The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw a 2.64 percent increase over the last five trading days and traded at 3,399.97 points. The Index is up 22.62 percent year-to-date.
Last week saw the potential for a major development in the gene therapy sector take the spotlight when it was announced the US Food and Drug Administration approved Spark Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ONCE) gene therapy for a rare genetically caused blindness. The company was given a launch window on January of next year. On the topic of genetic health, the Investing News Network had the opportunity to speak with Scott Jenkins, CEO of an upcoming spinoff from Rennova Health (NASDAQ:RNVA) dedicated to a genetic platform set to change the way patients interact with that information.

• Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX)
• Agenus (NASDAQ:AGEN)
• Sierra Oncology (NASDAQ:SRRA)
• Durect (NASDAQ:DRRX)
• Cogentix (NASDAQ:CGNT)

Novavax

Novanax is a clinical-stage biotech company developing vaccines for a variety of diseases including a candidate against the Zika virus. Last week the company reminded shareholders of an upcoming conference call to present new results and topline data from the Phase 2 safety and immunogenicity trial of RSV F vaccine.
Novavax gained 26.50 percent last week and traded at $1.48 per share.

Agenus

Agenus is a company focused on their portfolio of immuno-oncology drug candidates.
On June 21 the company announced GlaxoSmithKline’s shingles vaccine candidate Shingrix, which contains an element provided by Agenus showed positive results in elderly patients previously treated with Zostavax.
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Agenus gained 15.30 percent last week and traded at $5.05 per share.

Sierra Oncology

Sierra is a clinical stage drug development company advancing therapeutics for the treatment of different types of cancer. One June 5 the company shared initial info from two recent Phase 1 trials for its Chk1 inhibitor, SRA737.
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Sierra Oncology gained 12.30 percent last week and traded at $1.37 per share.

Durect

Durect is a biopharmaceutical company working with a diverse portfolio of candidates including two pain therapies in the NDA stage.
On June 22 the company announced it had completed enrollment for its Phase 3 trial of POSIMIR a non-opioid analgesic for pain relief.
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Durect gained 10 percent last week and traded at $1.87 per share.

Cogentix

Cogentix is a medical company with a focus on a variety of specialty markets like urology, gynecology and pulmonology. Last week the company announced it would be presenting its second quarter results on August 1.
Cogentix gained 8.43 percent last week and traded at $1.83 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: Trevena Leads the List

The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw a 1.59 percent decrease over the last five trading days and traded at 3,321.97 points. The Index is up 19.76 percent year-to-date.
In its latest attempt to replace the Affordable Care Act, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced a revised version of the highly controversial Republican health care act with the amount of modification made to appeal both far-right Republicans and entice moderates who have been facing voter outrage. Novartis (VTX:NOVN) announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended and approved its CAR-T cell therapy to treat relapsed or refractory pediatric and young adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This is the first genetic therapy of its kind to make it in front of the FDA and get a positive recommendation. Following the acceptance of Endo Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ENDP)  to remove Opana ER, an opioid-based product off the shelves, the FDA will ask pharmaceutical companies to educate medical officers more appropriately when it comes to opioid abuse, including giving patients information on other nonopioid pain therapies.
The data and numbers for this week’s roundup were collected at 2:00 P.M. EST.

• Trevena (NASDAQ:TRVN)
• AVEO Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVEO)
• Aralez Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARLZ)
• Miragen Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MGEN)
• Curis (NASDAQ:CRIS)

Trevena (NASDAQ:TRVN)

Trevena is a biotech company working on its lead candidate OLINVO, a chemical entity for the management of moderate-to-severe acute pain. Last week the company announced it would host an analyst day with presentation from its management team being available online as well.
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Trevena gained 23.91 percent last week and traded at $2.70 per share.

AVEO Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVEO)

AVEO is a biopharmaceutical company working on the oncology therapy sector. The company’s lead candidate tivozanib, a treatment of renal cell carcinoma recently received a recommendation of approval by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). If the candidate gets approved the company would see to earn $4 million from a research grant.
AVEO Pharmaceuticals gained 17.28 percent last week and traded at $2.62 per share.

Aralez Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARLZ)

Aralez works on developing products for the treatment of issues in cardiovascular, pain and other specialty areas. Most recently (June 27) the company shared the news of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey upholding two patents from a subsidiary of the company and found Mylan (NASDAQ:MYL) would infringe on one of these patents with proposed products.
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Aralez Pharmaceuticals gained 14.49 percent last week and traded at $1.56 per share.

Miragen Therapeutics (NASDAQ:MGEN)

This clinical stage biopharmaceutical is working on microRNA-targeting therapies for patients. Most recently (June 8) Miragen announced it would be presenting Phase 1 clinical trial data for the MRG-106 at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma, which took place from June 14 to the 17.
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Miragen Therapeutics gained 13.98 percent last week and traded at $15.05 per share.

Curis (NASDAQ:CRIS)

Curis is a biotechnology developing drug candidates looking to treat human cancers. CUDC-907 and CA-170 are the company’s two leading candidates right now, involved in early phases of clinical trials for patients with tumors. Most recently (June 5) the company announced the approval of “the grant of inducement stock options to purchase a total of 200,000 shares of Curis common stock to two new employees.”
However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Curis gained 12.63 percent last week and traded at $2.17 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.