The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) faced a marginal decrease during this past trading week. NBI went down 1.51 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3271.915 points. The Index is up 17.95 percent year-to-date.
Last week INN reported on the projected growth of the animal biotech market thanks to an increased development of genetic products. “Biotechnology has potential applications in the management of several animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, avian flu and bovine spongiform encephalopathy,” the report summary indicated.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• Collegium Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ:COLL)
• Depomed (NASDAQ:DEPO)
• Xoma (NASDAQ:XOMA)
• ChromaDex (NASDAQ:CDXC)
• Ophthotech (NASDAQ:OPHT)

Collegium Pharmaceutical

Last week this specialty pharmaceutical company released it’s financials report for the third quarter of 2017. “During the third quarter, our focus on operational execution enabled us to generate momentum with Xtampza ER.  We are encouraged, but not satisfied with our accomplishments,” Joe Ciaffoni, COO of Collegium said.
Collegium Pharmaceutical gained 43.48 percent last week and closed the week at $14.09 per share.

Depomed

Depomed is a pharmaceutical company, which last week saw an increase thanks to its third quarter financial report. “With September’s expansion of the neurology salesforce and today’s [Nov. 7] exciting transaction with Slán Medicinal Holdings, we see our go forward growth based on three pillars comprised of maintaining a strong NUCYNTA franchise,” Arthur Higgins, president and CEO of Depomed said.
Depomed gained 28.92 percent last week and closed the week at $6.42 per share.

Xoma

Continuing the trend of increases thanks to third quarter financial report, Xoma is a company licensing of therapeutic antibodies. “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
Xoma gained 27.95 percent last week and closed the week at $30.44 per share.

ChromaDex

ChromaDex fully integrated nutraceutical company, announced last week its financial results for its third quarter. “Six months into our strategic shift, we are doing better than expected,” said Rob Fried, president and chief strategy officer of ChromaDex. “Our revenue growth in the quarter was led by sales of TRU NIAGEN.”
ChromaDex gained 26.13 percent last week and closed the week at $5.31 per share.

Ophthotech

Ophthotech is focused on the development of novel therapeutics for age-related and orphan diseases of the eye. Last week Ophthotech released its financial results of the third quarter of 2017.
“We have progressed in all of our clinical programs by initiating new trials and modifying a current clinical trial. We remain on track to have four trials ongoing by the end of the year,” Glenn P. Sblendorio, CEO and president of Ophthotech said.
Ophthotech gained 25.99 percent last week and closed the week at $2.86 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: Sunesis Earns the Top Spot

Nov. 5 – By Bryan Mc Govern
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) faced a marginal increase during this past trading week. NBI went up 0.2 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,320.33 points. The Index is up 19.75 percent year-to-date.
Last week INN reported on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement it will begin officially recognizing the rulings on medical products from eight European regulatory agencies. These agencies come from Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, Spain, Sweden and the UK. “By partnering with these countries we can create greater efficiencies and better fulfill our public health goals, relying on the expertise of our colleagues and refocusing our resources on inspections in higher risk countries,” FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SNSS)
• Aralez Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARLZ)
• Vermilion (NASDAQ:VRML)
• Cardiome Pharma (NASDAQ:CRME)
• Trillium Therapeutics (NASDAQ:TRIL)

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals

Sunesis is a biopharmaceutical company developing oncology therapeutics for the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers. Last week the company shared its financial results for their third quarter and provided shareholders with a set of highlights from their activities.
“In the third quarter, we advanced our lead program, a reversible, non-covalent BTK inhibitor, SNS-062, with the ongoing enrollment in our Phase 1b/2 study in patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other B-cell malignancies,” said Daniel Swisher, Chief Executive Officer of Sunesis.
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals gained 42.18 percent last week and closed the week at $3 per share.

Aralez Pharmaceuticals

Aralez is a global specialty pharmaceutical company. Last week the company announced it would be presenting its financial report for their third quarter on November 9. However, there have been no other recent news to explain this past week’s increase.
Aralez Pharmaceuticals gained 31.39 percent last week and closed the week at $1.80 per share.

Vermilion

Vermilion is focused on diagnostic and technology tools that help women with serious diseases. Last week their ASPiRA Labs announced they had expanded positive policy coverage with the addition of 14 new managed care providers. The company also announced it would be showing its financial results for their third quarter on November 8.
Vermilion gained 27.01 percent last week and closed the week at $1.74 per share.

Cardiome Pharma

Cardiome is a specialty pharmaceutical company. Last week Cardiome had two major expansion announcements for its products. First the company officially launched Xydalba (dalbavancin hydrochloride) in Sweden, Finland and the Republic of Ireland. Cardiome also announced it would increase the geographic presence of Brinavess to South Africa and Pakistan.
Cardiome Pharma gained 24.43 percent last week and closed the week at $1.63 per share.

Trillium Therapeutics

Trillium Therapeutics is an immuno-oncology company developing  novel cancer therapies. On October 16 the company announced the presentation of new preclinical data for its study on TTI-621. However, there have been no other recent news to explain this past week’s increase.
Trillium Therapeutics gained 23.13 percent last week and closed the week at $9.05 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.