Stock Market News & Stocks to Watch from StraightStocks » biotech

Trends Shaping the Health Care Industry: Part 2

Bullish Bankers — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:00:05 +0000

If you have not read part one of this three part article, please find the link here. As I have already highlighted, the health care industry is subject to many swings that are caused by macroeconomic variables, regulation, trends, and beliefs. These changes can be hard to pick up on, especially if you are new to [...]

These 4 Biotech Stocks Will Soar Under Obama

Contrarian Profits — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:33:53 +0000

pBiotech companies are a great investment right now, says strongLaura Cadden/strong. And support from the Obama administration will ensure this trend continues. Laura picks four small cap biotech firms set to soar./p pThis from Today#8217;s Financial News:/p blockquotepWe’ve already taken double-digit gains on strongAastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AASTM"ASTM/a), Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=CERS"CERS/a), /strongandstrong Geron Corporation (NASDAQ:a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=gern"GERN/a). /strong/p pstrongBut these stocks are by no means done with their upward momentum./strong/p pBiotech companies continue to be a great investment – and these three are some of the best out there./p pAs the market takes another hit and these stocks artificially deflate, I recommend that TFN investors should again pick up shares./p pstrongAnd I’ve found another company that I believe is on the verge of a breakout. /strong/p pBut first, what’s so great#8230;/p/blockquote

iShare NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB)

Steve Patterson — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:47:00 +0000

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

Amylin’s Bad Byetta News

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:28:54 +0000

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) is Using Resources from Green Acres

QualityStocks — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:49:59 +0000

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 [...]

Monsanto (NYSE:MON): Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch out positive on MON this morning

Notable Calls — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:12:00 +0000

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 is raising their F2009 and 2010 estimates to $5.10 and $6.10 to reflect the improved pricing outlook in both the seed and genomics segment and in Roundup.

- Morgan Stanley notes that following Monsanto’s third annual Whistle Stop investor event in Monmouth, IL they have increasing conviction in: i) The Company’s ability to execute its overall business plan regardless of the commodity price environment (i.e., secularly higher commodity prices provide upside to the opportunity set, but not the opportunity set itself); ii) The efficacy of Monsanto’s pipeline products; and iii) The Company’s ability to commercialize its pipeline on time. Firm expects the confluence of the above to allow Monsanto to continue to enjoy corn and soybean market share gains (i.e., bigger castle) while lengthening its lead in developing new farm biotechnology (i.e., wider moat).

While Monsanto shares may remain volatile around swings in the US$ and crude oil price, the firm sees only correlation in this regard and not causation (i.e., no P&L impact) and therefore anticipate that as Monsanto continues to execute on its business plan regardless of the US dollar,
crude oil price or corn price (i.e., it anticipates corn gross profit to grow 25-30% in F2009 against a 25% comp), Monsanto shares will trade up towards their intrinsic value.

Reits Overweight and $170 tgt.

Notablecalls: I think these two calls serve to push the stock towards higher levels today. I feel that under overall positive tone the stock could reach $120+ in coming weeks.

Note that Citigroup is out with a positive Fert. call this AM, pushing Potash (NYSE:POT) as their Top Pick. This will surely help the positive sentiment.

Enzon Pharma Risks Balanced

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:46:27 +0000

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 companys pipeline is in a show me mode, and we do not see Enzon shares getting the benefit of investor enthusiasm over the near term. We dont see great value creation with the split of its biotech business and the sale of its specialty pharmaceutical business to its shareholders.

Our $10 price target assumes a total market capitalization of $440 million, or 2.2x the total fiscal 2008 revenue of $199 million. From a peer valuation standpoint, this seems very cheap. However, if we consider the week outlook of the company, the target price is warranted.

Read the full analyst report on ENZN

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

RedChip Featured Company: CellCyte Genetics Corp. (CCYG.OB)

QualityStocks — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:42:50 +0000

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 [...]

FLIR Systems, Inc.

Zacks Market Commentaries — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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 Buy Stocks

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) is flourishing as consumers are opting for home-brewed coffee amid inflated prices at the pump and the supermarket. The company recently topped analysts estimates by 19% and has a projected growth rate of 20%. Read Full Article.

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. Read Full Article.

Coherent, Inc. (COHR) recently set a new 52-week high just after announcing its third-quarter results. The company also released one of the most powerful lasers commercially available on July 30th. Read Full Article.

True Religion Apparel, Inc (TRLG) recently announced a record-breaking quarter and is expanding faster than anticipated. The company's year-over-year earnings have increased 86% and have a five-year projected growth rate of 20%. Read Full Article.
"FLIR" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
Zacks Investment Research

Turner Emerging Growth Top Stock Picks

CEO Blogger — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:40:53 +0000

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 [...]

Biogen Idec Augmented by Risk

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:54:56 +0000

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 near-term, the stock will probably be stuck in sideways trading range while the market digests the resurgence of PML risk.

Biogen's stock is currently trading at 15x 2008 EPS, a premium to most large-cap pharmas, but a discount to the biotech peer-group. Still, the pipeline and manufacturing capacity certainly make the name look intriguing. We expect data on several of these pipeline candidates in 2008 and 2009. This may be the catalyst that investors, or a large-cap pharmaceutical company, are waiting for. In the meantime, we see $56 as fair value; or 16x our 2008 EPS of $3.54.

Read the full analyst report on BIIB

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

Thoratec Corporation

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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 in earnings to a 68% year-over-year increase in sales through the Cardiovascular Division. Thoratec also operated more efficiently with a gross margin of 61.5%, up from 58.8% one year ago.

FDA Approves Use of HeartMate II

On April 21st the company announced the PreMarket Approval application for the HeartMate II LVAS has been approved by the FDA. The device is implanted alongside a patients heart and is designed to provide cardiac support in the event of heart failure. HeartMate II can pump just as much blood as a healthy heart. The HeartMate II is the first device of its kind to obtain approval for this type of use in the U.S.

Analysts are Raising Estimates

The consensus earnings estimate for the current year has increased to 37 cents per share, up from 10 cents just one month ago. In the last 30 days, each analysts reporting to Zacks on Thoratec has upped their estimates for the current quarter, next quarter, and full year for 2008 and 2009.

Industry Comparisons

The company tops the industry averages in Net Profit Margin, 4.21% compared to -1.42%. Thoratec also trumps the industry average with a Return on Equity of 3.79%, 5 times more than the average for the industry. The company is the top rated Medical Instruments company on Zacks.com and carries and Average Broker Recommendation of 1.46.

The Chart

Shares of THOR are consolidating just under the 52-week high of $25.87. The stock opened well above the resistance level at $19 after the second-quarter earnings announcement. Take a look at the chart below.

"THO2" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
Zacks Investment Research

Optimer Pharma Faces Competition

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:20:57 +0000

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OPTR) is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in anti-infective drug development and commercialization.

The company has two phase III drug candidates: Difimicin for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), and Prulifloxacin for infectious diarrhea. Although we are optimistic about the prospect of both Difimicin and Prulifloxacin in terms of their clinical trial results and FDA approval, we are very concerned about the competition in the CDAD and infectious diarrhea markets as both drug candidates face intense competition from both big pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer (PFE) and Bayer and smaller biotech companies like ViroPharma (VPHM) and Salix Pharma (SLXP).

In addition to competition from branded products, Difimicin and Prulifloxacin also face competition from generic antibiotics. The company ended 2Q08 with cash and equivalent of $44.2 million. We believe that the company's cash position can only last through 2009. We maintain our Hold rating on Optimer with price target of $9.50. We expect the stock to trend sideways in the next 6 to 12 months.

We arrive at our price target by using a P/S [price-to-sales] ratio of 18x, multiplied by our estimated 2011 revenue of $43 million, discounted at 25% for 2 and half years. Risks associated with our price target include any possible approval delay of Difimicin or Prulifloxacin by the FDA. Upside to our price target may come from the positive phase III trial results for Difimicin and Prulifloxacin.

Read the full analyst report on OPTR

Read the full analyst report on PFE

Read the full analyst report on VPHM

Read the full analyst report on SLXP

"OPTR" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
"PFE" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
"SLXP" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
"VPHM" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
Zacks Investment Research

Medical Tech Newsletter Recommends Cell Genesys

CEO Blogger — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:53:42 +0000

Cell Geneysis saw some nice validation for its GVAX prostate cancer vaccine candidate,” notes biotech expert John McCamant in The Medical Technology Stock Letter. “The final results from the second of the company’s two Phase 2 trials were published in the online issue of Cancer—which is a prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journal that is published by the [...]

CellCyte Genetics Corp. (CCYG.OB) Finds Successes in the Realities of Stem Cells and Related Products

QualityStocks — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:12:47 +0000

Micromet Inc. (MITI) is a Great Stock to Radar for Pioneer Investors

QualityStocks — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:29:02 +0000

Popular conceptions of value-investing are debatable. How can you be sanguine that future projections about any stock are reliable? Here is a small-capital example from Bethesda, MD that you can use. It demonstrates the powers of adaptability and innovation in building the best platforms for business. The corporation is part of the Biotechnology & Drugs Industry. [...]

Monsanto (NYSE:MON): Stock looks cheap here – Morgan Stanley

Notable Calls — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:44:00 +0000

Morgan Stanley is out with a positive call on Monsanto (NYSE:MON) reiterating their Overweight rating and $170 tgt on the name calling the stock cheap here.

- According to the firm 100+ investors will travel to Monmouth, IL with Monsanto management this week to tour fields containing Monsanto’s biotechnology pipeline. What makes this year’s trip particularly exciting is that MSCO's math indicates that at today’s share price investors will be handed the pipeline for free (i.e., they believe that the existing business is worth $110 per share and that the pipeline is worth $60). To be clear, their models assume $3 corn and $8 soybeans; using current $5 corn and $12 soybean prices would increase the pipeline’s value by $8 and $5 per share, respectively. They expect two days in the fields with management to flood the current bumper crop of investor concerns (i.e., “plummeting” corn prices, stronger US$, fears of a US economic slowdown leaking into emerging markets, et al) as they relate to Monsanto’s both current and future
P&L.

Stock even looks attractive on P/E. While they still do not believe that P/E is the correct way to value Monsanto (as it ignores the earnings power that is being reinvested in R&D - i.e., ~$1.50 of EPS in F2009), following the 23% pull back in Monsanto’s share price since its all time high on June 16, the firm no longer believes that bears have much of a P/E leg to stand on.

Notablecalls: I think this call will generate some buy interest in MON today ahead of the investor meeting. The stock has been crushed over the past months and the meeting could act as a significant trigger here.

MON could hit $110-$112 easy today if it gets going.

PS: Note that Citigroup is also out pos on MON reiterating their Buy rating and $145 tgt after after recently meeting with senior BASF Ag leaders at an Investor event (MON has a partnership in place with BASF).

One to watch today.

Alnylam Pharma Seeks Alliances

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:45:03 +0000

In the second quarter of 2008, revenue for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) came in at $23.8 million, an 161% increase year-over-year, but less than our estimate of $33 million. The significant increase in revenues in the second quarter of 2008 was primarily related to $13.4 million of net collaboration revenues related to the companyÂ’s alliance with Roche.

Revenues for the second quarter of 2008 also included $10.4 million of expense reimbursement and amortization revenues from Novartis AG (NVS), Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), Biogen Idec, InterfeRx, research reagent and services licensees and other sources.

The company also announced a development and commercialization deal for ALN-RSV01 (currently in a second phase II trial) in Asia with Kyowa Hakko in June. We maintain our Hold rating on the shares of Alnylam with a price target of $38.5.

We believe the company will continue to form major new alliances with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the coming quarters or years. As a result, we continue to expect revenue variations quarter by quarter in the foreseeable future as collaboration is the major source of the company s total revenue.

We are comfortable with the companyÂ’s current cash position, which relieves us from the concern about its cash burn rate. We think the financial results had only limited impact on the companyÂ’s share price as investors are more focused on new major alliance establishment and the companyÂ’s pipeline advancement.

Read the full analyst report on ALNY

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

Barron’s Analyst Recommends Auxilium Pharmaceuticals

CEO Blogger — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:09:50 +0000

Barron’s Analyst Mark Veverka likes Auxilium: A rub-on gel for boosting tA rub-on gel for boosting testosterone is reason enough to buy this biotech. But it’s adding even more muscle. a. The Pennsylvania-based biotech concern (ticker: AUXL) is the maker of Testim, a testosterone-based gel designed to help men lead longer, more energetic lives. In fact, [...]

ICON Plc

Michael Vodicka — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

ICON Plc's (ICLR) share price has been steadily climbing higher for most of 2008, producing excellent returns in a very challenging environment. The company's second-quarter results were ahead of analyst estimates for the fourth time in the last four quarters, providing additional fundamental strength to drive shares higher.

ICON Plc offers clinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the United States and Europe. The company was founded in 1990, has a market cap of $2.44 billion and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Second-Quarter Results

Shares of ICLR have extended their gains after the company reported excellent second-quarter results on July 22.

Revenue was up 49% from last year to $218 million. Net income totaled $18.8 million, up from $13.3 million in the same period last year. This produced earnings of 62 cents per share, ahead of analyst estimates by three cents.

A History of Surprising

This company has established a pattern of surprising and beating analyst estimates, having done so over the last four quarters by an average of 3 cents, or 5.25%.

Guidance Raised

After the solid performance ICON raised its 2008 earnings and revenue forecast. The company now expects earnings to fall between $2.46 and $2.52 per share, and revenue between $870 and $890 million. Analysts are projecting 27% earnings growth in 2009, with the next-year estimate pegged at $3.20 per share.

Valuations

With shares trading above $80, this is not a cheap stock. Based upon the current-year estimate its forward P/E multiple is 32X, a big premium to the overall market. It is an indication that investors are expecting strong earnings from the company and pricing anticipated future growth into its share price.

The Chart

ICLR shares have had an awesome year, delivering steady gains as its stock price has climbed from less than $60 to the recent high above $83. This also happens to be a new 52-week and all-time high. This high is once again under pressure, take a look at the chart below.

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

Barron’s Analyst Recommends Cephalon

CEO Blogger — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:28:39 +0000

Barron’s analyst Johanna Bennett sees Cephalon rising: a. In an environment that has thwarted many drug makers’ attempts to introduce new products, Cephalon has launched two new drugs that could help reverse last year’s falling profits. And it aims to launch a third drug in 2009. b. Cephalon’s multiple still looks cheap, offering backers the opportunity for [...]

Daily Wealth’s Editor Recommends Biotechs NOW

CEO Blogger — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:06:03 +0000

“The average biotech bull market has been good for 566% gains in under three years.” says Dr. Steve Sjuggerud. In Daily Wealth, he adds, “Biotech looks incredibly bullish right now.” “Biotech giant Genentech shot up as big pharmaceutical company Roche offered to buy it out completely. “If $100 billion Genentech can sell to a ‘Big Pharma’ company, [...]

Advisors Asset Management Top Stock Picks

CEO Blogger — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:56:31 +0000

Looking for promising investments? Eugene Peroni thinks you’ll find them in fields where earnings are growing. “We still like infrastructure,” the senior vice president of Advisors Asset Management told CNBC. “We like the health care group, especially the biotechs and medical and surgical supply.” “I do think that energy has not broken…that energy is still [...]

Business Week’s Gene Marcial Recommends Clinical Data

CEO Blogger — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:46:27 +0000

Gene Marcial, Business Week’s investing guru sees an opportunity in Clinical Data: a. In the mystifying world of biotechnology, investors need a combination of extraordinary patience, iron insides, and sharp stock-picking skills. b. Activist billionaire investor Randal J. Kirk’s recent recent discovery is Clinical Data (he owns 44%), which has developed a possible blockbuster antidepressant drug, along [...]

Daily Wealth Editor Says NOW is the Time to BUY BIOTECHS

CEO Blogger — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:09:07 +0000

Via Stock Advisors: “The average biotech bull market has been good for 566% gains in under three years.” says Dr. Steve Sjuggerud. In Daily Wealth, he adds, “Biotech looks incredibly bullish right now.” “Biotech giant Genentech shot up as big pharmaceutical company Roche offered to buy it out completely. “If $100 billion Genentech can sell [...]

Ticker Tape Digest Editor Recommends Celgene

CEO Blogger — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:24:48 +0000

Biotechnology player Celgene is a new buy from Leo Fasciocco, editor of Ticker Tape Digest, which focuses on stocks that are breaking out from technical bases: “CELG has broken out from a 3-month flat base and has moved into position to make an all-time high. It just needs to hurdle 75.44. The stock has been one [...]

Elan Corp & Biogen Idec Getting Slammed!

Daniel Shepard — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:20:21 +0000

The shares of pharmaceutical/biotech companies Elan (ELN) and Biogen Idec (BIIB) are getting severely punished in trading today, after the companies filed an SEC report which showed that two patients taking their drug TYSABRI, came down with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare inflammatory disorder that causes damage to the material that covers nerves. [...]

Abviva, Inc. (AVVA.OB) is “One to Watch”

QualityStocks — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:58:45 +0000

Abviva, Inc. (AVVA.OB), a biomedical company that specializes in the development and commercialization of diagnostic and therapeutic products from mammastatin, a growth-regulatory protein that inhibits breast cancer cell growth, was recently noted as a stock to watch. Abviva’s research focuses on developing innovative breast cancer diagnostic and therapeutic products that can benefit individuals throughout the [...]

More Biotech M&A: Bristol-Myers Offers $60 Per Share in Cash for ImClone Systems

Mike Havrilla — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:02:00 +0000

Shares of ImClone Systems (IMCL) are skyrocketing in pre-market action, trading up over 40% to around $66 per share on word of a $60 per share all-cash buyout offer by Bristol-Myers (BMY), which is its partner for EGFR cancer therapy Erbitux. The market is anticipating a higher bid for ImClone as it is trading about [...]

How I Deal With A Market That Does Not Reward Trend Following

Joshua Hayes — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:50:52 +0000

I definitely, first off, do NOT watch CNBC. This should be the last thing all of you newer investors should do. A lot of people that watch CNBC tell me that they do not have enough time to read Investors Business Daily and instead find it easier to listen to the raving madness of Cramer. [...]

Wyeth & Elan Shares Tank After Alzheimer’s Presentation

Daniel Shepard — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:00:59 +0000

The risks inherent in investing in biotech stocks will be front and center today. Shares of Elan Corp plc (ELN), an Irish based biotech company, and U.S. based Wyeth (WYE) were severely battered in after hours trading yesterday, after the companies made a presentation for an Alzheimer’s drug that they are developing, at The Alzheimer’s [...]

Bio-Imaging Technologies, Inc. (BITI) Beats Second Quarter Estimates, Raises Guidance

QualityStocks — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:52:17 +0000

Bio-Imaging Technologies, Inc. (BITI) is a contract healthcare service organization that provides support to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries during clinical trial processes. Bio-Imaging reported second quarter results this morning that surpassed analysts’ estimates. Revenues were $19.3 million, an increase of 65% year over year and higher than consensus of $17.3 [...]

Follow Through Day Hits The Indexes On Day 10; Remember, No Bull Market Has Ever Started Without A FTD. But Not All FTD Leads To A New Bull Market

Joshua Hayes — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:03:37 +0000

This is one of those terms (FTD) that throw people for a loop when they here it. Most think that it means it is automatically time to go into the markets buying stocks. However, a FTD has to be accompanied by a few things to be a real FTD for me. First the selloff must [...]

Finding Great Chinese Real Estate Investments!

Tony Sagami — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:30:00 +0000

In 12 days, I will be stepping off a Hainan Airlines flight at the new Beijing International Airport and setting out to investigate some investment ideas. I'm particularly excited about two real ...

Insmed Inc. (INSM) Appoints New VP to Guide the Company through Research and Development

QualityStocks — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:47:36 +0000

Insmed Inc. (Nasdaq: INSM) develops follow-on biologics for the competitive biopharmaceuticals market. To continue strengthening its position in the industry, the company relies on its proprietary protein platform and a seasoned management team. The company today announced Jim Miller, Ph.D., as vice president of Process Development, a role in which Dr. Miller will help develop [...]

Business Week’s Gene Marcial’s Top Stock Picks 8/4/08 Issue

CEO Blogger — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:10:42 +0000

Business Week’s Gene Marcial, Inside Wall Street columnist, stock picks in 8/4 issue: 1. BlackRock, the largest publicly traded U.S. asset manager a. Better-than-expected second-quarter results gave stock a boost. “It may well have risen to a level from which BlackRock could gain further upside momentum,” says Michael Hecht of Banc of America Securities (BAC). b. Merrill Lynch [...]

Equities Can’t Get a CLUe

Condor Options — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Ok, stupid pun. But the August crude futures contract (CLU8) is down another $2 today (about 1.6%), and the market indexes don’t seem to care that much. While the NDX(QQQQ) and RUT(IWM) are up about 1%, SPX(SPY) and DJIA(DIA) are only modestly higher. A small rally this morning faded pretty quickly, and we wouldn’t be [...]

Oil Stocks Selling Off And A Decent Bear Market Will Lead To A Much Better And Easier Chance To Make More Money Later On; It Is Hard Now, But It Will Not Be Forever

Joshua Hayes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:59:59 +0000

Despite the fact that I have not been doing much the past week-plus thanks to Doctors orders to stay off my feet, there has been one event that has happened that makes me very happy, yet sad. Oil stocks coming off their highs on huge volume signals that we might have seen the top for [...]

Oil Stocks Selling Off And A Decent Bear Market Will Lead To A Much Better And Easier Chance To Make More Money Later On; It Is Hard Now, But It Will Not Be Forever

Joshua Hayes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:59:59 +0000

Top Biotech Stock Picks

CEO Blogger — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:26:29 +0000

Christopher Raymond, biotech analyst at Robert W. Baird, picked his top 3 stocks in a CNBC interview; he says Biotech doesnt have growth issues like Big Pharma and mid-caps are prime takeover candidates: a. BioMarin Pharmaceuticals- small company with strong growth and takeover target b. Human Genome c. Genzyme Track Robert W. Baird Analysts picks at: http://trackthepros.com/categories.php?category_id=697 Jason Zhang, Sr. Biotech [...]

Amgen Inc Up to Earnings

Steve Patterson — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:54:00 +0000

Amgen Inc (AMGN) is looking very attractive heading into earnings with the additional good news of Nplate being approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Start of a Biotech Buying Binge?

Mike Havrilla — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:43:00 +0000

Is Roche’s (RHHBY) bid to acquire the remaining 44% of Genentech (DNA) it does not already own for $44 billion ($89 per share) the start of widespread consolidation in the industry? The chart above compares the S&P 500 Index versus four popular biotech exchange-traded funds [ETFs], which have all outperformed the [...]

Switzerland’s Roche Makes $43.7 Billion Offer for U.S. Biotech Pioneer Genentech

Money Morning — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:21:25 +0000

By Jennifer Yousfi Managing Editor Roche Holding Ltd. (OTC ADR: RHHBY) today (Monday) announced a $43.7 billion offer for the remaining 44% minority stake of Genentech Inc.... Money Morning is here to help investors profit handsomely on this seism...

Biogen-Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB): Upgraded to Buy at Merrill Lynch

Notable Calls — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:24:00 +0000

Merrill Lynch upgrades Biogen-Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB) to Buy from Underperform based on their assessment of the company’s earnings growth potential, an improved outlook in the multiple sclerosis (MS) market, and a diversified mid to late-stage pipeline. Applying an average biotech P/E of 19x 2009E EPS (implied PEG of 1.0) they believe BIIB is significantly undervalued given expected growth, driven by acceleration of Tysabri usage in MS and the recent launch in Crohn’s. Key near-term driversinclude better-than-expected Q2 earnings and a Tysabri/PML update, which they believe is likely to be favorable. Additionally, with a 9% price increase for Avonex and 3% for Tysabri at the end of Q2, we expect the company to raise guidance for FY 2008. Firm believes the Street has largely ignored BIIB’s fundamentals given the PML overhang and activist movements. These fundamentals continue to improve, making BIIB an attractive large-cap pick in H2 2008.

NDC sales data suggests that Tysabri sales are tracking above estimates, likely reflecting the recent Crohn’s disease launch (March) and increased clinician comfort with Tysabri usage in MS. Merrill expects Avonex sales at least in-line with expectations. Given the recent price increases for Avonex (9%) and Tysabri (3%), they anticipate continued revenue strength and upward guidance revision.

Biogen will provide a 2-year update for Tysabri either prior to the earnings call or on the call. Given the lack of negative press, the firm believes this update will be favorable, with a significant number of patients from the clinical trials exceeding 2- years of exposure. This is an important milestone, and a favorable report is likely to increase physician comfort with Tysabri usage.

Price tgt is upped to $79 frm $64.

Notablecalls: In light on Genentech's (DNA) buyout offer from Roche, I think this BIIB upgrade will have legs. I expect to see at least a 5% upside move in BIIB today.

Rockwell Medical Looks to Emerge from Under the Radar of Biotech Investors

Mike Havrilla — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:53:00 +0000

Rockwell Medical Technologies (Nasdaq: RMTI) 1-Year Chart Last December, Rockwell Medical Technologies (RMTI) received approval from the FDA to begin a NIH-sponsored clinical trial of its innovative, water soluble iron replacement therapy for dialysis patients called SFP for short (Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate). The study will examine whether Rockwell’s SFP is able [...]

Generic Drug Industry Consolidation Is Underway

Mike Havrilla — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:54:00 +0000

The long overdue consolidation in the generic drug industry appears to be in full swing based on about $15 billion in deals announced recently. Teva Pharma (TEVA) is the largest public company in the generic drug industry with a $34.8 billion market ca...

Israel Ingenuity: Anat Segal, Xenia Venture Capital

Zack Miller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:43:48 +0000

The entire interview with Xenia’s Anat Segal is part of our new subscription newsletter, Israel Opportunity Investor. You can find out more about the product and the opportunities we cover at www.israelnewsletter.com. ************************************************* Please tell us about Xenia? Anat Segal, CEO: Xenia is an investment firm founded in mid-2003 by a group of entrepreneurs with the vision of [...]

Massive Earnings Thursday

Trader Mark — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:15:00 +0000

It appears that the pattern for the next few weeks is light earnings periods on Mondays, nearly non existent Fridays (except this week) and jam packed Tuesdays-Thursdays, especially the Thursdays.Before we go forward let's look back at names we highlig...

Franklin Flex Cap Growth Fund Top Stock Picks

CEO Blogger — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:31:19 +0000

In a Barron’s interview, Conrad Herrmann, the Franklin Flex Cap Growth fund’s portfolio manager, who has been at the helm since 1993 and under his watch the fund has sported an impressive record and earned a four-star rating from Morningstar, sees a possible bottom for the tech sector, and believes a number of health-care stocks [...]

Warburg Pincus Takes 5%+ Stake in WuXi PharmaTech (WX)

Trader Mark — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:22:00 +0000

One thing we want to look for today are pieces of green in a sea of red; aside from gold there is very little. One name poking it's head above water is WuXi PharmaTech (WX) - which is a name I've been mentioning as showing some good relative strength ...

A Pfat Yield At Pfizer

Mike Havrilla — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) 1-Year ChartWith a dividend yield hovering around 7% and a recent deal with Indian generic drug maker Ranbaxy to delay a copycat version of the world’s best selling drug Lipitor (with $12.7 billion in 2007 sales) for over one year ...

News from the Blogosphere

Declan Fallon — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:36:00 +0000

CXO Advisory reports mutual fund investors can better their odds of beating the benchmarks by buying funds with expense ratios that are lowest within category.No shortage of Fannie and Freddie news. Why you don't want to be short Fannie and Freddie.And...

ETF Update: Is it the Season for Biotech?

Jeffrey Miller — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:31:00 +0000

The main theme for this week continues to be playing defense -- continued strength in the inverse index ETF's and gold. Market sentiment has deteriorated further, and there is, of yet, no good signal of a bottom. The model did...

Calendar of July FDA Decisions

Mike Havrilla — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Sciele Pharma (SCRX) - 7/15/08LARx (head lice product) NDADifferent mode of action versus current neurotoxic lice killersTheravance (THRX) - 7/21/08Telavancin NDAA good chance for a second approvable letter due to outstanding issues with trial conduct ...

Bioheart, Inc (BHRT) Secures Worldwide Distribution Rights for Bioheart 3370

QualityStocks — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:04:46 +0000

Bioheart, Inc is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and, subject to regulatory approval, commercialization of autologous cell therapies for the treatment of chronic and acute heart damage. Their lead product candidate is MyoCell®, a clinical therapy designed to populate regions of scar tissue within a patient’s heart with autologous muscle cells, [...]

Market is Myopic on YM BioSciences

Mike Havrilla — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:17:00 +0000

A 6-Page Stock Profile for YMI is Now Available to View or Download as a PDF at www.geocities.com/mikehavrx/YMI.pdf While the market is focused on just the pending colorectal cancer trial data; it ignores several major points on YM BioSciences:(1) the ...

Micro-Cap Stock Screener: Five Stocks Near or Below Net Cash

Mike Havrilla — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:26:00 +0000

The following micro-cap stock screener highlights four technology and one biotech company which are all trading near or even below their net cash level:

Another Micro-Cap Biotech Buyout

Mike Havrilla — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:03:00 +0000

SGX Pharma (Nasdaq: SGXP) 6-Month Chart Shares of SGX Pharma (SGXP) soared after hours Tuesday on news of an all-cash $64 million buyout from Eli Lilly (LLY). The buyout represented a premium of more than 100% at $3 per share for SGX, which is being ac...

EXACT Sciences: Buyout, Licensing Deal(s), or Dilutive Financing?

Mike Havrilla — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:31:00 +0000

EXACT Sciences (Nasdaq: EXAS) 1-Year ChartI have capitulated on EXACT Sciences (EXAS) today, selling out of my position as the consistent lack of any bid for the stock seems to portend a negative event such as a dilutive financing is in the offing. Whi...

YM BioSciences: An Update From Collins Stewart Growth Conference Presentation

Mike Havrilla — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:43:00 +0000

YM BioSciences (AMEX: YMI) 1-Year ChartThe Chairman and CEO of Canadian biotech YM BioSciences (YMI), David Allan, presented yesterday at the Collins Stewart Fourth Annual Growth Conference, which provided investors with an overview and update on the p...

Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. (ONCY) is One to Watch

QualityStocks — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:34:13 +0000

Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. (TSX: ONC NASDAQ: ONCY) engages in the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of a wide variety of human cancers. Founded in 1998 in Alberta, Canada, the company was initially formed to research the oncolytic capability of the reovirus, a virus that preferentially replicates in cells with an [...]

PulmoBioTech, Inc. (PLMO.OB) Introduces New Molecular Imaging Agent

QualityStocks — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:25:48 +0000

In the field of nuclear medicine, it is necessary to perfect non-invasive diagnostic methods, and PulmoBioTech is contributing greatly to this need. The company recently announced the completion of bio-distribution studies concerning its PulmoBind molecular imaging agent. The process of imaging on a cellular level requires the use of specialized molecules which are chemically engineered [...]

Pulmo BioTech Inc. (PLMO.OB) Completes DFH-12 Studies

QualityStocks — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:01:16 +0000

Pulmo BioTech Incorporated announced this week that its subsidiary, PulmoScience Incorporated, has completed the bio-distribution studies on its DFH-12 product candidate for the PulmoBind technology of molecular imaging of the lung’s vascular system. The completion of this study is a milestone for the company, proving the success of their molecule, code named DFH-12, and its [...]

OmniComm Systems, Inc. (OMCM.OB) Has Another Record Breaking Quarter

QualityStocks — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:33:40 +0000

For the third straight quarter in a row, OmniComm Systems, a leader in integrated electronic data capture solutions for clinical trials, is reporting another landmark quarter for new business. The company has surpassed its previous best quarter and signed contracts through the first two quarters of 2008 totaling almost $12 million, which surpass all of [...]

Unigene Labs Inc. (UGNE.OB) Breaks Ground on New Biotechnology Plant, Eye’s Chinese Peptide Market

QualityStocks — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:57:08 +0000

Having a “white knight” hanging around to give your company a nice infusion of cash is always a nice incentive to taking a bit of a risk. New market entry is always a bit of a risk, even if you have an established product to enter that market with. Not being 100% sure of how [...]

Positive Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PVCT.OB) Drug

QualityStocks — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:13:15 +0000

Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PVCT.OB) is a Tennessee-based development stage pharmaceutical company that specializes in oncology and dermatology therapies. Complementing the company’s lineup of proprietary drugs, Provectus has developed a number of intellectual properties and technologies in the areas of imaging, medical devices, and biotechnology. In the biotechnology area, the company has developed groundbreaking technology to [...]

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA) – A Stock Domain Experts Should Watch

QualityStocks — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:58:26 +0000

It takes decades for the average person to understand clinical trials. People who are not from the pharmaceutical sciences find it especially hard to know whether a new drug will meet regulatory standards. This can lead to stock prices that do not reflect business prospects squarely. Conservatism pays in the Biotechnology & Drugs Sector. The best [...]

Silver Prices Ready to Rocket; Four Reasons Why and Two Ways to Buy

Money Morning — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:41:55 +0000

By Mike Caggeso Associate Editor Silver prices have vaulted an extraordinary 106% in the past two and a half years. More impressive, silver prices have gained 33% since mid December. Now,... Money Morning is here to help investors profit hands...

Pulmo BioTech Inc. (PLMO.OB) Recently Announced Potential MRI Applications for PulmoBind

QualityStocks — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:35:32 +0000

Pulmo BioTech Inc. is a venture capital company focused solely on medical research, development and marketing. They are dedicated to bringing revolutionary new medical techniques and technologies to those in need of medical solutions. Recently, Pulmo BioTech announced the possibility of a new application for its PulmoBind molecular imaging technology. Pulmo believes that there are several [...]

Trinity Biotech PLC (TRIB) Diagnosing the Market and Innovating

QualityStocks — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:12:54 +0000

With headquarters in Bray, Ireland, Trinity Biotech PLC is a company specializing in the development, manufacture, and marketing of clinical diagnostic test kits. Founded in 1992, the company lists on the NASDAQ with a current market capitalization of $73.49M. They market diagnostic systems, including reagents and instrumentation, for the point-of-care and clinical laboratory segments of [...]

A Pair of Biotech Blow-Ups

Mike Havrilla — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Vanda Pharma (VNDA) and Titan Pharma (TTP) are a pair of biotech blow-ups which investors should avoid ahead of a July 27, 2008, PDUFA decision date for anti-psychotic drug Fanapta (iloperidone). Both stocks have lost about two-thirds of their market v...

Discovery Labs Drifting Lower

Mike Havrilla — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:43:00 +0000

Shares of Discovery Labs (DSCO) have been drifting lower in recent trading and now are at the $1.55 level, which is a nice entry point for a long position for speculative biotech investors. Since meeting with the FDA in mid-June, DSCO has trended lower...

Cashing in on Commodities: Three Ways to Profit From Record Meat and Dairy Prices

Money Morning — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:03:57 +0000

Editor’s Note: This is the eighth installment of a new Money Morning series highlighting investment opportunities in the global bull market for commodities. By Jennifer Yousfi Managing... Money Morning is here to help investors profit handsome...

Dutton Associates Featured Company: Sinovac Biotech Ltd (AMEX: SVC)

QualityStocks — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:09:22 +0000

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (also known in China as Beijing Kexing Bioproducts) has a mission to supply vaccines to eliminate human diseases. The Chinese-based company specializes in the research, development, commercialization, and sales of human vaccines intended to treat infectious illnesses such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza and “SARS”. Working closely with [...]

Dutton Associates Featured Company: Sinobiomed Inc. (SOBM.OB)

QualityStocks — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:07:06 +0000

Sinobiomed Inc. is a leading Chinese developer of genetically engineered recombinant protein drugs and vaccines. Based in Shanghai, Sinobiomed currently has 10 products approved or in development: three on the market, one awaiting approval, four in clinical trials and three in research and development. The company’s products treat a wide range of diseases and conditions, [...]

Barron’s Analyst Recommends Amgen- Thinks it is CHEAP

CEO Blogger — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:19:46 +0000

Barron’s analyst/reporter Johanna Bennett highlighted Amgen in today’s online edition; the once high-flying biotech stock”looks like a buy” based on its value, not its earnings growth: a. The biotech giant is on the mend, thanks to promising new drugs and a cost-cutting campaign. b. Yet, shares have plunged 44% off a record high in September of 2005, [...]

Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) CFO Sends Update on Company’s Progress

QualityStocks — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:20:15 +0000

During the William Blair 28th Annual Growth Stock Conference in Chicago, the CFO of Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) Frank Karbe, presented Thursday on the company’s corporate relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, recent company funding, and other company news. Exelixis, Inc. is a developmental stage biotechnology company that has dedicated their efforts to the discovery [...]

“Frankenfoods” Gain Greater Acceptance as Food Prices Skyrocket

Money Morning — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:35:41 +0000

By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor For more than a decade, European policymakers have spurned genetically modified crops, but these so-called Frankenfoods are beginning to look more and more... Money Morning is here to help investors profit handso...

Barron’s talks up Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX)

Stockmasters Staff — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:25:31 +0000

The Masters haven't mentioned Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ONXX) in a long time, since our 100%+ gain with our Master Picks Newsletter. Barron's is jumping on the bandwagon now that shares are down to $33. Can Nexavar, Onyx's cancer drug take the company and stock back into the spotlight?

Barron’s Analyst Sees Onyx Pharmaceuticals Doubling

CEO Blogger — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:49:18 +0000

Rhonda Bramer, analyst/report with Barron’s, highlighted Onyx Pharmaceuticals in this week’s issue and suggests it has the ability to double: a. Biotechs, of course, tend to be a volatile lot. But what sets Onyx apart from all but a handful of its rivals is the distinction of having actually brought a new oncology drug to market. [...]

EntreMed Inc. (ENMD) Announces Seasoned VP to Assist in Business Development Initiatives

QualityStocks — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:26:32 +0000

EntreMed Inc. (Nasdaq: ENMD) is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutic pharmaceutical candidates to treat cancer and inflammation. To reach its goals, the company must maintain an experienced and aggressive management team. EntreMed today announced Thomas H. Bliss will serve as the company’s senior vice president of corporate and business development. “It [...]

Baby Teeth, Stem Cells, and Stocks

Fred Fuld — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:50:00 +0000

What do baby teeth, stem cells and stocks have in common? The National Institute of Health has discovered that strong stem cells can be found in baby teeth, and there are stocks of several companies involved in stem cell research. Last month, a dental practice management company in Houston announced that they will offer a service of storing stem cells from baby teeth. Extensive research is being done to utilize stem cells for gene therapy and the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and many other medical conditions.

Another source of stem cells is cord blood, the blood from an umbilical cord. The saving and storing of cord blood has become a fast growing business. Richard Branson, founder and head of Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways, set up a cord blood bank. Even Stem Cell Bonds were issued by the state of California last year.

Here are several stocks which are pure plays or semi-pure plays in the stem cell business. All but one of these have market caps over $300 million.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) is a Connecticut based company with a $2.4 billion market cap that is involved in the development of biologic therapeutic products for the treatment of hematologic and cardiovascular disorders, auto-immune diseases, and cancer. The stock has a forward PE of 49.6.

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (ARIA) is a Massachusetts based company, with a $179 million market cap, that is involved in the development of treatments for cancer by using small molecules to regulate cell signaling. Their cancer products are used to treat solid tumors, sarcomas, hormone refractory prostate cancer, and endometrial cancer. The stock has generated negative earnings of 88 cents per share. It is a low cap stock and should be considered speculative.

Celera Group (CRA) is a New York Stock Exchange company that was founded in 1937. It is involved in the research of new diagnostic markers, using proprietary genomics and proteomics discovery procedures and diagnostic products. Some of their products are used for the detection of HIV, hepatitis C, and cystic fibrosis .They are in collaboration with Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Genentech (DNA), and General Electric (GE). The stock has a forward P/E of 92, and a PEG of 42.8.

Cellgene (CELG) is a New Jersey company involved in the discovery and production, of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory-related diseases. One of their main products is Thalomid, which is used for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum, a complication of leprosy. Last year, the company received patent on placental stem cell recovery. The stock has a forward P/E of 26, and a PEG of 0.98.

Dendreon Corporation (DNDN) This $650 million market cap company is involved in the discovery, development, and sales of active immunotherapies, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecule product candidates to treat cancer. They also manufacture the DACSÒSC stem cell enrichment device. The stock has had negative earnings of 1.06 per share.

Geron (GERN) is a Menlo Park, California based $310 million market cap company which develops cell-based therapies derived from human embryonic stem cells used for the treatment of various diseases and medical conditions such as spinal cord damage, heart failure, and diabetes. The stock has had negative earnings of 76 cents per share.

Integra Lifesciences Holdings (IART) is a New Jersey based $1.2 billion market cap company that develops, manufactures, and sells medical devices, implants, biomaterials, and instruments to the stem cell, surgery, and soft tissue repair markets. Their P/E is 40, and the PEG is 1.01.

Invitrogen Corporation (IVGN) is a California based $3.3 billion market cap company which sells products and services to research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies, including tools for gene acquisition, gene cloning, and gene analysis techniques. The stock has a P/E of 21, and a PEG of 1.24.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com

One Trade, Two Winners

Jeffrey Miller — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:50:33 +0000

For every stock trade there is a buyer and a seller. Depending upon what happens, there is also a winner and a loser. Is that the whole story? Background Occasionally the Old Prof accepts a gig as an expert witness...

Pacific Biometrics Inc. (PBME.OB) Laboratory and Research Services are Aiding Health Research

QualityStocks — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:55:22 +0000

Pacific Biometrics Inc. is an applied research company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1989, the company provides specialized central laboratory and contract research services. They offer these services to support pharmaceutical and diagnostic manufacturers who conduct human clinical trials. As part of the Medical Laboratories and Research Industry, the company serves some of the largest [...]

Inescapable Oil

Condor Options — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:00:58 +0000

For mental health reasons, we hardly ever watch CNBC anymore. But glancing at it this afternoon, at one point we saw three separate live graphics displaying the price of crude oil. So much screen space was taken up by live oil trackers, there wasn’t enough space left to show the chart of whatever [...]

Gene Marcial’s Business Week Stock Picks for Week Ending 6/13/08

CEO Blogger — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:12:42 +0000

Gene Marcial, Business Week’s Stock Picking Guru Recommended the Following Stocks for the Week Ending 6/13/08: 1. Genentech (DNA) a. some pros predict biotechs will be next in line to rally. b. Genentech presented favorable new data on its products. Pipeline, with 15 compounds set to come out in two years and 30 within five. c. Genentech plans [...]

Monsanto (MON) Plans to Double Grain Yields by 2030; Some have Doubts

Trader Mark — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Monsanto (MON) is a name I've had on the radar a long while, as part of the global agriculture boom. [Oct 9: Looking Ahead to Monsanto] It has always been deemed 'expensive' but frankly due to it's scarcity value (only one relative true peer in Synge...

How To Use ETFs In Your Portfolio

Michael Michaud — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:08:00 +0000

By Investopedia.com

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are an investing innovation that combines the best features of index mutual funds with the trading flexibility of individual securities. ETFs offer diversification, low expense ratios and tax efficiency in a flexible investment that can be adapted to suit a multitude of objectives. (To learn more about the features and benefits that ETFs offer, see Advantages of Exchange-Traded Funds.) To reap the true benefit of investing in ETFs you need to use them strategically.

At the most basic level, ETFs can be used as part of both long-term and short-term investment strategies. Their low expense ratios and high trading flexibility make them attractive alternatives to traditional mutual funds.

Index Investing

From a strategic standpoint, the first and most obvious use of ETFs is as a tool to invest in broad-market indexes. On the equity side, there are ETFs that mirror the S&P 500, the Nasdaq 100, the Dow Industrials and just about every other major market index. On the fixed-income front, there are ETFs that track a variety of long-term and short-term bond indexes including the Lehman 1-to-3 Year Treasury, the Lehman 20-Year Treasury and the Lehman Aggregate Bond Index. (Again, if you are not familiar with the broad range of market index coverage that ETFs offer, see Advantages of Exchange-Traded Funds for more information.)

Using ETFs to cover the major market sectors, you can quickly and easily assemble a low-cost, broadly diversified index portfolio. With just two or three ETFs, you can create a portfolio that covers nearly the entire equity market and a large portion of the fixed-income market. Once the trades are complete, you can simply stick to a buy-and-hold strategy as you would with any other index product, and your portfolio will move in tandem with its benchmark.

Actively Managing a Longer-Term Portfolio

In a similar fashion, you can create a broadly diversified portfolio but choose a more active-management strategy instead of simply buying and holding to track the major indexes (which is passive management). While the ETFs themselves are index funds (meaning there is no active management on the part of the money manager overseeing the portfolio), this doesn't stop investors from actively managing their holdings. For example, say you believe that short-term bonds are set for a meteoric rise; you could sell your position(s) in the broader bond market and instead buy an ETF that specializes in short-term issues. (You could do the same for your expectations for equities.)

Of course, the major market indexes represent only a portion of the many investment opportunities that ETFs provide. If your core portfolio is already in place, you can augment your core holdings with more specialized ETFs, which provide entry into a wide array of small-cap, sector, commodity, international, emerging-market and other investing opportunities. There are ETFs that track indexes in just about every area, including biotechnology, healthcare, REITs, gold, Japan, Spain and more. (For more information about the many varieties of ETFs, read Introduction to Exchange-Traded Funds.) By adding small positions in these niche holdings to your asset allocation, you add a more aggressive supplement to your portfolio. Once again, you can buy and hold to create a long-term portfolio, but you can use more active trading techniques too. For example, if you think REITS are poised to take a tumble and gold is set to rise, you can trade out of your REIT position and into gold in a matter of moments at any time during the trading day.

Active Trading

If actively managing a long-term portfolio isn't spicy enough for your tastes, ETFs may still be the right flavor for your palette. While long-term investors might eschew active- and day-trading strategies, ETFs are the perfect vehicle if you are looking for a way to move frequently into and out of an entire market or a particular market niche. Since ETFs trade intraday, like stocks or bonds, they can be bought and sold rapidly in response to market movements, and unlike many mutual funds, ETFs impose no penalties when you sell them without holding them for a set period of time.

While it is true that you must pay a commission each time you trade ETFs, if you are aware of this cost and the dollar value of your trade is high enough, the commission cost is nominal. Consider, for example, a $10 commission on a $10,000 trade. At .1%, the cost is hardly worth mentioning.

Also, since they trade intraday, ETFs can be bought long or sold short, used in hedge strategies and bought on margin. If you can think of a strategy that can be implemented with a stock or bond, that strategy can be applied with an ETF - but instead of trading the stock or bond issued by a single company, you are trading an entire market or market segment.

Wrap Investing

For investors who prefer fee-based investments as opposed to commission-based trading, ETFs are also part of various wrap programs. While ETF wrap products are still in their infancy, it's a safe bet that more are coming soon.

Conclusion

Overall, ETFs are convenient, cost efficient, tax efficient and flexible. They are easy to understand and easy to use, and they are gaining in popularity at such a rapid pace that some experts anticipate that they will one day surpass the popularity of mutual funds. If ETFs haven't found a place in your portfolio yet, there is a pretty good chance that they will in the future.

Click here to review more information on Exchange Traded Funds, and the ETF Home Study Course.

Good day, and good investing trading ETF's for lower risk and higher returns.

TapImmune, Inc. (TPIM.OB) Lead Product Receives Medical Attention

QualityStocks — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:20:16 +0000

TapImmune, Inc. (OTCBB: TPIM) announced that their TAP incorporated vaccine for the treatment of cancer was recently reviewed by a third party research article in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, which confirmed that the company’s vaccine should be considered as a therapy for cancer. The article, entitled, “Restoration of the Expression of Transporters Associate [...]

Dutton Associates Featured Company: Viral Genetics Inc. (VRAL.PK)

QualityStocks — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:53:19 +0000

Viral Genetics Inc. is a biotechnology company with a focus on protein-based therapeutic and diagnostic products with applications in infectious disease, autoimmune conditions, and immunological deficiency. The company and its management team are key players in the fight against HIV/AIDS, infectious disease, and autoimmune deficiency. Viral Genetics has been working since 1995 to find a [...]

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LXRX) Awarded Fast Track Designation for Development of Carcinoid Syndrome Treatment

QualityStocks — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:54:49 +0000

According to the American Cancer Society, about 11,000 to 12,000 neuroendocrine tumors and neuroendocrine cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. Carcinoid syndrome is a result of these tumors, which secret large amounts of serotonin that can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. There are limited therapeutic options, and the gastrointestinal symptoms usually [...]

Shares of Kosan Biosciences, Inc. (KOSN) Surge on Agreement to be Acquired by Bristol-Myers for $5.50 per Share

QualityStocks — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:11:14 +0000

Shares of Kosan Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: KOSN), a biotechnology company and drug developer that focuses on the genetic manipulation of polyketides, which are used in antibiotics and anticancer drugs, more than tripled recently on the announcement of the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb [...]

Yawning About Oil

Condor Options — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:38:58 +0000

Maybe it’s just us, but markets seem really boring and indecisive this week. There’s not much to talk about unless you want to talk oil or bonds. We’re beyond sick of hearing and talking about oil (though we’re dipping a toe into some short positions here), and although bonds are always more exciting [...]

CNBC Bonus Bucks Trivia: In the story “Hogan’s Heroes,” Jeffries’ Art Hogan recommended which biotech stock?

William Trent — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:06:31 +0000

In the story “Hogan’s Heroes,” Jeffries’ Art Hogan recommended which biotech stock? Charles River Laboratories (CRL) “Biotech, especially pharma, outsourcing most of the R&D work that they’re doing, and Charles River’s been the leader in that; the last couple of quarters, they’ve turned the corner here.” Disclosure: At time of publication, William Trent has no financial position in [...]

The Only Three Stocks You’ll Ever Need!

Roger Nusbaum — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:27:00 +0000

Despite Flo's excitement that headline is misleading.

In posts that talk about stock picking versus all fund portfolios versus some combination of the two, comments get left opining that stock picking is difficult or risky or whatever. So for the fund investor who goes narrower than an SPY, EFA, AGG mix could they spend the time and do the work to own three stocks from themes that were especially compelling to them for which there was no sector or country product?

Sticking with three narrow themes for which I have no exposure, let's say an investor believes Cyprus (oh yeah, there's a stock market there) is the place to be, well for that person there is only one choice (that I know of); The Bank Of Cyprus (BCYPF) and it has been a pretty good proxy for the General Index of Cyprus (YTD the bank is down 28% and the index is down 29% and the charts look identical).

How about shipping stocks? A lot of people seem to like these, the story is clearly compelling (stuff's gotta get there from here) and many of them pay very large dividends. There are quite a few stocks that are in shipping one way or another but no sector fund to own.

Lastly let's say an investor thinks the plane leasing stocks are going to finally turnaround (they have been bludgeoned), there's a handful of these but no fund. Some of them capture the growth in passengers in places like India and if they can get their cash flow squared away they offer the chance for enormous dividends.

To be clear I don't own any of the three, I've tried to learn a little about them and do watch them to varying degrees.

So the question is could a fund investor reasonably learn about two or three or four disparate themes and devote 5% or maybe even 10% of the portfolio to them while putting the rest into some sort of well planned, properly diversified combo of broad-based ETFs or, if they are so inclined, sector funds (properly weighted)?

This is obviously core and explore. As far as risk of individual stocks, let's start with the premise that regardless of anyone's stock picking acumen it not difficult to discern when a stock is a lottery ticket, like a biotech whose only drug is in phase 1 or a mining company that has never actually mined anything. So that pretty much rules out a one day 75% hit to one of the three stocks.

The realistic risk from a bottoms up problem (meaning the wrong stock was selected), as opposed to a top down problem (like you buy a Chinese stock that cuts in half at the same time the market cuts in half), might be from an earnings problem which seems is usually no worse than a 20-25% hit (that is a relatively extreme reaction but of course there has been worse).

Another risk might come from something like losing out on a contract as recently happened to Boeing (BA), although the immediate impact was quite mild.

One last risk that seems to come up a few times lately (to be clear this is in no way an exhaustive list of risks) is some sort of balance sheet/accounting issue which again seems to max out at worse with a 20-25% immediate reaction.

One risk that is not very likely is fraud. If the probability of fraud is low then the probability of owning more than one fraud stock at the same time is incredibly low.

Additionally 2-3% each into three different stocks from different themes can mitigate some of the top down risk (like owning three discretionary stocks late in the cycle). Combine all of that with some sort of stop loss strategy on the three and the risk would seem to come in off the ledge a little bit.

The point of all of this is not that you should go out and buy stocks today. But if the only way into an important theme important is with a stock you should be open to the possibility of buying a stock.

Earnings Wed – Fri

Trader Mark — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:02:40 +0000

So far earnings this week have been relatively uninspiring even with the lower expectations … Intel (INTC) should dominate the mood this evening and judging from the chart it doesn’t look too promising. CSX (CSX) on the other hand looks like the global bull market in all things commodities just refuses to cease and desist. [...]

Amarillo Bioscience Launches Clinical Trial in Taiwan

Timothy Roe — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:04:23 +0000

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (OTCBB: AMAR ) a US-based biotechnology firm, announced Tuesday that the...

NovaSecta Finds Chinese Partners for Drug Discovery Solutions

Timothy Roe — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:19:27 +0000

NovaSecta, a London-based R &D service provider for smaller to mid-sized pharmaceutical and biotech ...

Merck to Establish Techology Center in Taiwan

Timothy Roe — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:08:09 +0000

Merck Ltd. (NYSE: MRK ) and Taiwan’s Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB) jointly announced to...

China’s Biotech Industry: An Asian Dragon is Growing

Timothy Roe — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:31:58 +0000

China’s health biotech industry only needs a more favourable investment climate to emerge as a globa...

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