AKER Mulls Foray Into Cannabis, AXSM Awaits ASCEND Data, MRUS Abuzz

(RTTNews) - The following are some of today's top gainers in the pharma/biotech sector.

1. MiMedx Group Inc. (MDXG)

MiMedx is a biopharmaceutical company developing and marketing regenerative and therapeutic biologics.

Gained 54.90% to close Monday's (Nov.19) trading at $3.95.

News: No news

Recent event:

On Nov.8, the Company's shares were delisted from the NASDAQ due to non-compliance with the SEC reporting obligations.

2. Akers Biosciences Inc. (AKER)

Gained 42.28% to close Monday's trading at $1.75.

News: As part of evaluating strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, the beleaguered company will also be exploring potential business combinations in alternative sectors including cannabis industry.

On November 7, the Company announced that it has initiated a process to evaluate strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. A 1-for-8 reverse stock split of the Company's common stock was implemented on November 8, 2018, to meet the requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

3. Merus N.V. (MRUS)

Merus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company.

Gained 11.71% to close Monday's trading at $15.65.

News: No news

Pipeline:

-- MCLA-128, under phase II trial in metastatic breast cancer, and phase I study in other solid tumors. -- MCLA-117, under phase I trial in acute myeloid leukemia. -- MCLA-158, under phase I trial in solid tumor space, with an initial focus on metastatic colorectal cancer. -- MCLA-145, for which IND enabling studies are ongoing for multiple solid tumors.

4. Achaogen Inc. (AKAO)

Achaogen is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antibacterial treatments for MDR gram-negative infections. The Company has one approved drug - ZEMDRI, for the treatment of adults with complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis. The drug was approved by the FDA on June 26, 2018, and launched in the U.S. on July 20, 2018.

Gained 9.76% to close Monday's trading at $1.80.

News: No news

Pipeline & Near-term Catalysts:

C-Scape, an antibacterial candidate being developed for MDR gram-negative infections, under phase I development.

The initial phase I trial results of C-Scape have been positive- with additional development underway, including a planned phase I clinical pharmacology trial in 2019 followed by a single phase III trial in complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI).

5. Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (AXSM)

Axsome is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

Gained 9.22% to close Monday's trading at $3.08.

News: No news

Near-term Catalyst:

The Company has completed patient enrollment in ASCEND, a phase II trial of AXS-05 in major depressive disorder. Topline results from the ASCEND trial are expected in early January 2019.