The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw a minor increase this past week. NBI went up a marginal 0.03 percent over the past trading week and closed at 3523.91 points. The Index is up 4.99 percent year-to-date.
Here’s a look at the top gainers in biotech so far this year:
Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GALT)
Catalyst Biosciences (NASDAQ:CBIO)
Adverum Biotechnologies (NASDAQ:ADVM)
Aptose Biosciences (NASDAQ:APTO)
MannKind (NASDAQ:MNKD)

Galectin Therapeutics

Galectin is a company focused on treatments for patients with chronic liver and skin diseases and cancer. On January 14 the company revealed a corporate update to shareholders.
Over a year-to-date period, Galectin Therapeutics has increased in value 68.86 percent.

Catalyst Biosciences

Catalyst is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a focus on the development of medicines to address hematology indications. Most recently, on January 4, the company announced the initiation and enrolment of patients for the phase 2 sector for their marzeptacog alfa program.
Catalyst Biosciences gained 28.82 percent last week and closed the week at $19.20 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 42.89 percent.

Adverum Biotechnologies

Adverum is a gene-therapy company looking for treatments against rare diseases. On January 4, the company provided shareholders with an outlook into their plans for 2018.
Adverum Biotechnologies gained 24.05 percent last week and closed the week at $19.20 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 40 percent.

Aptose Biosciences

Aptose Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing personalized therapies for the oncology sector. So far in 2018, Aptose announced, on January 2, that their chairman and CEO Dr. William Rice and Gregory Chow, senior vice president and CFO would participate at the Biotech Showcase conference.
Aptose Biosciences gained 23.79 percent last week and closed the week at $3.05 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 37.05 percent.

MannKind

MannKind is a company working on inhaled therapeutic products for patients with diabetes and pulmonary arterial hypertension. On January 16, the company announced its CEO, Michael Castagna, would present at the NobleCon14 conference.
MannKind gained 3.32 percent last week and closed the week at $2.50 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 7.33 percent.
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: Pain Therapeutics Top Biotech Stock So Far in 2018

The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw a minor increase this past week. NBI went down 1.99 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3525.57 points. The Index is up 1.06 percent year-to-date.
Investors can catch up with our Outlook coverage examining the trends and things to look for in the life science markets. For biotech, we wrote on the expectations for an increase in mergers and acquisitions in the market, between all types of companies. After the tax reform was changed in the US, now will be the critical time for larger companies in the space to seek new assets and for smaller companies to join forces in their development.
Here’s a look at the top gainers in biotech so far this year:

• Pain Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PTIE)
• Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GALT)
• Sorrento Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SRNE)
• Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX)
• Aralez Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARLZ)

Pain Therapeutics

This drug manufacturer focuses on the development of new candidates treating nervous disorders, with four current active candidates. On Tuesday (January 9) the company announced new top-line results from their human abuse potential study of its late-stage drug candidate, REMOXY
Pain Therapeutics gained 79.72 percent last week and closed the week at $7.70 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 95 percent.

Galectin Therapeutics

This company develops chronic liver and skin diseases and cancer treatments. Galectin hasn’t made any announcements on 2018 yet. Their last release of 2017 indicated they had secured a new $10 million unsecured line of credit facility with stockholder and new director Richard E. Uihlein.
Galectin Therapeutics gained 41.79 percent last week and closed the week at $5.90 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 75.75 percent.

Sorrento Therapeutics

Sorrento is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical focused on the treatment of malignant cancers through their immuno-oncology platform. On January 2, the company announced that Dr. Henry Ji, chairman, and CEO of Sorrento would participate in a panel discussion during theEast/West CEO conference.
Sorrento Therapeutics gained 51.97 percent so far in 2018 and closed the week at $1.78 per share.

Novavax

Novavax is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a focus on the delivery of products treating infectious diseases. The last announcement from the company was last year in December 18, when they shared an update on their phase 3 trial of the RSV F Vaccine for Infants via Maternal Immunization.
Novavax gained 24.81 percent last week and closed the week at $1.60 per share. Over a year-to-date period, the company has increased in value 29.84 percent.

Aralez Pharmaceuticals

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.