BUZZ-Capricor tumbles as FDA panel meet for Duchenne cell therapy adds risk worries

Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.

Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.

CAPR

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** Shares of Capricor Therapeutics CAPR.O slump 14% to $26.17

** Capricor says the U.S. FDA will hold an advisory committee meeting on July 29 to review its cell therapy, deramiocel, to treat cardiomyopathy in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder

** The stock reaction reflects "incremental regulatory risk" tied to advisory panels says B. Riley Securities analyst Madison El-Saadi

** FDA last year declined to approve the drug, citing lack of efficacy data and asked for more data

** Capricor said in December that in a late-stage trial deramiocel significantly slowed the decline in muscle and heart function in patients compared to placebo

** El-Saadi says the advisory committee is "not surprising" and focus should be on strength of data

** The FDA decision on the application is expected by August 22

** Including session's move, stock down 10% YTD