LifeSci Capital Initiates Coverage of Ocera Therapeutics

Developing Therapies for Serious Diseases with High Unmet Medical Need; Report Available Here: http://www.lifescicapital.com/equity-research/ocera/

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 24, 2016 / LifeSci Capital, LLC, a research-driven investment bank with deep domain expertise in the life sciences sector, today announced that it has initiated coverage of Ocera Therapeutics (NasdaqGM: OCRX), clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for serious diseases with high unmet medical need. The Company is developing OCR-002, the only ammonia-scavenger in development for both the treatment and prevention of hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

HE is a neuropsychiatric condition seen in patients with liver cirrhosis or acute liver failure. It presents when the liver is no longer able to detoxify ammonia from the blood. There are approximately one million individuals with cirrhosis in the US and it is estimated that approximately 10-15% of these patients will experience at least one episode of overt HE annually. Ocera’s OCR-002 is the only treatment in development that is designed to specifically scavenge ammonia and directly reduce plasma ammonia. While the Company remains blinded to the data, results from a planned interim analysis of an ongoing Phase IIb trial evaluating OCR-002 for the treatment of HE suggest a treatment effect of approximately 1.5-2 days compared to placebo. Ocera is also developing a next generation oral formulation of OCR-002 for the prevention of HE. This is intended for outpatient use and would allow a seamless transition from IV OCR-002 in the hospital setting. The FDA has granted OCR-002 Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations, which provide opportunities for premium pricing and accelerated approval. Top-line data from the ongoing Phase IIb study is expected in early 2017. If successful, OCR-002 would be the first new therapy for the treatment of acute HE in decades.

In a 40 page Initiation Report LifeSci Capital explains the unmet medical need for HE therapies, OCR-002’s unique mechanism of action for reducing plasma ammonia, and the market opportunity upon a potential FDA approval.

Dr. Isaacson’s full Initiation Report, including important disclosures, is available to download at no cost at the LifeSci Capital website, www.lifescicapital.com/equity-research/. In addition to this Initiation Report, LifeSci Capital intends to provide ongoing coverage and event-based research updates on Ocera as developments occur.

The LifeSci Capital research team is led by Dr. Jerry Isaacson, an industry veteran with broad experience in biotechnology, having worked in both public and private biotech companies in areas ranging from medicinal chemistry and analytical chemistry to patents and investor/public relations. Dr. Isaacson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Harvard University and received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California in San Diego.

About LifeSci Capital:

LifeSci Capital (Member: FINRA/SIPC) is a research-driven investment bank with deep domain expertise in the life sciences. Our service model as a boutique investment bank is unique in that we exclusively serve emerging life science companies that discover, develop, and commercialize innovative products. We view our clients as our partners, and we work closely with them to establish and execute their capital markets strategies. Our broadly-distributed equity research product is differentiated and provides a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and the opportunities they are addressing. To learn more about LifeSci Capital, visit the company’s website, www.lifescicapital.com.

Analyst Contact:

Jerry Isaacson, Ph.D.
Phone: (646) 597-6991
Email: jisaacson@lifescicapital.com

SOURCE: LifeSci Capital

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