We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Intercept (ICPT) Releases Data from Phase II Flint Trial
Read MoreHide Full Article
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a retrospective analysis of the phase II trial, FLINT, in patients who were diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and type II diabetes. In fact, Obeticholic acid (OCA) is an investigational therapy for the treatment of NASH. These results were presented at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Session.
Intercept’s share price movement year to date indicates that the stock has outperformed the Zacks classified Medical-Biomedical/Genetics industry. The company’s shares rallied 8.6% compared favorably with the industry’s 2.3% gain.
Notably, a greater percentage of the OCA-treated patients who were diagnosed with NASH and type II diabetes at baseline, met the primary endpoint. They showed a ≥2-point improvement in NAFLD activity score (NAS) without worsening of fibrosis, at week 72 as compared to placebo (57% versus 21%). More than twice as many OCA-treated patients with fibrosis experienced ≥1 stage of fibrosis improvement as compared with patients in the placebo group.
In addition, the patients treated with OCA showed more reduction in body weight from baseline compared to an increase in weight in the placebo group. Also, OCA administration did not impact glycemic control over 72-week treatment period.
Post-hoc analysis showed that patients with both type II diabetes and NASH had high rates of advanced fibrosis.
It should be noted that the FLINT trial results demonstrated that OCA is the potential therapy for the NASH patient population with diabetes, who are at the highest risk of progressing to cirrhosis and adverse outcomes.
Intercept carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in health care sector include VIVUS, Inc. , MEI Pharma, Inc. (MEIP - Free Report) and Sanofi (SNY - Free Report) . While VIVUS and MEI Pharma sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Sanofi carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
VIVUS’ loss per share estimates have narrowed from 502 cents to 39 cents for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company delivered positive earnings surprises in all the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 233.69%. The share price of the company has increased 0.9% year to date.
MEI Pharma’s estimates have moved up from loss per share of 1 cent to gain per share of the same for 2017, over the last 60 days. The company delivered positive earnings surprises in three of the four trailing quarters, with average beat of 66.56%. The share price of the company has increased 28.5% year to date.
Sanofi’s earnings per share estimates have increased from $3.08 to $3.18 for 2017 and from $3.26 to $3.30 for 2018 over the last 30 days. The company came up with positive earnings surprises in two of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 5.10%. The share price of the company has increased 17.6% year to date.
Zacks' 2017 IPO Watch List
Before looking into the stocks mentioned above, you may want to get a head start on potential tech IPOs that are popping up on Zacks' radar. Imagine being in the first wave of investors to jump on a company with almost unlimited growth potential? This Special Report gives you the current scoop on 5 that may go public at any time. One has driven from 0 to a $68 billion valuation in 8 years. Four others are a little less obvious but already show jaw-dropping growth. Download this IPO Watch List today for free >>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Intercept (ICPT) Releases Data from Phase II Flint Trial
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a retrospective analysis of the phase II trial, FLINT, in patients who were diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and type II diabetes. In fact, Obeticholic acid (OCA) is an investigational therapy for the treatment of NASH. These results were presented at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Session.
Intercept’s share price movement year to date indicates that the stock has outperformed the Zacks classified Medical-Biomedical/Genetics industry. The company’s shares rallied 8.6% compared favorably with the industry’s 2.3% gain.
Notably, a greater percentage of the OCA-treated patients who were diagnosed with NASH and type II diabetes at baseline, met the primary endpoint. They showed a ≥2-point improvement in NAFLD activity score (NAS) without worsening of fibrosis, at week 72 as compared to placebo (57% versus 21%). More than twice as many OCA-treated patients with fibrosis experienced ≥1 stage of fibrosis improvement as compared with patients in the placebo group.
In addition, the patients treated with OCA showed more reduction in body weight from baseline compared to an increase in weight in the placebo group. Also, OCA administration did not impact glycemic control over 72-week treatment period.
Post-hoc analysis showed that patients with both type II diabetes and NASH had high rates of advanced fibrosis.
It should be noted that the FLINT trial results demonstrated that OCA is the potential therapy for the NASH patient population with diabetes, who are at the highest risk of progressing to cirrhosis and adverse outcomes.
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price | Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Intercept carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in health care sector include VIVUS, Inc. , MEI Pharma, Inc. (MEIP - Free Report) and Sanofi (SNY - Free Report) . While VIVUS and MEI Pharma sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Sanofi carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
VIVUS’ loss per share estimates have narrowed from 502 cents to 39 cents for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company delivered positive earnings surprises in all the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 233.69%. The share price of the company has increased 0.9% year to date.
MEI Pharma’s estimates have moved up from loss per share of 1 cent to gain per share of the same for 2017, over the last 60 days. The company delivered positive earnings surprises in three of the four trailing quarters, with average beat of 66.56%. The share price of the company has increased 28.5% year to date.
Sanofi’s earnings per share estimates have increased from $3.08 to $3.18 for 2017 and from $3.26 to $3.30 for 2018 over the last 30 days. The company came up with positive earnings surprises in two of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 5.10%. The share price of the company has increased 17.6% year to date.
Zacks' 2017 IPO Watch List
Before looking into the stocks mentioned above, you may want to get a head start on potential tech IPOs that are popping up on Zacks' radar. Imagine being in the first wave of investors to jump on a company with almost unlimited growth potential? This Special Report gives you the current scoop on 5 that may go public at any time. One has driven from 0 to a $68 billion valuation in 8 years. Four others are a little less obvious but already show jaw-dropping growth. Download this IPO Watch List today for free >>