A Recap of PropThink’s Week in Biotech
- We offered some insight this week into how social media can drive the markets. Jason Napodano noted recent performance from SRPT, and discussed what patient-investor interactions on the web might mean for Neuralstem.
- Slow Intermezzo sales have hindered TSPT in recent months, but the company remains fundamentally sound and trades just below its cash value. And Endo Pharmaceuticals validated the abuse-resistance of its new Opana ER formulation through a year-long study of opioid abuse among patients. Our original report can be seen here.
- With greater regulatory scrutiny on OIC drugs, and NKTR moving forward with its larger Naxologel dose (25mg), investors lost confidence in the stock, which was down substantially by the end of the week. Our perception that the positive data would be a boon to shares missed the mark.
- DVAX collapsed 50% on Friday following a telling vote from the FDA’s advisory panel. However, there’s still room for shares to fall, and we recommend selling.
- We’re bullish on ACHN, even as GILD’s latest data caused declines through Friday. As the baby of the Hepatitis C (HCV) contenders, its non-”nuc” treatments are a differentiated approach to treating HCV.
- Celgene released pertinent pancreatic trial results last Friday. The company, however, offered few details on the data, so David Sobek extrapolated and drew some conclusions from what we already know about Abraxane. With full data due in January, THLD and it’s pancreatic cancer therapy, TH-302, face headwinds.
- DARA BioSciences was the focus of a PropThink report on Friday. Two products set to begin posting revenue, plus a cheap share price, suggest gains next year for DARA.
- A decision on Vascepa’s NCE status will be unclear for another month after the FDA neglected to update its status in the October Orange Book supplement. Early in the week, media sources reported that TEVA is now eyeing Amarin as a potential buyout.
- Puma Biotechnology recently uplisted to the NYSE, but after a rash of intense trading immediately following, it traded down, as we expected. Coming into the end of the year, however, PBYI has a series of catalysts that may move shares higher again.
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