Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX)

Shares of Cara Therapeutics, Adverum Biotechnologies and Ardelyx Inc. all took big hits after each company announced unfavorable developments.

Oncology concern Exelixis and biopharma Ardelyx offer reasons to believe their shares should rise in the months ahead.

One would need to use covered calls to initiate positions that provide a solid amount of downside protection.

The Fremont, Calif.-based firm and Kyowa Hakko Kirin signed a license pact for Ardelyx's lead investigational product, tenapanor.

The South San Francisco, Calif.-based firm said its Phase 3 study of tirasemtiv in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis did not achieve primary or secondary endpoints.

The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm said Oct. 16 it has priced an underwritten public offering of five million shares at $16 apiece.

Until market conditions shift, I won't be making any sizable buys.

The Fremont, Calif.-based firm has unveiled positive results from its second Phase 3 study of tenapanor for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

Following Galenica's $1.5 billion bid for Relypsa, investors are beginning to search for the next target.

This small-cap company's shares are half where they ended 2015.

Don't trade the headline numbers, but cash in on those traders that do.