Today morning, Biogen Idec (BIIB) reported third quarter earnings per share of $1.12, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.02. The company reported earnings of 98 cents in the year-ago period. Revenues increased 3% to $1.12 billion, with Tysabri being the primary growth driver. Tysabri sales came in at $207 million, up 21% from the prior period. The company estimates that as of the end of September 2009, about 46,200 patients were on commercial and clinical Tysabri therapy worldwide. This represents an increase from the 43,300 patients reported by the company in the second quarter of 2009. Tysabri is an important growth driver and we expect the product, which is partnered with Elan (ELN), to cross $1 billion in worldwide sales in 2009. Meanwhile, Biogen’s lead multiple sclerosis (MS) product Avonex posted sales of $580 million (up 1%) with U.S. sales growing 8% to ...

On Friday, Genzyme Corp. (GENZ) presented encouraging four-year follow-up phase II data on alemtuzumab, which is being developed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Results showed durable reductions in relapse rate and sustained accumulation of disability even three years after patients received their last course of alemtuzumab.

The company presented these efficacy and safety data at the annual meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis in Germany. This CAMMS223 study was conducted in early, relapsing-remitting MS patients, who were randomized to receive either alemtuzumab or Pfizer/Serono's (PFE) Rebif.

Patients taking once-yearly cycles of alemtuzumab reduced their risk of relapse by 72% and the risk of sustained accumulation of disability by 73% compared to patients receiving Rebif. Additionally, the annualized relapse rate and disability risk measured from year three to four remained at the same low level observed in prior years of

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Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Public, AMEX:AEN)

StocksHaven Investments takes a look at Adeona Pharmaceuticals, Inc. which currently has three blockbuster drugs in phase III, and are coming close to NDA status. The first being Trimesta, which tackles Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Post-partum Depression. Secondly, Zinthionein, a product seeking treatment for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Lastly, Oral dnaJP1 which is an immunotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. If these products aren’t enough to entice your way into purchasing this stock, take a look at the recent $5 million dollar cash infusion from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), billions of dollars in product market potential, purchasing of Hartlab LLC, an independent Chicago-area CLIA-certified clinical reference laboratory, an experienced management team that will have you feeling like a kid in a candy store, and to

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Earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Novartis Pharma’s (NVS) Extavia, a branded version of interferon beta-1b, which is used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Novartis obtained the rights to seek approval for its own branded version of interferon beta-1b through agreements signed with Bayer Schering, which markets Betaseron. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath, or protective tissue surrounding the nerve fibers that carry electrical signals in the brain. As a result, persons afflicted with the disease experience problems with muscle control and strength, vision, balance, sensation and mental function. Extavia has been approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. It is also indicated for patients who have experienced a first clinical episode of MS and have features consistent with ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - July 2, 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: Wells Fargo (WFC), Bank of America (BAC), Acorda Therapeutics (ACOR), Biogen Idec (BIIB) and Elan Corp. (ELN).

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 Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Mortgage Apps at 7-Month Low

Mortgage rates, which had declined to record lows since the Fed started its massive mortgage-backed securities (MBS) purchase program, have been creeping up in recent weeks and remained above 5% for a fifth straight week. Refinancing activity is very sensitive

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This morning, Acorda Therapeutics (ACOR) announced that it has entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement to develop and commercialize Fampridine-SR, the company's therapy to improve walking ability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), with Biogen Idec (BIIB) for territories outside the U.S. These territories include Europe, Canada and Australia, among others, and relate to all current and future aminopyridine products.Biogen will pay Acorda an upfront payment of $110 million in cash as part of the transaction. Acorda can earn an additional $400 million in regulatory and sales related milestones, plus a tiered double-digit royalty on sales of the drug. Biogen will handle all regulatory and commercialization activities outside the U.S. In June 2009, Acorda received feedback from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) that the marketing authorization application (MAA) in Europe is eligible to be filed under the centralized procedure....

Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) posted EPS of e5.36 in 2008, an increase of just 2% from 2007. Revenue fell 1% in 2008 as a number of products experienced significantly declining sales including Ambien, Tritace and Copaxone.For 2009 we expect revenue growth to return, as generic erosion is more than offset by strong growth of Taxotere, Lantus, Avapro and the vaccines business. We expect revenue growth of 6% in 2009 and EPS of e5.93 ($4.10), up 11% from 2008. EPS should continue to benefit from strong contributions to royalty income from U.S. Plavix sales and operating margin improvement as a result of cost-cutting. We also expect foreign exchange to benefit both revenue and EPS in 2009 as the U.S. dollar strengthens against the Euro.Generic competition will continue to be a concern, however. While we expect new product launches to make significant revenue contributions in the ...

We highlight Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) and Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB).Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) posted EPS of EUR5.36 in 2008, an increase of just 2% from 2007. Revenue fell 1% in 2008 as a number of products experienced a significant decline in sales including: Ambien, Tritace and Copaxone.However, for 2009 we expect revenue growth to return as generic erosion is more than offset by strong growth of Taxotere, Lantus, Avapro and the vaccines business. We expect revenue growth of 6% in 2009 and EPS of EUR5.89 ($3.90), up 10% from 2008.EPS should continue to benefit from strong contribution to royalty income from U.S. Plavix sales and operating margin improvement as a result of cost-cutting. We also expect foreign exchange to benefit both revenue and EPS in 2009 as the U.S. dollar strengthens against the Euro.Generic competition will continue to be a ...

Highlights include Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) and Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB).Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) posted EPS of EUR5.36 in 2008, an increase of just 2% from 2007. Revenue fell 1% in 2008 as a number of products experienced significantly declining sales including Ambien, Tritace and Copaxone.For 2009 we expect revenue growth to return as generic erosion is more than offset by strong growth of Taxotere, Lantus, Avapro and the vaccines business. We expect revenue growth of 4% in 2009 and EPS of EUR5.81 ($3.82), up 8% from 2008. EPS should continue to benefit from continued strong contribution to royalty income from U.S. Plavix sales and operating margin improvement as a result of cost-cutting.Generic competition will continue to be a concern, however. While we expect new product launches to make significant revenue contributions in the early part of the next decade, they will ...

Highlighted stocks include Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) and Biogen-Idec (BIIB).On February 11, 2009, Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) announced financial results for the 4th quarter 2008. Revenue of EUR7,456 million increased by 3% from the 4th quarter of 2007, and was ahead of our estimate of EUR7,101 million. Revenue benefitted from strong sales of Lantus, Lovenox, Plavix and Ambien CR.Revenue was also positively impacted by foreign exchange translation. EPS, adjusted for non-recurring charges, was EUR1.25 in the 4th quarter, compared to our estimate of EUR1.24. Relative to our expectations, EPS was negatively impacted by higher R&D and SG&A spend and a slightly tighter-than-expected gross margin, partially offset by a lower tax rate.For the full-year 2008, revenue of EUR28.8 billion was down 1% from 2007, while EPS increased by 2% to EUR5.36. Foreign exchange negatively impacted sales and EPS by 5% and 8%, respectively, for the ...