Gainers & Losers Of The Day: CRSP, XTLB, CRSP, ACUR, EVOK...

(RTTNews) - The following are some of the biotech stocks that made their way onto the Day's Gainers & Losers' list of February 16, 2017.

GAINERS

1. Neuralstem Inc. (CUR)

Gained 18.55% to close Thursday's (Feb.16) trading at $3.77.

News: Enrollment in the company's phase II trial of NSI-189 for the treatment of major depressive disorder has been completed ahead of schedule.

The phase II study of NSI-189 has randomized 220 subjects to one of three oral treatment groups: placebo, 40 mg once daily (QD), 40 mg twice daily (BID). Data from this trial are expected in 3Q 2017.

2. XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (XTLB)

Gained 16.46% to close Thursday's trading at $3.58, extending the rally for a second consecutive day.

News: No news

Anticipated event:

The company's lead drug candidate is hCDR1, currently in development for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE. The compound is set to enter a global phase II trial for SLE.

The company also intends to explore hCDR1 for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome, a systemic autoimmune disease with some autoantibodies and clinical manifestations similar to those detected in SLE.

3. CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP)

Gained 16.29% to close Thursday's trading at $18.49.

News: On February 15, 2017, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board declared that the patents granted to Broad Institute, MIT and Harvard concerning CRISPR do not interfere with patent claims filed by UC Berkeley and the University of Vienna.

CRISPR, which stands for "clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats," is an advanced genetic engineering technique. UC, Berkeley and Broad have been claiming that they were the first to invent the CRISPR technology and applied for a patent in March of 2013, and October of 2013, respectively. The Broad's patent was issued on April 15, 2014. But UC, Berkeley is yet to be issued one. Now, the Appeals board ruling clears way for UC Berkeley to receive patent on CRISPR.

CRISPR Therapeutics has a global license agreement for CRISPR technology with UC Berkeley.

4. Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (APVO)

Gained 14.87% to close Thursday's trading at $2.24.

News: No news

Near-term catalysts:

- Preliminary results from the ongoing dose-escalation phase I study of MOR209/ES414 monotherapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer due in mid-2017. - Preliminary data read-out from a phase II study of Otlertuzumab in combination with Ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia are anticipated in the second half of 2017.

5. Imprimis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IMMY)

Gained 14.81% to close Thursday's trading at $2.79.

News: The company has begun shipping its flagship Dropless Therapy injectable and LessDrops topical formulations to select customers from its FDA-registered outsourcing facility without the need for a patient-specific prescription.

Anticipated event: Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results to be reported on March 21, 2017.

The company expects Ophthalmology-related revenue to be $3.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $3.0 million in Q3, 2016.

6. Akers Biosciences Inc. (AKER)

Gained 12.50% to close Thursday's trading at $1.35.

News: The company has been allowed US patent for Akers Wellness Tests Cartridge.

Akers Wellness breath tests, such as BreathScan OxiChek and BreathScan KetoChek, are designed to help promote, track and/or encourage choices related to general health and wellbeing; or to support weight loss.

7. Albireo Pharma Inc. (ALBO)

Gained 11.39% to close Thursday's trading at $22.59.

News: No news

Near-term catalysts:

- The company's lead compound is A4250, which is under phase II trial in children with chronic cholestasis. This study is expected to be completed this quarter. - Albireo anticipates meeting with the FDA this quarter regarding the planned pivotal clinical trial of A4250.

8. Esperion Therapeutics Inc. (ESPR)

Gained 11.06% to close Thursday's trading at $23.19. The shares have gained more than 89% so far in this month alone.

News: No news

Esperion's shares have been on the rise ever since Amgen Inc. (AMGN) announced on February 3rd, 2017 that its cholesterol lowering approved drug Repatha met the primary and secondary key endpoints in a landmark cardiovascular outcomes study, dubbed FOURIER.

Esperion is also developing a cholesterol lowering drug, which goes by the name Bempedoic acid.

Bempedoic acid is an inhibitor of ATP Citrate Lyase, and is under phase III testing. A global cardiovascular outcomes trial for Bempedoic acid, known as CLEAR Outcomes CVOT, was initiated by the company as recently as last month.

The top line results from one of the phase III studies of Bempedoic acid are expected by Q2 2018.

9. Corium International Inc. (CORI)

Gained 10.03% to close Thursday's trading at $3.51.

News: No news

Near-term catalysts:

- Initial data from the second dosing period of pilot bioequivalence study for Corplex Donepezil for Alzheimer's Disease is expected next month. - Full study results are expected mid-year.

LOSERS

1. Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACUR)

Lost 23.36% to close Thursday's trading at $0.89.

News: The company announced it is unable to regain compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule of minimum stockholders' equity requirement of $2.5 million.

So, its shares will begin to trade on the OTCQB Market, which is operated by OTC Markets Group Inc., under the symbol "ACUR" on February 23, 2017.

2. CryoLife Inc. (CRY)

Lost 17.65% to close Thursday's trading at $16.10.

News: Q4 revenue falls short of analysts' estimate

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 13 percent to $45.0 million, compared to $39.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. But it came short of analysts' expectation of $46.92 million.

Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $4.1 million or $0.12 per share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $3.9 million or $0.13 per share for the fourth quarter of 2015.

3. Evoke Pharma Inc. (EVOK)

Lost 12.06% to close Thursday's trading at $2.99.

News: The company has offered to sell 2.4 million shares of its common stock at a price of $2.90 each.

Gross proceeds from the offering are expected to be approximately $7.0 million. The offering is expected to close on or about February 22, 2017.

4. Genocea Biosciences Inc. (GNCA)

Lost 9.94% to close Thursday's trading at $4.44.

News: Q4 and full-year 2016 financial results reported.

Q4, 2016 net loss widened to $16.0 million or $0.56 per share from $10.3 million or $0.37 per share for the same period in 2015.