DaVita Inc. (DVA) reported third quarter net income of $110.9 million or $1.06 per share, which was better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 99 cents. The company earned $93.9 million or 89 cents in the comparable quarter of 2008.  Revenues for the quarter came in at $1.57 billion, which reflected an 8.3% increase over the year-ago quarter. According to segments, revenues from the Dialysis and Related Lab Services segment for the quarter came in at $1.49 billion as against $1.38 billion in the prior-year quarter. Other - Ancillary Services and Strategic Initiatives segment generated revenues of $83 million as against $69 million in the year-ago quarter. Highlights of the strong display in the reported quarter included consistent volume growth, stable private pricing and strong cash flows.  Total treatments for the quarter came in at approximately 4.34 million, or 54,927 treatments per day, representing a per ...

Yesterday, Dynavax Technologies Corp. (DVAX) announced that it has resumed the late-stage registration trial of its hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine Heplisav in patients with chronic kidney disease. The trial will enroll 600 patients. Heplisav will be tested against GlaxoSmithKline plc’s (GSK) Engerix-B. The company intends to begin another late-stage registration trial in adults over 40 years of age in early 2010. Dynavax expects to complete both trials within the next 2 years. Management expects the vaccine to hit the market by the end of 2012 or early 2013.   As a reminder, Heplisav was on clinical hold in the U.S since March 17, 2008 following the occurrence of the severe adverse event (SAE) of Wegener's granulomatosis. The SAE was reported in the phase III study in healthy adults conducted outside the US. Wegener's granulomatosis is an uncommon disease which results in the inflammation of blood vessels. ...

Yesterday, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (KERX) announced positive long-term results from an open-label extension trial of its kidney drug, Zerenex. This oral, iron-based compound treats elevated serum phosphorous levels (hyperphosphatemia) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis.

Results revealed that serum phosphorous was well-controlled under the drug’s effect. The mid-stage trial involved 29 patients in Taiwan who were followed for a year. Prior studies of the drug did not exceed 28 days.

The study also indicated that Zerenex could maintain phosphorus content at a normal level when used over an extended period of time. Additionally, signs of potential iron overload in the blood were not displayed. Zerenex is expected to enter a late-stage study at the end of the year.

As per data from the US Renal Data System, America has nearly 485,000 ESRD patients. This is projected to rise to about 785,000 by 2020. The majority

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Yesterday, Dynavax Technologies Corp. (DVAX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed the clinical hold on its late-stage hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) Heplisav which is being developed for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. As a reminder, Heplisav was on clinical hold in the U.S since Mar 17, 2008 following the report of the severe adverse event (SAE) of Wegener's granulomatosis. The SAE was reported in the phase III study in healthy adults conducted outside the U.S. Wegener's granulomatosis is an uncommon disease which results in the inflammation of blood vessels .The vaccine is being studied for both healthy adults and patients with end-stage renal disease. Consequent to the regulatory issues, the partnership with Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) for Heplisav ended on December 19, 2008. All rights relating to the development and commercialization of Heplisav reverted to ...

After market close yesterday, DaVita Inc. (DVA) reported second quarter net income of $105.8 million or $1.02 per share, which was better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95 cents. The company reported a net income of $95.0 million or 90 cents per share in the comparable quarter of 2008.   Net operating revenues for the quarter were $1.52 billion, which reflected an 8% increase over the year-ago quarter. Highlights of the strong display in the reported quarter included consistent volume growth, stable private pricing and strong cash flows. Total treatments for the quarter were 4,228,179, or 54,207 treatments per day, representing a per day increase of 5.2% over the year-ago quarter. Non-acquired treatment growth in the quarter was 4.5% over the prior year's second quarter. The company expects non-acquired growth to be around 4% for the year. The largest provider of dialysis services to patients ...

Nephros, Inc.

(OTC: NEPH)

A reader of StocksHaven Investments by the name of Michael Sklar has contributed the following article regarding Nephros, Inc. The article outlines one of the most undervalued BioPharma companies around, at only $1.08 PPS with three pending FDA decisions. If you are an avid investor of pre-PDUFA companies, StocksHaven Investments highly suggests you conduct some due diligence on this company, as its potential value greatly outweighs the risks involved. About: Nephros, Inc. (Nephros) is engaged primarily in the development of hemodiafiltration (HDF), products and technologies for treating patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The Company has three products in various stages of development in the HDF modality to deliver therapy to ESRD patients: OLpur MDHDF filter series (which it sells in various countries in Europe and consists of its MD190 and MD220 diafilters);

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