Piper Jaffray analyst Edward Tenthoff expects drug launches, clinical data read-outs and potential partnerships to drive outperformance for select biotech names in the second half of 2015. Despite some recent profit-taking, 2015 has been another strong year for biotech stocks, Tenthoff tells investors in a research note. Names with important second half of the year catalysts include Vertex (VRTX), Regeneron (REGN), Seattle Genetics (SGEN), Exelixis (EXEL), Sarepta (SRPT), Novavax (NVAX), Arrowhead (ARWR), Array BioPharma (ARRY), Alnylam (ALNY), Genocea (GNCA), CymaBay (CBAY), Idera Pharmaceuticals (IDRA), Vitae Pharmaceuticals (VTAE).

New option listings for April 23rd include Express Inc (EXPRQ). Option delistings effective April 23rd include PGT Innovations Inc (PGTI), NGM Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NGM), Karuna Therapeutics Inc (KRTX), KINNATE BIOPHARMA INC (KNTE), Daseke Inc (DSKE), Tritium Dcfc Ltd (DCFC), Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF (CN), CymaBay Therapeutics Inc (CBAY), Alteryx Inc (AYX), XTRACKERS MSCI CHINA A INCLUSION EQUITY ETF (ASHX), Recro Pharma, Inc. (SCTL), Splunk Inc (SPLK), and Textainer Group Holdings Limited (TGH).

ProQR Therapeutics (PRQR) announced the Annual General Meeting, AGM, of Shareholders will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the offices of Allen & Overy LLP, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As part of the AGM, Martin Maier, PhD, is nominated for appointment as a non-executive Board Member for a period of four years. Dr. Maier is Senior Vice President Research heading the Oncology group at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY).

Vertex Pharmaceuticals and TreeFrog Therapeutics announced that Vertex has obtained an exclusive license to TreeFrog's proprietary cell manufacturing technology, C-Stem, to optimize production of Vertex's cell therapies for type 1 diabetes, or T1D. TreeFrog and Vertex will collaborate to scale-up TreeFrog's process to produce and amplify cells for Vertex's T1D therapies. TreeFrog's proprietary technology platform, C-Stem, is designed to mimic the natural microenvironment, allowing cells to grow exponentially in 3D. The technology will enhance Vertex's ability to generate large amounts of fully differentiated cells for its portfolio of T1D cell therapies.