Last week, Japan approved the first ever generic version of biotech drug industry, thus increasing the affordability of the expensive biotech drugs. This is a great opportunity for the generic players. One fallout of the approval is greater competition - a blessing for customers. However, the market is large enough to accommodate many players. Estimates put the global biotech market (growing at 12% a year) value in the range of $80-90 billion.

Leading players in the biotech space to be affected from the move are Amgen (AMGN), Gilead Sciences (GILD), and Genzyme (GENZ) among others.

The issue of data exclusivity is yet to be decided in the US. The period of protection for branded companies is the most debatable point, where they are asking for 12-14 years' exclusivity. The US law-makers are aware of this delay. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House of Representatives Energy

The markets were up today led by energy stocks as oil settled at $72.68.  The Dow Jones was up 0.37% closing at 8770.92, with the S&P up 0.61% closing at 944.89.  The NASDAQ was up 9.29 closing at 1862.37.  Treasury prices were down as the yield closed at 3.862%.  Gold settled at $962.00 as the dollar continues to weaken against other currencies. 

In major news today, Bank of America [BAC: 12.97, +0.99 (+8.26%)] CEO Ken Lewis appeared at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to talk about BofA’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch.  Lawmakers wanted to know from Lewis why a deal that was approved by shareholders in December with no government aid, wound up costing $20 billion dollars to taxpayers, for completion in January.  Lawmakers also questioned Lewis about knowing about losses at Merrill earlier then reported, as internal e-mails in the Fed suggested.  Some have speculated that Lewis

Alex’s Notes: Hat tip to Simon Heapes who pointed this article out to me this morning.

I certainly found the amazing drop in oil price strange when it occurred. When I see an amazing rise or drop, I have learned (ok call it being cynical) that many times it might just be someone tinkering in the markets.

I have seen far too much evidence of this kind of tinkering PERSONALLY to just dismiss it anymore. So when a massive shift occurs, not only do I look at market fundamentals, what the technical traders are saying, but also I look for motive and manipulation.

To assume we trade in “free markets” any more is simply naive.

Does this mean I think every move in the markets are contrived?

No, that is not what I am saying.

What I am saying is, that markets have been manipulated for far smaller incentive than the sovereignty and or control of