5 Top NASDAQ Stocks: Cesca Therapeutics Gains 82.21 Percent

Last week, the NASDAQ 100 index (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) rose 95.11 points, or 2.22 percent, to end the week at 4,279.17 points.
Though the index closed up on Friday, January is going to go down in the books as one of its most volatile months in recent memory, CNBC reported. The publication notes that among the major indices, the NASDAQ Composite index (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) was one of the hardest hit; it fell by 9 percent in January.
Alongside the index, several NASDAQ-listed life sciences companies posted gains last week. The top gainer was Cesca Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KOOL). Coming in second place was Amedica (NASDAQ:AMDA), and it was followed by Alphatec Holdings (NASDAQ:ATEC), Hasen Medical (NASDAQ:HNSN) and finally Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:INO).

Cesca Therapeutics

Focused on the research, development and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics for use in regenerative medicine, Cesca Therapeutics is in the Phase 3 trial stage for its critical limb ischemia rapid stemcell treatment (CLIRST). CLIRST uses a patient’s own adult stem cells to stimulate the regeneration of blood vessels, promote wound healing and save limbs from amputation.

The company’s share price saw an impressive 82.21-percent increase last week to reach $0.33. However, despite the gains it made during the week, the company closed lower on Friday, dropping 10.49 percent, or $0.03, to close at $0.26.

Amedica

Using its medical-grade silicone nitride, Amedica offers doctors and patients an alternative to PEEK and titanium when it comes to medical implants. The company announced last week that it would be presenting research supporting favorable silicone nitride findings at the Orthopaedic Research Society’s annual meeting in March. Amedica also added a second-generation cervical system for its Valeo II family of products.
The company’s share price saw a 76.14-percent increase last week, before dropping on Friday’s by $0.30, or 9.71 percent. Amedica also set a new 50-day high of $3.48 last week.

Alphatec Holdings

With a portfolio of products that address cervical, thoracolumbar and invertebrate regions, Alphatec is a medical technology company that develops products for the surgical treatment of spinal disorders. The company’s share price climbed 45.61 percent over the course of last week, hitting a high of $0.57 on Tuesday and ending Friday at $0.42.

Hasen Medical

As a global leader in intravascular robotics, Hansen Medical’s line of products includes the Sensei^® Robotic Catheter System and Artisan^® Control Catheter, which is used in electrophysiology procedures. The company’s Magellan^TM Robotic System and Magellan^TM Robotic Catheter are the next generation of intravascular robotics technology.
Last week, the company’s share price appreciated 37.82 percent, closing up Friday at $2.15.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals

Inovio Pharmaceuticals is one of the top firms looking to develop a cure for the Zika virus. The company is involved in developing DNA immunotherapies and vaccines focused on treating and preventing cancers and infectious diseases. The company’s share price gained 31.76 percent last week, ending the period with a 15.57-percent rally to $6.68.
 
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, Vivien Diniz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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