Equities Focus

Cocrystal Pharma jumped 63.1% premarket on 25th Feb after nearly tripling its share price on 24th Feb. The hike is in response to the announcement that it has entered into a new licensing agreement with Kansas State University, which has granted Cocrystal exclusive royalty and property rights for antiviral compounds for the treatment of coronavirus. Stocks have risen 112% in the past 30 days, but have declined 54% over the last 52 weeks.

Moderna claim to have released the first batch of human use vaccines for the coronavirus. They have been shared with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease for phase 1 studies. The company did not reveal profitability expectations for the vaccine during their Q4 investor call. Moderna have new vaccines being delivered; CMV-an infection leading to birth defects. Stocks are up 26% in past 30 days.

Co-Diagnostics who has a patented platform for the development of molecular diagnostic tests; have recently announced their coro-navirus testing platform has achieved regulatory clearance for use in the US, European and global health communities. Stocks rose a 306% in the past 30 days, and 1003% over the last 52 weeks.

CVS faces challenges from Walmart after announcing their low price alternative clinical service. The new Walmart Health Centres can offer budget medical check ups, teeth cleaning services and counselling, all via an online booking or walk in. Walmart intends to break into the United States large health market, and have made their clinics their top priority. As a result CVS stocks are down 13% in the past 30 days, but a 1.8% increase over the last 52 weeks.

APT sell protective apparel products; earlier in the month their sales for facemasks soared to be worth over $10.4M due to in-creasing demand in response to the coronavirus outbreak. APT’s reported an annual $46.7M revenue, but $0.6M fall in net income; due to a change in product mix and a loss of tariff free status for their Disposable Protecitve Apparel. The shares are up 213% in the past 30 days, and up 445% over the last 52 weeks.