What Investors Are Looking For In NPS Pharmaceuticals Ahead Of A Potential Sale

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NPSP is gaining interest ahead of the company's Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) decision on January 24, 2014.

On Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Goldman Sachs Group Inc GS began gauging other companies' interest for an NPS acquisition. There have been several rumors over the last few months that Shire PLC (ADR) SHPG has been in talks with NPS.

Shire could be interested after its buyout with AbbVie Inc ABBV fell through last year.

In the meantime, NPS has several catalysts upcoming that should keep investors interested in the company.

On January 24, the FDA will decide whether to approve Natpara for the treatment of Hypoparathyroidism. The PDUFA date was originally October 24, 2014, but the FDA extended the date by three months. NPS has been in contact with the FDA, but could not give detailed comments on what led to the extension. NPS had an Advisory Committee meeting back in September 2014.

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The company received an overall positive Adcom Vote; eight members voted that available data supported approval, while five members voted that it did not. NPS is also expecting to announce Phase 2a results for NPSP795 for Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia (ADH). ADH is an ultra-rare disorder caused by mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor gene.

The company will be presenting at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on January 13, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. EST.

Leerink ranks NPS Pharmaceuticals, Biogen Idec Inc BIIB, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. BMRN as its best biotech buys for 2015.