Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CBST) reported a third-quarter net income of 65 cents per share, which was much higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents. The company’s net income was 48 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The higher profit in the quarter was primarily because of increased sales coming from all the segments. Revenues in the quarter increased 28% to $143.5 million. U.S. product revenues increased 26.1% to $137.66 million in the quarter. Cubist recorded international product revenues of $3.93 million as against $1.43 million last year. Service revenues came in at $1.50 million from $1.42 million, and other revenues increased to $0.45 million from $0.39 million. Research & Development (R&D) spend for the quarter increased 24.1% to $35.5 million. Sales & Marketing expenses for the quarter decreased 15% to $18.9 million. General & Administrative (G&A) spend increased to $12.8 million from $9.3 ...

Today, Novartis (NVS) acquired exclusive worldwide rights to PTK 0796, a broad spectrum antibiotic from a privately held company, Paratek Pharmaceuticals. The drug is meant for the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multi-drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MDRSP). PTK 0796, being a broad spectrum antibiotic, could be used as a single agent against a range of bacteria unlike other antibiotics, which may have to be used in combination. Although we are yet to know the exact financial terms of the deal, Novartis will be making an upfront payment to Paratek in addition to future milestone payments and royalties. Both the companies will share the costs and responsibilities related to the drug’s development. A phase III trial for the drug is being conducted for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). Clinical studies conducted on more ...

Positive Top-Line Data on CeftarolineForest Laboratories, Inc. (FRX) announced positive results recently from two global multi-center phase III studies which were conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ceftaroline for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).The top-line data in each of the studies (FOCUS I and II) showed that ceftaroline met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority and achieved high clinical cure rates compared with ceftriaxone (84.3% vs. 77.7%). Additionally, ceftaroline was well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to ceftriaxone. Earlier, Forest had reported positive phase III results on ceftaroline for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI).Ceftaroline is a novel, bactericidal, injectable, broad-spectrum cephalosporin which is being developed for the treatment of cSSSI and CABP. The anti-infective market, which is currently dominated by antibiotics, ...

Highlights include Theravance (THRX), ViroPharma (VPHM), Cubist (CBST), Pfizer (PFE), Wyeth (WYE) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Theravance Close to Commercialization; Competition a ConcernTheravance (THRX) reported 4Q08 results on February 12, 2008.Revenue came in at $5.9 million for the 4th quarter of 2008 compared with $5.6 million for the same period of 2007. For the full year of 2008, revenue was $23.1 million, compared with $22.0 million for the full year of 2007. Revenues in 4th quarter and full year of 2008 were in line with our estimates. Net loss for the 4th quarter and full year of 2008 was $15.9 million and $93.6 million, respectively, compared with $33.1 million and $160.0 million for the same periods of 2007. Net loss per share was $0.26 and $1.53 for the 4th quarter and full year of ...

Cubist Pharmaceutical’s (CBST): Stock of the Day

by Matt Weinschenk, Senior Analyst, The White Cap Report

Cubist Proves Saving Lives Isn’t Good Enough

With the recent surge in cases of MSRA (methicillin-resistant staphyloccus aureus), or at least a surge in reporting, one would think it was good news for Cubist Pharmaceutical’s (Nasdaq: CBST).

It may have been, had Cubist not been blindsided by a business-rocking revelation Tuesday.

MRSA is a big problem. It’s a widely prevalent and pervasive bacteria found in hospital facilities, and it’s the most common cause of staph infections. Patients contract these infections from catheters, surgeries or I.V. drug needles.

As we use (some would say over-use) anti-biotics to treat infections, only the resistant germs remain. Each successive generation of bacteria are more resilient to treatment and we continually need stronger and stronger drugs to fight them.

They’re called “superbugs” in the press, but that’s

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Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALP) this week introduced its latest video-imaging system. The IVIS Kinetic system is designed to see activity at the molecular level through non-invasive means. It’s the latest in a long line of preclinical imaging systems, including high-sensitivity bioluminescence and fluorescence molecular. The main difference is the video capability. This additional capability, the company states in a news release, “will further advance cardiovascular, neurology, immunology and oncology distribution studies conducted.”

The IVIS system enhances analysis of gene expression, cellular pathways and the body’s response to drugs. The current and intended application of the imaging is to track speed of reaction with drug use in lab animals and any different behaviors in lab animals.

“The IVIS Kinetic imaging system provides a window for scientists to view biological events as they happen,” said Kevin Hrusovsky, Caliper Life Sciences president and CEO. “This system is another great example of how Caliper

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