Over the past week, a few biotech companies made absolutely massive runs. In the past year, the health care sector was on fire from positive trials, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals and mergers and acquisitions. These companies 24/7 Wall St. has picked stood out from the rest with at least 25% gains over the course of the week. We have included information about each company, as well as recent trading activity and the consensus price target.
Cepheid Inc. (NASDAQ: CPHD) tanked in the middle of week on news that the company cut its guidance for the year when it reported preliminary results. For the third quarter, the company expects total revenue to be approximately $126.5 million, and the net loss per share is expected about $0.32. Over week, shares fell 24.6%, and they are down only 38.8% year to date. Shares of Cepheid traded at $33.67 on Friday’s close. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $49.41 and a 52-week trading range of $30.44 to $63.69.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (NYSE: VRX) has been on a roller-coaster ride this entire week, with shares trading anywhere between $160 and $180. Mercurial concerns on pricing shifted the share price over the week, but it ended on a high note. Over the course of the week, shares fell 1.3%, and shares are up 18% year to date. The stock was at $177.56 on Friday’s close. The consensus analyst price target is $52.38, and the 52-week trading range is $111.49 to $263.81.
ALSO READ: Big Biotech Is Cheap With Strong Cash Flows: 3 to Buy Before Earnings
Zafgen Inc. (NASDAQ: ZFGN) has been suffering due to the late-stage clinical trial of beloranib. Earlier in the week, a patient in the study passed away from undetermined causes. The company maintains that there is a 33% chance that the death was in the placebo arm. Over the course of the week, shares fell 38%, and they are down nearly 32% year to date. Shares of Zafgen closed at $10.36 on Friday. The stock has a consensus price target of $51.43 and a 52-week range of $10.06 to $55.36.
Aclaris Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRS) debuted on the market on October 7. The initial public offering (IPO) of 5 million shares priced at $11, which was below the expected price range of $14 to $16. There is an overallotment option for an additional 750,000 shares. What we are seeing now is a huge recovery from the IPO price. Over the course of the week, shares rose 40.8% and, year to date, they are up 40.8%. Shares of Aclaris were at $14.57 on Friday’s close. The stock has a post-IPO trading range of $10.99 to $17.24.
NovoCure Ltd. (NASDAQ: NVCR) had its IPO earlier in October. The company priced its offering of 12.5 million shares at $22 apiece, sharply below the original anticipated range of $25 to $29, and even below a revised range of $23 to $24. However, over the course of the week, shares rose 36.6% and, year to date, they are up 41.5%. Shares of NovoCure ended the week at $25.98. The stock has a post-IPO trading range of $15.01 to $30.89.
ALSO READ: How the Technology of One Small Biotech Can Save Tetraphase
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