APDN Opens Wallet, BOTA Awaits Catalysts, Keep An Eye On COLL Today

(RTTNews) - Applied DNA Sciences Inc. (APDN) has acquired the assets of privately held DNA manufacturer Vandalia Research Inc. for $1.5 million in cash. The acquisition strengthens large scale DNA production and broadens market reach, according to Applied DNA Sciences.

In the third quarter ended June 30, 2015, Applied DNA Sciences narrowed its net loss to $1.7 million or $0.08 per share on revenue of $2.3 million. This compared with a net loss of $1.9 million or $0.14 per share and revenue of $841 thousand in the year-ago quarter.

APDN closed Friday's trading at $4.31, up 9.11%.

Biota Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BOTA) expects to report data from its phase I single ascending dose (SAD) clinical trial of BTA585 in healthy volunteers in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2015.

BTA585 is being developed for the treatment of acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients.

The company plans to begin dosing in a phase I multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial of BTA585 in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2015 and report data in the first quarter of calendar year 2016.

A phase 2b trial of Vapendavir in laboratory-confirmed human rhinovirus infected patients, dubbed SPIRITUS is underway, with top-line data anticipated in mid-2016.

BOTA closed Friday's trading at $2.08, down 3.70%.

Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc.'s (COLL) New drug Application for Xtampza ER, an abuse-deterrent analgesic for chronic pain, has been unanimously recommended for approval by an FDA panel.

Xtampza ER is an abuse-deterrent, extended-release, oral formulation of oxycodone for the treatment of chronic pain in patients who have difficulty swallowing pills.

The FDA's final decision on Xtampza ER is set for October 12, 2015. The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its advisory panels, although it is not required to do so.

Collegium went public on the Nasdaq on May 7, 2015, priced at $12.00 per share. The stock, which closed Thursday's trading at $13.45, was placed in a trading halt on Friday.

Keep an eye on COLL to see how the stock plays out on Monday.

Kite Pharma Inc.'s (KITE) investigational therapy KTE-C19 has been recommended for orphan medicinal product designation for the treatment of Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma and Mantle Cell Lymphoma by the European Medicines Agency Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products.

KTE-C19 is under a phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with refractory, aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including DLBCL and PMBCL, and the company plans to report initial topline results from the phase 1 portion of the trial later this year.

KITE closed Friday's trading 4.06% higher at $63.63.