Anika On A Roll, AEZS Makes That First Step, KERX To Watch Out For, STAAR Shines

(RTTNews) - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (AEZS) (AEZ.TO) said that the first patient has been recruited and dosed for its phase III study of Zoptarelin Doxorubicin. The trial is evaluating Zoptarelin Doxorubicin in women with endometrial cancer resistant to platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy.

The trial is designed to enroll approximately 500 patients and the primary efficacy endpoint is improvement in median Overall Survival.

About 30% (up to $10 million) of the clinical and regulatory costs for the trial will be borne by contract clinical development organization, Ergomed, said Aeterna.

AEZS closed Wednesday's trading at $1.40, up 0.72%.

Anika Therapeutics Inc. (ANIK) rose more than 16 percent to $23.51 in after-hours on Wednesday after delivering strong results in the second quarter of 2013. The company expects the same trend - growth and profitability improvement, to continue in the second half of 2013.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (KERX) expects the second half of this year to be eventful in view of a couple of upcoming catalysts. The company on Wednesday said that it will be filing the NDA for Zerenex, seeking approval in treating hyperphosphatemia (elevated phosphate levels) in patients with end-stage renal disease, very shortly.

The upcoming completion of the U.S. phase II study of Zerenex for the management of phosphorus and iron deficiency in anemic patients with Stage 3 to 5 non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease, and the MAA filing for Zerenex in Europe are the other events to watch out for in the coming months of this year.

In after-hours, KERX was down 2.75% to $8.85.

Northwest Biotherapeutics Inc. (NWBO) on Wednesday announced that it has signed an agreement with Cognate BioServices Inc., the contract manufacturer of its cancer vaccine, to convert the $11.6 million of accounts payable to Cognate into shares of NW Bio common stock at a price of $4.00 per share. These conversions cover accounts payable from Q4 2012 through July of 2013.

The company said that the conversion shares are subject to an 18-month lock-up during which time the shares cannot be sold or traded.

NWBO closed Wednesday's trading 1.11% down at $3.55.

STAAR Surgical Co. (STAA) on Wednesday reported strong second quarter financial results and boosted its revenue growth outlook.

The company's adjusted net income was $1.8 million or $0.05 per share on total sales of $18.2 million in Q2-2013. This compares with adjusted net income of $1.2 million or $0.03 per share and total sales of $15.9 million in the year ago quarter.

Looking ahead to 2013, STAAR now expects total revenue growth in the range of 12 to 14%, up from its prior growth outlook of 8 to 10%.

STAA closed Wednesday's trading at $10.51, up 0.48%.