SUPN Revises Revenue Outlook Upward, EVDY Fit And Fine, NASDAQ Warning For ACST

(RTTNews) - AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) has announced new encouraging results from the phase 2 portion of its ongoing phase 2/3 open-label study, dubbed TURQUOISE-I, in chronic hepatitis C patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) co-infection.

According to the study results, patients co-infected with genotype 1 (GT1) hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV-1 receiving AbbVie's investigational treatment and Ribavirin for 12 weeks or 24 weeks achieved sustained virologic response rates 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) of 93.5 percent and 90.6 percent, respectively.

The company also revealed that an ongoing open-label phase 2 study of its investigational treatment and Ribavirin in adult non-cirrhotic liver transplant recipients with recurrent chronic GT1 HCV infection, dubbed CORAL-I, has demonstrated 97.1 percent SVR (sustained virologic response) rates at 12 and 24 weeks post-treatment after 24 weeks of treatment.

AbbVie's investigational treatment is an all-oral, interferon-free experimental drug combining three direct-acting antivirals (ombitasvir/ABT-450/ritonavir and dasabuvir).

ABBV touched a new high of $64.20 on Tuesday before closing at $63.85.

Acasti Pharma Inc. (ACST) (APO.V) has received notification from the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Department for failing to maintain a minimum bid price of US$1.00 per share for the last 30 consecutive business days.

The company has 180 calendar days, or until May 6, 2015, to regain compliance.

ACST closed Tuesday's trading at $0.49, up 0.02%.

Cellceutix Corp. (CTIX.OB) is all set to commence patient enrollment in a phase II clinical trial of Brilacidin-OM for oral mucositis, an often debilitating effect of certain cancer therapies, in December 2014.

The company is also scheduled to meet with the FDA next month to discuss the planned phase 2/3 study protocol of its drug candidate Purisol in patients with psoriasis.

CTIX.OB closed Tuesday's trading 9.51% higher at $3.34.

Everyday Health Inc. (EVDY) has reported better-than expected third quarter earnings and guided Q4 revenue above the Wall Street consensus.

On a non-GAAP basis, the company climbed to a profit of $2.6 million or $0.08 per share in the third quarter of 2014 from a loss of $3.3 million or $0.64 per share in the year-ago period. Total revenue in Q3, 2014 was $42.3 million, a 21% increase from the year-ago quarter.

For the fourth quarter of 2014, Everyday Health anticipates total revenue to range between $62.8 million and $63.6 million, above the Wall Street consensus estimate of $60.18 million.

EVDY closed Tuesday's trading at $12.58, up 1.33%.

The second data safety review of Fate Therapeutics Inc.'s (FATE) phase II clinical trial of lead candidate PROHEMA in adult patients undergoing double umbilical cord blood transplantation for the treatment of hematologic malignancies is expected to occur this quarter. Full data on the primary efficacy endpoint from the trial, dubbed PUMA, are anticipated to be available in mid-2015.

The company also expects to initiate a phase Ib study of PROHEMA in pediatric patients undergoing single umbilical cord blood transplantation for the treatment of inherited metabolic disorders during this quarter.

FATE closed Tuesday's trading 1.02% higher at $3.95.

Shares of Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SUPN) rose more than 6 percent in extended trading on Tuesday, following the company's third quarter results and upwardly revised 2014 revenue outlook.

For 2014, the company now expects revenue to range between $115 million and $118 million, up from its prior forecast of $105 million. Wall Street's average estimate is $104.4 million.

Supernus anticipates achieving cash flow break even by year end and being profitable in 2015.

SUPN closed Tuesday's trading at $7.91, down 1.98%. In after-hours, the stock rose 6.83% to $8.45.

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (WST) has received FDA clearance for NovaGuard SA (Staked-needle Automatic) safety system. The NovaGuard SA safety system helps reduce the risk of needlestick injuries by shielding the exposed needle of a prefilled syringe after use.

The World Health Organization estimates that each year healthcare workers incur two million accidental needlestick injuries that may result in infections with hepatitis B and C, HIV and other diseases.

WST touched an all-time high of $52.14 on Tuesday before closing at $51.46.