While Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX) closed down 0.83% on Thursday, it rebounded by 36.13% in after-market hours to $1.62, after revealing positive results to its pre-clinical study of the ornithine phenylacetate (OCR-002) against high fat and high cholesterol.
The study proved that OCR-002 substantially reduced liver/body weight ratio, hepatic lipid content, and hepatic collagen, among others.
The study investigated the effect of OCR-002 in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model in which animals were fed a High Fat and High Cholesterol (HFHC) diet for up to 16 weeks. Compared to normal rats, NAFLD rats showed a significant increase in ammonia (p<0.05), as well as increased blood levels of cholesterol, ALT and AST. The NAFLD rats treated with OCR-002 showed significant reduction in the progression of fibrosis compared to untreated NAFLD rats, Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX) said.
“The data provide further proof that ammonia is more than just a neurotoxin and establishes ammonia as a therapeutic target for the prevention of progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. As OCR-002 is already in advanced stages of clinical development, these data can readily be translated into real benefits for patients with appropriate clinical trials,” said Professor Rajiv Jalan, M.B.B.S, M.D. Ph.D.
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What Does The Smart Money Sentiment Say?
The Smart Money remained stable of its view on Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX) , from Q3 to Q4 in 2016. Out of 742 hedge funds that we track at Insider Monkey, 9 funds held on to their positions, quarter over quarter. Looking more closely at the pool, Anders Hove and Bong Koh of VHCP Management increased its holdings by 7%, to cover 912,050 shares valued at $1.9 million by the end of Q4.
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The Bottom Line
Ocera Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OCRX) shares rose in weak trading during after-market hours following positive results to its pre-clinical study of the OCR-002 to reduce fats and cholesterol. For lighter reading, check out the 11 fattest countries in the world.
