Top-Performing Stocks: Clinical Trial News, Acquisition Bids, and Trading Momentum Drive Gains

Font: Financial Modeling Prep  • Sep 28, 2026

• Kodiak Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: KOD) surged more than 177% as investors reacted to Phase III wet age-related macular degeneration trial updates.
• Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFCR) climbed more than 55% after agreeing to be acquired by Webster Equity Partners.
• YD Bio Limited (NASDAQ: YDES) gained more than 22%, with elevated short interest potentially contributing to the move.

Today’s top gainers were led by Kodiak Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: KOD), which jumped 177.96% to $89.92 on heavy volume after updates tied to its Phase III wet age-related macular degeneration program. Kodiak had announced topline DAYBREAK Phase III data for Zenkuda and KSI-501, making the trial update the key driver of investor attention.

Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFCR) rose 55.24% to $6.52 after Webster Equity Partners agreed to acquire the company. The deal includes $6.28 per share in cash plus a contingent value right, with the transaction valued at up to $663.7 million.

ClearOne, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRO) also rallied, gaining 47.83% to $5.10 on unusually high trading volume. Canary HBAR ETF (NYSEARCA: HBR) rose 29.22% to $16.54, while YD Bio Limited (NASDAQ: YDES) climbed 22.16%to $7.00. YD Bio’s move may have been supported by short-squeeze dynamics after short interest increased sharply.

Overall, the day’s leading gainers were driven by company-specific catalysts, acquisition news, and speculative trading activity.