Healthcare Stocks That Hit New Highs (XBIT, DRNA, CRSP...)

(RTTNews) - The following are the healthcare stocks that hit a new 52-week high on Monday.

1. XBiotech Inc. (XBIT) hit a new high of $13.59 in intraday trading on Monday, before closing at $13.34. The stock jumped 160% year-to-date.

XBiotech is a biopharmaceutical company developing antibody therapies for various diseases based on its proprietary technology, True Human. True Human antibodies are 100 percent human, derived from individuals who possess natural immunity to certain diseases.

The company's lead drug candidate MABp1 (bermekimab), is being investigated in a variety of indications including skin diseases like Atopic Dermatitis, Hidradenitis suppurativa, and systemic scleroderma.

Positive results from phase II study in Atopic Dermatitis was announced at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress last month. Phase II study in Hidradenitis Suppurativa was completed recently and the company plans to initiate a phase IIb study this year. A phase II study in systemic scleroderma is underway.

A phase II study of bermekimab in Type II Diabetes is also ongoing.

Bermekimab is in phase I study in Pancreatic cancer and positive results were reported recently.

A Phase III Study of MABp1 in patients with advanced colorectal cancer was discontinued in 2017 as data were not sufficient to meet efficacy or the threshold for continuation.

Last month the company received Canadian patent for the treatment of dermatological pathologies.

2. Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (DRNA) recorded a new high of $23.57 in intraday trading on Monday before closing at $21.39. The stock jumped 100% year-to-date.

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals focuses on the discovery and development of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi)-based pharmaceuticals.

Yesterday, when the company announced its deal with Novo Nordisk(NVO), the stock jumped 10% in the intraday trading to touch a new 52-week high.

The company announced that it signed an agreement with Novo Nordisk to discover and develop therapies for liver-related cardio-metabolic diseases using Dicerna's proprietary GalXC RNAi platform technology. As per the agreement, Dicerna is to receive an upfront payment of $175 million and a 50 million in equity investment. Novo Nordisk will pay $25 million annually for the first three years contingent on Dicerna delivering RNAi molecules for a defined number of targets. Dicerna is eligible to receive up to $357.5 million as milestone payments and royalties on product sales.

Lead drug candidate, DCR-PHXC is being investigated in a variety of trials, dubbed PHYOX, for the treatment of all three genetic forms of primary hyperoxaluria (PH).

PHYOX1, a phase I study of DCR-PHXC for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria is underway. Data showing substantial post-dose reductions in 24-hour urinary oxalate levels in adult and adolescent study participants within patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) and type 2 (PH2) were announced recently.

PHYOX2 , a phase II study of DCR-PHXC for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type1 and 2 in children and adults is ongoing.

Last month, the company announced its collaboration with Roche to develop and commercialize Dicerna's DCR-HBVS for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

3. CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP) jumped to a new high of $58.84 in intraday trading on Monday, before closing at $58.53. The stock has gained more than 100% year-to-date.

CRISPR Therapeutics is a gene-editing company developing gene-based medicines for serious diseases. The company's proprietary gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 enables to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence.

In July this year, CRISPR signed a deal to allow Vertex Pharma (VRTX) to use the CRISPR-Cas9 technology for developing treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy type 1, genetic conditions causing muscle weakness and loss. The deal is worth up to $1 billion including an upfront payment of $175 million.

Lead drug candidate of the company, CTX110, is in phase I/II study in patients with relapsed or refractory B-Cell malignancies. Preliminary safety and efficacy data are expected by late 2019.

Another drug in the pipeline, CTX001, is in phase I/II study in severe sickle cell disease (SCD) and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT). CTX001 is the first treatment that comes up from the joint research program signed by CRISPR and Vertex in 2015 to use the CRISPR-Cas9 technology to discover and develop new treatments.

4. Krystal Biotech, Inc. (KRYS) recorded a new high of $54.67 in intraday trading on Monday, before closing at $53.01. The stock is up more than 150% year-to-date.

Krystal Biotech is a clinical-stage gene therapy company developing innovative treatments for skin diseases. The company is using its proprietary STAR-D platform to develop treatments for rare skin diseases.

Lead drug candidate, KB103 is in phase I/II study, dubbed GEM in Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, or DEB, an incurable, often fatal skin blistering condition caused by a lack of collagen protein in the skin. Positive results were reported in October this year. The company expects to start phase 3 pivotal trial before the year-end 2019.

Another drug candidate of the company KB105 is in phase I/II study, dubbed GEM-3, in transglutaminase-1 (TGM1) deficient autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI). ARCI is a genetic skin disease with life-long pronounced scaling of the skin with increased transepidermal water loss.

Last month, the European Medicines Agency granted orphan drug designation to KB105 for the treatment of TGM1 deficient ARCI.

5. Antares Pharma, Inc. (ATRS) hit a new high of $4.33 in intraday trading on Monday, before closing at $4.30. The stock is nearly 60% up year-to-date.

Antares Pharma is a revenue-generating company focusing on developing and commercializing self-administered parenteral pharmaceutical products using advanced drug delivery auto-injector technology.

Generic versions of Eli Lilly's Forteo (teriparatide), and Byetta (Exenatide), developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA), utilizing Antare's multi-dose pen technology are waiting FDA decision.

As per the agreement with TEVA, Antares is eligible to get a margin on device sales and a single-digit to mid-teens royalty on end sales of the product. Teriparatide injection was approved in Europe in 2017.

Teriparatide is used for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men at increased risk of fracture and for glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in men and women. Exenatide is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with Type II diabetes.

The company's revenue in the third quarter increased more than 90% to $34.3 million compared to the same period last year. Full-year 2019 revenue guidance is raising to $115.0 million to $120.0 million, from $100.0 million to $110.0 million. Analysts foresee $118.12 million.