NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2017 / The Biotech Industry's rally does not appear to be losing any steam in 2017. Both the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index ETF and the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF have just posted four consecutive weekly gains, the first time since August 2016 (iShares) and June 2016 (SPDR). While President Trump has also commented on high drug prices, the landscape appears to be easing for the industry in 2017 as Trump has also promised to speed up the FDA's approval process and has promised a "phenomenal" tax plan for American businesses, although the market is still awaiting detailed announcements.

Register today for a free membership and gain access to daily research reports at: RDInvesting.com

Additionally, the industry has seen a number of mergers and acquisition deals already completed this year. In January, Takeda Pharmaceutical announced a deal to acquire Ariad for $24.00 per share in cash, or approximately $5.2 billion, a premium of roughly 75 percent. The amount of M&A deals is expected to pick up rapidly in 2017 as major drug makers look to boost up revenues.

"2017 is likely to push biopharma deal making to new heights," wrote Ernst & Young's Andrew Forman, in a research note titled M&A Outlook and Firepower Report 2017.

"Large drug companies have been making money doing things that are artificial and unsustainable. Like price increases, inversions and financial engineering," says Brad Loncar, a cancer-company expert at Loncar Investments. "Because those things are coming to an end and the environment for the pharma industry is becoming much more challenging, companies are having a real problem posting revenue growth," says Loncar. "The only way they can get revenue growth is to buy it."

Let's Take a Closer Look at Today's Trending Tickers

Sarepta Therapeutics' shares gained 1.41 percent to close at $28.68 a share on Tuesday. The stock traded between $28.08 and $29.00 on volume of 2.14 million shares traded. On February 21st, the company has announced that it has agreed to sell its Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) for $125 million. Sarepta received the PRV when EXONDYS 51 was approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy amenable to exon 51 skipping. With the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, this PRV program has been extended through September 30, 2020.

"Our mission at Sarepta Therapeutics is to treat more boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy," said Edward Kaye, Sarepta's chief executive officer. "The sale of the PRV provides an important source of non-dilutive capital to support the rapid advancement of our follow on exon skipping candidates and next generation RNA targeted antisense platform."

Access Today's Sarepta Therapeutics Research Report Click Here

Galectin Therapeutics shares spiked 31.97 percent to close at $1.94 a share on Tuesday. The stock traded between $1.47 and $1.94 on volume 1.85 million shares traded. On February 1st, the company announced it has secured enough financing to cover their currently planned expenditures through 2017 and it remains on track to present top line data from its NASH-CX Phase 2 clinical trial by early December 2017. Galectin's share price has gained nearly 98 percent year to date.

"NASH cirrhosis represents a large unmet medical need with no currently approved therapies, and we are very pleased with our progress in the NASH-CX trial," said Dr. Peter Traber, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Galectin Therapeutics. "A drug that can halt progression of, or reverse existing fibrosis, in NASH cirrhosis patients would be a breakthrough therapeutic intervention that may prevent complications, alleviate the need for liver transplant, and even prevent death."

Access Today's Galectin Therapeutics Research Report Click Here

Today's Features Includes:

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRPT)

Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT)

Research Driven Investing

We are committed to providing relevant and actionable information for the self-directed investor. Our research is reputed for being a leader in trusted, in-depth analysis vital for informed strategic trading decisions. The nimble investor can leverage our analysis and collective expertise to execute a disciplined approach to stock selection.

RDInvesting has not been compensated; directly or indirectly; for producing or publishing this document.

Disclaimer: This article is written by an independent contributor of RDInvesting.com and reviewed by Hemal K. Gandhi, a CFA® charter holder. RDInvesting.com is neither a registered broker dealer nor a registered investment advisor. For more information please read our full disclaimer at www.rdinvesting.com/disclaimer.

CONTACT

For any questions, inquiries, or comments reach out to us directly at:

Address: Research Driven Investing, Unit #901 511 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 10011

Email: contact@rdinvesting.com

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

SOURCE: RDInvesting.com