The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) went through a marginal decrease during this past trading week. NBI went down 0.37 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,258.19 points. The Index is up 17.51 percent year-to-date.
Last week the Investing News Network (INN) had the opportunity to take a closer look at the immuno-oncology sector based on the work being done by Medicenna Therapeutics (TSX:MDNA; OTCQX:MDNAF). Dr. Fahar Merchant, CEO, president and chairman of Medicenna, talked about the company’s progress with their novel cancer candidate MDNA55. This past week INN also chatted with Lee Buckler, president, director and CEO of RepliCel Life Sciences (TSXV:RP; OTCQB:REPCF). In this conversation Buckler talked about the path forward for RepliCel and the combo development of their new  dermal injector device and their cell therapies for hair loss, skin damage and tendon repair.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• CASI Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CASI)
• Neptune Tech & Bioresource (NASDAQ:NEPT)
• Vermilion (NASDAQ:VRML)
• Trillium Therapeutics (NASDAQ:TRIL)
• Xoma (NASDAQ:XOMA)

CASI Pharmaceuticals

CASI Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company looking to acquire, develop, and commercialize novel cancer therapeutics with a commercial focus on China. On Nov. 14, the company released their financial report for the third quarter of 2017.
“In October, we announced a $23.8 million registered direct offering, funds raised from which will be used to advance our internal pipeline and support our business development in-license activities,” Dr. Ken Ren, CASI’s CEO said in a statement.
CASI Pharmaceuticals gained 31.54 percent last week and closed the week at $3.42 per share.

Neptune Tech & Bioresource

Neptune Tech & Bioresource gained 31.07 percent last week and closed the week at $1.35 per share.

Vermilion

Vermillion is a diagnostic service and bio-analytic solutions provider. On Nov. 20 the company announced its president and CEO Valerie Palmieri will give a corporate overview at the annual healthcare conference from Piper Jaffray.
Vermilion gained 28.78 percent last week and closed the week at $1.79 per share.

Trillium Therapeutics

Trillium is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer. Most recently the company announced its TTI-2341 EGFR inhibitor was highlighted during a a presentation at the Society for Neuro-Oncology annual meeting.
“Currently available EGFR inhibitors have demonstrated limited efficacy due to poor penetration of the blood brain barrier and low activity against resistance-associated EGFR mutations. Our emerging preclinical data suggests that TTI-2341 can overcome these limitations,” Trillium CEO Dr. Niclas Stiernholm said in a statement.
Trillium Therapeutics gained 25.65 percent last week and closed the week at $12 per share.

Xoma

Xoma is a biotech company acquiring additional license interests in partner-funded programs. On Nov. 6 the company released its financial results for the third quarter of 2017.
“Our strategy was further reinforced with new license agreements for use of our proprietary phage display libraries for antibody discovery. We also received milestone payments from our extensive portfolio of partner-funded programs,” Jim Neal, CEO of XOMA said in a statement.
Xoma gained 23.71 percent last week and closed the week at $28.33 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: Ekso Bionics Takes the Week

Nov. 19 – By Bryan Mc Govern
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) went through a marginal decrease during this past trading week. NBI went down 0.37 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,258.19 points. The Index is up 17.51 percent year-to-date.
Amazon’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) potential to enter and disrupt the prescription online drug market has changed after it was reported the tech company actually seeks to deal with medical devices. “In correspondence with regulators in Tennessee and Indiana, Amazon explicity said it would not “store or ship drugs,” tempering rumors that the company would move into the pharmacy business in the near term,” BioPharma DIVE wrote. A former leader of the pharmaceutical industry is poised to become the new Health and Human Services secretary. Alex Azar, who served in the leadership of Eli Lily was reported to be the top choice of US president Donald Trump when it comes to replacing Tom Price.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• Ekso Bionics Holdings (NASDAQ:EKSO)
• Senomyx (NASDAQ:SNMX)
• ChromaDex (NASDAQ:CDXC)
• Sierra Oncology (NASDAQ:SRRA)
• Novelion Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NVLN)

Ekso Bionics Holdings

Ekso Bionics develop and manufacture powered exoskeleton bionic devices that can be strapped on as wearable robots to enhance the strength, mobility, and endurance of soldiers and paraplegics. On Nov. 8 the company released its financial report for the third quarter of 2017, in which it highlighted a 21 percent revenue increased compared to last year.
“The successful completion of a $34 million rights offering strengthens our balance sheet and provides financial flexibility to enhance our go to market strategy and execute our other business objectives,” Thomas Looby, president and CEO of Ekso Bionics said in a statement.
Ekso Bionics Holdings gained 56.21 percent last week and closed the week at $2.39 per share.

Senomyx

Senomyx is a company working on novel flavor ingredients and natural high intensity sweeteners for food and beverage companies. Last week the company announced the expansion of the Cool Program collaborative agreement with Firmenich.
Senomyx gained 46.15 percent last week and closed the week at $1.30 per share.

ChromaDex

ChromaDex is invested in acquiring new technologies for the supplement, food, beverage, skin care and pharmaceutical markets. On Nov. 9 the company released its financial report for the third quarter of 2017. The company’s growth in revenue this quarter was boosted thanks in part to sales of TRU NIAGEN, a dietary supplement.
ChromaDex gained 29.94 percent last week and closed the week at $6.90 per share.

Sierra Oncology

Sierra Oncology is a clinical stage drug development company focused on next generation DNA Damage Response (DDR) therapeutics for cancer patients. On Nov. 8 the company posted their financial results for the third quarter of 2017.
“During the quarter, we continued to aggressively drive the clinical program for SRA737, expanding the number of sites recruiting patients into our Monotherapy trial from three to eight leading centers across the United Kingdom,” Dr. Nick Glover, president and CEO of Sierra Oncology said.
Sierra Oncology gained 21.88 percent last week and closed the week at $2.34 per share.

Novelion Therapeutics

Novelion a biopharmaceutical company developing new therapies treating rare diseases. On Nov. 9 the company released its financial report for the third quarter of 2017. The company is a search for a new CEO due to the resignation of Mary Szela for “personal reasons.”
Novelion Therapeutics gained 19.55 percent last week and closed the week at $5.26 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.