Life on the ground has been a bit rough lately but if you look up, there's a whole show underway you won't find on any streaming sites. The final super 'flower moon' can be viewed from Australia but you've only got a day to plan it. More »

Amarin Corp. PLC (NASDAQ: AMRN) plans to mount a vigorous and speedy appeal of a U.S. District Court ruling that blocked its patents on the medication Vascepa, the company’s chief executive says. In a conference call last week about first-quarter earnings, pr…

The cast of Community is reuniting for a virtual table read to raise money for coronavirus relief. Almost all of main cast will be back for the online event, including Donald Glover who left the show in season 5. It will also include a Q&A where fans can subm…

The following is a roundup of top developments in the biotech space over the last 24 hours: Scaling The Peaks (Biotech stocks that hit 52-week highs on Jan. 13.) Arvinas Inc (NASDAQ: ARVN ) Baxter International ...

LAVAL, Québec, Feb. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) (triglyceride blood levels from 500 mg/dL to 1500 mg/dL), today announced that on February 28, 2020, it received written notification from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department (“Nasdaq”) for failing to maintain a minimum bid price of U.S.$1.00 per share for the last 30 consecutive business days, as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) – bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”). The Nasdaq notification has no immediate effect on the listing of Acasti Pharma’s shares.

Is there more upside in the cards for Amarin (NASDAQ:AMRN) stock? Shares soared late last year on news of the company's flagship Vascepa treatment receiving an expanded label. But after climbing from around the $15 price level to as high as $26.12/share, interest cooled.Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com When I last wrote about Amarin stock in mid-January, shares traded just under $20/share. Since then, the stock has tread water with shares closing at $18.18 on Feb. 12.One can argue that Vascepa's potential is already priced into shares. But, with similar treatments from competitors facing headwinds, Amarin stock could move higher as analysts anticipate even greater potential sales. On the other hand, nothing's for certain in the biotech game.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Exciting Stocks to Buy for Aggressive Investors Things could turn on a dime, pushing Amarin shares back down to prior levels. Yet upside may outweigh risks for Amarin stock. Let's dive in and find out why. Amarin Stock Could Move Higher as Competitors FlounderIn my last Amarin stock article, I discussed how Vascepa's upside potential could be thwarted by competition. AstraZeneca's (NYSE:AZN) Epanova and Acasti Pharma's (NASDAQ:ACST) CaPre face headwinds. Both yielded disappointing Phase 3 results. AstraZeneca is now throwing in the towel on Epanova. Acasti is investigating why, as InvestorPlace's Josh Enomoto reported, CaPre was no more effective than a placebo.With these competitors floundering, things look brighter for Vascepa. In other words, there's good reason why Amarin stock could head higher. Yet in the past month, shares haven't budged due to the news. Some investors remain skeptical of Vascepa's prospects. What's driving this negative sentiment? Competitive risk from generics.Two major generic drug-makers, Dr. Reddy's (NYSE:RDY) and Hikma (OTCMKTS:HKMPF) have generics in their pipeline similar to Vascepa. As I wrote in my prior Amarin stock analysis, both generic makers challenged Vascepa's patent. The uncertainty of this litigation is largely what's keeping Amarin shares from heading higher.Jeffries' Michael Yee is confident in Amarin's chances of winning the case. Proceedings in the case have ended, with a written ruling due by March 31. The analyst believes, based on the evidence presented, the court will rule in Amarin's favor. Yee gives shares a "buy" rating with a $30 price target.With these new developments, it seems Vascepa has a clearer shot of becoming a blockbuster drug. However, buying Amarin stock today is no slam-dunk. Multi-billion dollar sales figures are years away. Based on Amarin's guidance, the company should generate between $650 million-$700 million in revenue this year. That's a big jump from 2019's $425 million in sales. But a far cry from Stifel's estimated $3 billion in peak annual sales. What's Amarin Worth to An Acquirer?Annual sales have a long way to go before hitting the estimated peaks. That's not to say Amarin stock isn't worth more than its current trading price. Despite selling for around 9.4 times estimated 2020 sales, I reiterate Amarin remains a takeover target.Amarin stock is no stranger to takeover talk. Major pharma names find it easier to "buy" new drugs instead of spending billions more on R&D. So far, Amarin has decided to "go it alone." But, I don't see Amarin's board saying no if the price is right.So, what's a fair takeover price for Amarin? Let's assume Vascepa does hit $3 billion in peak sales. Major pharma names like GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Novartis (NYSE:NVS) have gross margins between 68% and 71%. That implies peak gross profits for Vascepa of around $2 billion.With fixed overhead costs, a major pharma name could add much of this gross profit to the EBITDA line. GSK and NVS have EBITDA margins around 30%, implying fixed costs around 35%-40% of sales. Let's estimate Vascepa's overhead costs are just 30% of sales. That means estimated EBITDA of around $1.14 billion.GSK stock has an EBITDA multiple of 10.3. Novartis has an EBITDA multiple of 15.4. Other names, like Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) have EBITDA multiples around 12. Let's say an acquirer paid $30/share for Amarin stock. Subtracting around $600 million in net cash, that means around a $10.2 billion purchase price for Amarin. In other words, an EBITDA multiple of around nine.Even at a 65% premium to the current Amarin stock price, the company could be an accretive acquisition. Keep in mind this is all back-of-the-envelope. It remains to be seen whether Vascepa lives up to expectations. Bottom Line: Upside Potential Remains, RisksRecent developments could mean more upside for Amarin stock. But keep risks in mind. Amarin next releases quarterly results later this month. If earnings and/or guidance falls short of expectations, shares could move to prior price levels (or lower).Also, the courts could rule against Amarin's favor in the patent suit. Yet, with material upside potential, Amarin stock could be worth the risk.Thomas Niel, contributor to InvestorPlace, has been writing single-stock analysis for web-based publications since 2016. As of this writing, Thomas Niel did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Exciting Stocks to Buy for Aggressive Investors * 20 Stocks to Buy From the Law of Accelerating Returns * 7 U.S. Stocks to Buy on Coronavirus Weakness The post Risks Remain, but Amarin Stock Is a Buy at Today's Prices appeared first on InvestorPlace.

2019 was a spectacular year for Amarin (NASDAQ:AMRN). The same has not been true of 2020, at least looking at Amarin stock.Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com After a 7% decline on Wednesday, AMRN now has dropped 24% so far this year. Truthfully, it's difficult to see why.There really hasn't been any bad news to explain the decline. In fact, there hasn't been much in the way of news at all.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsBroad markets have plunged in recent sessions, but Amarin stock shouldn't have that much exposure to those movements. Pharmaceutical stocks on the whole admittedly have been weak. Yet AMRN's year-to-date decline is almost five times that of the iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:IHE), which has fallen less than 5%. * 10 Stocks to Buy for Your 10-Year-Old Simply put, trading in AMRN has been odd. And it has offset the valuation concerns I've detailed toward Amarin stock since late last year. At these lower levels, shares look too cheap -- assuming Amarin can clear one last hurdle. No News Is … Bad News?At the end of 2019, Amarin seemed to be in excellent shape. Cardiovascular treatment Vascepa was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration on Dec. 13. That approval wasn't necessarily a surprise after strong results from clinical trials. But it provided the certainty needed for Amarin to build out its sales force and ramp its marketing spend behind the product.After approval, Vascepa looked like a blockbuster. Then the news got better. Both AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and Acasti Pharma (NASDAQ:ACST) saw competing drugs fail their trials. Vascepa thus seemed to have the market to itself. That both raised estimates of peak sales -- which in some cases clear $5 billion -- and gave Amarin more potential pricing power for the drug.And yet, since Vascepa received FDA approval, Amarin stock has continued to fade. Shares now are down 38% from intraday highs on Dec. 13. In fact, shares trade below where they did only days after initial trial results led AMRN to quadruple in a single day back in September 2018.There's seemingly little reason why shares have pulled back so sharply this year. There has been little news, and what news there has been looked positive.The news from Acasti and AstraZeneca came last month. Amarin earnings this week beat analyst estimates. That report doesn't necessarily change the case: Amarin already had given 2020 guidance, and reiterated that outlook along with fourth quarter results.There are some modest concerns, perhaps. Amarin was planning on launching Vascepa in China. Some investors might worry that the coronavirus might impede those plans, though chief executive officer John Thero said on this week's earnings call that would not be the case.The market has struggled; investors may be exiting equities of all kinds, even AMRN, and rotating into bonds or cash. But, again, AMRN has badly underperformed its sector. And, again, it's not clear why. Valuation ImprovesTo be sure, I didn't necessarily think AMRN stock was attractive above $20. Even with the pullback, Amarin still has a market capitalization nearing $6 billion. If peak sales are closer to $2-3 billion, as some analysts believe, that valuation may still be stretched.Vascepa does have exclusivity for now, but generic competition will arrive. A legal settlement with Teva Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ:TEVA) in 2018 allows Teva to launch its generic in 2029. Big profits from Vascepa likely won't arrive until 2022 as Amarin builds out its sales force and ramps its marketing spending. Vascepa needs to generate a lot of cash relatively quickly to support even the current valuation.That said, it's not as if sales necessarily go to zero in 2029. A larger pharma company may see Amarin as an acquisition target. (Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) is among the majors rumored to be interested.) And Wall Street analysts see upside, with the average price target above $30, suggesting 85% upside.There's a legitimate debate to be had over valuation. But it's certainly much easier for bulls to make their case after the pullback. That's doubly true given the apparent lack of catalysts for the decline. Watch the RisksAs always, there are risks. Small-cap Matinas BioPharma (NASDAQ:MTNB) has its own drug derived from fish oil, which could see trial results toward the end of this year. The roughly doubling of the sales force not only will add costs, but complexity, to the business.But the biggest risk comes from patent litigation. Amarin is suing generic drugmakers Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE:RDY) and Hikma Pharmaceuticals (OTCMKTS:HKMPF) for patent infringement. The results of the case will be of enormous consequence to Amarin stock.As one analyst wrote last month, the trial will be a "key make-or-break event" for Amarin. A loss would significantly lower peak sales estimates and likely send Amarin stock plunging. A win, however, removes perhaps the last major overhang on AMRN, and continues the string of good news that goes back to 2018.It does seem like Amarin has a strong case, as one legal observer noted in December. And it's worth noting that the Teva settlement covers basically the same issues. And so the resolution of the case -- likely in late March -- could be an upside catalyst for Amarin stock, if the news is positive.That's still an 'if,' however, and it's possible the market of late is pricing in an increasing chance of an adverse verdict. Beyond that, the decline in AMRN is odd, and seemingly unjustified. If Amarin can clear the final hurdle for Vascepa, that decline should reverse.Vince Martin has covered the financial industry for close to a decade for InvestorPlace.com and other outlets. He has no positions in any securities mentioned. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Stocks to Buy for Your 10-Year-Old * 5 Hot Cannabis Stocks to Snap Up * Buy These 5 Super Fast-Growth Dividend Stocks While They Are Down The post Confounding Decline Creates an Opportunity in Amarin Stock appeared first on InvestorPlace.

Here's a roundup of top developments in the biotech space over the last 24 hours. Scaling The Peaks (Biotech Stocks Hitting 52-week highs on Feb. 10) AbbVie Inc (NYSE: ABBV ) Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN ) ...

Anyone researching Acasti Pharma Inc. (CVE:ACST) might want to consider the historical volatility of the share price...

Supermoon May 2020: Where and when you can see it in Australianews.com.au

A series of four live-streamed concerts from Arnhem Land offers a welcome break from bad news and a way for Indigenous musicians to share their talents with the world.

Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, today announced that it submitted its briefing package on April 29, 2020 to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review. The Company is currently awaiting comments, and expects a formal response from the FDA on or before June 30, 2020.

Amarin (NASDAQ:AMRN) stock has been choppy for the past year, as the price has made multiple attempts to move above the $23-$24 range. However, this has been a stubborn line of resistance, considering the stock price is currently around $20.Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com Despite this, Amarin stock has still been a pretty good bet over the years. After all, the five-year average return is close to 80%.So, what now? Could there be an opportunity with Amarin stock? Well, I think so.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsTo see why, let's get a brief backgrounder on the company. Founded in 1993, Amarin is one of the leaders in leveraging lipid science and polyunsaturated fatty acids to create pharmaceuticals to improve heart health. The main drug is Vascepa, which has posted robust growth. In the latest quarter, revenues hit $112.4 million, up 103% on a year-over-year basis. This has been due to substantial increases in the number of subscribers and higher levels of prescriptions per prescriber. * 10 Cheap Stocks to Buy Under $10 However, the key for Amarin is that it recently gained FDA approval for wider applications for Vascepa. This decision, ironically enough, came on Friday the 13th last month -- but of course, this really should be a very lucky day. Vascepa's DevelopmentThe new indication and label expansion -- which is the result of a decade of research and development -- is for a therapy to reduce "the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization in adult patients with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels (≥150 mg/dL) and established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and two or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease."Yes, this is kind of medical jargon. But when boiling things down, the new use for Vascepa is a game changer.According to Dr. Deepak Bhatt, an executive director of the Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, the treatment "represents one of the most important developments in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease since statins…"The market opportunity is enormous, as there -- on average -- one cardiovascular death occurring every 40 seconds in the U.S. Also, the financial costs of cardiovascular disease events are burdensome at about $500 billion a year -- the most costly in the U.S. The CompetitionThere are a myriad of companies trying to do what Amarin has done; that is, using lipid therapies for cardiovascular disease. But, the science has proven quite complex and challenging.Note that there have been some recent examples of Phase 3 trials that shown disappointing results, such as from AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and Acasti Pharma (NASDAQ:ACST). In fact, since December, ACST has plunged from $2.87 to around $0.80 per share.In fact, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Louise Chen recently wrote after these companies' failures that "AMRN has been the only company in its class with an outcomes study (REDUCE-IT) that has shown a statistically significant benefit in reducing [cardiovascular] disease. We think the news today underscores our view that AMRN is an interesting asset in a consolidating space." Bottom Line On Amarin StockLast week, Amarin issued revised guidance for 2019. Revenues are now expected to range from $410 million to $425 million, which is at or slightly above the upper end of the prior forecast. The company also noted that beyond 2020, Vascepa's total net revenue "will grow to reach multiple billions of dollars" because "the history of other therapies for chronic conditions suggests that growth builds over multiple years."Given this, the growth story should be robust for quite some time. This should also stir up mergers & acquisitions interest from the mega pharma companies like Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Merck (NYSE:MRK) and even AZN.Let's face it, they need to fill their pipelines with blockbuster drugs -- and these companies certainly have the resources to pay a premium price for Amarin.Tom Taulli is the author of the book, Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction. Follow him on Twitter at @ttaulli. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Cheap Stocks to Buy Under $10 * 5 Retail Stocks Placer.ai Thinks Can Win Big in 2020 * 6 Cheap Stocks to Buy Under $7 The post Why Amarin Stock Is Poised for a Healthy 2020 appeared first on InvestorPlace.

The weak performance of Amarin (NASDAQ:AMRN) has been a head scratcher. Back in December, the company announced a major approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There was also a strong fourth-quarter report.Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com But Wall Street didn't really care. Since early December, Amarin stock has gone from $24 to $16.Now the recent volatility in the markets has taken a toll, no doubt. And there are some other worries about the company's aggressive spending to build out its infrastructure.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsYet despite all this, I think the selloff in Amarin stock has been an overreaction. Why? Well, let's take a deeper look at some of recent developments.First of all, the FDA approval was definitely a game changer. The agency agreed to a new indication and label expansion for the flagship drug, Vascepa. Note that the drug was shown to reduce cardiovascular disease for those with elevated triglyceride levels. This was the conclusion after an extensive clinical trial that lasted seven years. The FDA approval was also unanimous, which is not too common.To put things into perspective, other pharma companies -- like AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and Acasti Pharma (NASDAQ:ACST) -- have been developing their own treatments. But they have proven to be ineffective. As a result, Amarin will be the first to market in this category.In the meantime, the company is aggressively expanding Vascepa in foreign markets. Consider that Amarin received regulatory approval in Canada. There has also been a marketing application in Europe. And then there is China. Amarin's partner in the country should complete the clinical trial by the end of this year.Next, Amarin's growth has been ramping nicely. In the latest quarter, revenues jumped by 85% to $143.3 million, hitting a record for the company. Net income came to $7.1 million, or 2 cents a share, up from a loss of $33.7 million, or 11 cents a share in the same period a year ago.Amarin also reaffirmed its outlook for 2020. The revenues are expected to range from $650 million to $700 million, driven primarily by Vascepa. The RisksAmarin definitely faces some real challenges. Let's face it, building the needed infrastructure will not be cheap -- or easy. * 8 Stocks to Buy in March for a Coronavirus Rebound The company plans to expand the sales force in the U.S. to about 800 reps, representing a doubling on a year-over-year basis. It can be tough to educate and onboard such employees. So, it seems reasonable that there will be some growing pains.Another issue for Amarin stock is that the company must deal with a patent lawsuit from generic drug companies, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE:RDY) and Hikma Pharmaceuticals (OTCMKTS:HKMPF). True, it does appear that Amarin has a good case. But then again, litigation can be dicey. Bottom Line on Amarin StockThe market for Amarin is certainly massive. Keep in mind that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and costs about $500 billion per year. Vascepa can also be used in conjunction with those taking statins. And note that more than 35 million people in the U.S. take these.In light of all this, it should be no surprise that Vascepa has the potential to be a multibillion-dollar franchise. This should make Amarin very attractive as a buyout candidate for companies like Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) or Merck (NYSE:MRK).Thus, Amarin stock really does look attractive, especially in light of the recent selloff.Tom Taulli (@ttaulli) is the author of various books on investing and technology, including Artificial Intelligence Basics, High-Profit IPO Strategies and All About Short Selling. He is also the founder of WebIPO, which was one of the first platforms for public offerings during the 1990s. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 8 Stocks to Buy in March for a Coronavirus Rebound * 5 Big Reasons Stocks Will Rebound From the Coronavirus Selloff * 4 Large-Cap Stocks Still in Trouble The post Amarin Stock Looks Like a Heart-Healthy Buy on the Dip appeared first on InvestorPlace.

LAVAL, Québec, April 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance for its second composition matter patent to be awarded by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. This new patent expands the Company’s existing claims to include any composition containing EPA and DHA, where at least 50% of the composition consists of phospholipids.

Anyone researching Acasti Pharma Inc. (CVE:ACST) might want to consider the historical volatility of the share price...

Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, or HTG (triglyceride blood levels from 500 mg/dL to 1500 mg/dL), today announced that a detailed examination of the Phase 3 TRILOGY 1 results for CaPre  is underway, including specific clinical site audits and an audit of the central testing laboratory. As previously reported, the Company noted a highly unusual placebo response in its topline triglyceride reduction primary endpoint, far greater than seen in any prior omega-3 triglyceride lowering trials, with 5 sites out of the total 54 enrolling sites disproportionately contributing to this placebo response.

LAVAL, Québec, March 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and   commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance for an additional composition of matter and method of use patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the 4th patent to be awarded in the U.S., and a Notice of Allowance for a composition of matter and method of use patent awarded by the Mexican Patent Office, the 3rd patent to be awarded in Mexico.

Amarin stock popped Monday after rivals AstraZeneca and Acasti Pharma reported disappointing outcomes for their Vascepa-rivaling high triglycerides treatments.

LAVAL, Québec, April 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and   commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, today announced that it has filed its meeting request with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The meeting is intended to discuss TRILOGY 1 data, and gain alignment with the FDA on the interpretation of the results. The Company will also seek the FDA’s input on Acasti’s proposed revisions to the pre-specified TRILOGY 2 statistical analysis plan (SAP), and explore and agree on a plan for pooling the data from TRILOGY 1 and TRILOGY 2 in support of an NDA filing.

After a stock endures a beating from the public market, it can be tempting to abandon ship. As any seasoned investor knows, if a stock has fallen from grace and is trading at lower levels, there could be a good reason. Whether it be overwhelming recent obstacles or poor underlying fundamentals, all have the potential to hamper a company’s long-term growth prospects and keep them down in the dumps.By the same token, stocks that have been hit hard can present investors with an attractive entry-point before they take off and shoot for the moon. So, how are investors supposed to separate the stocks poised for a recovery from the ones facing insurmountable headwinds? We suggest taking a cue from the pros on Wall Street.Using the Stock Screener tool from TipRanks, we were able to scan the market for compelling yet beaten-down stocks, specifically focusing on those inhabiting the biotech space. The results? 3 biotech names backed by enough Wall Street analysts to earn a “Strong Buy” consensus rating. Adding to the good news, each boasts over 50% upside potential.Zogenix, Inc. (ZGNX)First up is Zogenix, a company focused on developing products that can potentially improve the lives of patients suffering from rare diseases. While data from a Phase 3 study evaluating its Fintepla candidate for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a rare form of epilepsy, had some investors worried, several analysts advocate staying on board.On February 7, ZGNX shares shed 39% of their value following the most recent data readout for Fintepla. The results were actually positive, with the candidate demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in the rate of seizures compared to the placebo, which was the primary endpoint of the study. However, it was the level of difference between the drug and the placebo that left a bad taste in investors’ mouths. A 70% difference in the reduction rate had been achieved when Fintepla was evaluated in Dravet syndrome, another form of epilepsy, but it was only able to produce an 18.7% difference in patients with LGS.Piper Sandler analyst Danielle Brill does acknowledge that the data was underwhelming, but points out that overall, the trial was still positive and should be seen as encouraging. According to the analyst, the data still supports approval, even if the drug will be used less frequently than competing drug, Epidiolex. “With this data, we're almost certain Fintepla use in LGS will be limited to Epidiolex failures. However, it's worth noting again that this was always our base case assumption,” she stated.With Brill expecting Fintepla to be priced at a premium to Epidiolex given its likely last-line therapy status, the five-star analyst sides with the bulls. To this end, she reiterated her Overweight rating as well as the $64 price target, implying a whopping 114% upside potential. (To watch Brill’s track record, click here)All in all, other Wall Street analysts are on the same page. Out of 9 ratings that have been published in the last three months, 8 were bullish, making the Street consensus a Strong Buy. In addition, the $56.75 average price target puts the upside potential at 88%. (See Zogenix stock analysis on TipRanks)Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding (BHVN)Biohaven boasts a portfolio of innovative products designed to combat neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.Yesterday, investors got some bad news as the company announced that troriluzole failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating its efficacy in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with shares dipping 8% in response. This prompted the company to discontinue the drug’s development as a monotherapy for the condition. That being said, several members of the Street believe there’s still hope for the company.While calling the data “an unfortunate miss”, Wedbush’s Laura Chico brings up the question of dosing. “We spoke with management who noted the dosing in GAD differs from the other indications with the highest dose (280 mg) being explored in Alzheimer's disease (AD). For our part, we do wonder if that came into play,” she noted.Management is continuing to develop the drug for other indications including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), AD and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), a degenerative brain disease that can impact movement. This combined with the lack of tolerability issues related to troriluzole are promising.Chico’s primary focus, though, remains on the upcoming rimegepant migraine prevention data and the acute treatment PDUFA slated for later this month. As the analyst thinks eventual approval is very likely, she remains in favor of this biotech. “With shares pulling back below $50 on the troriluzole anxiety results, we see favorable risk/reward into the upcoming rimegepant catalysts,” she commented.Bearing this in mind, Chico maintained an Outperform rating on the stock. It should also be noted that the analyst’s $75 price target conveys her confidence in BHVN’s ability to surge 59% over the next twelve months. (To watch Chico’s track record, click here)What does the rest of the Street have to say? In general, other analysts are also bullish on the biotech name, 8 out of 9 to be exact. This makes the consensus rating a Strong Buy. Not to mention the $74.13 average price target suggests a 58% twelve-month rise could be in the cards. (See Biohaven stock analysis on TipRanks)Acasti Pharma (ACST)Acasti Pharma’s primary goal is to develop new krill oil-based omega-3 phospholipid therapies that can be used to treat cardiometabolic diseases. CaPre, its lead candidate, was designed as a mixture of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to lower triglycerides while also potentially benefitting LDL-C and HDL-C in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. While unexpected trial data contributed to its 77% year-to-date decline, analysts are still betting that ACST can deliver a hefty dose of upside.On February 10, the company released an update noting that a review of Phase 3 TRILOGY 1 results for CaPre in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia is underway, which includes specific clinical site audits as well as an audit of the central testing laboratory. The original data showed an uncommon placebo response in its topline triglyceride reduction primary endpoint, which was much greater than seen in any previous omega-3 triglyceride reduction trials. Even though management claims to have monitored the trial, several inconsistencies were identified that possibly could have impacted the topline results.Weighing in on ACST for Echelon Wealth Partners is analyst Douglas Loe, who writes, “Though there is no denying that TRILOGY 1 failed to achieve its primary endpoint, independent of any explanations of this that would be irrelevant to statistical analysis of data anyway, we remain optimistic that data audit could reveal secondary details that bear more positively on CaPre’s own triglyceride-lowering activity, activity that has actually been well-documented in prior clinical studies conducted by Acasti itself.”Loe doesn’t dispute the fact that the clinical and regulatory risk remains high, but he does see it as a good sign that it’s making progress in interpreting the unusual data. Additionally, even with TRILOGY 2 data scheduled for release much later than previously expected, the analyst remains optimistic based on his “long-standing positive of CaPre’s published pharmacology and of omega-3 supplementation in general.”In line with this view, Loe reiterated a Buy recommendation. While he set a lower price target of $1.05, the forecast still leaves room for a possible 85% twelve-month gain. (To watch Loe’s track record, click here)As for the rest of the Street, other analysts take a similar approach when it comes to ACST. 3 Buys and 1 Hold issued in the last three months add up to a Strong Buy analyst consensus. The $3.35 average price target suggests that shares could skyrocket 509% in the next twelve months. (See Acasti Pharma price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks)

AstraZeneca (AZN) to discontinue STRENGTH study on its fish-oil pill Epanova in mixed dyslipidaemia on recommendation of an independent Data Monitoring Committee

LAVAL, Québec, Feb. 14, 2020 -- Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research,.

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Acasti Pharma (NASDAQ:ACST) is a classic example of the extreme volatility of small-cap biotech stocks. It was only in late December that the shares were fetching $2.87, up from $1 a year earlier. But now ACST stock is trading around 79 cents, with a market cap of about $70 million. To provide some context, in 2013 the shares were trading around $40.Source: Shutterstock Founded in 2002, Acasti specializes in developing prescription drugs that use omega-3 fatty acids derived from krill oil. Keep in mind that those acids have been shown to effectively reduce triglycerides, thereby helping to make people's hearts healthier.The problem is that the underlying science is extremely complex and challenging. That was certainly highlighted recently when Acasti received disappointing results from a Phase 3 clinical trial of its CaPre drug. The drug was supposed to treat patients who suffer from severe hypertriglyceridemia, in which triglyceride blood levels range from 500 mg/dL to 1500 mg/dL.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsAs for the trial, it did have some positive outcomes. For example, the drug produced a 30.5% median reduction in triglyceride levels over a 12-week term. The median triglyceride reduction of patients taking the drug in combination with a statin was 42.2%, versus a 31.5% median reduction for those taking a placebo and a statin.So what went wrong? According to Acasti's press release: "Both the placebo and CaPre study groups experienced significant reductions in triglycerides within the first four weeks from baseline, and even though the difference at 12 and 26 weeks was in favor of CaPre, due to the unexpectedly large placebo response, TRILOGY 1 did not reach statistical significance." * The Top 5 Dow Jones Stocks to Buy for 2020 Despite this setback, Acasti is not giving up. The company is analyzing the data to determine the reasons for the endpoint miss. The remaining top-line data from the trial will be released in the next couple of weeks, and the FDA is expected to issue more analysis about the secondary endpoints of the trial within the next couple months. Additional positive data could emerge, boosting ACST stock.But I think investors should be extremely cautious about ACST. Just look at AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), whose fish-derived heart drug Epanova also failed to meet its primary endpoint in a clinical trial. In fact, the company decided to stop developing the drug, resulting in a $100 million writeoff. The Bottom Line on ACST StockACST is all about CaPre. So if the drug is not progressing sufficiently, the company's prospects will certainly be ominous.It's also important to point out that Acasti's rival, Amarin (NASDAQ:AMRN), is continuing to make headway with its fish-oil drug, Vascepa. During the latest reported quarter, Vascepa's sales soared 103% year-over-year to $112.4 million. That will definitely make things tougher on ACST.Also, consider that Amarin recently received FDA approval for an expanded indication for Vascepa. The drug was shown to be effective for patients who have elevated triglyceride levels of ≥150 mg/dL. According to Dr. Deepak Bhatt, an executive director of the Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women's Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, the treatment "represents one of the most important developments in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease since statins…"Vascepa's annual sales could reach $4 billion within the next three or four years. In other words, for investors looking for a play on the cardiovascular market, Amarin looks like a pretty good option, while ACST stock looks like a name that they should avoid.Tom Taulli is the author of the book, Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction. Follow him on Twitter at @ttaulli. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * The Top 5 Dow Jones Stocks to Buy for 2020 * 7 Fintech ETFs to Buy Now for Fabulous Financial Exposure * 3 Tech Stocks to Play Ahead of Earnings The post Does Acasti Stock Have a Future? appeared first on InvestorPlace.

With shares down more than 80%, is there opportunity with Acasti Pharma (NASDAQ:ACST) stock? Don't bet on it! Shares have been hammered since January due to poor Phase 3 results for its prospective hypertriglyceridema treatment CaPre. Like with many biotech stocks, Acasti Pharma stock is a binary play on a single drug's success. Failure for CaPre is bad news for Acasti shares.Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com Considering this factor, there's good reason shares could fall further. Hemorrhaging cash, the company will likely need a dilutive equity infusion to stay in business. This would put further downward pressure on Acasti Pharma stock.Yet, I would not say Acasti Pharma stock has no shot at rebounding. If the company can press on with CaPre, shares could soar if subsequent trials prove successful. However, with Amarin's (NASDAQ:AMRN) competing treatment Vascepa moving ahead, CaPre could easily wind up left in the dust.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 10 Stocks to Buy for Your 10-Year-Old With long-shot upside and substantial downside risk, there are better opportunities out there. Let's dive in, and see why Acasti Pharma stock is far from being a great biotech play. Grim Future for CaPre Equals Bad News for Acasti Pharma StockWhat went wrong with CaPre? There's ample opportunity for an omega 3-bsaed hypertriglyceridema treatment. Yet so far only Amarin's Vascepa has seen success. Vascepa and CaPre are similar drugs. Except CaPre uses krill oil, while Vascepa uses fish oil. AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) also had a similar treatment in the works, but bailed out after poor Phase 3 results of its own.But things may not be so dire for Acasti Pharma stock. CaPre is down, but not out. As InvestorPlace's Ian Bezek discussed Feb. 26, CaPre's TRILOGY 1 Phase 3 results were not statistically significant. In other words, the drug's results were not materially better than that of a placebo. The company is investigating why this occurred, and continues to pursue bringing CaPre to market.CaPre has a second study (TRILOGY 2), for which topline results have yet to be released. With the company auditing TRILOGY 1's results, they don't expect to release the TRILOGY 2 topline results until at least July.In a high risk, high return space, you have to double down. But, for investors in Acasti Pharma stock, are the odds in thier favor? Considering Acasti's cash situation, things don't look so hot. The company has enough cash to survive through the year. However, going forward, Acasti needs an equity infusion.Such a move may keep the lights on, but with an equity raise comes dilution. If Acasti presses on with CaPre, but it doesn't pay off, shares could tumble further down. With Dilution, Shares Could Fall FurtherShares may be below the 50 cent price level, but Acasti Pharma stock could go lower. Why? The dilution factor. Acasti needs more equity capital in order to continue trying to bring CaPre to market. This isn't out of the ordinary for a biotech stock. If this occurs, but CaPre again fails to pay off, shares could continue to decline.With shares under the $1 price level, Acasti Pharma will likely pursue a reverse stock split in order to maintain its NASDAQ listing. They've done this before, back in 2015, but that doesn't prevent shares from falling further. Taking a look at split adjusted prices, Acasti shares have fallen significantly in their history as a public company.If you had invested $10,000 in Acasti Pharma stock back in February 2012, today you would have $388.31 left of your investment. In other words, a 96.12% loss. By comparison, $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 (NYSEARCA:SPY), would have grown into $28,351 (assuming dividends were reinvested) at the end of January 2020. In other words, a cumulative return of 183.52%.Acasti's past poor performance may not mean bad results in the future. As InvestorPlace's Vince Martin wrote on Jan. 29, Acasti Pharma stock has one last chance. If TRILOGY 2 is a success, and the company can justify the results of TRILOGY 1, it's not "game over" for CaPre. Shares could bounce back significantly as CaPre's approval odds reverse course.This isn't an invitation to buy Acasti Pharma stock. But should be kept in mind for anybody looking to short this name. Shares may have cratered, but with so much bad news priced into the stock, an ounce of positive development could push shares higher. Look at Other Biotech OpportunitiesIt doesn't look good for Acasti Pharma stock. If they plan on doubling-down on CaPre, they need more capital. A dilutive equity raise would push shares down further even if they do a reverse stock split.Yet shares aren't guaranteed to hit zero. If their subsequent actions with CaPre pay off, shares could soar as the prospective drug gets back on track.With this in mind, Acasti Pharma is neither a buy or a sell. If you are looking for speculative biotech names, consider other options.Thomas Niel, contributor to InvestorPlace, has been writing single-stock analysis for web-based publications since 2016. As of this writing, Thomas Niel did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Stocks to Buy for Your 10-Year-Old * 5 Hot Cannabis Stocks to Snap Up * Buy These 5 Super Fast-Growth Dividend Stocks While They Are Down The post Look Anywhere but Acasti Pharma Stock for Opportunity appeared first on InvestorPlace.

Acasti Pharma Inc. (“Acasti” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ACST – TSX-V: ACST), a biopharmaceutical innovator focused on the research, development and commercialization of its prescription drug candidate CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid) for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), today announced that it will host a conference call at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, February 14, 2020 to discuss the Company’s financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, as well as an update on the TRILOGY 1 and TRILOGY 2 Phase 3 trials of CaPre. The conference call will be available via telephone by dialing toll free 844-369-8770 for U.S. callers or +1 862-298-0840 for international callers, or on the Company’s News and Investors section of the website: https://www.acastipharma.com/investors/.