5 Top NASDAQ Biotech Stocks: Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Up 90 Percent Year-To-Date

The NASDAQ Biotechnology index (INDEXNASDAQ:NBI) started the week strong at 3,011.68 points but fell sharply on Thursday. The Index closed the five day trading week at 2,971.67 on Friday, down by 0.08 percent.

Here is a look at how the top biotech and pharmaceutical companies performed last week.

• Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AUPH)
• Neptune Tech & Bioresources (NASDAQ:NEPT)
• Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MDGL)
• Biodel (NASDAQ:BIOD)
• Curis (NASDAQ:CRIS)

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals is focused on developing its novel therapeutic drug candidate, Voclosporin, for the treatment of lupus nephritis. Shares rose sharply on Thursday when the company announced positive results from its 24-week data in all 10 patients from the AURION study. The study is being conducted in Malaysia to assess the short term predictors of response using Voclosporin, an immunosuppressant with a synergistic and dual mechanism of action that has the potential to improve outcomes in lupus patients.
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals is last week’s top gainer, logging a gain of 56.15 percent over the five day trading period and ended the week at $4.70 per share. Year to date, the stock is up by 90.28 percent.

Neptune Tech & Bioresources

Neptune Tech is a focused on customized unique nutrition solutions, specialty ingredients and consumer brands. Shares of Neptune rose on Thursday, following the announcement of a commercial agreement with Ingenutra for MaxSimil, Neptune’s unique delivery system that allows for enhanced bioavailability and absorption of lipid based and lipid soluble nutraceuticals ingredients such as omega-3 fish oils, vitamin A, D, K and E, CoQ10 and others.
Neptune Tech gained 35.25 percent over the five day trading period and set a new 52-week high, rallying $0.07 or 3.87 percent to $1.88.

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals is focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics for cardiovascular, metabolic and liver diseases. Back in July,  the company merged with Synta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SNTA),  advancing the clinical development of Madrigal’s lead product candidate, MGL-3196. MGL-3196 is an oral, liver-directed selective thyroid hormone receptor for the treatment of NASH and heterozygous and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. However, there has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals gained 33.44 percent over the five day trading period and ended the week at $16.92.

Biodel

Biodel is a diabetes-focused biopharmaceutical engaged in developing product candidates by applying its formulation technologies to existing drugs. Back in May, the company announced a definitive share exchange agreement with Albireo Limited to create a NASDAQ-listed company focused in orphan pediatric liver diseases. An initial listing application has been submitted to Nasdaq. There has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Biodel gained 29.63 percent over the five day trading period and ended the week at $0.56.

Curis

Curis is a cancer-focused company engaged in the development and commercialization of drug candidates. The company’s clinical drug candidates include CUDC-907, which is being investigated in a Phase 2 trial in patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, or DLBCL, and in a separate Phase 1 trial in patients with solid tumors. There has been no further recent news from the company to explain last week’s rise in share price.
Curis gained 29.12 percent over the five day trading period and ended the week at $3.37.
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, Pia Rivera, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.