to date
Breakthrough status for ImmunityBio’s superagonist Anktiva N-803 in this indication
Biologics License Application filing anticipated in second half of 2021
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