Risk is just that, risk. Investing in opportunity is never easy but can return financial rewards. Understanding the risk is the key. Pick an investment that fits your needs. Finding that investment, and waiting to see if you are correct, is the key.

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical biopharmaceutical drug development company, works to develop drug products oriented toward a variety of conditions. The company is currently progressing through Phase IIa for an anti-depressant product.

Although the company has a variety of pharmaceutical products in development, its relationships around the world may be its largest asset. Universities to corporations have developed licensing arraignments with the company that will, in all likelihood, result in solid marketing and profitability as products become approved. These relationships may also result in opportunities as they relate to the company being purchased or leveraged by larger pharmaceutical companies. In the “big pharma” world this is a key trend

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Vivus, Inc. (VVUS) was very active at this year's American Diabetes Association (ADA) meeting held in early June 2009. The company presented impressive data on Qnexa that demonstrates both the significant weight loss and glycemic control benefits of the drug.Glycemic analysis of the phase III 28-week EQUATE (OB-301) data, which was originally released in December 2008, demonstrated that patients on the full dose of Qnexa (15mg phentermine / 92 mg topiramate controlled release) showed a reduction in HbA1c by a placebo-adjusted amount of 0.11%, while losing approximately 9.2% (19.8 lbs) of their body weight. Patients on the mid-dose of Qnexa (7.5mg phentermine / 46 mg topiramate controlled release) showed a reduction in HbA1c by a placebo-adjusted amount of 0.10%, while losing approximately 8.5% (18.2 lbs) of their body weight.Long-term data from the phase II 56-week DM-230 trial demonstrated that patients on the full dose ...

We view Qnexa as the leading phase III obesity candidate under development today. Vivus, Inc. (VVUS) has shown that Qnexa offers a synergistic benefit off added weight loss to patients beyond what can be achieved with phentermine or topiramate alone.Phase III data released by the company from the EQUATE program in December 2008 demonstrated the drug to be both highly efficacious and well tolerated. Patients on the full commercial dose of Qnexa lost a placebo-adjusted 16.5 lbs, or 7.5% of their body weight, after only 28 weeks of treatment. Additionally, we are less concerned with the safety, specifically the cardiovascular or psychiatric side effects, of the drug compared to recently rejected and discontinued cannabinoid type 1 receptor molecules at several large pharmaceutical companies.Our trepidation at this point stems from the lack of long-term safety data -- currently being conducted -- and a lack of ...

The bioscience research sector is a risky and interesting one. Millions of dollars need to be put up in advance for a potentially lucrative pay-off. Getting there, however, is the trick as there is absolutely no guarantee that the product will be approved, or for that matter, actually work as hoped. Herein lies the issue, how to fund a project, make the product work and get it approved and marketed. If a company can pull each of these rabbits from the hat, its investors will profit handsomely.

Advanced Life Sciences Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, works to manufacture and market pharmaceuticals directed at infectious disease, respiratory disease and oncology. The company has recently transferred its listing to OTC bulletin board and will hold its first financial guidance for this transfer May 12, 2009.

From a general point of view, the company has a solid product base spanning the spectrum of pipeline development. It

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In today’s pharmaceutical world, one needs to be fast off the mark. It is just a few hours old, but there may still be time to catch this one as investors make their choices. Prostate cancer treatment products are the next Lipitor, do your research and think about it.

Dendreon Corporation, a biotechnology company, works to develop and commercialize biotechnology therapeutics that enhance cancer treatment options. The company has several products in its product development pipeline with a prostate product making very successful progress in late stage approvals.

As we’ve stated in the past, there is a rush for larger pharmaceutical companies to refill their product pipelines. Although the supply of companies with later stage products, to fulfill this need, are growing smaller, there are still companies that fit the bill. Dendreon Corp. seems to be one of these companies as its prostate product makes solid headway toward approvals. Announced this morning,

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Science and business work in tandem to develop solid products for the mass market. Science, however, dictates following a standard set of principles so a standard repeatable product or result can be obtained. Standardizing this scientific method is a skill that is specialized and profitable as such. Companies that can offer this scientific skill set are companies that will likely become profitable as others recognize their value and need for its services.

Pacific Biometrics Inc., a clinical trial research services company, works to provide clinical trial, central library and contract research services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The company works in a variety of areas where protocols and central library services are needed for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and other products research.

The pharmaceutical industry rises and falls based upon its pipeline of new drugs and research. Without a constant stream of new products to be put under patent, the multi-billion

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The two critical elements to watch in the pharmaceutical industry are product development and FDA approvals. If a company’s product development pipeline starts to get a bit thin, it will eventually lose revenue generating capacity as patents expire and competition moves in. If FDA approval isn’t obtained, the company is simply sunk in the US for that product.

As an investor, watching the product pipeline is the key. This is important not only for the company’s current and future profitability, but because other companies, which may not have the same product development strength, may become interested in acquiring it. In today’s pharmaceutical marketplace, this point is even more relevant as several larger pharmaceutical companies have exceedingly large pools of cash and pipeline/patent issues.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc., a pharmaceutical development company, works to develop pharmaceutical products directed at chronic disease and neuropathic diabetic pain. The company is best known for

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Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is a biotech company focused on developing products that encompass two main areas of treatment; nicotine addiction, and bacterial infections.

NicVAX® is Nabi’s weapon against nicotine addiction/relapse, and as its name suggests, comes in vaccination form. Nicotine is absorbed through the lungs into the blood, where it is subsequently carried to the brain; more specifically, to nicotine receptors in the brain. This results in the dispersal of natural stimulants, and produces the desirable sensation that smokers find addicting. NicVAX® stimulates the system into producing nicotine antibodies, which in turn bond with any nicotine molecules in the bloodstream, and prevents them from reaching the brain.

StaphVAX® is a vaccination developed by Nabi that produces antibodies which are critical in fighting certain bacterial infections; most commonly the infection known as S. aureus (also known as Golden Staph, the most common of the Staphylococcus infections). In laymen’s terms, chemicals found

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