Companies featured in this edition of the newsletter: ACTC, CUR, CVM, DKAM, ENZ, IMUC, MFGD, NXOI, OMCM, ONEZ, PSID, XSNX

Markets continued to carry momentum during the early stages of last week, as the absence of significant economic news led to a continuation of the upward trend characterizing the past few weeks, until an earnings miss from Dell on Thursday led to a selloff in the technology sector which caused the major indices to end the week mixed. All told, the Dow ended the week in positive territory, gaining 47 points to close at 10318, up 0.5% on the week and 17.6% on the year. The Nasdaq surrendered 1.0% to close at 2146, paring its YTD gains to 36.1%, while the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 lost 0.2% and 0.3% respectively, reducing their yearly gains to 20.8 and 17.1.

Things got off to a strong start on Monday, with the

Today, International Stem Cell Corporation announced that it will collaborate with renowned stem cell researcher Jeanne F. Loring, Ph.D. and the Scripps Research Institute (located in La Jolla, CA) to study parthenogenetic stem cells and their potentially derived therapeutic cells. The study expands the company’s mission to generate data necessary to understand these cells and move them closer to the clinic.

ISCO has perfected a process using unfertilized human eggs to creating human stem cells. These “parthenogenetic” stem cells allow immune-matching to large segments of the population. ISCO’s process allows the company to avoid the ethical debate regarding the use of human embryos.

Company scientists have derived a type of cell found in the human eye from parthenogenetic stem cells that may have application in the treatment of macular degeneration, a common eye disease. Dr. Loring and ISCO will study these cells as part of the collaboration.

According to

Ophthalmic Imaging Systems (“OIS”) designs, develops, manufactures and markets digital imaging systems and informatics solutions for the eye care market. The company has 25 years experience in the ophthalmic imaging business and is the leading provider of ophthalmic digital imaging systems.

The company today announced that it will launch two new products and improvements to the OIS EMR and OIS PM solutions at the American Academy of Ophthalmology ’s 113th annual meeting to be held October 24-27 in San Francisco. The two new products are specifically targeted to address the shift in healthcare demand due to aging populations and the rapid rise in diabetic-related eye disease.

The new product launches are:

OIS EyeScan – The OIS EyeScan is the first totally new imaging device the company has launched in a few years. It is a revolutionary new portable imaging device has wide-ranging functionality that is capable of imaging both the anterior and

Chicago, IL - May 15, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISPH), Allergan Inc. (AGN), InSite Vision Incorporated (INSV), National Australia Bank Limited (NABZY) and Cypress Semiconductor (CY).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

Inspire Pharma Still Looking Good

Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISPH) has a co-promotional alliance with Allergan Inc. (AGN). In Allergan, Inspire has a highly respected, financially strong partner. The duo currently sells Elestat (epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution), launched in

SurModics, Inc. (NASD: SRDX), a leading provider of surface modification and drug delivery technologies to the healthcare industry, recently announced that Merck & Co., Inc. has notified the company that it will discontinue the License and Research Collaboration Agreement the companies signed in June 2007. Shares of SurModics declined sharply earlier this week after the announcement. Merck’s decision triggers an additional $9 million payment to SurModics from Merck.

SurModics partners with the world’s foremost medical device, pharmaceutical and life science companies to develop and commercialize innovative products that result in improved patient outcomes. Clinical data on I-vation TA generated to date has provided strong support for the tolerability profile of I-vation TA, and more generally, that of the I-vation sustained delivery platform.

The president and chief executive officer of SurModics, Bruce Barclay, commented during a recent a conference call stating, “Merck’s decision was prompted by a strategic review of its business and