Approvals, Financial Results, and Stock Movements - Analyst Notes on Merck, Novartis, Raptor, Akorn, and Pacira

NEW YORK, March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Analysts Review released its analysts' notes regarding Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. (NASDAQ: RPTP), Akorn, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKRX), and Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: PCRX). Private wealth members receive these notes ahead of publication. To reserve complementary membership, limited openings are available at: http://www.AnalystsReview.com/register

Merck  &  Co.,  Inc.  Analyst  Notes

On March 14, 2014, Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck) announced that NOXAFIL® (posaconazole) injection (18 mg/ mL), a new formulation of NOXAFIL for intravenous (IV) use, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Company stated that as a result of the approval, it now provides an IV formulation and two oral formulations of NOXAFIL for prophylaxis against invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in high-risk patients. Commenting on the approval, Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis, Executive Director, Infectious Disease, Merck Research Laboratories, stated, "Merck is pleased to add NOXAFIL injection to the NOXAFIL family of products. The availability of a NOXAFIL formulation for intravenous administration is particularly important for those patients who may benefit from or require intravenous therapy, or who, for a variety of reasons, might not be able to take an oral formulation. In addition, patients have the possibility to start on NOXAFIL injection and transition to oral NOXAFIL." The full analyst notes on Merck & Co., Inc. are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.AnalystsReview.com/03192014/MRK/report.pdf

Novartis  AG  Analyst  Notes

On March 13, 2014, Novartis AG (Novartis) announced that Bexsero® (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine [rDNA, component, adsorbed]) - the only broad coverage vaccine to help protect against meningitis B, a potentially deadly disease that disproportionately affects infants and adolescents - has received a clinical recommendation for the vaccine's routine use to help protect against meningitis B in Australia. The Company informed that Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), Australia's advisory board on immunization matters, has recommended Bexsero® for all young Australians, with an emphasis on infants and children under 2 years of age and adolescents 15-19 years of age. According to Novartis, these recommendations follow recent access milestones for Bexsero in multiple regions across Europe, including some regions of Italy and Germany. The full analyst notes on Novartis AG are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.AnalystsReview.com/03192014/NVS/report.pdf

Raptor  Pharmaceutical  Corp.  Analyst  Notes

On March 13, 2014, Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. (Raptor) announced its Q4 2013 and full-year 2013 financial results. For Q4 2013, Raptor recorded net product sales for PROCYSBI® at $10.2 million. Full-year 2013 net product sales for PROCYSBI® came in at $16.9 million. The Company informed that there were no product sales reported for the comparable prior periods as PROCYSBI became commercially available in the U.S. in June 2013. Raptor stated that there were 236 new prescriptions for PROCYSBI® as of December 31, 2013. For the quarter, net loss was $12.1 million or $0.20 per diluted share; while annual net loss was $69.4 million or $1.20 per diluted share. For full-year 2014, the Company expects net product sales for PROCYSBI in the range of c.$55-$65 million. The full analyst notes on Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.AnalystsReview.com/03192014/RPTP/report.pdf

Akorn,  Inc.  Analyst  Notes

On March 3, 2014, Akorn, Inc. (Akron) announced its Q4 2013 and full-year 2013 financial results. Revenues were up 18.8% YoY in Q4 2013 to c. $85.0 million; and increased 24.0% YoY to $317.7 million in full year 2013. According to the Company, revenue increases for the quarter were mainly driven by sales of products launched in Q4 2012 and at the start of 2013, while annual revenue increases were due to increased sales of new and revived products. Q4 2013 net income was $16.7 million or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to $8.8 million or $0.08 per diluted share in Q4 2012. Akron's full-year 2013 net income stood at $52.4 million or $0.46 per diluted share, versus $35.4 million or $0.32 per diluted share in full year 2012. Commenting on the results, Akorn CEO Raj Rai, remarked, "2013 was a pivotal year for Akorn. As a result of investment in our sales infrastructure and new product launches, we grew our business by over 20% year-over-year. In addition, we announced the planned acquisition of Hi-Tech and completed acquisitions that expanded our branded ophthalmic portfolio." The Company stated that for full year 2014, it expects total revenues of $540-560 million and GAAP net income of $53-57 million. The full analyst notes on Akorn, Inc. are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.AnalystsReview.com/03192014/AKRX/report.pdf

Pacira  Pharmaceuticals  Inc.  Analyst  Notes

On March 14, 2014, stock of Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pacira) closed at $71.28, down 0.22%. Over the past three trading sessions, Pacira's stock dropped 3.27%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 1.43% during that same period. The full analyst notes on Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.AnalystsReview.com/03192014/PCRX/report.pdf

About  Analysts  Review
We provide our members with a simple and reliable way to leverage our economy of scale. Most investors do not have time to track all publicly traded companies, much less perform an in-depth review and analysis of the complexities contained in each situation. That's where Analysts Review comes in. We provide a single unified platform for investors' to hear about what matters. Situation alerts, moving events, and upcoming opportunities.

=============

EDITOR  NOTES:

• This is not company news. We are an independent source and our views do not reflect the companies mentioned.
• Information in this release is fact checked and produced on a best efforts basis and reviewed by Nidhi Vatsal, a CFA charterholder. However, we are only human and are prone to make mistakes. If you notice any errors or omissions, please notify us below.
• This information is submitted as a net-positive to companies mentioned, to increase awareness for mentioned companies to our subscriber base and the investing public.
• If you wish to have your company covered in more detail by our team, or wish to learn more about our services, please contact us at pubco [at] AnalystsReview.com.
• For  any  urgent  concerns  or  inquiries, please contact us at compliance [at] AnalystsReview.com.
• Are you a public company? Would you like to see similar coverage on your company? Send us a full investors' package to research [at] AnalystsReview.com for consideration.

COMPLIANCE  PROCEDURE

Content is researched, written and reviewed on a best-effort basis. This document, article or report is prepared and authored by Analysts Review. An outsourced research services provider represented by Nidhi Vatsal, CFA, has only reviewed the information provided by Analysts Review in this article or report according to the Procedures outlined by Analysts Review. Analysts Review is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the outsourced provider to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be.

NOT  FINANCIAL  ADVICE

Analysts Review makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness or fitness for a purpose (investment or otherwise), of the information provided in this document. This information is not to be construed as personal financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their personal financial advisor before making any decisions to buy, sell or hold any securities mentioned herein.

NO  WARRANTY  OR  LIABILITY  ASSUMED

Analysts Review is not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted by Analysts Review whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. Analysts Review expressly disclaims any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Analysts Review does not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.

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

http://www.AnalystsReview.com/

SOURCE Analysts Review