5 Top NASDAQ Biotech Stocks: Alexion Pharmaceuticals Leads

The NASDAQ Biotechnology index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) had a tough week. The increase in average life expectancy, lifelong reliance on healthcare and constant innovation in the industry means the index is always somewhat supported long term. As of Friday, the index was down by 2.84 percent with 2,726.04 points.
Looking at the week’s gainers, companies weren’t quite able to break much higher than 12 percent in gains for the week. Included among last week’s top gainers were:

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALXN)
• LeMaitre Vascular (NASDAQ:LMAT)
• NeoGenomics Inc (NASDAQ:NEO)
• United Therapeutics Corp. (NASDAQ:UTHR)
• Mesa Laboratories (NASDAQ:MLAB)

Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Alexion Pharmaceuticals is a US pharmaceutical company that develops drugs used to treat rare disorders. They recently announced positive financial results for the third quarter with total revenues growing to almost $800 million.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals gained 12.75 percent over the five-day trading period and finished at $135.59 per share.
LeMaitre Vascular
LeMaitre Vascular is an American company providing innovation in devices for treating peripheral vascular disease, used in arteries and veins outside the heart. They recently announced their third quarter results, recording increased earnings and sales figures.
LeMaitre Vascular gained 8.61 percent over the five-day trading period and finished at $21.58 per share.
NeoGenomics Inc
NeoGenomics Inc is an American pharmaceutical company focusing on cancer diagnostics and genetics testing. Discussing third quarter results, CEO Douglas M. VanOort recently announced “cash flow from operations increased to a record $9.6 million in Quarter 3 from $5.2 million in Quarter 2”.
NeoGenomics Inc gained 5.99 percent over the five-day trading period and finished at $8.05 per share.

United Therapeutics Corp.
United Therapeutics Corp. is a biotechnology company that focuses on developing and commercializing products to treat patients with chronic and potentially fatal conditions. Their financial results for the third quarter of 2016 saw total revenues up from the previous year.
United Therapeutics Corp. gained 5.78 percent over the five-day trading period and finished at $118.14 per share.
Mesa Laboratories
Mesa Laboratories recently announced a new release of biological indicator ExpoSure, providing a budget but quality replacement sterilization solution.
Mesa Laboratories gained 5.26 percent over the five-day trading period and finished at $127.89 per share.
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, Emma Harwood, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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