ADHD Needs Your Attention, MOH In Good Health, GNCA Awaits Catalysts

(RTTNews) - Alcobra Ltd. (ADHD), which has completed patient recruitment in its phase II study of MDX in adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, expects to report data by the end of the first quarter of 2015.

The company is also recruiting patients into AL014, its phase IIb study in adolescents and adults with Fragile X Syndrome. Completion of enrollment is expected in the first quarter of 2015, and the company expects to report data in the second quarter of 2015.

ADHD closed Thursday's trading at $6.19, up 5.81%.

The preliminary data from Chimerix Inc.'s (CMRX) phase III trial of its drug candidate Brincidofovir for adenovirus infection has demonstrated a short-term mortality rate of less than 40 percent for bone marrow transplant recipients with disseminated disease and for the patient population overall.

The ongoing trial, dubbed AdVise, which was initiated in March 2014, is expected to be completed by December 2016. (Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov).

CMRX closed Thursday's trading 4.05% higher at $40.08.

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (CPHR) (CPH.TO) Beteflam Patch, previously known as Betesil Patch, has been accepted for review by Health Canada. The Beteflam Patch is a novel, patent-protected, self-adhesive medicated plaster containing 0.1% betamethasone valerate, for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as chronic plaque psoriasis.

The product is currently marketed in several European countries.

CPHR closed Thursday's trading at $13.25, up 1.53%.

Concordia Healthcare Corp. (CXR.TO) has enrolled the first patient in its phase III bile duct cancer trial that will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Photodynamic therapy with PHOTOFRIN to treat a rare form of bile duct cancer in Korea.

The trial, dubbed OPUS, is expected to enroll 200 patients from North America, Switzerland, Germany, and South Korea. Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA enrolled the first U.S. patient in the trial last November.

PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the treatment of esophageal cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer and high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

CXR.TO touched a new high of C$59.42 on Thursday before closing the day's trading at C$59.

Genocea Biosciences Inc. (GNCA) has a couple of milestones coming its way, making it worth to put the stock on your radar. The company expects viral shedding rate and genital lesion rate changes from baseline in its phase 2 dose optimization clinical trial for GEN-003, a first-in-class treatment for genital herpes, to be reported late in the second quarter of 2015.

Another clinical study that is underway is a phase 2a human challenge study of GEN-004 for the prevention of pneumococcal infections. This trial is evaluating the effect of GEN-004 on the frequency, magnitude and duration of colonization by pneumococcus in the nasopharynx of healthy adults, and top line results are expected in the fourth quarter of 2015.

GNCA closed Thursday's trading at $9, down 0.11%.

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IRWD) has a few catalysts lined up for this year. The company expects data from a phase III clinical trial of Linaclotide in adults with IBS-C for China in the second half of 2015. In addition, data from a phase II clinical trial evaluating Linaclotide for the treatment of adults suffering from opioid-induced constipation are expected in the second half of 2015.

A phase I clinical study with IW-1973, the company's first sGC candidate, is expected to begin patient enrollment in the coming weeks. Ironwood expects data from this study in the second half of 2015. A phase I clinical trial with its second sGC candidate, IW-1701, is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2015. Both IW-1973 and IW-1701 are being explored for the potential treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

IRWD closed Thursday's trading 2.30% higher at $16.

Shares of Molina Healthcare Inc. (MOH) touched a new high of $59.85 on Thursday after the company forecast better-than-expected revenue and adjusted net income per share for fiscal 2015.

Looking forward to fiscal year 2015, the company anticipates net income per share of $2.35, adjusted net income per share of $4.60 and total revenue of $14.3 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the company to report EPS of $2.54 and total revenue of $13.60 billion.

The company's adjusted net income per share of continuing operations was $3.43 per share on total revenue of $9.7 billion in 2014.

MOH closed Thursday's trading at $59.40, up 1.75%.

Versartis Inc. (VSAR) plans to initiate a pediatric phase 2/3 clinical study of VRS-317 in in children with growth hormone deficiency in early 2015. A global phase 2/3 study of VRS-317 for adult GHD is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2015.

A phase 3 study of VRS-317 for semi-monthly dosing in children with growth hormone deficiency, dubbed VELOCITY, is being conducted in the United States, Western Europe and Canada. The company anticipates having six month interim results in mid-2016 and final data in early 2017.

Versartis went public last March, offering its shares at a price of $21 each.

VSAR closed Thursday's trading at $18.59, up 0.27%.