The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw a decline this past trading week. NBI went down 0.71 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,472.55 points. The Index is up 25.24 percent year-to-date.
Last week it was reported Eli Lilly’s (NYSE:LLY) breast cancer experimental drug saw a significant reduction to its danger potential to patients “bolstering the drug’s potential to become a new source of growth” for the pharmaceutical giant, according to a BioPharma DIVE report. According to Reuters, the US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb is planning a new policy to encourage more “compounding pharmacies” to register for a law set in place after a deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• CASI Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CASI)
• Savara (NASDAQ:SVRA)
• Adverum Biotechnologies (NASDAQ:ADVM)
• ChromaDex Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CDXC)
• MannKind (NASDAQ:MNKD)

CASI Pharmaceuticals

CASI is a biopharmaceutical company working to innovative therapeutics treating cancer and other unmet medical needs with a focus on greater China. On September 7 the company provided shareholders with an extended update to its pipeline. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
CASI Pharmaceuticals gained 42.86 percent last week and closed the week at $1.50 per share.

Savara

This pharmaceutical company is focused on developing a pipeline of novel inhalation therapies for the treatment of patients with rare pulmonary conditions. On September 5 the company announced it would be holding a presentation at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference, which took place on September 11. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Savara gained 25.74 percent last week and closed the week at $8.55 per share.

Adverum Biotechnologies

Adverum is a gene therapy company working on the discovery and development of novel treatments to help patients with rare diseases or diseases of the eye. On September 7 the company announced the appointment of Dr. Eric G. Carter as a new member to its board of directors. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
“[Dr. Eric G. Carter’s] expertise and impressive track record, spanning from preclinical development through approvals across different therapeutic areas, will offer significant perspective as we advance the development of our pipeline of therapies,” Paul Cleveland, chairman of Adverum’s Board of Directors said.
Adverum Biotechnologies gained 25 percent last week and closed the week at $3.50 per share.

ChromaDex Therapeutics

ChromaDex seeks to discover, acquire, develop and commercialize patented and proprietary ingredient technologies within the dietary supplement, food, beverage, skin care and pharmaceutical markets. On September 7 the company announced a new partnership with A.S. Watson, a Hong Kong based retailer, for the launch of a dietary supplement in Asia. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
ChromaDex Therapeutics gained 16.58 percent last week and closed the week at $4.71 per share.

MannKind

MannKind focuses on the discovery of therapeutic products for patients with diseases like diabetes. On September 07 the company announced a donation of their Afrezza Inhalation Powder for relief of Hurricane Harvey victims. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
MannKind gained 15.66 percent last week and closed the week at $2.29 per share.
Don’t forget to follow @INN_LifeScience for real-time updates!
Data for 5 Top NASDAQ Stocks articles is retrieved each Friday after market close using The Globe and Mail’s market data filter. Only companies with a market capitalization greater than $10 million prior to the week’s gains are included. Companies within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors are considered.
Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

** This article is updated each week. Please scroll to the top for the most recent information**

5 Top NASDAQ Biotech Stocks: Kura Takes the Week

By Bryan Mc Govern – September 10, 2017
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) continued its newfound gain this week. This past week NBI went up 0.18 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,497.0 points. The Index is up 26.12 percent year-to-date.
Last week the Investing News Network (INN) reported Cipher Pharmaceuticals’ (TSX:CPH) response to a warning letter issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the safety info of their pain reliever opioid based drug. Last week Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) announced it would be reducing their workforce by cutting 3,500 jobs in order to restructure the company and help it save $500 million annually by the next year. A report from the Wall Street Journal appeared on the American Pharmacists Association, looking at the advances the FDA has taken in regards to the evaluation of gene and cell therapies. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) received a warning over the controversial EpiPen product, this time the New York Times reported the warning letter from the agency warned the company “did not adequately look into problems with a crucial component of the EpiPen” and failed to complete this investigation despite multiple complaints about it.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• Kura Oncology (NASDAQ:KURA)
• Xoma (NASDAQ:XOMA)
• Voyager Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VYGR)
• Zogenix (NASDAQ:ZGNX)
• Savara (NASDAQ:SVRA)

Kura Oncology

Like its name suggests, Kura is focused on the oncology business, researching and developing new cancer therapies. Last week the company announced new positive data from their phase 2 study for Tipifarnib in HRAS mutant head and neck cancer.
“Based on these very encouraging results, we are exploring available options to advance the development of tipifarnib in this patient population as quickly as possible,” Dr. Antonio Gualberto the chief medical officer of Kura said in a press release.
Kura Oncology gained 66.20 percent last week and closed the week at $11.80 per share.

Xoma

Xoma is a biotech company working on the acquisition and portfolio growth business with royalty programs and licensing options. Last week the company announced it would be presenting as part of of an upcoming global investment conference. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Xoma gained 63.60 percent last week and closed the week at $18.29 per share.

Voyager Therapeutics

Voyager is developing gene-therapies for patients with severe neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Last week the company shared new data from their ongoing phase 1b trial of VY-AADC01 for advanced Parkinson’s disease.
“These encouraging results continue to de-risk the program and support the use of either dose of VY-AADC01 administered in Cohort 2 or Cohort 3 for our planned pivotal trial,” president and CEO Dr. Steven Paul said in a press release.
Voyager Therapeutics gained 46.49 percent last week and closed the week at $14.59 per share.

Zogenix

Zogenix is a pharmaceutical company developing therapies for the treatment of orphan and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Last week the company released their financial report for the second quarter of 2017 and issued a corporate update for shareholders.
Zogenix gained 33.20 percent last week and closed the week at $16.25 per share.

Savara

Savara Pharmaceuticals is an emerging pharmaceutical development company focused on advancing a pipeline of inhalation therapies for the treatment of patients with rare pulmonary conditions. Last week the company announced it would be presenting at an upcoming global investor conference.
Savara gained 29.77 percent last week and closed the week at $6.80 per share.
Don’t forget to follow @INN_LifeScience for real-time updates!
Data for 5 Top NASDAQ Stocks articles is retrieved each Friday after market close using The Globe and Mail’s market data filter. Only companies with a market capitalization greater than $10 million prior to the week’s gains are included. Companies within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors are considered.
Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.