Top Pick of the Day: MBOT

Microbot Medical Inc. (MBOT) announced receiving a new patent from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The new patent covers the company’s Self-Cleaning Shunt, specifically an inlet head for use on shunts. Microbot has an  exclusive license to the patent from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. The news was received positively by the market, where the stock jumped over 68 percent. The company stock has lost over 25 percent of its value this year so far while its 12 months gain stands at 49 percent.
Harel Gadot, CEO, President and Chairman said, “This patent continues to strengthen our IP for the self-cleaning shunt platform and complements the forthcoming US patent that was allowed earlier in the year.“

Focus Ticker: AVGR

Avinger (AVGR) stock soared as the company announced the positive 24 month data from the VISION study assessing the safety and effectiveness of its Pantheris system in performing directional atherectomy while allowing the physician to use real-time intravascular imaging to aid in the removal of plaque from leg arteries. The results show that the follow up on 89 patients showed 82% freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) at month 12 by patient (84% by lesion) and 74% freedom from TLR at month 24 by patient (76% by lesion).
The company stock soared by over 19 percent, trimming its Year to Date losses to 85 percent. The stock has lost 95 percent of its value in the past 12 months.

Sector News

AmpilPhi Biosciences (APHB) announced the appointment of its board member Paul Grint, M.D. as CEO effective immediately. The new appointment replaces Scott Salka who resigned but will continue in a consulting role during the transition.

Concordia International (CXRX) has been reported that it will be investigated by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority for the potential violation of competition law, specifically the pricing of its 10 mg hydrocortisone between 2013 and 2016.

Approvals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) announced receiving the FDA approval for the Priority Review of its  New Drug Application (NDA) seeking approval of Breakthrough Therapy-tagged VYXEOS (cytarabine and daunorubicin) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. The review status helps to shorten the review clock to six months.

Cytori Therapeutics (CYTX) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authorityhas exercised its rights under Option 2 of its contract with the company for the development of Cytori Cell Therapy (DCCT-10) as an adjunct therapy in thermal burn injury. As per the agreement, BARDA will pay Cytori $13.4 million for reimbursement of development costs plus a fixed fee.

Deals and Collaborations

NanoString Technologies (NSTG) announced inking a new deal for selling 2.75 million shares of its common stock. The stock is being sold to underwriter Robert Baird & Co. and the agreement includes a 30-day option to buy an additional 412.5K shares. The company intends to use the net proceeds for the purpose of funding working capital and general corporate purposes.

EntroMedics (ETRM) announced its first vBloc implant at AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in Bolingbrook, IL.. The implant is a pacemaker-like device that delivers vagal nerve blocking therapy via electrodes.