Today Cantor says Health Insurance Innovations CEO confirmed decreased Chubb business Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Steven Halper said he spoke with Health Insurance Innovations' (HIIQ) CEO Gavin Southwell about last week's business update, after which the analyst does not believe the company intended to communicate that it was winding down its IFP business but appears to be undertaking a series of moves to improve the performance and profitability of the segment. Southwell confirmed that the company has been decreasing its business with Chubb (CB) over the period of several months and added that he expects the company to announce a new relationship with "a much larger insurance carrier," according to Halper, who noted that the company has rotated carrier relationships in the past and he views this case as no different. The analyst, who believes the risk/reward is attractive regardless of the outcome of the strategic review process, keeps an Overweight rating on Health Insurance Innovations shares, which are down 90c, 4.5%, to $18.85 near midday.

https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=3011176&headline=HIIQ;CB-Health-Insurance-Innovations-Chubb-analyst-commentary-

Good call, added a few shares after hours today since we can not time this POS with the daily gap ups in the $QQQ`s every day.......

ANALYSTS ARE BULLISH ON TOP FINANCIAL STOCKS: HEALTH INSURANCE INNOVATIONS (HIIQ) December 24, 2019



Health Insurance Innovations (HIIQ)

In a report released today, Randy Binner from B.Riley FBR reiterated a Buy rating on Health Insurance Innovations, with a price target of $45.00. The company’s shares closed last Monday at $18.70, close to its 52-week low of $15.95.

According to TipRanks.com, Binner is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 11.8% and a 63.8% success rate. Binner covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Federal National Mortgage Association, American Equity Investment Life, and National General Holdings.

The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for Health Insurance Innovations with a $55.00 average price target, a 181.3% upside from current levels. In a report issued on December 13, Craig-Hallum also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $40.00 price target.

https://www.markets.co/analysts-are-bullish-on-top-financial-stocks-health-insurance-innovations-hiiq-fortress-transportation-ftai/232096/

Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIIQ) has 213 institutional investors and shareholders that have filed 13D/G or 13F forms with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). These institutions hold a total of 12,217,822 shares. Largest shareholders include Cannell Capital Llc, Vanguard Group Inc, P2 Capital Partners, LLC, BlackRock Inc., Susquehanna International Group, Llp, Atom Investors Lp, River Road Asset Management, LLC, Susquehanna International Group, Llp, Citadel Advisors Llc, and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC.

13D from Voss Capital

Purpose of Transaction.
The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.

The Reporting Persons believe that the Issuer is one of the most misunderstood companies in the public markets. The Reporting Persons believe that the Issuer’s Shares are deeply undervalued and do not reflect the high quality of its business, its leading position in the industry, and the Issuer’s potential for long-term revenue, earnings and cash flow growth.

As the Issuer’s individual and family plan (“IFP”) business goes into partial run-off, throwing off prodigious free cash flow in 2020 and beyond, the Reporting Persons believe that the IFP business alone is worth at least $250 million due to the conservatively marked contract assets on the balance sheet. The Reporting Persons are encouraged to hear the Issuer reiterate its commitment to investing in and growing its promising Medicare business. The Issuer’s most direct trading comparable, eHealth Inc. (“EHTH”) (NASDAQ: EHTH), is valued 4.5x 2020 revenue estimates. If the Issuer were to generate close to $150 - $200 million of Medicare related revenue in 2020 and were ascribed EHTH’s 4.5x forward revenue multiple (despite growing even faster than EHTH and being more profitable), that segment alone would be worth multiples of the current Share price.

The M&A environment in the insurance technology and brokerage space has rarely been more active than it is today with numerous well capitalized private equity firms and strategic acquirers buying similar businesses at valuation multiples above 4.0x EV/Sales. The table below shows precedent transactions that have occurred just within the last eight months.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1561387/000092189519003059/sc13d10925hea_12232019.htm

Cantor Fitzgerald (12/20) - Before the market open today, 12/20, HIIQ provided an update regarding its business strategy and ongoing strategic review process. We spoke with management following the news release. The company remains focused on building out its Medicare business, which we believe should be a core long-term growth driver. We believe HIIQ's Medicare progress has been successful thus far, recognizing it is still early.

The company indicated to us that it will be de-emphasizing its legacy IFP business going forward. We note that this does not mean the company will exit the business in the near term. Additionally, HIIQ is focused on maximizing cash flows in its IFP business and enhancing its e-commerce capabilities. The company believes that its existing book of IFP business (e.g., policies in force, expected renewals) should generate about $170 million in net cash flows from existing IFP contract assets and commissions payable. Importantly, HIIQ expects that a "significant amount" of this operating cash flow will be available in 2020. Management indicated to us that the company will monetize the future revenue stream to help cash flow. We note that eHealth (EHTH - Overweight) took a similar strategy (credit agreement) in 2018.

We believe this suggests the company has financial stability and should be able to generate cash flow in the near-term. We believe this may make the asset more attractive to a potential buyer. We note that the company's strategic review process remains ongoing. We believe HIIQ could provide an update soon, recognizing that this could come after January. We continue to view the shares as highly compelling at current levels.

$HIIQ FWIW Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Steven Halper weighed in on Health Insurance Innovations provided an update on its business strategy and ongoing strategic review process. Halper spoke to management after the news release. He highlighted:

The company reiterated its commitment to building out its growing Medicare business while de-emphasizing its legacy IFP business. HIIQ also indicated that a significant amount of operating cash flows should be available in the near term.

We view the company's cash flow outlook positively as it suggests to us that HIIQ has financial stability. We continue to believe the company is well-positioned in the attractive Medicare market.

We continue to view the shares as highly compelling at current levels

The analyst reiterated an Overweight rating and $80.00 price target on HIIQ.

Biotechnology Value Fund just keeps adding so taken a starter position.
Mark Lampert seeks positions with heavy derisking and downside cushion, provided via past data sets.

https://whalewisdom.com/filer/bvf-inc-il#tabholdings_tab_link

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NYSE:GO) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

https://www.tickerreport.com/banking-finance/4871706/grocery-outlet-holding-corp-nysego-given-average-rating-of-hold-by-analysts.html

Grocery Outlet CEO Eric Lindberg reveals why the super market chain has no intention of developing an online business and how it continues to compete with Amazon.

Grocery Outlet (NYSE:GO) Releases FY 2019 After-Hours Earnings Guidance


Grocery Outlet (NYSE:GO) issued an update on its FY 2019

After-Hours earnings guidance on Monday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $0.73-0.74 for the period, compared to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $0.72. The company issued revenue guidance of $$2.55 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $$2.55 billion.

Grocery Outlet stock traded up $0.83 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $32.60. The company had a trading volume of 9,739 shares, compared to its average volume of 769,049. Grocery Outlet has a 1 year low of $27.75 and a 1 year high of $47.57. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $32.03.

Grocery Outlet (NYSE:GO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 11th. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $652.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $652.60 million. Grocery Outlet’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on GO shares. Deutsche Bank boosted their price objective on shares of Grocery Outlet from $40.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Barclays reissued a hold rating and issued a $37.00 price objective on shares of Grocery Outlet in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Zacks Investment Research cut shares of Grocery Outlet from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $51.00 price target on shares of Grocery Outlet and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Grocery Outlet from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. The company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $39.89.

https://newsfilter.io/articles/grocery-outlet-nysego-releases-fy-2019-after-hours-earnings-guidance-a4eb79b988e9b977536eb20e2eacd2c2

Pfizer Exec on Biopharmaceuticals Breakthroughs, Pipeline

https://newsfilter.io/videos/pfizer-exec-on-biopharmaceuticals-breakthroughs-pipeline-a5260ee79f17eddf5d3913505b432a66

2 Grocery Outlet Analysts Remain Sidelined Despite Praising Q3
Jayson Derrick , Benzinga Staff Writer FOLLOW
November 12, 2019 3:48pm


Two Grocery Outlet Holding Corp
GO 5.16%
analysts had plenty of praise for the extreme value grocery chain's third-quarter report, but fell short of recommending the stock to investors.

The Analysts
UBS analyst Michael Lasser maintains a Neutral rating on Grocery Outlet with a $38 price target.

Bank of America analyst Robert Ohmes maintains at Neutral, unchanged $40 price target.

UBS: 'Solid' Quarter
Grocery Outlet's "solid" print includes certain metrics among "the finest results" in the entire consumable retail space, Lasser wrote in a note. For example, same-store sales growth accelerated by 150 basis points on a two-year stack to 5.8% from a combination of traffic and ticket growth.

Gross margins were also 38 basis points higher in the quarter due to opportunistic purchasing, improved efficiencies, product delivery savings and inventory management improvements. It may be difficult to sustain gross margin expansion over time, but the company's exposure to the secondary channel offers a form of protection from pressures its competitors face.

Grocery Outlet's stock is trading at around 40 times 2020 estimates, which Lasser said implies investors aren't "pricing in a meaningful slowdown" in the near term. As such, shares offer a "balanced" risk-reward profile at current levels.

BofA: 'Firing On All Cylinders'
Grocery Outlet's business is "firing on all cylinders" as the company saw broad-based strength across all regions and product categories, Ohmes wrote in a note. Behind the scenes, management deserves credit for solid expense controls and initiatives to improve inventory.

The company continues to see a large supply of product availability which can grow to as much as four times its current size, the analyst wrote. Multiple bullish catalysts, including a differentiated business model, extreme customer value proposition, a path to establish 4,000 stores in the U.S., and expectations for comps to come in above current guidance of 1% to 3% are already "well-appreciated by investors" at current levels.

https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/19/11/14787152/2-grocery-outlet-analysts-remain-sidelined-despite-praising-q3-print

Grocery Outlet stock rallies 6% after profit beat, raised outlook
Published: Nov 11, 2019 4:22 p.m. ET


Shares of Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. $GO, +6.29% jumped 6% in the extended session Monday after the company reported adjusted profit above Wall Street expectations and tweaked its guidance higher. Grocery Outlet said it earned $12.4 million, or 13 cents a share, in the quarter, compared with $7.7 million, or 11 cents a share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Adjusted for one-time items, Grocery Outlet earned $20.6 million, or 22 cents a share, compared with $13 million, or 19 cents a share, a year ago. Sales rose 13.1% to $652.5 million, from $576.8 million a year ago. Same-store sales rose 5.8%, the company said. Analysts polled by FactSet had expected adjusted earnings of 19 cents a share on sales of $652.6 million. Grocery Outlet said it expects full-year 2019 sales "slightly above" $2.55 billion, versus a prior guidance of sales between $2.50 billion and $2.53 billion, and adjusted EPS between 73 cents and 74 cents, compared with a previous guidance of adjusted EPS between 68 cents and 71 cents. Shares of Grocery Outlet ended the regular trading day down 0.4%.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/grocery-outlet-stock-rallies-6-after-profit-beat-raised-outlook-2019-11-11

OVID THERAPEUTICS (NASDAQ:OVID) PRICE TARGET AND CONSENSUS RATING
7 Wall Street analysts have issued ratings and price targets for Ovid Therapeutics in the last 12 months. Their average twelve-month price target is $14.00, suggesting that the stock has a possible upside of 460.00%. The high price target for OVID is $27.00 and the low price target for OVID is $10.00. There are currently 7 buy ratings for the stock, resulting in a consensus rating of "Buy."
https://www.marketbeat.com/stocks/NASDAQ/OVID/price-target/

MYOVANT SCIENCES (NYSE:MYOV) ANALYST RATINGS HISTORY
Show:
Date Brokerage Action Rating Price Target Impact on Share Price Details
10/25/2019 Goldman Sachs Group Set Price Target Buy $18.00 N/A
9/6/2019 Cowen Reiterated Rating Buy High
8/19/2019 Svb Leerink Initiated Coverage Outperform $26.00 High
8/19/2019 Leerink Swann Initiated Coverage Outperform $26.00 High
5/30/2019 Citigroup Initiated Coverage Buy $25.00 High
4/11/2019 Evercore ISI Initiated Coverage Outperform High
2/13/2019 Barclays Upgrade Equal Weight ? Overweight $22.00 ? $25.00 High
2/11/2019 JMP Securities Reiterated Rating Buy $25.00 Low
9/13/2018 JPMorgan Chase & Co. Initiated Coverage Overweight ? Overweight $39.00 High
11/10/2017 Robert W. Baird Reiterated Rating Buy $20.00 N/A
(Data available from 11/3/2017 forward)

Analyst at Cowen & Co. Reaffirmed Myovant Sciences (MYOV)Stock Rating as a ‘Buy’
Posted by Carillo Anthony on November 2, 2019 at 3:10 pm
Myovant Sciences (MYOV) Rating Reaffirmed
In an analyst note sent to investors on Thursday morning, Cowen & Co. maintained their Buy rating on Myovant Sciences (MYOV) shares.

The stock increased 1.65% or $0.09 during the last trading session, reaching $5.55. About 490,299 shares traded. Myovant Sciences Ltd. (MYOV) has declined 63.47% since November 2, 2018 and is downtrending. It has underperformed by 63.47% the S&P500.

Analysts await Myovant Sciences Ltd. (NYSE:MYOV) to report earnings on November, 14. They expect $-0.80 EPS, up 19.19 % or $0.19 from last year’s $-0.99 per share. After $-0.89 actual EPS reported by Myovant Sciences Ltd. for the previous quarter, Wall Street now forecasts -10.11 % EPS growth.

Myovant Sciences Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for women's health and endocrine diseases. The company has market cap of $497.41 million. The company's lead product is relugolix, an oral, once-daily, small molecule that acts as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist, for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding related with uterine fibroids, endometriosis-associated pain, and advanced prostate cancer. It currently has negative earnings. It is also developing MVT-602, an oligopeptide kisspeptin agonist, for the treatment of female infertility as part of the hormonal preparation used in assisted reproduction.

More notable recent Myovant Sciences Ltd. (NYSE:MYOV) news were published by: Finance.Yahoo.com which released: “How Much Are Myovant Sciences Ltd. (NYSE:MYOV) Insiders Spending On Buying Shares? – Yahoo Finance” on August 27, 2019, also Benzinga.com with their article: “Stocks That Hit 52-Week Lows On Thursday – Benzinga” published on September 12, 2019, Benzinga.com published: “The Daily Biotech Pulse: PhaseBio Leaps On Trial Results, Pacira Set To Join SmallCap 600 Index, Positive Readout For Amgen’s Blood Cancer Drug – Benzinga” on September 25, 2019. More interesting news about Myovant Sciences Ltd. (NYSE:MYOV) were released by: Benzinga.com and their article: “48 Stocks Moving In Monday’s Mid-Day Session – Benzinga” published on August 19, 2019 as well as Globenewswire.com‘s news article titled: “Myovant Sciences to Present at Upcoming June Investor Conferences – GlobeNewswire” with publication date: June 04, 2019.

https://financerecorder.com/analyst-at-cowen-co-reaffirmed-myovant-sciences-myovstock-rating-as-a-buy/

Company Description
We are a high-growth, extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products sold through a network of independently operated stores. Each of our stores offers a fun, treasure hunt shopping experience in an easy-to-navigate, small-box format. An ever-changing assortment of “WOW!” deals, complemented by everyday staple products, generates customer excitement and encourages frequent visits from bargain-minded shoppers. Our flexible buying model allows us to offer quality, name-brand opportunistic products at prices generally 40% to 70% below those of conventional retailers. Entrepreneurial independent operators (“IOs”) run our stores and create a neighborhood feel through personalized customer service and a localized product offering. This differentiated approach has driven 15 consecutive years of positive comparable store sales growth. Our founder, Jim Read, pioneered our opportunistic buying model in 1946 and subsequently developed the IO selling approach, which harnesses individual entrepreneurship and local decision-making to better serve our customers. Underlying this differentiated model was a mission that still guides us today: “Touching Lives for the Better.” Since 2006, the third generation of Read family leadership has advanced this mission and accelerated growth by strengthening our supplier relationships, introducing new product categories and expanding the store base from 128 to 323 stores across the West Coast and Pennsylvania. These efforts have more than tripled sales from approximately $640 million in 2006 to $2.3 billion in 2018, representing an 11% compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”). Our passionate, founding family-led management team remains a driving force behind our growth-oriented culture. Our differentiated model for buying and selling delivers a “WOW!” shopping experience, which generates customer excitement, inspires loyalty and supports profitable sales growth: • How we buy: We source quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products opportunistically through a large, centralized purchasing team that leverages long-standing and actively managed supplier relationships to acquire merchandise at significant discounts. Our speed and efficiency in responding to supplier needs, combined with our specialized supply chain capabilities and flexible merchandising strategy, enhance our access to discounted products and allow us to turn inventory quickly and profitably. Our buyers proactively source on-trend products based on changing consumer preferences, including a wide selection of Natural, Organic, Specialty and Healthy (“NOSH”) products. We also source everyday staple products to complement our opportunistic offerings. We purchase over 85,000 stock keeping units (“SKUs”) from approximately 1,500 suppliers annually. Each store offers a curated and ever-changing assortment of approximately 5,000 SKUs, creating a “buy now” sense of urgency that promotes return visits and fosters customer loyalty. • How we sell: Our stores are independently operated by entrepreneurial small business owners who have a relentless focus on selecting the best products for their communities, providing personalized customer service and driving improved store performance. Unlike a store manager of a traditional retailer, IOs are independent businesses and are responsible for store operations, including ordering, merchandising and managing inventory, marketing locally and directly hiring, training and employing their store workers. IOs initially contribute capital to establish their business and share store-level gross profits with us. These factors both align our interests and incentivize IOs to aggressively grow their business to realize substantial financial upside. This combination of local decision-making supported by our purchasing scale and corporate resources results in a “small business at scale” model that we believe is difficult for competitors to replicate. Our value proposition has broad appeal with bargain-minded customers across all income levels, demographics and geographies. Customers visited our stores over 85 million times in 2018 with the average customer shopping twice per month and spending over $25 per transaction. We believe that our sustained focus on delivering ever-changing “WOW!” deals within a fun, treasure hunt shopping environment has generated strong customer loyalty and brand affinity. This customer enthusiasm is evidenced by our high scores on surveys designed to measure customer experience of our brand and 11 consecutive years of positive comparable store traffic growth. We believe that our broad customer appeal supports significant new store growth opportunities, and we plan to continue to expand our reach to additional customers and geographies across the United States. Our stores have performed well across all economic cycles, as demonstrated by our 15 consecutive years of positive comparable store sales growth and consistent gross margins of between 30.1% and 30.8% since 2010.(1) In fact, our value proposition attracts even more customers in periods of economic uncertainty as evidenced by our average 13.5% comparable store sales growth during the recessionary economic conditions experienced in 2008 and 2009. Our model is also insulated from store labor-related variability because IOs directly employ their store workers. The result is lower corporate fixed costs, providing further protection in the event of an economic downturn. --- Following the 2014 H&F Acquisition (as defined below), we made significant infrastructure investments and have continued to grow our business, as evidenced by the following achievements since 2015: • Expanded our store count from 237 to 316 (as of December 29, 2018), a CAGR of 10.1% • Grown comparable store sales at an average annual rate of 4.2% • Increased sales from $1.6 billion to $2.3 billion, a CAGR of 12.0% • Maintained consistent gross margins of between 30.2% and 30.6% on an annual basis • Increased net income from $4.8 million to $15.9 million, a CAGR of 49.3% • Increased adjusted EBITDA from $108.2 million to $153.6 million, a CAGR of 12.4% --- Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. was incorporated in Delaware on September 11, 2014. Our principal executive offices are located at 5650 Hollis Street, Emeryville, California 94608. Our telephone number is (510) 845-1999. Our website address is www.groceryoutlet.com.

https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/ipos/overview?dealId=1085482-89659

Ovid Therapeutics Announces Senior Management Promotions in Preparation for Multiple Data Readouts Expected in 2020

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/17683312-ovid-therapeutics-announces-senior-management-promotions-preparation-multiple-data-readouts

1- Price action relative to the biotech sector and signs of accumulation. The stock made a nearly 5% move yesterday on good volume, despite the XBI closing negative.

2. I reviewed the company's updated presentation. The last time I'd looked, they'd been guiding for Fragile X readout in Q4 or close to year end (perhaps the riskiest but least impactful of the 4 expected readouts over the next year). However, now they are guiding for it in early 2020 and I remind members that the ARCADE readout for soticlestat in CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder / Dup15q Syndrome is expected in Q1. I have higher conviction for this second readout, considering promising results we reviewed previously for the ENDYMION open label extension trial.

Given this change, to my eyes it makes it less feasible to wait for the Fragile X readout to get in prior to ARCADE. As preclinical rationale for OV101 appears intriguing and data in FXS mice has shown normalization of certain aspects of Fragile X (anxiety, irritability, repetitive behaviors, hyperactivity), I don't mind being exposed to both readouts (with Angelman to follow midyear).

Market capitalization of around $125 million seems quite reasonable relative to substantial market opportunities being targeted and multi-faceted neurology pipeline (cash position boosted by secondary as well). This is primarily a catalyst idea, as several data events loom in the near to medium term (OV101 in Fragile X and Angelman, soticlestat in phase 2 ARCADE study and phase 2 ELEKTRA trial). OV101 is the only drug in development for Angelman Syndrome, and management appears to have much confidence in achieving the same CGI-I endpoint as the prior mid-stage study (FDA gave them green light to file for registration if they can do so). Soticlestat, 50-50 partnered with Takeda, has a unique mechanism of action that not only crushes seizures but also potentially heals the brain. The asset is both first-in-class and only-in-class, is targeting a large opportunity in rare epilepsies, and has shown impressive seizure reduction in prior trials (caveat for low N). ENDYMION extension data provided another element of derisking as a group of incredibly difficult to treat patients experienced increased seizure reduction with prolonged treatment. See my September article. Time Frame For Upside = 6 to 12 months as multiple data readouts come to pass (Catalyst Idea).

Michael Meltzer- Submitted Myovant (MYOV) to Idea Lab and made his "Bang the Table " alert. Commentary is included below:

I don't do it often as reserve for only my highest level of conviction picks. For me that means seriously derisked/severely mispriced/very high up side. MYOV-4.83 MC $431M. 38% Tute 56% Insider so limited float. IPO a couple of years back T 22.50. Last financing in May for 8.25 and parent company(get to that later) bought $20 M more in shares. This is mispriced because it involves 3 companies and 2 countries in a very confusing structural set up and deal that I have dug through and try to simplify. I believe I have connected all the dots correctly, but as always do your own DD before investing. Roivant is a privately held co. owned by a 34 year old Anglo/Indian who has a program designed to find discarded or unappreciated holdings of larger pharma. He then purchases these products in their own companies called "vants" and incubates them through the FDA process. He has at least 20+ of these vants. Last month a PR emerged saying that Roivant which owns 42% of MYOV had signed a Memorandum of Intent(MOU) with Sumimoto Pharmaceuticals, one of the 10 biggest pharma CO's in Japan to sell their share of MYOV plus UROV(get to Urovant later) and I believe 4 other vants as well as option on 5 other vants for $3B. Scheduled to be signed off on by end of October, and ready to hand off and room in April as numerous thing need to be tied up. I took the time to look at and listen to the Sumimoto CC explaining their reason for the deal. Their biggest cash cow is losing patent coverage in 2022 leaving a large shortfall in revenues. They believe that MYOV and UROV have blockbuster drugs to compensate for that event. They do say the deal brings back other things but focus is on those 2 vants. Roivant purchased the drug they now call Relugolix's rights to worldwide except Japan from another large Japanese Co. Takeda Pharma who ran the mid stage successful trial for equity(Not cash) and high single digit royalties. So Takeda now an insider motivated owner. Roivant not capable of commercializing was very happy to then book a profit and turn it over for final development to Sumimoto as mgmt themselves still hold lots of shares and now have a very motivated deeper pocket pharma co. To drive it to profitability. Let's finally get to the drug. Reglugolix an oral once-daily small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor agonist that decreases estrogen and progesterone. They have 3 through or in ph3 indications all of which are huge.First is the 2 Liberty Trials for Uterine Fibroids which met the phase 3 primary endpoint of decreased bleeding to a p<.0001. This is the primary symptom women with Uterine Fibroids complain of. The second is pain, and Regulogix is the only treatment for this condition to actually trial for reduced pain again hitting endpoint to p<.0001. The treatment involves adding 40 mg Reglugolix to 1.0 mg estradiol and .5 mg progesterone(those are also the 2 active drugs in Bijuva to stop menopausal symptoms). This guarantees somee estrogen while it is decreased and creates a situation showing no loss in bone density which has made AbbieVie competitor an underachieving launch drug. Competitor Orlissa is twice daily, and because of varied estrogen levels in women has 2 dosages. The higher limited to only 6 months due to bone density issues. Reglugolix will have unlimited time span, good for patient and company as Fibroids last till full onset of menopause.The story gets better as also in phase 3 for endometriosis(current indication for Orlissa) and data has been more of the same. Final data due end of year. Should be filing both NDA's early in 2020. AbbieVie got expedited status from FDA, so could happen here. But wait there is more, Relugolix has also started it's phase 3 in Prostate Cancer. Phase 1&2 showed "rapid control" of PSA,as well as "rapid" return to normal testosterone levels for men on intermittent androgen deprivation therapy. If early enough treated with this may delay or postpone castration-resistant issue in disease where risk of metastatic complications and death rises. They also are in a phase 2with a female infertility drug also from Takeda. So much to unpack. Sumimoto in all likelihood will look to get company sold off to or partnered to unlock some financial benefits.Stock should easily be at least a billion dollar MC and $12/share. Not much downside at this price. Trials appear well run. Data shows similar efficacious ability and superior safety. I love strong mgmt and have listened to 2 presentations. All well seasoned. CEO has brought another product for Uterine Fibroids to market. Added bonus Leerink has a PT of 26. Late add: Sumimoto becomes a strong bet to buyout rest of company (53%) after signing. Do your own DD listen to all presentations I mention for yourself.

MYOV near term catalysts and why I value the stock as I do. This quarter they will release top line data from the only ph 3 they need to validate Relugolix for prostate cancer treatment. I've detailed how this same drug works to help women with uterine fibroids as well as endometriosis. Same reason here.The sex hormones of both sexes are controlled by the hypothalamus. It tells the pituitary gland when to release leutenizing hormone(LH). For women this leads to release of estrogen in men to Testosterone. Relugolix is an antagonist to this. It prevents release. All early treatments were agonists I.e. Birth control pills-they create short term increase in estrogen, then a drop. Just not enough of a drop so women still have excessive bleeding etc. Lupone injections work for both sexes but drives reaction too far. For women puts them in temporary menopause with all the consequent symptoms. For men it works best later in the treatment paradigm when faced with castration resistance. Add on that it is $1550/quarter. Relugolix will be in $150-200/month with no doctor visit. In men it works against hormone induced prostate cancer, which is early stage which is majority of pick ups. In a man, his Testosterone level is too high leading to a high PSA test result. Taking Relugolix in the phase 2 study quickly dropped the Testosterone level as well as the PSA and is quickly reversible. No reason to think same result will not happen in the phase 3. That is again the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoint which would be really huge is time to castration resistant treatment which is pretty much the worst case scenario. If it can delay that further it becomes an even bigger blockbuster. Men get prostate cancer. Often not treated much as can outlive such a slow moving cancer. If can contain the problem with an oral med that is safe and reversible(patients can take a short holiday allowing Testosterone back-takes too long with Lupone), then urologists will be heavy scribers. So where are we then. MYOV we know will be submitting NDA for Uterine Fibroids before end of year. Competitor Elugolix has had an awful launch as has significant safety issues. Lupone also has issues and involves quarterly doctor visits with depot injections and far more expensive and brings on bone density issues and menopausal symptoms. Reglugolix is 10x more potent then Elugolix with a MUCH longer 1/2 life(effectiveness). MYOV looks at this treatment as a bridge to menopause, as it has proven safe,relieves symptoms,and problem goes away at menopause. So a chronic problem with long term treatment creates a mega-blockbuster. Marketed to Obgyn's who want to improve quality of life of patients. As far as prostate cancer, if results hit primary endpoint endpoint filed early 2020 and like for Fibroids expect a year till approval. Also should be blockbuster as safest treatment for early on hormone induced prostate cancer. Next you have Reglugolix for endometriosis. Phase 3 readout come Q1 and Q2 2020. Should be similar to uterine fibroids trials. If so NDA filed 2H 2020. Next point becomes Sumimoto Pharma buying Myov along with 5 other Vants with 6 options on vants and rights to Roivant tech platform. Their cash cow drug goes off patent in a few years and they just discontinued trials on what was to be its replacement. They are taking out a short term loan to close the MOU and look then for longer term financing. They could not find a fairly priced future blockbuster in their field of neurology. Listen to their MOU conference call and hear from company and big time analysts their extreme need for BIG TIME revenues in 2023. This MOU should close by end of October, and will give them 47% of MYOV. I expect them to want it all. Sumimotoalready have offices in the US and I am sure they see the peak sales way out of whack with a Market Cap under $500M with at least 2(if not3) blockbuster potential indications. Relugolix was purchased from Takeda by MYOV along with a female fertility drug in phase 2 which appears promising. Hits my sweet spot of significant derisking, yet huge upside.

Soticlestat Shows Promise for Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies

Soticlestat Shows Promise for Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies
The director of pediatric epilepsy at Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group and co-director of epileptology at Hackensack University Medical Center spoke about soticlestat and what can be gleaned from data thus far.
By: Matt Hoffman


Published: October 17, 2019
Dr Eric SegalEric Segal, MDRecently, Ovid Therapeutics announced that its phase 2 open-label extension study of soticlestat produced initial positive results, with data suggesting that the therapy is effective over the long-term in treating patients with rare developmental epileptic encephalopathies.

Ultimately, the highly selective first-in-class inhibitor of the enzyme cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CH24H) was associated with seizure reduction over 48 weeks in a small cohort of 7 patients. The median seizure frequency reductions were 84% after 25 to 36 weeks (n = 6) and 90% after 37 to 48 weeks (n = 4) of treatment, with 2 patients experiencing seizure-free runs of 264 and 150 consecutive days, respectively. Additionally, the safety and tolerability of soticlestat, previously known as OV935/TAK935, was consistent with the observations from the phase 1b/2a trial.

Amit Rakhit, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Head of Research & Development, Ovid, said in a statement that the clinical development program of soticlestat in developmental epileptic encephalopathies is expected to read out data from the ARCADE and ELEKTRA studies in 2020.

To learn more about soticlestat and the latest data, NeurologyLive spoke with Eric Segal, MD, director, pediatric epilepsy, Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, co-director, epileptology, Hackensack Meridian Health, and assistant professor of pediatrics and neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Segal, a trial investigator for soticlestat, provided insight into the clinical takeaways and the potential of the therapy.
NeurologyLive: What does the clinician community need to know about these data and about soticlestat in general?
Eric Segal, MD: The preliminary data that we've seen thus far is very exciting for a first-in-class mechanism. We have pretty significant positive efficacy results in a small group of adult patients who typically have pretty severe epilepsies and it was well tolerated. I think all those pieces are very interesting.

Obviously, we need to see how this therapy works in larger groups of patients. That's going to be the next big thing. What I found to be the most interesting about the data was not only the significant median seizure reduction but also how seizure reduction was sustained and improved the longer the patients took on the medication. A lot of times when we look at open-label extensions, we tend to see a significant drop out in the number of patients. There's a small number of patients to start with, but the majority of those patients stayed in the study and had improvements in seizure frequency going from week 1 through week 36. That is very unique.
Are there any other specific datapoints that make this therapy stand out or make this therapy unique in this space?
There are a few things. One is that the sustained efficacy in this group of patients is significant. Especially in a group of patients with epileptic encephalopathies who tend to try or have used, and unfortunately have failed, some of our most effective medications that are available. To have such a high seizure reduction rate that is sustained in a group of people that have failed what we would think of as our strongest or most efficacious medications, I think that is very significant.
Is there a particular rare epilepsy or subgroup in which soticlestat has significant potential?
The therapy is underway in study for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. I would say that a lot of these rare disorders can be very difficult to treat in clinical practice. I think for most clinicians, of the potential indicated epilepsies, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is probably going to be where you find the greatest number of patients with a great need, and it's exciting to see that this therapy is being considered for that. I'm really interested in seeing that in all the genetic epilepsies that that's being tested in. But especially in Lennox-Gastaut, given that we have such a large LGS community of patients that definitely need better therapies than are what are currently available.

Transcript edited for clarity.

https://www.neurologylive.com/clinical-focus/soticlestat-shows-promise-for-developmental-epileptic-encephalopathies

Allergan Shareholders Approve Proposed Acquisition by AbbVie

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allergan-shareholders-approve-proposed-acquisition-by-abbvie-300937774.html

AbbVie-Allergan Merger - Don't Worry About Debt, AbbVie Is Still A Buy

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4295290-abbvie-allergan-merger-worry-debt-abbvie-still-buy

Fireside chat:
TG Therapeutics, Inc.
2019 Cantor Global HC Conference
New York NY
October 2, 2019 4:10 p.m. (ET)

http://wsw.com/webcast/cantor10/tgtx/index.aspx

ArQule: Bullish Option Activity, Near Term Catalysts
https://seekingalpha.com/instablog/440063-jonathan-faison/5358290-arqule-bullish-option-activity-near-term-catalysts

Give this a listen and some thought:

Highlight: “For the last 4 years, we’ve been struggling with this drug pricing issue and payers are pushing back,” says @bradloncar. “This industry has fundamentally changed and it’s really impacted the growth of biotech as a whole.” But there are bright spots, he adds.

Highlight: “For the last 4 years, we’ve been struggling with this drug pricing issue and payers are pushing back,” says @bradloncar. “This industry has fundamentally changed and it’s really impacted the growth of biotech as a whole.” But there are bright spots, he adds. pic.twitter.com/6cYk8Frtv0

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) September 30, 2019

Give this a listen and some thought:

Highlight: “For the last 4 years, we’ve been struggling with this drug pricing issue and payers are pushing back,” says @bradloncar. “This industry has fundamentally changed and it’s really impacted the growth of biotech as a whole.” But there are bright spots, he adds.

Highlight: “For the last 4 years, we’ve been struggling with this drug pricing issue and payers are pushing back,” says @bradloncar. “This industry has fundamentally changed and it’s really impacted the growth of biotech as a whole.” But there are bright spots, he adds. pic.twitter.com/6cYk8Frtv0

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) September 30, 2019

Give this a listen and some thought:

Highlight: “For the last 4 years, we’ve been struggling with this drug pricing issue and payers are pushing back,” says @bradloncar. “This industry has fundamentally changed and it’s really impacted the growth of biotech as a whole.” But there are bright spots, he adds.

Highlight: “For the last 4 years, we’ve been struggling with this drug pricing issue and payers are pushing back,” says @bradloncar. “This industry has fundamentally changed and it’s really impacted the growth of biotech as a whole.” But there are bright spots, he adds. pic.twitter.com/6cYk8Frtv0

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) September 30, 2019

Management and the BOD`s have a lot to concern themselves with just getting the buyout approved, doubt we`ll get any uptick of dividend, but you never know.

I think it would be smart for Amazon to spin off its AWS while keeping a majority stake.

AWS hires Cisco, Cumulus vet - Information
Sep. 27, 2019 3:42 PM ET|About: Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)|By: Brandy Betz, SA News Editor
Amazon (AMZN -0.9%) Web Services has hired Cisco veteran J.R. Rivers as part of its new hardware push, according to The Information sources.

AWS is moving towards providing its first hardware product with network capabilities for outside consumers, which includes networking devices called Outposts, servers, and storage.

Rivers left a Cisco exec position to co-found and run Cumulus Networks, where he stepped down in June.

DiscoverGold
Thanks for posting the story, very interesting.

Molecular Templates: Pipeline Progressing, Clinical Updates Loom

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4293709-molecular-templates-pipeline-progressing-clinical-updates-loom

06:38am 09/26/2019
AbbVie, Allergan rating change at Citi
Citi upgrades AbbVie to Buy, sees 'significant' value from Allergan deal. Citi analyst Andrew Baum upgraded AbbVie to Buy from Neutral and raised his price target for the shares to $90 from $87. The analyst believes AbbVie will "extract significant shareholder value" from Allergan's (AGN) franchises given its "strong commercial focus and patient/physician centricity." Further, within AbbVie's organic portfolio, Baum continues to think the market underappreciates the revenue potential.

Interpublic Group initiated at Wells Fargo Interpublic Group initiated with a Market Perform at Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall started Interpublic Group with a Market Perform rating and $23 price target. The stock needs to get the account "loss cycle" behind it before multiple expansion can be expected, says the analyst.

IPG Named to FTSE4Good Index
Mon September 23, 2019 4:15 PM|GlobeNewswire|About: IPG
GlobeNewswire
New York, Sept. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced that the company has been named to the FTSE4Good Index. Created by FTSE Russell, a wholly-owned subsidiary of London Stock Exchange Group, the FTSE4Good Index helps promote a greater focus on sustainability among businesses and investors. The Index identifies companies that demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices measured against international standards.

“IPG takes ESG seriously – our policies around environmental, social and governance issues are important to our talent, investors, shareholders, clients and clients’ customers,” noted Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic. “We’re proud of our inclusion on the FTSE4Good Index – it’s a recognition of our long-term commitment to operating sustainably, treating our people fairly and inclusively and to being a good citizen of the communities where IPG employees live and work,” he continued.

IPG has been independently assessed according to the FTSE4Good criteria, and has satisfied the requirements to become a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series. The FTSE4Good indices are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.

IPG was recently named to the S&P 500 ESG and S&P Global 1200 ESG, two new indices that recognize sustainability leadership. IPG considers ESG factors in its business decisions, and has made operating sustainably a priority. Beginning in 2014, the company began tracking its energy use and GHG emissions and reporting on its sustainability programs in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative. For more information, please see IPG’s sustainability report and its website.

# # #

About Interpublic
Interpublic is values-based, data-fueled, and creatively-driven. Major global brands include Acxiom, Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton, MAGNA, McCann, Momentum, MRM//McCann, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Other leading brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Campbell Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media (IDLM) and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

# # #

Contact Information
Tom Cunningham
(Press)
(212) 704-1326

Jerry Leshne
(Analysts, Investors)
(212) 704-1439

Source: Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (The) 2019 GlobeNewswire, Inc.
http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/09/23/1919501/0/en/IPG-Named-to-FTSE4Good-Index.html

Is Molecular Templates (NASDAQ:MTEM) Using Too Much Debt?
Simply Wall St.August 29, 2019

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/molecular-templates-nasdaq-mtem-using-113015110.html

AbbVie Is One Of The Best High-Yield Stocks You Can Buy Right Now
Sep. 23, 2019 8:15 AM



https://seekingalpha.com/article/4292892-abbvie-one-best-high-yield-stocks-can-buy-right-now

Jim Cramer assesses recent acquisitions in AbbVie and Bristol-Myers
Thursday, 19 Sep 2019 | 5:00 PM PT
Jim Cramer breaks down large acquisitions that AbbVie and Bristol-Myers recently made and explains why he's recommending AbbVie as a buy.
Their acquisition of Allergan will create a new company churning out $20 billion in free cash flow a year, plus a much needed pipeline.

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/09/20/jim-cramer-assesses-recent-acquisitions-in-abbvie-and-bristol-myers.html