Historically, the biotech industry was less impacted by market conditions due to its unique characteristics. In large part, biotech stocks have been event-driven. Specifically, investors are more focused on clinical development and pipeline advancement for individual biotech companies.

However, current market conditions have exerted a negative impact on the valuation of individual companies in the biotech industry. We believe the different impact current market conditions have exerted is mainly due to the credit crunch.

Most biotech companies are in early or middle development stages, and continuing financing is an integral part of their operations in order to advance their drug pipelines. Under current market conditions, liquidity has dried up for some companies, and raising capital has been extremely difficult in the past few months. Some companies are forced to enter into survival mode to reserve cash by restructuring. Some even have to suspend operations or file for bankruptcy.

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Historically, the biotech industry has been less impacted by market conditions due to its unique characteristics. In large part, biotech stocks have been event-driven. Specifically, investors are more focused on clinical development and pipeline advancement for individual biotech companies.  However, current market conditions have exerted a negative impact on the valuation of individual companies in the biotech industry. We believe the different impact current market conditions have exerted is mainly due to the credit crunch. Most biotech companies are in early or middle development stages, and continuing financing is an integral part of their operations in order to advance their drug pipelines. Under current market conditions, liquidity has dried up for some companies, and raising capital has been extremely difficult in the past few months. Some companies are forced to enter into survival mode to reserve cash by restructuring. Some even have to suspend operations ...

The Masters haven't mentioned Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ONXX) in a long time, since our 100%+ gain with our Master Picks Newsletter.  Barron's is jumping on the bandwagon now that shares are down to $33.  Can Nexavar, Onyx's cancer drug take the company and stock back into the spotlight? Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc's (NASDAQ:ONXX) cancer drug has bright potential in treating several forms of the disease and could raise the biotech company's shares, according to a report on Sunday in Barron's (Paid portion only, thus no link provided). With sales of its drug Nexavar, now approved to treat kidney and liver cancer, expected to hit $1 billion next year, Barron's said one health-care investor is looking for earnings of $1.93 per share, and valuing the stock at $65 to $75 per share....