ALXA Soars On Study Results, RTTR Gets Funding, It's A Thumbs Up For BIO

(RTTNews) - Shares of Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXA) were up more than 41% in extended trading on Monday, following positive interim results from a phase 2a study of its drug candidate AZ-002 in epilepsy patients.

AZ-002 is being developed for the management of epilepsy in patients with acute repetitive seizures, or ARS.

ARS occurs in a subset of patients with epilepsy who regularly experience breakthrough seizures, despite treatment with a regular regimen of anti-epileptic drugs.

According to the study results, AZ-002 produced a dose-related decrease in mean Standardized Photosensivity Range (SPR), the primary endpoint in the study.

ALXA closed Monday's trading at $0.87, down 2.44%. In after hours, the stock was up 41.23% to $1.24.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.'s (BIO) TANGO infinity system, which automates routine blood typing and screening testing procedures for patients and donors, has received FDA clearance.

The TANGO infinity system has been available outside the U.S. since 2014.

BIO closed Monday's trading at $136.97, up 1.45%.

Relypsa Inc.'s (RLYP) Veltassa, which received FDA approval for the treatment of hyperkalemia, in October of this year, is now available for prescription to patients in the United States.

Veltassa is the first new medicine for the treatment of hyperkalemia, or elevated blood potassium levels, in more than 50 years.

RLYP closed Monday's trading at $27.10, down 2.94%.

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp. (RXII) has initiated a phase II trial evaluating the safety and clinical activity of Samcyprone on the clearance of cutaneous warts.

The company expects to provide clinical data from all of its ongoing clinical trials over the course of 2016.

RXII closed Monday's trading at $0.39, down 3.17%.

Ritter Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RTTR) has entered into a $10 million common stock purchase agreement and a registration rights agreement with Aspire Capital Fund, LLC, a Chicago-based institutional investor.

On signing of the agreement, Aspire made an initial purchase of $1 million worth of common stock at $2.00 per share, which represents a 14% premium over the December 18 closing sale price of $1.75. The remaining $9 million will be purchased if and when the company decides to sell shares to Aspire.

Ritter's lead drug candidate is RP-G28, which is expected to enter phase 2b/3 trial for the treatment of lactose intolerance in the first quarter of 2016.

RTTR closed Monday's trading at $2.12, up 18.44%. In after hours, the stock was down 7.55% to $1.96.