PETX Has Its Day...

(RTTNews) - Shares of pet therapeutics company Aratana Therapeutics Inc. (PETX) are up more than 39 percent in pre-market trading Friday as investors greet with enthusiasm the positive trial results of the company's innovative drug for treating pain in dogs with osteoarthritis.

In a pivotal field study in client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis, AT-001 has demonstrated improvements in pain assessment scores that were statistically significant compared to placebo at a once-daily oral dose.

Aratana expects to commence commercialization of AT-001 upon FDA approval, which is anticipated in 2016.

A pilot clinical study of AT-001 for the control of pain and inflammation associated with degenerative joint disease in cats is also underway. A pivotal field effectiveness study of the compound in cats is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2015, with top line results expected in the first half of 2017.

The company has a deep pipeline with more than 15 products in development.

Recently, on December 16, the company initiated a pivotal field effectiveness study for AT-003, a drug for managing post-operative pain in dogs following surgery. Top line data from this study are scheduled for the second quarter of 2015.

But that's not all. There are some more near-term anticipated events that have the potential to move Aratana's stock price.

Visit Emerging Biostocks (http://www.rttnews.com/Products/EBSService.aspx) to know more about the upcoming catalysts for PETX.

Founded in 2010, Aratana went public on The NASDAQ Global Market on June 27, 2013, offering its shares at a price of $6.00 each.

PETX has traded in a range of $9.20 to $25.50 in the last 1 year. The stock closed Thursday's trading at $12.52.