In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX) reported that Perceptive Advisors has picked up 2,150,000 of common stock as of 2017-04-17.
The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Perceptive Advisors to a total of 2,150,000 representing approximately 9.11% stake in the company.
For those not familiar with the company, Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on acute and chronic orphan liver diseases. The Company is focused on the development and commercialization of its clinical candidate, OCR-002, for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). OCR-002 is a molecule, ornithine phenylacetate, which functions as an ammonia scavenger. It is conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled double blind Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous administration of OCR-002 IV formulation in reducing the severity of HE symptoms among HE patients. The Company also conducted a Phase IIa investigator-sponsored trial of OCR-002 in Spain in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with liver cirrhosis. It is developing an oral form of OCR-002 to provide continuity of care for HE patients, where the intravenous form is used for hospital-based acute care and the oral form for chronic maintenance care post discharge.
A glance at Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 37.96 Million based on 23.60 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $1.45 per share.
Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.
Specifically, on 2017-03-28, Byrnes picked up 3,000 at a purchase price of $1.28. This brings their total holding to 13,000 as of the date of the filing.
On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Powell unload 11,969 shares at a sale price of $2.53. This brings their total holding to 0.
It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.
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