Archive for December, 2014
Cytokinetics (CYTK, Buy $5.52) New Collaboration with Astellas on CK-2127107 Greatly Improves Investment Outlook
This deal adds a third leg to the development pipeline at Cytokinetics along with omecamtiv for congestive heart failure and tirasemtiv for ALS. My Buy recommendation has been based on the possibility that tirasemtiv will begin a phase 3 in ALS in 2015. Investors had written this product off after a phase 2b disappointment. This […]
Current Investment Recommendations for Stocks Covered by SmithOnStocks; A Yearend Review
Overview This has been a tough year for many small emerging biotechnology firms. Many have been in a bear market while the market as a whole had a reasonable year. The group did very well in 2013 and early 2014 and kept pace with strong price performance by the larger biotechnology companies. In March of […]
Neuralstem: Some Encouraging, But Very Early, Information on Chinese Ischemic Stroke Trial Using NSI-566 Stem Cells (CUR, Buy, $2.59)
Purpose of This Blog I received this e-mail communication from a SmithOnStocks subscriber who has a good insight into the Chinese drug market and drug development. This is the first report of any kind that I have seen on patient outcomes in the trial of Neuralstem’s Chinese trial of NSI-566 stem cells in ischemic stroke […]
Antares: Responding to Two Questions on Teva’s AB Rated Competitor to EpiPen (ATRS, Buy, $2.44)
Purpose of the Blog I very much appreciate questions and feedback from subscribers to my website. I have had two recent questions that I have responded to that may be of interest to other investors interested in the Teva collaboration with Antares to develop an AB rated generic equivalent to Mylan’s EpiPen. For more details […]
Possible Impact of Merck Acqusition of Cubist on the Trius CVR
I was just asked about the potential impact on the value of the Trius CVR of the Merck acquisition of Cubist. You may recall that when Trius was acquired, Trius shareholders received $1.00 for each share that they tendered. If Syvestro (tedizolid) sales in the US, Europe and Canada reach $125 million in 2016 we get […]
Antares: Highlights of CEO’s Presentation at Piper Jaffray Conference (ATRS, Buy, $2.46)
Overview I tuned in to the Antares presentation at the Piper Jaffrey conference on December 2, 2014 to listen to what the new CEO Eamonn Hobbs emphasized to investors in a short 15 minute presentation. He spent a lot of the time talking about Quick Shot Testosterone (QST), the new once a week subcutaneous injectable […]
Discovery Laboratories: Delay in Completion of Aerosurf Phase 2a Trial and Continued Disappointing Sales of Surfaxin Weigh on the Stock (DSCO, $1.53, Hold)
Phase 2a Aerosurf trial completion has been pushed back to 1Q, 2015 from 4Q, 2014. All important topline results from Aerosurf phase 2b proof of concept trial are likewise pushed back from 2H, 2015 to 1H, 2016. Management mention of pneumothoraxes seen in phase 2a startled investors, but is not likely to be an issue […]