CRBP Picking Up Steam, LLY's BIL Is More Than You Can IMAGINE, News From LGND

(RTTNews) - Amgen Inc. (AMGN) has completed patient enrollment in the study, dubbed FOURIER outcomes trial, which is designed to evaluate if its investigational product Repatha in combination with statin therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. The FOURIER study has enrolled approximately 27,500 patients, and results are expected no later than 2017.

Repatha (Evolocumab) is an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) in development for the treatment of patients with high cholesterol. The BLA for Repatha is under FDA review, with a decision slated for August 27, 2015.

AMGN closed Friday's trading at $157.25, down 0.53%.

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc.'s (CRBP) phase II clinical study with its lead drug candidate Resunab for the treatment of skin-predominant dermatomyositis is open for enrollment. Dermatomyositis is a rare, inflammatory muscle disease that is accompanied by skin rashes and affects up to approximately 25,000 individuals in the United States.

Another phase II clinical study with Resunab in the indication of cystic fibrosis is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2015.

Corbus' common stock was uplisted to the NASDAQ Capital Market from the Over-the-Counter Market as recently as April 16, 2015.

CRBP closed Friday's trading at $3.14, up 4.32%.

Eli Lilly and Co.'s (LLY) investigational basal insulin peglispro has demonstrated statistically significantly lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared to the approved insulin glargine at 26 and 52 weeks in people with type 1 diabetes in phase III trials.

Lower the A1c levels, the lesser is the risk for diabetes complications. The A1C test shows the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 3 months.

In the phase III trials, dubbed IMAGINE-1 and IMAGINE-3, basal insulin peglispro (BIL) showed superior glycemic control, reduced nocturnal hypoglycemia and weight loss compared to insulin glargine, according to the company.

LLY closed Friday's trading at $78.12, up 0.57%.

Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (ISIS) license agreement with Bayer HealthCare to develop and commercialize ISIS-FXIRx for the prevention of thrombosis has received clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Following the approval, Isis is all set to receive an immediate $100 million up-front payment from Bayer. In total, Isis is eligible to receive up to $375 million in payments. In addition, Isis is eligible to receive tiered royalties in the low to high twenty percent range on gross margins of ISIS-FXIRx.

The company presented positive data from a phase II comparator-controlled study for ISIS-FXI Rx for the prevention of venous thrombosis in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery, or total knee arthroplasty, last December.

ISIS closed Friday's trading at $66.15, up 2.83%.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (LGND) phase Ib clinical trial with investigational diabetes drug LGD-6972 at dosages of 5mg, 10mg and 15mg has demonstrated favorable safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in normal healthy volunteers and in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The trial results also demonstrated a robust, dose-dependent reduction of fasting plasma glucose.

The company is preparing to initiate a phase II trial with LGD-6972 next year with the goal to establish additional safety and efficacy for the program in 12 consecutive weeks of dosing in subjects with type 2 diabetes. The trial, estimated to cost approximately $10 million, is expected to be completed in 2017.

LGND closed Friday's trading at $94.07, up 3%.