CERS Gets BARDA Funding, EPZM Abuzz, ZSAN Awaits Data In Q1 2017

(RTTNews) - Cerus Corp. (CERS) has inked a 5-year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for potential funding of up to approximately $180 million for its anticipated Phase III clinical studies for the INTERCEPT Red Blood Cell System in the United States and the required manufacturing and development activities needed to pursue a potential U.S. commercial launch.

In addition to providing funding to advance its INTERCEPT red blood cell program, the subsequent options of the contract if exercised by BARDA would fund activities related to broader implementation in areas of Zika virus risk, clinical and regulatory development programs in support of licensure, and development, manufacturing and scale-up activities, according to the company.

CERS closed Friday's trading at $5.70, down 3.39%.

Preliminary data from Epizyme Inc.'s (EPZM) ongoing, global Phase 2 clinical trial of orally administered Tazemetostat in relapsed or refractory patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma has demonstrated a favorable safety profile consistent with prior clinical experience.

Among the 47 efficacy-evaluable patients, both objective responses (complete responses (CR) and partial responses (PR)) and stable disease (SD) have been observed, noted the company.

EPZM closed Friday's trading at $11.44, down 2.97%.

Hologic Inc.'s (HOLX) Aptima Zika Virus assay, a molecular diagnostic tool for the qualitative detection of RNA from Zika virus in human serum and plasma specimens, has been granted emergency use authorization by the FDA.

The Aptima Zika Virus assay will be available for use in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, expanding the number of public and private labs that can test for the virus, said the company.

HOLX closed Friday's trading at $33.81, up 0.33%.

Shares of Jaguar Animal Health Inc. (JAGX) were up over 11% on Friday, following positive results in a study that evaluated the prophylactic use of a second-generation, powder formulation of Neonorm Calf, administered in liquid, on naturally occurring diarrhea in preweaned dairy calves.

The double-blind, randomized study was conducted in association with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and it involved 40 Holstein bull calves that were affected with naturally occurring diarrhea.

Jaguar has been engaged in exploratory discussions with Napo Pharmaceuticals Inc. since February 2016 regarding a potential merger and/or other ways to cooperate with their respective business endeavors.

JAGX closed Friday's trading at $2.15, up 11.40%.

Zosano Pharma Corp. (ZSAN) has enrolled the first subject in a pivotal efficacy trial of its ZP-Triptan patch treatment for acute migraine.

The company expects to report pivotal efficacy data from the trial in the first quarter of 2017.

ZSAN closed Friday's trading at $1.43, up 0.70%.