The grades of 18 Biotechnology stocks are on the rise this week on Portfolio Grader. Each of these stocks is rated an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

This week, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) pushes up from a C to a B rating. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is engaged in the business of discovering, developing and commercializing small molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. The company also gets A’s in sales growth, earnings revisions, and earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of VRTX stock.

Kite Pharma, Inc. (KITE) gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a B last week to a A. The company also gets A’s in earnings surprise. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of KITE stock.

This week, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s (PTLA) ratings are up from a B last week to a A. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of PTLA stock.

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) boosts its rating from a C to a B this week. Seattle Genetics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of SGEN stock.

Otonomy, Inc. (OTIC) earns a B this week, jumping up from last week’s grade of C. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions and earnings surprise. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of OTIC stock.

This is a strong week for Heron Therapeutics Inc (HRTX). The company’s rating climbs to A from the previous week’s B. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of HRTX stock.

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s (CNCE) ratings are looking better this week, moving up to a A from last week’s B. The company also gets A’s in earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of CNCE stock.

The rating of Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX) moves up this week, rising from a C to a B. The company also gets A’s in sales growth and earnings growth. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of ARDX stock.

Cara Therapeutics Inc (CARA) shows solid improvement this week. The company’s rating rises from a B to a A. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions and earnings surprise. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of CARA stock.

Insmed Incorporated (INSM) is seeing ratings go up from a C last week to a B this week. Insmed Incorporated develops and commercializes drugs that treat metabolic diseases, endocrine disorders and oncology. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of INSM stock.

Zafgen, Inc. (ZFGN) improves from a C to a B rating this week. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of ZFGN stock.

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (ZIOP) boosts its rating from a B to a A this week. ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that engages in the development and commercialization of small molecule and synthetic biology approaches to cancer therapies in the United States. The company also gets A’s in sales growth and earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of ZIOP stock.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BCRX) improves from a C to a B rating this week. BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company that designs, optimizes and develops novel drugs that block key enzymes involved in cancer, viral infections and autoimmune diseases. The company also gets A’s in sales growth and earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of BCRX stock.

Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (OCAT) earns a B this week, jumping up from last week’s grade of C. The company also gets A’s in earnings surprise and earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of OCAT stock.

Trovagene, Inc. (TROV) gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a C last week to a B. Trovagene, Inc. is developing a non-invasive testing technology using transrenal nucleic acid (TrNA) markers for infectious diseases, prenatal testing, early detection of cancer, and monitoring of organ and cell transplantation. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions and earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of TROV stock.

EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (EPRS) shows solid improvement this week. The company’s rating rises from a C to a B. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of EPRS stock.

This week, MediciNova, Inc.’s (MNOV) ratings are up from a C last week to a B. MediciNova, Inc. acquires, develops, and commercializes small molecule therapeutics. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of MNOV stock.

The rating of Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (BCLI) moves up this week, rising from a C to a B. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of BCLI stock.

Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.