ATRA Gains After-hours, ONTX Slumps, XBIT Disappointed, BPMX On Watch

(RTTNews) - Shares of Atara Biotherapeutics Inc. (ATRA) were up more than 8% in extended trading on Thursday, following positive interim results from its ongoing phase I trial of autologous Version of ATA188 in patients with primary and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

The phase I trial is designed to enroll ten patients, including five with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and five with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPPMS).

The interim results were based on data from six patients treated to date - four with SPMS, two with PPMS.

According to the interim results, 3 of six patients, including two with SPMS and one with PPMS, experienced improvements in multiple sclerosis symptoms as measured by patient reported and objective clinical evaluations.

All three patients with observed clinical improvement showed commencement of improvement two to eight weeks after initiation of ATA188 therapy, including reductions in fatigue and gains in quality of life, ability to perform activities of daily living, and manual dexterity, the company noted.

ATRA closed Thursday's trading at $18.90, up 2.44%. In after-hours, the stock was up 8.73% to $20.55.

Aevi Genomic Medicine Inc. (GNMX) has announced updated responder data from a subset of genomically identified patients in the phase II/III trial of AEVI-001 in adolescent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, dubbed SAGA.

According to the trial results, the Company has identified novel genetic mutations predictive of response to AEVI-001 in approximately 10% of pediatric ADHD patients.

The new results clarify a path forward for the continued development of AEVI-001 in ADHD patients and potential future development in other neurodevelopmental disorders.

The top line results from the SAGA trial were reported last month. The results revealed that the primary endpoint of reduction on the ADHD rating scale was not met, but showed encouraging trend in improvement at highest dose (400 mg BID).

GNMX closed Thursday's trading at $1.86, up 2.76%. In after-hours, the stock was down 11.29% to $1.65.

BioPharmX Corp. (BPMX) now expects to report data from its phase 2b study of BPX-01 for the treatment of acne vulgaris in the first half of May, 2017.

The Company announced that the last subject visit in its Phase 2b trial was on March 24, 2017 and the last investigational site close-out visit was April 7, 2017.

BPMX closed Thursday's trading at $0.73, UP 5.77%.

Shares of Onconova Therapeutics Inc. (ONTX) were down more than 12% in extended trading on Thursday after it announced a proposed public offering of common stock.

The Company's lead drug candidate is IV Rigosertib, under phase III trial in patients with second-line higher-risk (HR) Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

The trial, dubbed INSPIRE, is expected to be active in all 19 countries this quarter. Pre-planned interim analysis for the global INSPIRE trial is currently on track and will be conducted after 88 death events have occurred.

ONTX closed Thursday's trading at $2.48, down 4.98%. In after-hours, the stock fell 12.10% to $2.18.

XBiotech Inc.'s (XBIT) candidate antibody for the treatment of colorectal cancer, Xilonix, is unlikely to receive a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, following the European Medicines Agency rendering a negative "trend" vote".

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use is scheduled to meet in May and vote on the Company's marketing authorization application for Xilonix.

In the U.S., Xilonix is under phase III testing for advanced colorectal cancer.

XBIT closed Thursday's trading at $17.02, down 0.87%.