By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Biotechnology companies with Ebola drugs were among the most active premarket movers on Wednesday, following the first diagnosis of a patient in the U.S. with the disease.
The shares rallied on concerns the disease could be spreading, while a number of airline stocks were weaker on concerns the disease could curb travel.
U.S. shares of Tekmira Pharmaceuticals jumped 30 percent before the bell to $27.45, and was among the most heavily traded Nasdaq names. The stock has seen heavy interest and has more than doubled thus far in 2014. In September, its Ebola drug was tested in West Africa in a bid to fast-track trials.
Sarepta Therapeutics rose 8.3 percent to $22.85 while BioCryst Pharmaceuticals added 15 percent to $11.25. Lakeland Industries Inc, which makes protective clothing for healthcare and first responders, rose 11 percent to $7.70.
Among airlines, Delta Air Lines fell 2.8 percent to $35.12 while JetBlue Airways lost 2.6 percent to $10.34.
(Editing by Bernadette Baum)
