Shares of energy crop developer Ceres (NASDAQ: CERE ) surged more than 100% from the opening bell Monday to early trading on Thursday. In fact, over one-third of the total outstanding shares traded hands on Thursday. Even with the move the company is trading for "only" $100 million. With some of the biggest names in industrial biotech on its side -- such as Syngenta (NYSE: SYT ) , Petrobras, Amyris, Valero, Novozymes, Gruppo M&G, and Mascoma, to name a few -- this must be a good buy right? Not so fast.
What does Ceres do?
Ceres mines and manipulates the genomes of energy crops such as sweet sorghum and switchgrass to increase drought tolerance, biomass yield, and salt tolerability. Essentially, it has a similar business model as Syngenta and Monsanto (NYSE: MON ) , just for energy crops. Syngenta has actually licensed Ceres' bioinformatics software since 2008 to develop its own crops. In return, Syngenta has upgraded the capability of the computer program. Meanwhile, Monsanto and Ceres tangled up in 2002 to identify and develop engineered row crops such as corn and soybeans. Those payments now are a distant memory.
Top 10 Canadian Companies To Own In Right Now: TESARO Inc (TSRO)
TESARO, Inc. (TESARO), incorporated in March 2010, is a development-stage, oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company for cancer patients. The Company focuses on rolapitant and TSR-011 product. The Company�� marketed products and product candidates in development treat cancer through non-specific damage to cellular components or alter cell metabolism or internal repair mechanisms to the demise of cancer cells.
Rolapitant
Rolapitant is a potent and long-acting neurokinin-1, or NK-1, receptor antagonist is in Phase III clinical trials for the prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). It is in Phase III clinical trials. CINV, if not prevented by prophylaxis, has the potential to afflict up to 90% or more of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, depending upon the type of chemotherapy administered the dosing schedule of the chemotherapy, and the patients' age and gender, among other predisposing factors. Prolonged nausea and vomiting may result in unwanted weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition, as well as hospitalization. The Company has in-licensed the rights to rolapitant from OPKO Health, Inc.
TSR-011
TSR-011 is an orally available ALK inhibitor in preclinical development. ALK is known to be involved in certain types of cancers, including subsets of NSCLC, neuroblastoma and lymphoma. For patients in these subsets, the ALK gene is fused to an activating partner or contains point mutations, resulting in constitutive activation of ALK and the growth of cancer cells and tumor development. Inhibition of ALK in these cancer cells results in cell death and tumor growth inhibition or regression. In August 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first ALK inhibitor, developed by Pfizer Inc., Xalkori (crizotinib), which was approved for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC that are ALK positive.
The Company competes with GlaxoSmithKline plc, Roche Holding Ltd! . and Sanofi S.A.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brian Orelli]
Tesaro (NASDAQ: TSRO ) is also up today after announcing that it established a partnership with clinicians to run the phase 3 development of its PARP inhibitor, niraparib. The trial will enroll about 300 breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations, comparing niraparib to investigators' choice of other breast cancer treatments.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Werber and Eckhard’s favorites include Gilead (GILD) and Celgene (CELG), and they find the “risk/reward…compelling” in Medivation (MDVN) and Tesaro (TSRO).
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading UP
Tesaro (NASDAQ: TSRO) shares shot up 18.28 percent to $28.40 after the company reported successful primary and secondary endpoints in final Phase 3 trial for rolapitant.
10 Best Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Five Prime Therapeutics Inc (FPRX)
Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on December 20, 2001, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing protein therapeutics. Protein therapeutics is antibodies or drugs developed from extracellular proteins or protein fragments that block disease processes, including cancer and inflammatory diseases. The Company�� advanced product candidates include FP-1039/GSK3052230 (FP-1039), FPA008 and FPA144. FP-1039 is a protein therapeutic that traps and neutralizes cancer-promoting fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), involved in cancer cell proliferation and new blood vessel formation. FPA008 is an antibody that inhibits colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R), and is being developed to treat patients with inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). FPA144 is an antibody that inhibits FGF receptor 2b (FGFR2b), and is being developed to treat patients with gastric cancer and potentially other solid tumors.
FP-1039
FP-1039 is a protein therapeutic, which includes the extracellular part of FGFR1. FP-1039 acts as an inhibitor of FGFs, because the FGFR1 portion of the molecule binds to FGFs and prevents them from binding to FGFR1 on tumor and blood vessel cells. Because FGF proteins circulating in the blood are called ligands, FP-1039 is called a ligand trap. FP-1039 also includes a portion of an antibody called the Fc region. In preclinical testing, it observed inhibition of tumor growth with single-agent FP-1039, particularly in tumors withFGFR1 gene amplification, including squamous NSCLC and SCLC.
FPA008
FPA008 is an antibody that inhibits CSF1R and is being developed to treat patients with RA. FPA008 also has the potential to treat patients with other inflammatory diseases, including lupus nephritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. These are chronic, incurable disorders with serious medical complications and disability for ! which better therapies with novel mechanisms of action are needed. FPA008 is an anti-CSF1R antibody, which it designed to block the ability of IL-34 and CSF1 to bind to and activate CSF1R. FPA008 reduces the numbers and activity of monocytes and macrophages that cause disease, and prevents the production and release of inflammatory factors. The Company and others has demonstrated that both IL-34 and CSF1 are present at increased levels in the inflamed joints of patients with RA.
FPA144
FPA144 is a monoclonal antibody directed against a form of FGFR2, or FGFR2b. When the FGFR2 gene is amplified by cancer cells, the FGFR2b protein is expressed at abnormally high levels on the tumor�� surface. This occurs in some patients with gastric and lower esophageal cancers. The tumor cells that have too much FGFR2b protein on their surface can be identified by special staining tests performed on the tumor. Because FGFR2b is the target for FPA144, patients��tumors can be screened for this protein, helping to identify the patients most likely to respond to FPA144 treatment.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Kell and Tess Stynes var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); p]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are Keurig Green Mountain Inc.(GMCR), JA Solar Holdings Co.(JASO) and Five Prime Therapeutics Inc.(FPRX)
- [By Monica Gerson]
Breaking news
Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is investing US$13 million to expand its wheel manufacturing plant in Europe, to meet growing demand for its lightweight, durable, low-maintenance aluminum truck wheels. To read the full news, click here. L & L Energy (NASDAQ: LLEN) announced today that its Special Independent Committee has appointed Mr. Nicholas Chen, Managing Partner at Pamir Law Group, to replace Mr. Mark Bartlett. To read the full news, click here. Five Prime Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FPRX) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) announced today that they have signed a collaboration agreement for the discovery, development and commercialization of immuno-oncology therapies directed toward targets identified in two undisclosed immune checkpoint pathways using Five Prime's proprietary target discovery platform. To read the full news, click here. First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) on Sunday announced the completion of the 1.3MW(DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Kitakyushu-shi. Powered by First Solar FS Series 3 Black PV modules, the plant will generate approximately 1,400 MWh of clean and safe solar electricity per year. To read the full news, click here.Posted-In: Credit Suisse US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets
10 Best Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc (CNAT)
Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc., incorporated on July 13, 2005, is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of medicines to treat liver disease. The Company is developing its lead compound, emricasan, for the treatment of patients in orphan populations with chronic liver disease and acute exacerbations of chronic liver disease. The Company has designed a clinical program to demonstrate the therapeutic benefit of emricasan across the spectrum of fibrotic liver disease. The Company�� initial development strategy targets indications for emricasan with high unmet clinical need in orphan patient populations, such as patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), chronic liver failure (CLF), and patients who have developed liver fibrosis post-orthotopic liver transplant due to Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV-POLT).
The Company has completed two placebo-controlled Phase II trials in patients with liver disease showing reductions in ALT levels that occur rapidly, within as little as one day after initiation of therapy, and are maintained throughout the treatment period. In the Company�� 204-patient Phase 2b trial, it also measured cCK18, an important biomarker of apoptosis and disease severity. Emricasan has been generally well-tolerated in all of the clinical studies. As of July 23, 2013, the Company had not generated any revenue.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
While Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ICPT) surged earlier this year and Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ: ACHN) has surged this week after Merck & Co. Inc (NYSE: MRK) agreed to purchase hepatitis stock�Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: IDIX) at a 239% premium, it seems the herd has realized that small cap Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: CNAT) is also a liver disease stock as shares suddenly surged 56.69% on no apparent company news. But just what is�Conatus Pharmaceuticals and is it worth taking a chance on?
- [By Lauren Pollock]
Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s(CNAT) shares jumped 26% to $7.75 premarket after the biotechnology firm said its treatment for chronic liver disease has been granted a status that could mean quicker approval.
10 Best Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Biodel Inc (BIOD)
Biodel Inc. (Biodel), incorporated on December 3, 2003, is a development-stage speciality biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of treatments for diabetes. The Company develops its product candidates by applying its formulation technologies to existing drugs. Its advanced program involves developing formulations of injectable recombinant human insulin (RHI). In addition to its ultra-rapid-acting insulin formulations, the Company has developed prototype formulations of a liquid glucagon, a basal insulin and a glucose responsive insulin, in each case for use by patients with diabetes. RHI-based formulation known as Linjeta was the subject of a New Drug Application (NDA).
The Company has two pivotal Phase III clinical trials with its preferred commercial formulation of Linjeta prior to re-submitting the NDA. In August 2011, it completed patient visits and analyzed top-line data from the first Phase 1 clinical trial of two RHI-based formulations. The trial was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, three-period crossover trial in 18 subjects with Type 1 diabetes. The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics and injection site toleration of BIOD-105 and BIOD-107, as compared to the insulin analog marketed as Humalog. The Company conducted Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical trials comparing the performance of its Linjeta formulation of RHI to either Humulin, which is a branded formulation of RHI or Humalog. Its pivotal Phase III clinical trials were open-label, parallel group, randomized trials conducted at centers in the United States, Germany and India.
The Company competes with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi-Aventis, Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. and MannKind Corporation.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Biodel (NASDAQ: BIOD) is expected to post a Q1 loss at $0.24 per share.
First Majestic Silver (NYSE: AG) is estimated to post its Q1 earnings at $0.10 per share on revenue of $63.35 million.
10 Best Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Regulus Therapeutics Inc (RGLS)
Regulus Therapeutics Inc., incorporated on September 5, 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing microRNAs to treat a range of diseases. microRNAs are naturally occurring ribonucleic acid (RNA), molecules that play a critical role in regulating key biological pathways. The Company uses its microRNA product platform to develop chemically modified, single-stranded oligonucleotides that the Company calls anti-miRs. As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� operations included acquiring and in-licensing intellectual property rights, developing its microRNA, undertaking basic research around microRNA targets and conducting preclinical studies for its initial programs.
The Company is developing RG-101 for the treatment of HCV and is advancing other microRNA therapeutics toward clinical development in several areas, including oncology, fibrosis and metabolic diseases. The Company intends to focus its resources on product opportunities in therapeutic areas where development and commercialization activities are appropriate for its size and financial resources, which the Company anticipates will include niche indications and orphan diseases.
The Company competes with Groove Biopharma, Inc., miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., Mirna Therapeutics, Inc., and Santaris Pharma A/S.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
A blast to the past
It's occasionally very difficult to value biotech stocks, because of the wide range of outcomes possible given their pipelines. Other times, as in the case with Regulus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RGLS ) , I bang my head against a table and wonder what the heck investors are thinking. - [By Sean Williams]
Regulus Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RGLS )
Since presenting at the Deutsche Bank Healthcare Conference two weeks ago, shares of Regulus Therapeutics have been absolutely on fire. A mixture of ASCO and IPO fever have revived the love for newer issues, and having big name pharmaceutical companies gobbling up a majority of its IPO'd shares certainly helps its cause.
10 Best Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ALNY)
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in discovering, developing, and commercializing novel therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi). Its core product programs under clinical or pre-clinical development include ALN-TTR, a Phase I clinical trial program for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis; ALN-APC, a Phase I clinical trial program for the treatment of hemophilia; ALN-PCS for the treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia; ALN-HPN, a pre-clinical development for the treatment of refractory anemia; and ALN-TMP, a pre-clinical development for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies, including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. The company?s partner-based programs comprise ALN-RSV01, a Phase II clinical trial program for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection; ALN-VSP, a Phase I clinical trial completed program for the treatment of liver cancers; and ALN-HTT, a pre-clinical development for the treatment of Huntington?s disease. It has strategic alliances with Novartis Pharma AG; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Medtronic Inc.; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.; and Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading UP
Shares of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALNY) got a boost, shooting up early in the day, but settling on a gain of 40.40 percent to $92.96 after the company reported that it has acquired investigational RNAi Therapeutic assets from Merck (NYSE: MRK). Genzyme and Alnylam expanded their collaboration on rare genetic diseases. - [By Dan Carroll]
Biotech's known for volatility, and one of this year's biggest booms suffered a hit on that end this week. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALNY ) , which has seen shares explode for gains of more than 142% year to date in 2013, lost more than 11% this past week to rank as one of biotech's biggest busts over the last five days.
- [By Sean Williams]
What: Shares of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALNY ) , a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments based on RNA interference, vaulted 19% higher after the company announced positive top-line data for ALN-TTRsc.
10 Best Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Medizone International Inc (MZEI)
Medizone International, Inc. (Medizone), incorporated in January 31, 1986, is a development-stage company. The Company is engaged in research into the medical uses of ozone. Medizone focuses in the field of hospital sterilization. It is a research and development company engaged in developing its AsepticSure. The Company is developing an ozone-based technology (AsepticSure) for decontaminating and sterilizing hospital surgical suites, emergency rooms, and intensive care units.
The Company started hospital beta-testing of a prototype system utilizing the original technology. The first round of in-hospital beta-testing for this AsepticSure hospital disinfection system was completed at a Hotel Dieu hospital in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. In addition to the hospital disinfection system, it employs an ozone-destruct unit which is used following disinfection of the treated infrastructure to reverse the O3 gas in the space, and turn it back into O2 in a short period of time. The Company�� subsidiaries include Medizone Canada, Ltd. (MedCan). As of December 31, 2011, the Company had not generated any revenues.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By CRWE]
Today, MZEI surged (+5.64%) up +0.0048 at $.0899 with 21,900 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 1:32PM EDT October 16, 2013).
Medizone International, Inc. previously reported that its WHO award-winning green infection control technology, AsepticSure has been Granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark office. (US 61/223,219) titled “Healthcare Facility Disinfecting System”. The AsepticSure infection control system has repeatedly demonstrated 100% microbial kill rates when used to decontaminate hospital rooms of the causative agents of HAI (hospital acquired infections).
“With patent protection now established in the United States, Canada and Singapore and pending applications in process for the 37 member countries of the EU as well as Korea, Japan, China, India, Brazil and Mexico, our patent momentum is clearly gaining strength,” stated Edwin Marshall, Medizone’s CEO.
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