Vericel Corp. (VCEL)

[realfast95]

He didn't mention ixcell in the summary part of the prepared remarks, clearly aiming at growing MACi and Epicel.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4054146-vericels-vcel-ceo-nick-colangelo-q4-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript?page=6

No questions were asked about it in Q&A

The text for ixcell starts on page 2.

Our near-term strategy with respect to this program has to meet our obligations to patients and investigators when conducting the open-label crossover extension portion of the Phase 2b ixCELL-DCM study and to make relatively modest incremental investments to maintain certain manufacturing capabilities while we explore potentially expedited regulatory pathways and partnering opportunities for the program.

From an operational perspective, we treated the final patient eligible for the open label crossover extension portion of the ixCELL-DCM study in February. From a strategic standpoint, in the fourth quarter, additional pre-specified secondary results from the ixCELL-DCM study represented that the American Heart Association Annual Meeting scientific sessions, which demonstrated the reduction of ventricular arrhythmias in patients treated with ixmyelocel-T compared to placebo.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4054146-vericels-vcel-ceo-nick-colangelo-q4-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript?page=2

and on page 3 he says this

It’s our hope that by investigating alternative regulatory paths for ixmyelocel-T will increase the likelihood of accessing the non-dilutive means to commercialize the program. So in summary, we have built a strong foundation for our next phase of growth.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4054146-vericels-vcel-ceo-nick-colangelo-q4-2016-results-earnings-call-transcript?page=3

Bottom line. It's not gone or forgotten. It's a bonus situation.
Just like we didn't expect Fast Track, it came out of thin air.
From a Stock perspective. The day traders both long and short, come out of the wood work to make quick gains. They follow bio tech stocks for quick money because these studies take years. If options are traded, they sell Calls years out and collect the money to spend elsewhere.
It prevents the stock price from gaining on it's own potential.