MDGS Secures Project, GBT Full Of HOPE, TRXC Up More Than 200% YTD

(RTTNews) - The following are some of today's top gainers in the pharma/biotech sector.

1. Medigus Ltd. (MDGS)

Gained 27.68% to close Wednesday's (June 27) trading at $1.43.

News: The Company has entered into a development agreement worth $780,000 with A.M. Surgical Inc.

The agreement requires Medigus to develop and manufacture an integrated visualization device based on its micro ScoutCam technology to work with Stratos, the A.M. Surgical product for endoscopic procedures.

The integrated visualization device is designated to provide surgical control and visualization during endoscopic carpal tunnel releases.

2. Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. (GBT)

Gained 15.63% to close Wednesday's trading at $44.75.

News: The Company announced positive results from Part A of its HOPE study.

The HOPE study is a phase III trial evaluating Voxelotor in adults and adolescents with sickle cell disease. This trial consists of two parts - Part A and Part B.

The results from the Part A analysis in 154 patients showed that 58 percent of patients taking the 1500 mg dose and 38 percent of patients taking the 900 mg dose of Voxelotor achieved a greater than 1 g/dL increase in hemoglobin at 12 weeks compared to 9 percent of placebo.

Based on the robust results, the Company intends to seek accelerated approval for Voxelotor. Further updates on regulatory discussions are expected to be provided by this year-end.

3. Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc. (CKPT)

Gained 17.79% to close Wednesday's trading at $2.98.

News: No news

Pipeline:

The Company's clinical drug candidates include CK-301, under phase I testing, for treatment of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors, and CK-101, under Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive NSCLC.

Near-term Catalysts:

-- Expansion cohort data from phase I portion of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CK-101 in NSCLC EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC are expected in the second half of 2018. -- Initial data from expansion cohort of phase I study of CK-301 in NSCLC and other solid tumors expected in the second half of 2018. -- Initiate the first registration trial for CK-301 in first-line non-small cell lung cancer in the first quarter of 2019.

4. Aptinyx Inc. (APTX)

Gained 11.20% to close Wednesday's trading at $22.24.

News: No news

Pipeline:

The Company has 2 clinical drug candidates.

-- NYX-2925 in two Phase 2 studies - the first is in subjects with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and the second is in subjects with fibromyalgia. -- NYX-783 as a therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), currently in a Phase 1 study to establish safety and tolerability.

Recent events:

-- On June 21, 2018, the Company made its debut on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, offering its shares at a price of $16 each. -- On June 25, 2018, the Company closed its IPO and full exercise of underwriters' option.

5. TransEnterix Inc. (TRXC)

Gained 10.59% to close Wednesday's trading at $5.84.

News: No news

Recent events:

-- On June 25, 2018, the Company was added to the Russell 2000 Index. -- On June 7, 2018, the Company filed a FDA 510(k) submission for additional Senhance System instruments including 3 millimeter diameter instruments. In the U.S., Senhance is cleared for laparoscopic colorectal, gynecologic, inguinal hernia and cholecystectomy surgery.