TechMARK movers: Disappointing trial for Vernalis

Disappointing results from the IN-STEP Phase IIb study for the safety and efficacy of V3381 (indantadol) hit the Vernalis share price. The study was of patients with neuropathic pain due to diabetes. The indantadol study showed a 25% reduction in pain scores but the placebo also showed a reduction. Dizziness was more common with indantadol. Vernalis is unlikely to conduct further trials in this area, although it is continuing with a trial for the treatment of chronic cough using indantadol. Traficmaster shares are moving higher following yesterday's full year figures and the buy recommendation in the Times. The driving and vehicle services provider reported lower than expected revenues of £57.5m for 2009, but operating profit was better than expected at £6.7m. There was a £1m stock write-down in 2009. Traffic services fell into loss but the business services division reported sharply higher profits. FTSE TechMARK - RisersDRS Data (DRS) 15.50p +12.73%Psion (PON) 88.00p +6.02%NCC Group (NCC) 393.75p +2.27%Trafficmaster (TFC) 36.75p +2.08%BATM Advanced (BVC) 39.25p +1.95%Shire Plc (SHP) 1,504.00p +1.76%Triad Group (TRD) 30.00p +1.67%Axis-Shield (ASD) 405.00p +1.25%Cobham (COB) 265.10p +1.22%Skyepharma (SKP) 50.00p +1.01%FTSE TechMARK - FallersVernalis (VER) 61.00p -17.57%Emblaze (BLZ) 44.00p -6.38%Corin Group (CRG) 58.75p -6.00%Biocompatibles International (BII) 215.00p -5.49%Phytopharm (PYM) 10.75p -4.65%Puricore (PURI) 11.25p -4.44%Parity Group (PTY) 9.50p -2.56%Oxford Biomedica (OXB) 10.00p -2.44%Phoenix IT Group (PNX) 271.00p -2.17%Vislink (VLK) 23.75p -2.06%