See Who Picked Tocagen Inc. (NASDAQ:TOCA) Shares
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tocagen Inc. (NASDAQ:TOCA) reported that Foresite Capital Fund Iii, L.p. has picked up 915,000 of common stock as of 2017-04-25.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Foresite Capital Fund Iii, L.p. to a total of 915,000 representing less than 4.6% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, Tocagen Inc., (Tocagen) is a clinical-stage, cancer-selective gene therapy company. The Company is focused on developing product candidates designed to activate a patient’s immune system against their own cancer. Its cancer-selective gene therapy platform is built on retroviral replicating vectors (RRVs), which are designed to selectively deliver therapeutic genes into the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of cancer cells. Its lead product candidates are vocimagene amiretrorepvec (Toca 511) and flucytosine extended release (Toca FC). Toca 511 is an investigational injectable retroviral replicating vector (RRV) that encodes a prodrug activator enzyme, cytosine deaminase (CD). Toca FC is an investigational extended-release version of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), a prodrug that is inactive as an anti-cancer drug. As of February, 2017, Tocagen has completed enrollment of the Phase II portion with 187 patients.
A glance at Tocagen Inc. (NASDAQ:TOCA)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 238.70 Million based on 18.50 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $13.40 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2017-04-19 Das picked up 2,500 at a purchase price of $10.00. This brings their total holding to 2,500 as of the date of the filing.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Tocagen Inc. (NASDAQ:TOCA) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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Feinberg Larry N is Buying Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL) Shares
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL) reported that Feinberg Larry N has picked up 15,472,847 of common stock as of 2017-04-21.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Feinberg Larry N to a total of 15,472,847 representing less than 22.58% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, BIOLASE, Inc. (BIOLASE) is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, markets and sells laser systems in dentistry and medicine. The Company markets, sells, and distributes dental imaging equipment, including cone beam digital x-rays and computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) intra-oral scanners, in-office, chair-side milling machines and three-dimensional (3-D) printers. It offers two categories of laser system products: WaterLase (all-tissue) systems and Diode (soft tissue) systems. Its brand, WaterLase, uses a combination of water and laser energy to perform procedures performed using drills, scalpels, and other traditional dental instruments for cutting soft and hard tissue. It also offers its Diode laser systems to perform soft tissue, pain therapy, and cosmetic procedures, including teeth whitening. Its Waterlase and Diode systems use disposable laser tips of differing sizes and shapes depending on the procedures being performed.
A glance at Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 85.94 Million based on 67.66 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $1.29 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2015-10-21 Schuler picked up 33,762 at a purchase price of $0.95. This brings their total holding to 4,213,429 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Mulder unload 5,000 shares at a sale price of $1.25. This brings their total holding to 0.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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Schuler Jack W Picked Up Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL) Shares
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL) reported that Schuler Jack W has picked up 20,728,060 of common stock as of 2017-04-17.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Schuler Jack W to a total of 20,728,060 representing approximately 28.71% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, BIOLASE, Inc. (BIOLASE) is a medical device company that develops, manufactures, markets and sells laser systems in dentistry and medicine. The Company markets, sells, and distributes dental imaging equipment, including cone beam digital x-rays and computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) intra-oral scanners, in-office, chair-side milling machines and three-dimensional (3-D) printers. It offers two categories of laser system products: WaterLase (all-tissue) systems and Diode (soft tissue) systems. Its brand, WaterLase, uses a combination of water and laser energy to perform procedures performed using drills, scalpels, and other traditional dental instruments for cutting soft and hard tissue. It also offers its Diode laser systems to perform soft tissue, pain therapy, and cosmetic procedures, including teeth whitening. Its Waterlase and Diode systems use disposable laser tips of differing sizes and shapes depending on the procedures being performed.
A glance at Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 93.50 Million based on 67.66 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $1.32 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2015-10-21, Schuler picked up 33,762 at a purchase price of $0.95. This brings their total holding to 4,213,429 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Mulder unload 5,000 shares at a sale price of $1.25. This brings their total holding to 0.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Biolase Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOL) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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Here’s Who Just Picked Up Angiodynamics Inc. (NASDAQ:ANGO) Shares
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Angiodynamics Inc. (NASDAQ:ANGO) reported that Avista Capital Partners Gp, Llc. has picked up 2,333,008 of common stock as of 2017-04-14.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Avista Capital Partners Gp, Llc. to a total of 2,333,008 representing a 6.3% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, AngioDynamics, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells a range of medical, surgical and diagnostic devices used by professional healthcare providers for vascular access, for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease and for use in oncology and surgical settings. The Company’s devices are used in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. The Company offers products within three product groupings: Peripheral Vascular, Vascular Access and Oncology/Surgery. The Company’s Peripheral Vascular products include Fluid Management, Venous, Thrombus Management, as well as other core products. The Company’s BioFlo products incorporate Endexo Technology into the manufacturing and design of its Vascular Access products. Its Oncology/Surgery product offerings include its Microwave Ablation products, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and its NanoKnife product lines.
A glance at Angiodynamics Inc. (NASDAQ:ANGO)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 558.82 Million based on 36.79 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $15.19 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2014-04-14, Kapusta picked up 1,000 at a purchase price of $13.90. This brings their total holding to 27,005 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Burgstahler unload 384,184 shares at a sale price of $16.00. This brings their total holding to 381,406.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Angiodynamics Inc. (NASDAQ:ANGO) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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Uluru Inc. (OTCMKTS:ULUR) is Attracting Smart Money
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Uluru Inc. (OTCMKTS:ULUR) reported that Sacks Michael Ivan has picked up 43,711,970 of common stock as of 2017-04-13.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Sacks Michael Ivan to a total of 43,711,970 representing a 48.4% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, ULURU Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a range of wound care and muco-adhesive film products based on its Nanoflex and OraDisc technologies for patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare payers. The Company operates through the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products segment. Utilizing its technologies, three of its products have been approved for marketing in various global markets. Altrazeal Transforming Powder Dressing is based on its Nanoflex technology, which changes the way healthcare providers approach their treatment of wounds. The product is indicated for both exuding acute wounds, such as donor sites, non-healing surgical wounds, and trauma and for chronic wounds, such as venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers. Aphthasol is a drug approved for the treatment of canker sores. OraDisc is developed as an improved drug delivery system for the treatment of canker sores.
A glance at Uluru Inc. (OTCMKTS:ULUR)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 4.26 Million based on 62.97 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $0.0677 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2016-03-29, Wallberg picked up 701,262 at a purchase price of $0.07. This brings their total holding to 825,519 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Oss unload 3,400,000 shares at a sale price of $0.16. This brings their total holding to 8,061,522.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Uluru Inc. (OTCMKTS:ULUR) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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Broadfin Capital Picked Up Alphatec Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ATEC) Shares
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Alphatec Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ATEC) reported that has picked up 1,164,618 of common stock as of 2017-03-29.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Broadfin Capital to a total of 1,164,618 representing less than 9.99% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, Alphatec Holdings, Inc. is a medical technology company. The Company through its subsidiary, Alphatec Spine, Inc. and its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders. Its product portfolio and pipeline addresses the cervical, thoracolumbar and intervertebral regions of the spine and covers a range of spinal disorders and surgical procedures. Its products include Cervical and Cervico-Thoracic Products, which include Trestle Luxe Anterior Cervical Plate System and Pegasus Anchored Cervical Interbody; Thoracolumbar Fixation Products, which include Arsenal Degenerative System and OsseoScrew Spinal Fixation System; Spinal Spacers, which include Battalion Universal Spacer System and Alphatec Solus Locking ALIF Spinal Spacer; minimally invasive surgery Products, which include Illico Minimally Invasive Surgery System and BridgePoint Spinous Process Fixation System, and Biologics, which include Neocore Osteoconductive Matrix.
A glance at Alphatec Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ATEC)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 21.89 Million based on 8.81 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $2.40 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2016-12-16, Cross picked up 15,000 at a purchase price of $4.25. This brings their total holding to 65,443 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Foster unload 1,033 shares at a sale price of $5.25. This brings their total holding to 0.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Alphatec Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ATEC) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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Here’s Who Just Picked Up Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AQXP) Shares
In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AQXP) reported that Baker Bros. Advisors has picked up 10,934,154 of common stock as of 2017-03-27.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Baker Bros. Advisors to a total of 10,934,154 representing a 46.7% stake in the company
For those not familiar with the company, Aquinox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology. The Company operates in the segment of identification and development of therapeutics in disease areas of inflammation and immuno-oncology. Its primary focus is anti-inflammatory product candidates targeting the Src Homology 2 (SH2)-containing inositol-5-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) enzyme, which is a regulator of a cellular signaling pathway in immune cells. The Company’s product candidate, AQX-1125, is a small molecule activator of SHIP1 suitable for oral, once daily dosing. The Company is developing AQX-1125 as a treatment in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the bladder. It has completed and reported results from its Leadership trial, which is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II clinical trial.
A glance at Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AQXP)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 375.12 Million based on 23.42 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $15.89 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2017-01-09, Baker picked up 32,051 at a purchase price of $17.76. This brings their total holding to 9,764,459 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Mackenzie unload 35,887 shares at a sale price of $18.67. This brings their total holding to 0.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AQXP) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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New IPO Stock Therapix BioSciences (NASDAQ:TRPX) Is Undervalued Compared To Peers – But Not For Long
Some of the biggest biotechnology winners of 2017 so far are cannabis stocks. GW Pharmaceuticals PLC- ADR (NASDAQ:GWPH), a $3 billion pharmaceutical cannabis company and probably the most well known company in this subsector of healthcare, is up around 7% since the start of the year. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ZYNE), a $250 million company, is up 22% year to date and close to 80% across the last twelve months.
Both of these companies have something in common – they are working to bring synthetic cannabinoids through clinical development in the US to treat conditions with a high unmet need, and in turn, a large potential market.
While we expect both to continue to appreciate throughout 2017 and beyond, as their respective pipelines mature towards commercialization, the already registered advance in each limits the upside somewhat.
There’s another company, however, with a very similar development strategy (synthetic cannabinoids) to those of GW Pharmaceuticals and Zynerba, but which has yet to benefit from the upside revaluation described above.
The company is Therapix BioSciences (NASDAQ:TRPX) and the reason it’s not yet revalued in line with its strategic peers is simple – it conducted its IPO today.
Before we get into the company, a bit of background on the space.
The medicinal benefits of cannabis are well established in a large number of different diseases and conditions. There’s evidence to suggest that sufferers of everything from neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.) to pain management to oncology and chemotherapy induced nausea can benefit from cannabis consumption in various forms, and this is the foundation of the medical marijuana industry in the United States. There are some inherent problems with using cannabis to treat these conditions, however, and the primary of these issues are side effects, consumption method and dosing. It’s incredibly difficult to ensure consistent dosing when a patient is smoking cannabis as an administration method. It’s also often undesirable (there are patients who don’t want to smoke) and creates obvious side effects, many of which are unwanted – cerebral high, respiratory issues, cancer, etc.
Synthetic cannabinoids are the focus of the above discussed companies, and many more, because they allow for the creation of cannabis based therapies, i.e. those that employ cannabinoids, or synthetic versions of cannabinoids, that don’t bring about the unwanted side effects that the natural product might, and can be administered in a controlled, measured format.
With GW Pharmacetucals, it’s a sublingual spray. With Zynerba, it’s a CBD based gel. Other companies, companies like Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc (OTCMKTS:CNBX), are developing topical administration, cannabis based creams.
Therapix’s answer is a sublingual tablet.
The company is developing a lead asset called THX-TS01, in a primary indication of Tourette’s syndrome. Tourette’s is a neuropsychiatric disorder that causes twitching, involuntary sounds and noises, blinking, and various other ticks, and the current standard care in the space is drug called haloperidol. It’s only really used in the most severe cases, however, as it brings with it some pretty nasty side effects, and it doesn’t really do anything about the tics side of the condition. Many Tourette’s sufferers use cannabis to ease the physical symptoms, and there’s a growing body of evidence that this is an effective method of treatment and control.
However, as mentioned above, many don’t want to smoke cannabis just to treat their symptoms. They either don’t want the high or don’t want to risk the respiratory and oncologic issues associated with smoking.
This is where THX-TS01 comes in.
The drug is a combination of synthetic THC (the active compound in cannabis) and what’s called PEA. PEA is a natural compound found in many substances (milk, fruits, etc.). It isn’t strictly a cannabinoid, but it shares many properties with cannabinoids, and – and here’s an important point – can enhance the impact of synthetic cannabinoids on the central nervous system (CNS) through what’s called the Entourage Effect, without enhancing its effect on the brain.
This Entourage Effect means Therapix has been able to take a small amount of synthetic THC (an amount not potent enough to bring about the cannabis associated high) and boost its impact on the CNS to a degree where it can improve the physical and tic-related symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome.
That’s the theory, at least, and it’s this theory that the company is out to prove subsequent to today’s IPO.
With both synthetic THC (probably more commonly known as dronabinol in the pharmaceutical space) and PEA already used in other approved drugs, there’s no need for Therapix to carry out preclinical or phase I studies for THX-TS01. Instead the company can take it through a phase II trial, and on succesfull completion of the phase II, directly into a pivotal investigation.
The first of these, the phase II (actually a phase IIa) is already underway, having initiated in December 2016. It’s enrolling at Yale University right now, and 4 out of a planned 20 patients are already on board. The trial should wrap up early third quarter 2017, and the company intends to put out topline in the same quarter. This paves the way for a pivotal trial (likely a phase IIb/III) kicking off before the end of the year.
It’s also eligible for Orphan Designation in the US, and Therapix intends to file for this designation once it has the data form the ongoing phase IIa in hand.
Beyond the Tourette’s indication, Therapix is targeting a host of other conditions, with the next in line being mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is a bigger market than Tourette’s (although it won’t qualify for Orphan Designation) and Therapix expects to initiate a phase IIa study – the equivalent of the study that’s ongoing in Tourette’s right now – during the third quarter of this year.
With just 3.1 million shares outstanding, this company has a low float and high insider ownership – circa 60% as things stand. The company has $12 million cash, which it expects will carry it through to end 2018. Based on its mid point offering price of $6, the company was expected to hit markets with a market capitalization of $18.6 million.
The company opened at $6.30, and at time of writing, morning US session, is trading at $8.60. Based on the 3.1 million expected outstanding share count, this gives the company a current market capitalization of just $26.6 million – above expected, but still low given Therapix’s underlying operations.
Not only is this a low valuation compared to some of the mid cap players with comparable programs, like the above mentioned Zynerba, but it also falls far short of other cannabis stocks with far less promising, or far less developed, programs.
The above mentioned Cannabics Pharmaceuticals, which we noted above as developing topical administration assets, is pre clinical and has a market capitalization of $330 million. OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp (OTCMKTS:OWCP), a company working to develop cannabis based oncology therapies, is, again, preclinical, and had a market capitalization of more than $178 million at last close.
Bottom line here is that this is a company that is only valued at its current market capitalization because it’s yet to enjoy the exposure to public market capital in the US that some of its strategic and operational peers have.
Now it’s a NASDAQ company, chances are this discrepancy will quickly disappear.