Post-Market NASDAQ Movers (ARNA, BRKS, OREX, MSPD, LEAP, ASYS, APEI, CDXS, NUAN, SCLN)

The top after-market NASDAQ gainers Thursday were: Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Brooks Automation, Inc., Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. and Leap Wireless International, Inc. The top after-market NASDAQ losers were: Amtech Systems, Inc., American Public Education, Inc., Codexis, Inc., Nuance Communications, Inc. and SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Gainers

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA) shares soared 89.89 percent to $ 6.95 in after market session after the company announced expansion of the marketing and supply agreement with Eisai, Inc for Lorcaserin, a drug intended for weight management.

Lorcaserin pill Thursday won the approval of the Food and Drug advisory panel, which voted in favor of the weight loss pill 18-4.

Shares of Brooks Automation, Inc (BRKS) rose 11.34 percent in post market session to close at $11.88. The shares gained as the company's first quarter, 2012, results showed better than expected increase in its life science business margins and in core profit. The company gave upbeat guidance for the second quarter- earnings of 15 cents to 20 cents a share with $132 million to $140 million in revenue.

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc's (OREX) shares surged 10.45 percent to $3.70 in after market hours trading Thursday. The company shares surged after it confirmed that its clinical trial for its diet drug Contrave was on schedule and it had completed Phase 2 clinical trials for its other weight loss drug, Empatic.

The company also announced its first quarter results which showed narrowed losses. Orexigen posted 16 cents loss per share ($10.4 million), compared to the 24 cents loss per share ($11.6 million) a year-ago.

Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. (MSPD) shares gained 6.05 percent and reached $5.75 in after market hours trading.

Leap Wireless International, Inc. (LEAP) shares advanced 5.60 percent to $ 5.66 in post market trading after the Reuters reported that AT&T, Inc had held talks to buy Leap in recent months.

Losers

Amtech Systems, Inc. ( ASYS) shares lost heavily on post market hours trading as the shares plummeted to $6.00 losing 11.76 percent. The company reported second quarter loss of $5.1 million or $0.54 per share, compared to a net income of $7.5 million or $0.77 per share last year.

Revenue for the quarter stood at $21.6 million versus the analysts' estimate of $21.55 million.

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) traded 9.16 percent lower at $ 28.95 in post market session. The company reported its first quarter results Thursday and gave a lesser-than-expected guidance for the second quarter. The second quarter earnings per share is expected to be between $0.41 and $0.47 against the analysts' estimate of $0.51 per share.

Codexis, Inc. (CDXS) shares further plunged 6.25 percent to $3.15 in post market session. The company announced the first quarter results Thursday and reported $0.21 earnings per share, which is less than the analysts' estimate of $0.17 per share.

Nuance Communications, Inc. (NUAN) stocks slumped 4.72 percent to $22.00 in after-hours trading as the company reported revenue of $417.7 million, less than the analysts' estimate of $412.64 million in its first quarter.

SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SCLN) shares declined 4.24 percent to $5.65 in post market hours trading.