Nektar bounces after reporting earnings

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) gained $1.96 (21%) to $11.48 on Friday after delivering some unanticipated news with its 1Q15 earnings.

On Thursday's call, CEO Howard Robin highlighted that partner AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) has successfully obtained preferred formulary access for Movantik naloxegol, its newly launched therapy for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). AZ launched the pegylated form of the peripheral mu opioid receptor ( OPRM1; MOR) antagonist naloxol in the U.S. on March 31, triggering a $100 million milestone payment that helped Nektar beat Street expectations (see BioCentury Extra, March 31). ...