Micro-cap biotech? Check. Up by over 40% in one trading session? Check. Possible COVID-19 treatment? Check. All the ingredients for a familiar narrative in these coronavirus driven times are present. We’re talking about Pluristem Therapeutics (PSTI), a small Israeli biotech with promising preliminary data regarding a possible COVID-19 treatment.Last week, Pluristem released initial results from its compassionate use program for the treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure and inflammatory complications resulting from COVID-19. Specifically, all seven ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated so far with Pluristem’s PLX cell therapy have survived, with 6 out of 7 having completed the seven-day follow-up (one is still within the period). 4 out of the 6 (66%) patients displayed improvement in respiratory parameters, and 3 of the 6 (50%) patients are in late stages of weaning from ventilators.Next up, the company will apply to commence a multinational clinical study to further...
David Klein, CEO of Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE CGC), shared a letter today, reflecting on the passing of Charlotte Figi and her impact on the industry.The letter, below:April 14th, 2020I've spent the past several days reading heartfelt tributes to Charlotte Figi from some of the most influential voices in healthcare and cannabis, contemplating the impact one extraordinary child made on the lives of millions. From the age of five, she captured the attention of medical leaders and the hearts of skeptics, becoming the catalyst that would bring cannabis and CBD from the fringe to the forefront. Charlotte was living proof that CBD is a legitimate and powerful medicine, and reminded us that we've only just begun to understand the vast, untapped potential of cannabis and hemp. Epidolex, the groundbreaking FDA-approved cannabinoid seizure medication she inspired, is merely the tip of the iceberg. Charlotte inspired pioneering minds around the world to ask,...
Shares of Expedia Group Inc (NASDAQ: EXPE) traded higher by 5% on Tuesday as traders become increasingly optimistic following reports from President Donald Trump and others that growth in new COVID-19 cases has stabilized.Despite a complete lockdown of global travel, Expedia shares are rocketing higher this week, and at least one large options trader made a massive bet on Tuesday that the best is yet to come.The Trades On Tuesday, Benzinga Pro subscribers received two option alerts related to an unusually large Expedia option trades: * At 11:12 a.m. ET, a trader sold 500 Expedia call options with a $100 strike price expiring in January 2022. The contracts were sold near the bid price at $7.60 and represented a $380,000 bearish bet. * At 11:13 a.m. ET, a trader bought 5,122 of the same Expedia call options with a $100 strike price expiring in January 2022. The contracts were purchased at...
Standard Chartered Plc is the first major global bank to tell employees not to use Zoom Video Communications Inc during the coronavirus pandemic due to cybersecurity concerns, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The message, sent by Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters to managers last week, also warned against using Alphabet Inc's Google Hangouts platform for virtual gatherings. Neither service offers the level of encryption of conversations that rivals like Cisco System Inc's Webex, Microsoft Corp's Teams or Blue Jeans Network Inc do, industry experts said....
Standard Chartered Plc is the first major global bank to tell employees not to use Zoom Video Communications Inc during the coronavirus pandemic due to cybersecurity concerns, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The message, sent by Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters to managers last week, also warned against using Alphabet Inc's Google Hangouts platform for virtual gatherings. Neither service offers the level of encryption of conversations that rivals like Cisco System Inc's Webex, Microsoft Corp's Teams or Blue Jeans Network Inc do, industry experts said....
