Earlier this month, Medivation, Inc. (MDVN) and Pfizer, Inc. (PFE) initiated two phase III studies, CONTACT and CONSTELLATION, with Dimebon in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dimebon is being developed in collaboration with Pfizer for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Huntington diseases. The CONTACT study will assess the potential benefits of adding Dimebon to ongoing treatment with Pfizer’s Aricept on neuropsychiatric symptoms and activities of daily living. Meanwhile, the CONSTELLATION study will evaluate the effects of adding Dimebon to Forest Lab’s (FRX) Namenda, another standard of care, on cognition, memory and activities of daily living. Preclinical studies indicate that Dimebon has the potential to protect brain cells from damage and enhance brain cell survival, by stabilizing and improving mitochondrial function. Dimebon’s mechanism is distinct from currently available Alzheimer’s medications. Dimebon is currently in seven studies which are evaluating the safety and efficacy ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 14, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights VimpelCom (VIP) as the Bull of the Day and Rite Aid Corporation (RAD) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Elan Pharmaceuticals (ELN) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

We reaffirm our Outperform recommendation for VimpelCom (VIP), Russia's second largest cellular carrier with over 25% market share. Reported earnings in the last quarter outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate, driven by foreign exchange gains.

We continue to be intrigued by VimpelCom's successful sales growth trend and its ability to retain subscribers on a recurring basis, even as overall economic factors remain weak. The company is also progressing

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 14, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: American International Group (AIG), Morgan Stanley (MS), Elan Corporation (ELN), Biogen Idec (BIIB) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

AIG to Sell Taiwan Life Unit

American International Group (AIG) said on Monday that it has decided to sell its stake of almost 98% in Taiwan life insurance unit Nan Shan Life Insurance Co. for about $2.2 billion to a group led by Hong Kong-based

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Elan Corporation (ELN) recently received a subpoena from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the company’s disclosure of two brain disorder cases (in July 2008), often fatal, tied to the use of its drug Tysabri for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Elan has a marketing agreement with Biogen Idec (BIIB) for Tysabri. In addition, the subpoena asked for detailed information regarding clinical trial data on bapineuzumab, a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Recently, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) paid $885 million for an 18.4% stake in Elan in addition to $500 million for a majority stake in the company’s Alzheimer's disease pipeline. As a reminder, in July last year, both Elan and Biogen announced the occurrence of two cases of brain infection, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), in patients taking the drug. Meanwhile, 11 such cases have been reported by the companies ...

Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) third quarter earnings of $1.20 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents and by 3 cents from the year-ago period. However, the company reported revenues of $15.1 billion, a decline of 5.3% compared to the third quarter of 2008. While 2.8% of the decline in revenue was due to operational factors, foreign exchange movement was responsible for the remaining 2.5% decline. Sales in both domestic and international markets recorded declines of 8.1% and 2.5%, respectively. Johnson & Johnson’s diversified business model is helping the company pave its way through tough situations. For the second quarter in a row, the company’s medical devices segment posted higher revenues than the pharmaceuticals. While medical devices recorded an increase of 2.3% compared to the year-ago period, consumer products and pharmaceuticals recorded a year-over-year decline of 2.7% and 14.1%, respectively. While generic competition was primarily ...

It seems that the swine flu pandemic has attracted many large pharmaceutical players towards the vaccine business, the latest being Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Yesterday, J&J acquired an 18% stake in a Netherlands-based biotech company, Crucell NV, for $440 million. The deal will primarily focus on developing a universal vaccine for influenza treatment using Crucell's genetically engineered antibody technology. Additionally, vaccines for other diseases will be developed in due course. Following the deal, J&J’s per-share earnings will be reduced by 2 cents to 4 cents in 2009. Per the deal, Crucell will retain the European marketing right for the vaccine which will be jointly produced by the companies, while Johnson & Johnson will market the vaccine in the rest of the world. Accordingly, Crucell is eligible to receive royalties on global sales. Although the vaccine influenza vaccine is still in an early stage of development, ...

We believe the dispute between Elan Corp. (ELN) and its US partner Biogen Idec (BIIB) over the multiple-sclerosis drug Tysabri has been resolved at last.

It started when Elan signed a deal with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) last July. But now, the two companies have amended this deal to drop the terms involving Tysabri.

J&J will now pay $885 million, down from the previously-announced $1 billion, for an 18.4% stake in Elan. However, J&J's $500 million investment for a majority stake in the Alzheimer's disease pipeline remains unchanged. Although Elan claimed that the new terms will restore its 'unintended breach' of contract with Biogen Idec related to Tysabri rights, we are yet to know whether its US partner has accepted this argument.

Biogen and Elan have a 50-50 partnership deal for Tysabri under which each has rights to acquire full control of the drug if there is any change

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We believe the dispute between Elan Corp. (ELN) and its US partner Biogen Idec (BIIB) over multiple-sclerosis drug Tysabri has been resolved at last. The row started when Elan signed a deal with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) last July. But now, the two companies have amended this deal to drop the terms involving Tysabri.

J&J will now pay $885 million, down from the previously announced $1 billion for an 18.4% stake in Elan. However, J&J’s $500 million investment for a majority stake in the Alzheimer's disease pipeline remains unchanged. Although Elan claimed that the new terms will restore its 'unintended breach' of contract with Biogen Idec related to Tysabri rights, we are yet to know whether its US partner has accepted this argument.

Biogen and Elan have a 50-50 partnership deal for Tysabri under which each has rights to acquire full control of the drug, if

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Markets closing with PWRM trading over 16 MILLION Shares Last: 0.034 Open: 0.018 Change: 100.00%

Keep an eye out for PWRM.OB

PWRM.OB Power Medical Products Inc. Power3 Medical Products, Inc., a development stage company, engages in commercializing its intellectual properties in the area of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer?s disease, and Parkinson?s disease. Web Site: http://www.Power3Medical.com

Recent News: Power3 Medical Products, Inc. Files for 3 Patents On Blood Test for Diagnosis of Early Stage Breast Cancer

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Stock-PR Monday August 24, 2009 Watch List!

Arabian American Development Company (ARSD) Arabian American Development Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of various specialty petrochemical products, as well as the development of mineral properties in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Web Site: http://www.arabianamericandev.com

ConocoPhillips (COP) ConocoPhillips operates as an integrated energy company worldwide. The company operates through six segments: Exploration and Production (E&P), Midstream, Refining and Marketing (R&M), LUKOIL Investment, Chemicals, and Emerging Businesses Web Site: http://www.conocophillips.com

Recent News: Oil company ConocoPhillips spent nearly $3.3 million in the second quarter lobbying Congress on proposed climate-change and health care reform legislation, among other issues, according to a recent disclosure report. That was more than double what it spent in the year-ago period.

Power 3 Medical Products Inc. (PWRM.OB) Power3 Medical Products, Inc., a development stage company, engages in commercializing its intellectual properties in the area of diagnosis

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