The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw an increase this past trading week. NBI went up 1.11 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,493.01 points. The Index is up 25.98 percent year-to-date.
Last week the Investing News Network (INN) reported on Genocea Biosciences’ (NASDAQ:GNCA) substantial decline to start the trading week, after the company announced it would be revamping their business plan. INN also reported on Mesoblast Limited (NASDAQ:MESO; ASX:MSB) completed the recruit of patients for its critical phase 2b trial of allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) therapy treating end-stage heart failure. INN also reported on a panel of medical device experts giving their output into the right time for the industry to put pressure on the removal of a controversial tax on devices.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• Zogenix (NASDAQ:ZGNX)
• Aradigm (NASDAQ:ARDM)
• Vermillion (NASDAQ:VRML)
• Aralez Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARLZ)
• Kura Oncology (NASDAQ:KURA)

Zogenix

Zogenix is developing therapies for central nervous system disorders for patients with orphan diseases. Last week the company announced toppling results from their phase 3 trial of their drug ZX008 treating Dravet syndrome.
Zogenix gained 143.40 percent last week and closed the week at $35.05 per share.

Aradigm

Aradigm is a specialty pharmaceutical company working on a portfolio of drugs delivered by inhalation for the treatment of severe respiratory disease. Last week the company announced the FDA accepted the filing for a Priority Review of its New Drug Application (NDA) for Linhaliq for the treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE) patients with chronic infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Aradigm gained 66.01 percent last week and closed the week at $4.20 per share.

Vermillion

Vermillion is a company focused on products to treat and improve gynecologic health outcomes for women. On August 31 the company announced it would be ringing the bell to open the markets back on September 1, in order to celebrate ovarian cancer awareness month. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Vermillion gained 39.53 percent last week and closed the week at $1.80 per share.

Aralez Pharmaceuticals

Aralez Pharmaceuticals this specialty pharmaceutical company focused on products in the cardiovascular sector, makes a second appearance in a row in the biotech roundup. The company’s last news items was the release of their second quarter report, on August 9. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Aralez gained 27.22 percent last week and closed the week at $2.29 per share.

Kura Oncology

Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. On September 07 the company announced positive topline results from a phase 2 trial for its lead product candidate, tipifarnib. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Kura gained 24.58 percent last week and closed the week at $14.95 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: Neovasc Wins the Week

September 22, 2017 – By Bryan Mc Govern
The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) saw a decline this past trading week. NBI went down 0.54 percent over the last five trading days and traded at 3,454.53 points. The Index is up 24.59 percent year-to-date.
It was a busy week of business for the US Food and Drug Administration, first it was announced commissioner Scott Gottlieb would testify in front of a Senate committee regarding the federal response to the opioid epidemic affecting the US. Intercept Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ICPT) saw its stock take a hit over the trading week after the FDA gave a warning to doctors based on the reported 19 deaths of patients taking the company’s rare liver disease drug Ocaliva. Last week CVS Health shared it would limit “the amount and strength of prescription opioid painkillers” it was giving to patients.
Here are last week’s top gainers on the NASDAQ:

• Neovasc (NASDAQ:NVCN)
• Arbutus Biopharma (NASDAQ: ABUS)
• Aralez Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARLZ)
• CASI Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CASI)
• Nabriva Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NBRV)

Neovasc

Neovasc is a medical biotech company specializing in devices for the cardiovascular market. On September 12 the company gave an update on their study progress and clinical performance of the Tiara valve. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Neovasc gained 33.08 percent last week and closed the week at $1.73 per share.

Arbutus Biopharma

Arbutus Biopharma is developing and commercializing a cure for patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B infection. Last week the company announced the presentation of new HBV data at an upcoming medical conference.
Arbutus Biopharma gained 31 percent last week and closed the week at $6.55 per share.

Aralez Pharmaceuticals

Aralez is specialty pharmaceutical company focused on products in the cardiovascular sector. The company’s last news items was the release of their second quarter report, on August 9. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
Aralez Pharmaceuticals gained 27.66 percent last week and closed the week at $1.80 per share.

CASI Pharmaceuticals

CASI Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company working on cancer therapies with a focus on the Chinese market. On September 7 the company released an update to their pipeline of products. However, no other news indicate why the company saw the surge it did last week.
CASI Pharmaceuticals gained 27.33 percent last week and closed the week at $1.91 per share.

Nabriva Therapeutics

Nabriva is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused in the research and development of antibiotics to treat serious infections. Last week the company announced its chief executive officer Dr. Colin Broom would share a corporate overview at an upcoming health conference.
Nabriva Therapeutics gained 23.47 percent last week and closed the week at $8.47 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.