Expert Financial Analysis and Reporting

SmithOnStocks Mailbox About the Mailbox: My mailbox comments are brief articles on stocks in which I am involved. These can come from recent events or from subscribers’ questions. They are meant to address specific issues about these stocks and are not full and balanced reports. Please refer to the Reports section of my website for […]

SmithOnStocks Mailbox April 28, 2015 A Quick Take on Recent Events If you have a question for the mailbox, contact me. Purpose of this Note I have written extensively on Antares, Agenus, Cytokinetics and Discovery Laboratories. I have Buys on Antares, Agenus and Cytokinetics. I have a Hold on Discovery (what a troubled history), but […]

Introduction A number of subscribers have suggested that I write more on recent news events that relate to companies that I follow. This note is in response to these requests giving my take on some recent news releases. I would appreciate your feedback on whether this is of any value to you. I am considering […]

Immuno-Oncology Promises to be the Next “Big Thing” In Biotechnology Purpose of the Report Immuno-oncology has been the hottest area in biotechnology in 2014 and this promises to continue in 2015 and the coming decade. This report attempts to provide a basic background to give readers a layman’s view of some of the new technologies […]

Incyte’s expertise in clinical development and commercialization of cancer drugs is a perfect complement to Agenus’ product development capabilities for antibodies used for checkpoint modulation. The combined companies present one of the most powerful development efforts in the highly promising field of checkpoint modulation. Agenus is the only pure play in this area, which is […]

Introduction On July 1, Agenus announced results from a non-randomized, phase 2 study of its therapeutic cancer vaccine Prophage in newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme patients. This was a 46 patient trial conducted at eight centers. All patients received Prophage plus standard of care (SOC) which is gross total resection to surgically remove as much of […]

This Has Been a Tough Correction The recent sharp market correction and rotation out of growth stocks like biotechnology and technology has had a major impact on the small biotechnology names that I specialize in. The correction has been stomach churning for me even though I have been through this many times before. I am […]

Agenus (AGEN) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that the MAGRIT phase 3 study of GSK’s MAGE-A3 cancer vaccine in non-small cell lung failed to hit the primary endpoint of progression free survival and the secondary endpoint of overall survival. This cancer vaccine contained Agenus’ QS-21 Stimulon adjuvant. After the failure of the MAGE-A3 in melanoma last […]

I have found that there are some very smart people out there who have interesting questions and perspectives concerning my articles. I periodically share with subscribers questions asked of me and my response. Also, some subscribers have a different perspective or additional insights beyond mine that I find informative. Sharing this information is the purpose […]

This note is based on a presentation that was made by Bob Stein at the BIOCEO conference: he is the new chief medical officer of Agenus (AGEN). It was provided to paid subscribers in my note on BIO CEO highlights on February 14, 2014.  He spoke almost entirely about the recent acquisition of the privately […]