iShare NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) A recent run-up in biotechnology shares has led to new highs for the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). 52 ...

In a note received just now from Zacks senior biotechnology analyst Jason Napodano, CFA, the Food & Drug Administration [FDA] just issued a warning on Amylin's (AMLN) diabetes drug, Byetta, on a potential risk for pancreatitis.

According to the report, there have been six reported cases, with two deaths in a recent-enough time frame that the FDA believes warnings doctors and patients is necessary.  The stock is already down 10% on the news.

From the analyst: "We have a SELL on Amylin and continue to recommend investors avoid the name."

Read the full analyst report on AMLN

"AMLN" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. (GPRE) engages in the construction and operation of dry-mill, fuel-grade ethanol production facilities in the United States. Trading on NASDAQ as part of the Specialty Chemicals industry in the Basic Materials sector, the company has their corporate headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. They are working towards their goal of becoming a vertically integrated, low-cost ethanol producer.

The company operates two plants in Iowa. These two have a combined operating capacity of 110 million gallons of ethanol per year. The processing of corn and/or other biomass produces ethanol. Green Plains is operating one ethanol plant, located in Shenandoah, Iowa. This Shenandoah Plant started producing ethanol on August 23, 2007. They also have another plant in northwestern Iowa near the town of Superior.

Green Plains Renewable Energy also has plans to build other plants at other sites. Their corporate strategy is to further expand their Shenandoah and Superior sites

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We have several tier-1 firms out positive on Monsanto (NYSE:MON) this AM:- Merrill Lynch is raising their tgt to $165 from $155 (Reit Buy) noting that at its recent investor field event Monsanto indicated that fiscal 2009 biotech trait price increases will be above earlier expectations, particularly for triple stacked corn up 33% on average from 2008 versus June guidance of a 20% increase. MLCO's proprietary review of Monsanto’s just-issued price lists indicate that the trait increase approaches 50% for the premium product (VT triple) in the high-yield, high-rootworm pressure areas, but is roughly flat in lower-yielding, low rootworm pressure areas, which they believe will drive penetration rates. Second generation Roundup-tolerant soybeans will be priced $20/acre above first generation versus original expectations of $15. The first generation product will see a seed and trait increase of ~$12/acre, which will be largely offset by higher production costs.Firm ...

Enzon Pharmaceuticals’ (ENZN) key product Abelcet, a treatment for fungal infections, sales continued to deteriorate in 2008. Further, another major source of revenue, Royalty, is also under pressure from competition. However, sales in two other products, Oncaspar (for acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and Adagen (for severe combined immunodeficiency disease) are picking up momentum and offsetting the sales decline from Abelcet and Royalty.

We are impressed with strong sales growth of Oncaspar. We expect total revenue to remain stable or experience modest growth in the coming years while the company is progressing well with its clinical developments. Enzon is also advancing its pipeline to drive long-term growth. We maintain our Hold rating on the shares. We see a balanced risk/reward profile for Enzon. In our view, there are limited near-term catalysts to drive the shares higher.

We believe the company’s pipeline is in a show me mode, and we do not

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Particularly in medicine, the market process is one that takes its cues from no man or government. People and governments may work to influence the markets but capital will always flow to places where it will most likely multiply fastest. Stem cells - and associated therapies/equipment/processes -are one such market. Research and application testing are progressing at such a rapid pace that this new market is inevitable, regardless of moral or political position. An investor can become involved or not, but profit is going to be made and capital will flow as it does.

CellCyte Genetics Corp., a development stage biotechnology company, works to develop and market stem cell therapeutic products and medical devises. The company is currently in the pre-clinical phase of approvals for its stem cell therapy products and clinical trials where its medical tumor identification products are concerned. Acceptable financing has been secured for the company’s clinical

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FLIR Systems, Inc. (FLIR) announced second-quarter results on July 24th after being featured as a growth stock in March. The thermal imaging and stabilized camera company surprised the street with second-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share, one penny higher than analyst expectations of 28 cents. FLIR Systems recorded second-quarter revenue of $261 million, a 42% year-over-year increase.

On July 30th the company announced a finalized $30 million dollar contract with the US Army to deliver thermal imaging systems, Star SAFIRE III's, over the next 12 months.

Shares of FLIR climbed steadily since the being featured as a Zacks Rank Buy. The stock set its 52-week high of $45.49 in mid July and have since retraced to form a nice level of support near $39. Take a look at the chart below. 1218909269

Last Week's Aggressive Growth Zacks Rank

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Size doesn’t necessarily matter when it comes to five-star investing. Just ask Frank Sustersic, portfolio manager for Turner Investment Partners.

His small-cap Turner Emerging Growth Fund is up an average of 16.40 percent per year over the last five years. It’s currently closed to new investors, but Sustersic is willing to share some of his favorite names.

Recommendations:

Some of his favorite stocks are clinical-research organizations, or CROs.

“They help pharmaceutical companies conduct clinical-research trials,” he told CNBC. “All of the companies right now have an amazing tailwind…and currently, there is a pretty significant outsourcing trend that’s occurring; pharmaceutical and biotech companies are trying to change their cost structure to be more flexible.”

Two of those CROs are Parexel and Icon

“Over the next three to six months, the stocks could need to consolidate a bit,” he cautioned, but added, “Over the long-term period of

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Biogen Idec, Inc. (BIIB) posted solid results in the first half of 2008, driven by solid sales of both multiple sclerosis drugs Avonex and Tysabri. Yet, just when things were looking solid from a fundamental standpoint, two cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) popped up in Europe. 

As a result, we have adjusted down our Tysabri over the next several quarters by approximately 15 percent.  Visibility is low, and fears of more PML cases to come are creating significant angst.

Yet, Tysabri PML aside, Biogen's pipeline may be the best in biotech. The name would truly be an excellent take-out candidate for a large-cap pharma name. That is, if the Tysabri-PML risk can be quantified. Or, if the stock gets so cheap that even with the Tysabri-PML risk, it's worth a takeout.

The near $20 point drop in stock price has created an attractive long-term entry price. Unfortunately, however, over the

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Thoratec Corporation (THOR) recently posted impressive second-quarter results. The stock is trading near its 52-week high and showing strength, despite terrible news slamming other biotech firms earlier this month.

Company Description

Thoratec Corporation provides cardiac support devices for use by patients with acute or chronic heart failure. Some of the products will pump blood through the heart for prolonged periods of time in the event of cardiac arrest. The company is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, employs more than 1,000 people internationally, and carries a market cap of $1.36 billion.

Revenue is Up 44% in Second Quarter

Thoratec announce second-quarter results on July 31st, which included revenue of $82.6 million or a 44% year-over-year increase. Earnings per share rose to 15 cents, easily topping the consensus estimate and last quarter's report, each were one cent per share.

The company credits the boost

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