UTHR jumps on oral PAH drug approval

United Therapeutics Corp. (NASDAQ:UTHR) jumped $26.67 (30%) to $114.51 on Monday after FDA approved a resubmitted NDA for oral Orenitram treprostinil to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The company already markets IV and subcutaneous formulations of the synthetic long-acting stable prostacyclin analog as Remodulin in the U.S. and an inhaled formulation as Tyvaso. On a conference call to discuss the approval, United Therapeutics said it plans to launch Orenitram in the U.S. in the next six months and is still determining the price. The company said it will set Orenitram's price so that "net revenue per patient on average is roughly equivalent" to what United Therapeutics receives for Tyvaso. The company said the approval is the first from FDA for an orally administered prostacyclin analogue for any disease. ...