Cytokinetics rises as investors await US approval for heart drug

** Shares of drug developer Cytokinetics CYTK.O rise ~3% to $36.24 premarket

** Co reported Q2 revenue of $66.8 million , compared with $0.2 million a year ago, helped by $52.4 million payment related to co's licensing deal for experimental heart disease drug, aficamten, in Japan with Germany's Bayer BAYGn.DE

** Co says it is on track for meeting with U.S. FDA in September ahead of potential U.S. approval of aficamten to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oCHM)

** There is "truly palpable excitement and anticipation" for launch of aficamten in early 2026 following potential FDA approval by December 26, H.C.Wainwright analysts say

** oCHM is a condition that makes heart muscles stiff and can cause cardiac arrest

** As of June 30, co had ~$1.0 billion in cash, cash equivalents and investments, CYTK says

** Up to last close, stock down 25% YTD