Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:LGND) has announced that they have extended their research collaboration with Pfizer for JAK3 by one year. Both the companies had entered the research and license agreement in December 2006 with Wyeth provided for the initial three years research term. Under the extended collaboration agreement, Ligand Pharmaceuticals will receive US$3.1 million in research payments to continue the drug discovery and optimization of their lead candidate. Under the original agreement, Ligand Pharmaceutical was entitled to receive up to US$175 million as milestone payments for the successful development and commercialization of multiple products.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals is one of the growing companies that is into the discovery and development of new drugs that addresses critical unmet medical needs of patients with muscle wasting, hormone related diseases, osteoporosis, anemia, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Ligand’s drug discovery and development programs are based on advanced cell-based assays, gene expression tools and one of

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 6, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Acorda Therapeutics (ACOR) as the Bull of the Day and Canon (CAJ) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Big Lots (BIG), Wal-Mart (WMT) and Nordstrom (JWN).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5506

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Acorda Therapeutics (ACOR) is one of the more interesting biotechnology companies under our coverage. The company's key pipeline drug, Fampridine-SR, is currently under U.S. FDA review, with a decision expected in late January 2010.

Outside the U.S., Acorda has partnered with Biogen Idec under very favorable terms. Fampridine-SR has blockbuster potential worldwide in our view. Plus, the company is extremely well-capitalized with over $290 million in cash, and management has commercial experience

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Vivakor, Inc. is a biotechnology holding company with transdisciplinary research that focuses on developing and acquiring products in the fields of molecular medicine, electro-optics, biological handling and natural and formulary compounds that extend or improve life. They also provide contract research services for third parties.

The company is dedicated to advancing new ideas that improve life for the individual patient, researcher, clinician, and consumer. Vivakor’s business model is to be a research hub focused on areas that have both an identified scientific need and a substantial market opportunity.

From the commencement of product conception through development, the company targets specific commercialization strategies and expects to have collaborative partners or licensing arrangements in place for each of their products before completion. The company believes this model to offer several advantages to shareholders.

Let us hear your thoughts: Vivakor, Inc. Message Board

Reflect Scientific, Inc., a provider of energy efficient, zero emission cooling products, excitedly announced that it received the award for Most Innovative Products at Utah’s Green Business Awards in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award recognizes companies, communities and individuals in Utah who are making strides in environmental sustainability.

Reflect Scientific received recognition for its refrigeration product, Cryometrix CB-40. The patented liquid nitrogen refrigeration serves as a platform technology, and is also used in Ultra Low Temperature Freezers in biotechnology and Server Room cooling systems in the computer industry.

The product replaces the polluting diesel units that are currently used in the trucking industry. With a potential US market of 350,000 refrigerated trucks, Cryometrix would prevent the emission of millions of pounds of pollutants.

While accepting the award, Mr. Boyce, CEO of Reflect Scientific Inc, commented, “It is a real honor to share the stage with such well known companies as

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The driving philosophy of corporate America used to be based on the principle of in-house development. If it wasn’t made in-house, companies simply weren’t interested. Companies wanted things over which they had full control, and from which they could enjoy 100% of the profits. Total independence. Total control. If a good idea came along that wasn’t developed in-house, the temptation was to find some way to tweak it and claim that it was developed in-house.

All of this led to some pretty nasty lawsuits. One of the best known cases, popularized in the movie Flash Of Genius, was that of Robert Kearns. Kearns was a Detroit engineer who developed the electronic intermittent windshield wiper for automobiles, getting his first patent for it in 1967. When he failed to get the major automakers to buy his idea and then saw them come

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 28, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. (CTB) as the Bull of the Day and Citi Trends (CTRN) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Life Technologies Corporation (LIFE), MDS Analytical Technologies (MDS) and Danaher Corporation (DHR).

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:

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. (CTB) is well positioned to enjoy improved operating costs, greater geographic flexibility and the ability to penetrate international markets through its investments and facilities in low-cost countries.

The company continues to realize the benefits of reducing costs in its manufacturing operations. It has also been able to absorb the costs associated with the need to curtail production to align

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Champions Biotechnology, Inc., a leader in the development of advanced preclinical platforms and tumor-specific data to enhance and accelerate the value of oncology drugs, recently announced that the company has secured an agreement with Ortho Biotech Oncology Research & Development for the evaluation of a novel preclinical oncology therapeutic in Champions’ Biomerk Tumorgraft™ platform.

Preliminary studies show that Tumorgrafts closely reflect human cancer biology and their response to drugs is predictive of clinical outcomes in cancer patients. The company utilizes its preclinical platform to evaluate potential drugs and to create a portfolio of novel therapeutic candidates. After completing early-stage development, Champions Biotechnology intends to sell, partner or license the company’s portfolios to pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology companies.

Doug Burkett, Ph.D., president of Champions Biotechnology, Inc., stated, “We are excited to expand this ongoing collaboration in the development of innovative therapeutics in oncology. We continue to grow our customer base and revenues

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Alcon, Inc. (ACL) recently entered into an in-licensing agreement with Potentia Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biotechnology company that focuses on the development of medicines for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Alcon gained the right to develop Potentia's leading drug candidate, POT-4, for the treatment of AMD. Alcon also gained the right to acquire Potentia’s shares on the achievement of certain development milestones and if Alcon opts to continue with the development of POT-4.   Alcon will make upfront payments to Potentia for the initial license and option rights. Potentia is also entitled to receive future payments based on the achievement of several clinical and global regulatory approval milestones for different therapeutic indications and on Alcon's decision to proceed with development. Potentia will also receive royalties based on sales of any products that are approved and commercialized under this agreement.   POT-4 is a complement inhibitor, which is ...

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Consorteum Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: CSRH) announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Tactical Connections Inc. to provide various financial services to major tier one US, Canadian and European manufacturing and retail industries.

Builders FirstSource, Inc. (Nasdaq:BLDR), a leading supplier and manufacturer of structural and related building products for residential new construction in the United States, today announced a $205 million common stock rights offering and debt exchange for its outstanding Second Priority Senior Secured Floating

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Encorium Group Inc. is a full-service multinational contract research organization (CRO). They provide design, development, and management capabilities for clinical trials and patient registries. They do this for many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. Trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market, Encorium Group Inc. has offices in 10 countries, managing clinical trials with their own employees. The Company’s corporate headquarters are in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

Encorium Group, Inc. provides their services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Their corporate mission is to provide their clients with high quality, full-service support for their biopharmaceutical and medical device development programs. They offer therapeutic expertise, experienced team management, and advanced technologies.

Encorium has drug and biologics development as well as clinical trial experience across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas. These include infectious diseases, cardiovascular, vaccines, oncology, and diabetes endocrinology/metabolism. These also include gene therapy, immunology, neurology, gastroenterology, dermatology, hepatology, women’s health

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