November News
November 10
Bavarian Nordic, a danish pharmaceutical company, is in advanced talks with potential partners for its Prostate cancer vaccine. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer, behind skin cancer, in American men. Who could these partners be and what would it mean for your portfolio?
November 4
Newron Pharmaceuticals (NWRN) and Merck Serono (Division of Merck) had mixed news in the Phase III study of their Parkinson's Disease drug, Safinamade. While it missed the efficacy goals after 24 months of use, it did confirm the safety profile of the drug. This disease affects about 3 million people, and will be used as an add-on therapy for both early and late stage patients of Parkinson's.
November 3
We kick the month off with mid-term elections. The Republicans take-over the House, but Democrats retain control of the Senate. What does this mean for you and your big pharma / biotech companies? Check with us to find out.
October News
November 10
Bavarian Nordic, a danish pharmaceutical company, is in advanced talks with potential partners for its Prostate cancer vaccine. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer, behind skin cancer, in American men. Who could these partners be and what would it mean for your portfolio?
November 4
Newron Pharmaceuticals (NWRN) and Merck Serono (Division of Merck) had mixed news in the Phase III study of their Parkinson's Disease drug, Safinamade. While it missed the efficacy goals after 24 months of use, it did confirm the safety profile of the drug. This disease affects about 3 million people, and will be used as an add-on therapy for both early and late stage patients of Parkinson's.
November 3
We kick the month off with mid-term elections. The Republicans take-over the House, but Democrats retain control of the Senate. What does this mean for you and your big pharma / biotech companies? Check with us to find out.
October News
October 29
More mergers and acquisitions today. Hikma Pharmaceuticals buys Baxter International, and Sanofi-Aventis in the news again with acquiring BMP Sunstone (has two of China's well-known pharmaceutical brands). Sanofi-Aventis is on the hunt...who will be next? We have an idea.
October 27
Bay Area's own Pacific Biosciences went public today on the Nasdaq under PACB. It opened at $16/share and ended the day at $16.43. Pacific Biosciences developed SMRT Technology, which allows for a new and better understanding of biological systems. Talk to us to find out if this is one to watch...
October 20
Genzyme is in the news today after announcing 3Q results. Sales doubled on their two enzyme drugs due manufacturing facilities finally working at full capacity. Genzyme is still battling Sanofi-Aventis as we mentioned earlier. The Genzyme stock is resting at just over $72, still above the $69/share Sanofi was offering shareholders in a hostile takeover bid. Will Sanofi raise their offering? We have an idea...don't get left out.
October 18
Announcements were made today about which companies will present at the 17th annual NewsMakers in the Biotech Industry Conference taking place this Friday, October 22. More updates to come on this conference.
October 15
SurModics announced they will be cutting their workforce by 13% and will redesign its organizational structure to focus on its complementary business units, Medical Device, Pharma, and InVitro Diagnostics. We believe, cutting expenses to match revenues and streamlining organizational structure will help the company execute its long-term goals.
In addition, Sanofi-Aventis has announced positive results for its phase III study on the company's MS drug.
October 12
The biggest trend in big pharma is large firms acquiring smaller ones on the brink of new, valuable discoveries. Pfizer is acquiring King Pharmaceuticals, 4 top firms are bidding for Paras Pharmaceuticals, and not to mention our news last week about the now hostile takeover of Genzyme. We're on top of the trends, are you? Don't get left out...
October 7
Sanofi-Aventis, a large, French pharmaceutical company, pursues a hostile takeover of Genzyme, the Massachusetts based biotech company. Sanofi-Aventis made a tender offer of $69 to shareholders when it was trading at $71 on the market this morning. We, along with the stockholders of Genzyme, agree that Sanofi-Aventis will increase its offer regardless of the fact there are no other competing bids.
October 5
Strand Scientifiic Intelligence, Inc. has released Avadis NGS software that allows biologists to analyze next generation sequence (NGS) data. Francois Mandeville, EVP, said "Avadis NGS represents a major milestone in NGS, and finally shifts the power of analysis from IT and informatics experts to the biologists -- it is NGS analysis for the rest of us!". We think this could positively affect the industry and turn into revenue.
October 5
Strand Scientifiic Intelligence, Inc. has released Avadis NGS software that allows biologists to analyze next generation sequence (NGS) data. Francois Mandeville, EVP, said "Avadis NGS represents a major milestone in NGS, and finally shifts the power of analysis from IT and informatics experts to the biologists -- it is NGS analysis for the rest of us!". We think this could positively affect the industry and turn into revenue.
LabSmith Inc and microfluidic ChipShop have entered a partnership to distribute microfluidic chips that make it easy for researchers to build and re-build microfluidic circuits. Now researchers can purchase all components needed for micro and nano-fluidic approaches from one source. We think this is great for the customer and could positively affect the bottom lines of these companies.
Hansen Medical completed its First in Man Study where 20 peripheral endovascular procedures were performed successfully with the new, flexible catheter vascular robotic system. This study is significant in that it has the potential to make the treatment for treating vascular disease safer, more effective and efficient while exposing the patient, physician, and staff to less radiation. We don't think this will turn into revenue...what do you think?
