Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive interim data from clinical studies evaluating its factor D inhibitors – ACH-4471, ACH-5228 and ACH-5548. Two phase II studies are evaluating the first-generation oral factor D inhibitor, ACH-4471, in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (“PNH”) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). The company is developing its next-generation factor D inhibitors, ACH-5228 and ACH-5548, in two separate phase I studies.
Data from the mid-stage studies on ACH-4471 demonstrated proof of concept as monotherapy or in combination with a C5 Inhibitor in PNH patients. Moreover, ACH-4471 achieved proof of mechanism on C3G patients. Achillion is currently enrolling patients in six and 12-month studies to evaluate ACH-4471 in C3G patients. The company is planning an end of phase II meeting in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Data from the early-stage studies evaluating ACH-5228 and ACH-5548 showed that these have the potential of higher alternative pathway inhibition along with a reduced dosing frequency. The company is planning to initiate a multiple ascending dose phase I study to evaluate ACH-5228 in January 2019.
Shares of Achillion rose 7.5% in after-market trading on Dec 17 following the news. However, the shares of the company have lost 16.7% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 20.7%.
Achillion is focused on its factor D portfolio. The company is working on to develop oral inhibitors of complement Factor D. Targeted therapeutic areas include PNH, C3G, immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and dry age-related macular degeneration.
Factor D, an essential protein of the complement pathway is integral to the human innate immune system. Though this area has commercial opportunity, the complement-mediated space is extremely crowded with many biotech companies working to introduce these treatments to the market.
We remind investors that another phase II study is evaluating ACH-4471 in combination with Alexion’s Soliris (eculizumab) for potentially long-term treatment of PNH patients, who are already being treated with Soliris.
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Achillion currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks from the same sector include Genomic Health, Inc. and Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. . While Genomic Health sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Asterias carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Genomic Health’s earnings estimates have been revised 86% upward for 2018 over the past 60 days. The stock has soared 92.9% so far this year.
Asterias’ loss per share estimates have been narrowed by 5.6% for 2018 over the past 60 days.
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Achillion Reports Positive Interim Data on Factor D Inhibitors
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive interim data from clinical studies evaluating its factor D inhibitors – ACH-4471, ACH-5228 and ACH-5548. Two phase II studies are evaluating the first-generation oral factor D inhibitor, ACH-4471, in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (“PNH”) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). The company is developing its next-generation factor D inhibitors, ACH-5228 and ACH-5548, in two separate phase I studies.
Data from the mid-stage studies on ACH-4471 demonstrated proof of concept as monotherapy or in combination with a C5 Inhibitor in PNH patients. Moreover, ACH-4471 achieved proof of mechanism on C3G patients. Achillion is currently enrolling patients in six and 12-month studies to evaluate ACH-4471 in C3G patients. The company is planning an end of phase II meeting in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Data from the early-stage studies evaluating ACH-5228 and ACH-5548 showed that these have the potential of higher alternative pathway inhibition along with a reduced dosing frequency. The company is planning to initiate a multiple ascending dose phase I study to evaluate ACH-5228 in January 2019.
Shares of Achillion rose 7.5% in after-market trading on Dec 17 following the news. However, the shares of the company have lost 16.7% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 20.7%.
Achillion is focused on its factor D portfolio. The company is working on to develop oral inhibitors of complement Factor D. Targeted therapeutic areas include PNH, C3G, immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and dry age-related macular degeneration.
Factor D, an essential protein of the complement pathway is integral to the human innate immune system. Though this area has commercial opportunity, the complement-mediated space is extremely crowded with many biotech companies working to introduce these treatments to the market.
We remind investors that another phase II study is evaluating ACH-4471 in combination with Alexion’s Soliris (eculizumab) for potentially long-term treatment of PNH patients, who are already being treated with Soliris.
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price | Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Achillion currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks from the same sector include Genomic Health, Inc. and Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. . While Genomic Health sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Asterias carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Genomic Health’s earnings estimates have been revised 86% upward for 2018 over the past 60 days. The stock has soared 92.9% so far this year.
Asterias’ loss per share estimates have been narrowed by 5.6% for 2018 over the past 60 days.
3 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
The greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.
So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.
See them today for free >>