You probably are planning to take a home loan soon and maybe already have a car loan. Given your income status, you are probably in a position to take risks even at this phase.
Needs: Your immediate short term need is to save up enough to make the down payment on your home loan. Moreover, you also need to consider buying term insurance, or if you already have it, to increase the cover.
In the medium term, you must save up for your children� education and also build an emergency corpus for medical needs. You must buy medical insurance for your family to cover medical costs.
In the long-term, your biggest goal is your own retirement. It is the age of nuclear families and no one except yourself will be paying for your retired years. You need to build up a sufficiently large corpus to enable you to continue to live the lifestyle that you did while you were working. Moreover, with inflation and increasing medical costs, your retirement is not going to be a cheap affair.
Choice of investments
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: 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 Roberto Pedone]
One under-$10 specialty biopharmaceutical player that's starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Biodel (BIOD), which is focused on the development and commercialization of innovative treatments for diabetes. This stock has been hit hard by the bears over the last three months, with shares down by 24%.
If you take a look at the chart for Biodel, you'll notice that this stock is ripping higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $2.32 a share with strong upside volume. Volume on Thursday has so far registered over 750,000 shares, which is well above its three-month average action of 445,084 shares. This move is quickly pushing shares of BIOD within range of triggering a big breakout trade.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BIOD if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.52 to $2.60 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 445,084 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then BIOD will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels $3 to its 200-day moving average of $3.39 a share. Any high-volume move above $3.39 will then give BIOD a chance to tag $4 a share.
Traders can look to buy BIOD off weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $2.10 a share. One can also buy BIOD off strength once it starts to clear those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Hemispherx Biopharma Inc (HEB)
Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (Hemispherx) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the clinical development of new drugs therapies based on natural immune system enhancing technologies for the treatment of viral and immune based chronic disorders. Hemispherx focuses on two core pharmaceutical technology platforms Ampligen and Alferon N Injection.The commercial focus for Ampligen includes application as a treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and as an influenza vaccine enhancer (adjuvant) for both therapeutic and preventative vaccine development. Alferon N Injection is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved product with an indication for refractory or recurring genital warts. Alferon LDO (Low Dose Oral) is a formulation under development targeting influenza. It has three subsidiaries BioPro Corp., BioAegean Corp., and Core BioTech Corp. The Company's foreign subsidiary is Hemispherx Biopharma Europe N.V./S.A.
Ampligen
Ampligen is an experimental drug, which is undergoing clinical development for the treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Over 1,000 patients have participated in the Ampligen clinical trials representing the administration of more than 90,000 doses of this drug. The Company is also engaged in ongoing, experimental studies assessing the efficacy of Ampligen against influenza viruses.
Alferon N Injection
Alferon N Injection is the registered trademark for the Company's injectable formulation of natural alpha interferon. Interferons are a group of proteins produced and secreted by cells to combat diseases. The Company's natural alpha interferon is produced from human white blood cells. Alferon N Injection [Interferon alfa-n3 (human leukocyte derived)] is a highly purified, natural-source, glycosylated, multi-species alpha interferon product.
Alferon LDO (Low Dose Oral)
Alferon LDO [Low Dose Oral Interferon Alfa-n3 (Human Leukocyte Derived)]! is an experimental low-dose, oral liquid formulation of Natural Alpha Interferon and like Alferon N Injection should not cause antibody formation, which is a problem with recombinant interferon. It is an experimental immunotherapeutic that works by stimulating an immune cascade response in the cells of the mouth and throat, enabling it to bolster systemic immune response through the entire body by absorption through the oral mucosa.
The Company competes with Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, AstraZeneca, Baxter International, Fletcher/CSI, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, AVI BioPharma and Genta.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By MONEYMORNING]
Hemispherix Biopharma Inc. (NYSE: HEB) is a specialty pharmaceutical company. It engages in the clinical development of new drug therapies based on natural immune system enhancing technologies and targets the treatment of viral and immune-based clinical disorders. The Philadelphia, Pa.-headquartered company gained widespread attention over the last several months for its work on flu research. Its flagship products include Alferon N Injection, approved by the FDA for a category of sexually transmitted disease infection. Experimental treatments include Ampligen and Oragens, in development stages for the potential treatment of global viral diseases and disorders of the immune system including human papilloma virus, human immunodeficiency virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, and influenza. Shares have traded as low as $0.18 and as high as $0.55 over the last year. At last check, shares were changing hands around $0.50 on volume of 2 million shares.
Hot Supermarket Companies To Buy Right Now: IDEXX Laboratories Inc (IDXX)
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., incorporated in 1983, develops, manufactures and distributes products and provides services primarily for the companion animal veterinary, livestock and poultry, water testing and dairy markets. The Company operates through three segments: diagnostic and information technology-based products and services for the veterinary market, which it refers to as the Companion Animal Group (CAG), water quality products (Water) and products for livestock and poultry health, which it refer to as Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics (LPD). It also operates two smaller segments that consist of products for milk quality and safety (Dairy) and products for the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market (OPTI Medical). In November 2011, the Company acquired the research and diagnostic laboratory (RADIL) business of the College of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri. In August 2013, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. announced that it has acquired Madasa do Brasil Ltda.
The Company sells a range of portable electrolytes and blood gas analyzers for the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market. Its primary products and services are point-of-care veterinary diagnostic products, consisting of instruments and consumables and rapid assays; veterinary reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services used by veterinarians; diagnostic and health-monitoring products for livestock and poultry; products that test water for certain microbiological contaminants; practice management systems and services and digital radiography systems used by veterinarians; products that test milk for antibiotic residues and other contaminants, and point-of-care electrolytes and blood gas analyzers used in the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market.
Companion Animal Group
The Company markets a range of in-clinic laboratory analyzers for use in providing reference laboratory quality diagnostic results in companion animal veterinary practices, which it refers ! to as the IDEXX VetLab suite of analyzers. The Company sells two chemistry analyzers, the Catalyst Dx Chemistry Analyzer and the VetTest Chemistry Analyzer, that are used by veterinarians to measure levels of certain enzymes and other substances in blood or urine for monitoring health status and assistance in diagnosing physiologic conditions. Both instruments use consumables manufactured for IDEXX by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. (Ortho), a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, based on Ortho�� dry slide technology (Catalyst Dx slides, VetTest slides or slides). In addition, the Catalyst Dx analyzer also uses dry slide electrolyte consumables manufactured by IDEXX at OPTI Medical Systems, one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. Blood tests commonly run on these analyzers include glucose, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and total protein. Tests are sold individually and in prepackaged panels. Both analyzers also run a urine test called urine protein:creatinine ratio, which assists in the detection of early renal disease.
The Catalyst Dx analyzer is the Company�� chemistry analyzer. The Catalyst Dx analyzer allows a veterinarian to run multiple patient samples simultaneously; to run different sample types, including whole blood, plasma, serum and urine; to perform 28 different chemistry and electrolyte tests; and to automatically calculate other parameters and ratios important to blood chemistry analysis. Its VetLyte Electrolyte Analyzer measures three electrolytes-sodium, potassium and chloride-to aid in evaluating acid-base and electrolyte balances and assessing plasma hydration. Its VetStat Electrolyte and Blood Gas Analyzer measures electrolytes, blood gases, glucose and ionized calcium, and calculates other parameters, such as base excess and anion gap. These measurements aid veterinarians in diagnosing various disease states, evaluating fluid therapy choices and measuring respiratory function. The VetStat analyzer ru! ns single! -use disposable cassettes that contain various configurations of analytes. The VetStat analyzer and its cassettes are manufactured by OPTI Medical Systems.
The Company sells three hematology analyzers that assess the cellular components of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets (also called a complete blood count (CBC)). These analyzers include the ProCyte Dx Hematology Analyzer, which uses laser-flow cytometry, optical fluorescence and laminar-flow impedance in its analysis; the LaserCyte Hematology Analyzer, which uses laser-flow cytometry technology in its analysis, and the IDEXX VetAutoread Hematology Analyzer. It also sells the Coag Dx Analyzer, which permits the detection and diagnosis of blood clotting disorders. The ProCyte Dx analyzer provides validated results for five species (canine, feline, equine, bovine and ferret) for up to 24 different blood parameters, providing a more complete picture of each patient�� health.
The SNAPshot Dx analyzer provides quantitative measurements of total thyroxine (T4), cortisol and bile acids to assist in the evaluation of thyroid, adrenal and liver function. The SNAPshot Dx analyzer also reads, interprets and records the results of many IDEXX rapid assay SNAP tests, including its canine SNAP 4Dx test, feline SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo test, canine SNAP cPL test, feline SNAP fPL test, SNAP Feline Triple test and canine SNAP Heartworm RT test. The IDEXX VetLab UA Analyzer provides chemical urinalysis and is validated specifically for veterinary use. The IDEXX VetLab Station (IVLS) connects and integrates the diagnostic information from all the IDEXX VetLab equipment and thus provides reference laboratory information management system capability. It sells the IVLS as an integral component of the Catalyst Dx, LaserCyte and ProCyte Dx analyzers and also as a standalone hardware platform.
The IVLS includes a user interface to input patient information, connect with a practice management system and send i! nformatio! n to run the individual analyzers. IVLS also generates one integrated patient report incorporating all of the lab work generated by the IDEXX VetLab suite; stores, retrieves and analyzes historical patient diagnostics data, including SNAP test results; and sends and receives information from practice management systems, including the IDEXX Cornerstone system, as well as a variety of third-party systems. It sells a range of single-use, handheld test kits under the SNAP name. In addition to its single-use tests, it sells a range of microwell-based test kits under the PetChek name for canine heartworm, FIV and FeLV.
The Company offers commercial reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services to veterinarians in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, China and South Korea and to bioresearch customers in the United States and Europe. The Company provides specialized veterinary consultation, telemedicine and advisory services, including radiology, cardiology, internal medicine and ultrasound consulting. It develops, markets and sells practice management systems, including hardware and software, and services that run certain functions of veterinary clinics, including managing patient electronic health records, scheduling (including boarding and grooming), reminders, billing and inventory management.
The Company markets and sells two digital radiography systems for use in the small animal veterinary hospital: the IDEXX-DR 1417 and the IDEXX I-Vision CR. Its digital radiography systems use IDEXX-PACS and IDEXX EquiView PACS picture archiving and communication system (PACS) software for the viewing, manipulation, management, storage and retrieval of the digital images generated by the digital capture plate. In September 2011, the Company launched IDEXX I-Vision Mobile, an application that allows veterinarians with the IDEXX-DR 1417 and IDEXX I-Vision CR systems, as well as its digital radiography systems, to request, view and send images using an iPa! d or an A! ndroid mobile tablet. This application integrates with its IDEXX-PACS software.
Water
The Company offers a range of products used in the detection and quantification of various microbiological parameters in water. Its principal products are the Colilert, Colilert-18 and Colisure tests, which simultaneously detect the presence of total coliforms and E. coli in water. These organisms are used as indicators of microbial contamination in water. These products utilize indicator-nutrients that produce a change in color or fluorescence when metabolized by target microbes in the sample. Its water tests are used by government laboratories, water utilities and private certified laboratories to test drinking water. The tests also are used in evaluating water used in production processes (for example, in beverage and pharmaceutical applications) and in evaluating bottled water, recreational water, waste water and water from private wells.
Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics
The Company sells diagnostic tests and related instrumentation that are used to detect a range of diseases and to monitor health status in livestock and poultry. Its livestock and poultry diagnostic products are purchased by government and private laboratories that provide testing services to cattle, swine and poultry veterinarians and producers. Its principal products include tests for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease). BVDV is a common and contagious viral infection that suppresses the immune system, making the animal susceptible to a host of other infections, impacting beef and dairy production yields as a result. PRRS is a contagious virus causing reproductive problems and respiratory diseases. BSE is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord.
Other
The principal products in the Company�! � Dairy ! business are its SNAP tests used to detect antibiotic drug-residue in milk. Its primary product line for detecting antibiotic residue in milk is SNAP Beta-Lactam, which detects penicillin, amoxicillin, ceftiofur and cephaphirin residues, followed by SNAPduo Beta-Tetra, which detects certain tetracycline antibiotic residues in addition to those detected by the SNAP Beta Lactam test kits. It also sells SNAP tests for the detection of certain other contaminants in milk, such as chemical melamine and Alfatoxin M1.
The Company sells OPTI point-of-care analyzers and related consumables for use in human medical hospitals and clinics to measure electrolytes, blood gases, acid-base balance, glucose, lactate, BUN and ionized calcium, and to calculate other parameters, such as base excess and anion gap. These analyzers are used primarily in emergency rooms, operating rooms, cardiac monitoring areas and other locations where time-critical diagnostic testing is performed within the hospital setting. The OPTI CCA and OPTI Touch Electrolyte and Blood Gas Analyzers run single-use disposable cassettes that contain various configurations of analytes; the OPTI R Analyzer runs reusable cassettes in various analyte configurations; and the OPTI LION Stat Electrolyte Analyzer runs single-use electrolyte cassettes. OPTI Medical Systems also manufactures its VetStat analyzer and provides the electrolyte module and dry slide reagents that make up the electrolyte testing functionality of the Catalyst Dx analyzer.
The Company competes with VCA Antech, Inc., Abaxis, Inc., Butler, Radiometer A/S, Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, Instrumentation Laboratory, Abbott Diagnostics and Roche Diagnostics.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Sean Williams]
Ignore this trend at your own risk
If you choose to do nothing, then you're playing right into the hands of pharmaceutical giants like Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS ) , Merck (NYSE: MRK ) , and IDEXX Laboratories (NASDAQ: IDXX ) , which are counting on your indifference to drive their profits.
- [By Tim Brugger]
After 10 years on the board of IDEXX Laboratories (NASDAQ: IDXX ) , including serving on its audit and compensation committees, Brian McKeon has been named IDEXX's new executive vice president and CFO, the company announced today. McKeon's appointment as CFO becomes effective Jan. 1, though he has resigned from the IDEXX board as of Oct. 11, the company said.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: VolitionRX Ltd (VNRX)
VolitionRX Limited, formerly Standard Capital Corporation, incorporated on September 24, 1998, through its wholly owned subsidiary Singapore Volition Pte Limited (Volition), is a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests. As of October 12, 2011, Volition was developing a range of blood-based epigenetic cancer screening tests, which will be released for research then clinical use in Europe, North America and globally. The tests will enable doctors to screen for the general presence of cancer in the body with a single blood test, and investigate, which cancer is present in many of those cancer positive patients using a panel of tests. On October 6, 2011, the Company announced the closure of the share exchange agreement with the Company. On October 6, 2011, Volition became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Volition�� HyperGenomics technology will determine specific epigenetic signatures from cancer biopsies. The HyperGenomics range of tests will be used as a second line once cancer has been diagnosed, to determine the specific subtype of disease and to help decide the most appropriate therapy. Volition is developing a non-invasive blood test for endometriosis, based on its Nucleosomics technology.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Peter Graham]
At the end of last week, small cap stocks Senesco Technologies, Inc (OTCBB: SNTI), VolitionRX Ltd (OTCMKTS: VNRX) and Micromem Technologies Inc (OTCBB: MMTIF) were all trending upwards ��ending up 13.65%, 8.73% and 7.61%, respectively, on Friday. However, it�� a new trading week with the last two trading days for the year. So what direction will these three small caps head in for the end of this year and into next year? Here is a quick look to help you decide on a trading or investment strategy:
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Ophthotech Corp (OPHT)
Ophthotech Corporation, incorporated on January 05, 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of therapeutics to treat diseases of the eye. The Company�� advanced product candidate is Fovista, which the Company is developing for use in combination with anti-VEGF drugs that represent the current standard of care for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Wet AMD is a serious disease of the central portion of the retina, known as the macula, which is responsible for detailed central vision and color perception. It is characterized by abnormal new blood vessel formation and growth, referred to as neovascularization, which results in blood vessel leakage, retinal distortion and scar formation. If untreated, the progressive retinal damage results in rapid, irreversible and severe vision loss. Wet AMD is the cause of blindness in patients over the age of 55 in the United States and the European Union.
The anti-VEGF market for the treatment of wet AMD consists predominantly of two drugs that are approved for marketing and primarily prescribed for the treatment of wet AMD, Lucentis and Eylea, and off-label use of the cancer therapy Avastin. The use of anti-VEGF drugs has significantly improved visual outcomes for patients with wet AMD who have been treated with these drugs as compared to untreated patients.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Shares of Ophthotech (NASDAQ: OPHT) got a boost, shooting up 25.78 percent to $39.54 after the company reported that it has entered into an ex-US licensing and commercialization deal with Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
- [By John Udovich]
If you have not been watching the biotech sector lately, you should start paying attention as the sector along with small cap biotech stocks like Cell Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: CTIC), BIND Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: BIND) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) continue to produce a steady stream of good news for investors thanks to positive industry trends. Moreover, Ophthotech Corp (NASDAQ: OPHT), Foundation Medicine Inc (NASDAQ: FMI), Evoke Pharma and Fate Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: FATE) are this week's biotech IPOs that will no doubt be watched closely by Wall Street and industry observers in general. With that in mind, consider the following biotech news or recent articles about the industry and the small cap players in it:
- [By John Udovich]
The biotech sector has been pretty exciting this year�with small cap biotech stocks Prana Biotechnology Limited (NASDAQ: PRAN) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) having recently produced noteworthy news for investors�while Acceleron Pharma, Inc (NASDAQ: XLRN), Ophthotech (NASDAQ: OPHT) and BIND Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BIND) have just�set term sheets for their upcoming IPOs. Just consider all of the following recent news:
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Intelligent Living Inc (ILIV)
Intelligent Living Inc., formerly Feel Golf Co., Inc., incorporated on February 14, 2000, is a developer of healthy aging software tracking systems and wellness centers, which will provide integrated services promoting optimal health and wellness programs. The services to be offered by the Company are personalized programs and regimens developed by nutritionists, fitness specialists and hormone replacement therapists. The Company focuses to offer the benefits of tailored nutritional programs and its products, combined with healthy-aging bio-identical hormone replacement therapies (BHRT). The Company provides services, such as Age Management Medicine, Excercise & Nutrition, MIND360.COM, Nutraceuticals, Hormone Therapy, and Business Solutions.
Age Management Medicine
The Company's Age Management Medicine is a proactive and preventative approach to healthcare for an aging population. The basic tenets of Age Management Medicine include medical history examination of the patient, a thorough lifestyle assessment, and physical and laboratory evaluations, which are used to establish personalized treatment plans.
Business Solutions
The Company is in the development stages of launching its own Electronic Medical Records software. The product will be a Web-based clinical application for the management of patients with hormone and other chronic conditions.
Excercise & Nutrition
The Company has on-site fitness specialists and nutritionists to help one attain goals. Depending on personal goals, personalized consultations are available at their request.
Hormone Therapy
The Company works directly with a pharmacy that compounds products for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It serves both men and women.
MIND360.COM
Mind360 enhances and maintains people�� mental fitness through an online cognitive training platform. Its engaging brain training games are designed to help strengthen ke! y cognitive functions, including memory, attention, executive functions, thinking and reasoning, and visual perception. Mind360 has over 10,000 users in every continent with more than 40 games.
Nutraceuticals
The Company is focused on optimizing health goals through proper nutrition and dietary supplementation. Its Nutraceutical products support this proactive approach to healthy aging and helps reduce the negative effects of aging and improve quality of life. The Company's Nutraceutical line of products are formulated by both pharmacists and physicians.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Peter Graham]
Small cap healthcare and lifestyle stocks Axxess Pharma Inc (OTCMKTS: AXXE), Medefile International Inc (OTCMKTS: MDFI) and Intelligent Living Inc (OTCMKTS: ILIV) have all been getting some extra attention lately thanks in part to a few disclosed paid promotions or investor relations type of activities. But just how healthy are these small cap stocks for investors and traders alike? Here is a quick reality check:
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Insys Therapeutics Inc (INSY)
Insys Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on June 15, 1990, is a pharmaceutical company that develops and seeks to commercialize pharmaceutical products that target the unmet needs of cancer patients, with an initial focus on cancer-supportive care. The Company�� pharmaceuticals portfolio consists of one approved product and a number of product candidates targeting cancer-supportive care and cancer therapy. The Company�� product candidate includes Subsys, Dronabinol SG Capsule, Dronabinol RT Capsule, Dronabinol Oral Solution, Dronabinol Inhalation Device, and Dronabinol IV Solution. The Company is also developing cancer therapeutics, which is LEP-ETU, a formulation of paclitaxel, the active ingredient in the cancer drugs Taxol and Abraxane. On August 19, 2011, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved its Dronabinol SG Capsule product, a generic equivalent to Marinol, for the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Subsys
The Company's Subsys is a single-use product that delivers fentanyl, an opioid analgesic, in seconds for transmucosal absorption underneath the tongue. Subsys is a transmucosal product to show pain relief when measuring the sum of pain intensity difference at five minutes in a Phase 3 breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP) clinical trial using fentanyl.
Dronabinol Product Family
The Company has an approved dronabinol product and is developing several dronabinol product candidates for the treatment of CINV and appetite stimulation in patients with AIDS, as well as other indications where dronabinol could have potential therapeutic benefits. Dronabinol, the active ingredient in Marinol, is a synthetic cannabinoid whose chemical name is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Its portfolio consists of its Dronabinol SG Capsule product and Dronabinol RT Capsule product candidate, which are intended to be generic equi! valents to Marinol, in addition to three formulations, including Dronabinol Oral Solution. Dronabinol SG Capsule is a dronabinol soft gelatin capsule intended to be a generic equivalent to Marinol. Dronabinol RT Capsule is a dronabinol soft gel capsule that is stable at room temperature. Dronabinol Oral Solution is a ynthetic THC in an oral liquid formulation.
Cancer Therapeutics
In addition to its cancer-supportive care products, the Company intends to develop cancer therapeutics targeting limitations of existing commercial products. LEP-ETU, it advanced cancer therapeutic, is a NeoLipid liposomal, or microscopic membrane-like structure created from lipids, formulation that incorporates paclitaxel. LEP-ETU completed a Phase 2 clinical trial of 70 patients with metastatic breast cancer.
The Company competes with Cephalon, Inc., BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc., ProStrakan Group plc, Nycomed International Management GmbH, Archimedes Pharma Ltd., TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Akela Pharma Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Pharmaceutical International, Inc., Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc., sanofi-aventis, Eisai Inc., Helsinn Group, Roche Holding AG, Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, ProStrakan Group plc, Merck & Co, GW Pharmaceutical, A.P. Pharma, Inc., Aphios Corp., Roche Holding, Tesaro, Inc., Cornerstone Pharmaceutical, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Laboratories, Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca PLC., Bayer AG, Biogen Idec Inc., Eisai Co., Ltd., F. Hoffmann- LaRoche Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Merck and Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pfizer Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Matt Jarzemsky]
Among companies that went public in the U.S. last year, FireEye has seen the second-biggest share rally since its IPO, trailing only pharmaceutical company Insys Therapeutics Inc.(INSY)
- [By David Zeiler]
2. Insys Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: INSY): Insys is a biotech seeking to capitalize on the growing interest in medical marijuana by using a generic form of THC to create drugs to treat cancer pain. INSY had its IPO May 2 with an offer price of $8 a share. The stock rose 19.75% on its first day of trading. But investors really warmed up to Insys later; it currently trades at about $37.54, a 369.25% increase over the offer price.
- [By Roberto Pedone]
One specialty pharmaceutical player that's quickly moving within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Insys Therapeutics (INSY), which develops and commercialize supportive care products that target the unmet needs of cancer patients, with an initial focus on cancer-supportive care. This stock is off to a monster start in 2013, with shares up a whopping 434%.
>>5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now
If you take a look at the chart for Insys Therapeutics, you'll notice that this stock has been uptrending strong for the last six months, with shares soaring higher from its low of $9.30 to its recent high of $53.64 a share. During that uptrend, shares of INSY have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. Shares of INSY have recently pulled back to its 50-day moving average and the stock has now started to spike higher off that level. That spike is starting to push shares of INSY within range of triggering a big breakout trade.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in INSY if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $43.50 to $44.52 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 235,266 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then INSY will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $47.25 to its all-time high at $53.64 a share.
Traders can look to buy INSY off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some near-term support at $38.75 a share or near its 50-day at $36.73 a share. One can also buy INSY off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
INSYS Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INSY) was also down, falling 15.14 percent to $27.73 after news broke that a doctor had fraudulently prescribed its drug Subsys.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Horizon Pharma Inc (HZNP)
Horizon Pharma, Inc. (Horizon), incorporated on March 23, 2010, is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes medicines to target unmet therapeutic needs in arthritis, pain and inflammatory diseases. On April 23, 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration, approved DUEXIS (formerly HZT-501), a tablet formulation containing a fixed-dose combination of ibuprofen and famotidine in a single pill. The Company�� other product, LODOTRA (NP-01), is a programmed release formulation of low-dose prednisone that is marketed in Europe by the Company�� distribution partner, Mundipharma International Corporation Limited (Mundipharma). As of December 31, 2010, Horizon completed multiple Phase III clinical trials of LODOTRA. In addition to these product candidates, the Company has a pipeline of earlier-stage product candidates to treat pain-related diseases and chronic inflammation. On April 1, 2010, Horizon effected a recapitalization and acquisition pursuant to which Horizon Pharma, Inc. became a holding company, that operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Horizon Pharma USA, Inc. (formerly Horizon Therapeutics, Inc.) and Horizon Pharma AG (formerly Nitec Pharma AG (Nitec)).
DUEXIS
DUEXIS is a combination of 800 milligram ibuprofen and 26.6 milligram famotidine in a single pill and is indicated for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA), and to decrease the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal (GI), ulcers in patients who are taking ibuprofen for those indications. The Company has completed two Phase III clinical trials in a total of over 1,500 patients with mild to moderate pain or arthritis that demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)-induced upper GI ulcers when treated with DUEXIS versus ibuprofen alone.
LODOTRA
LODOTRA is a programmed release formulation of low-dose prednisone, a well-established drug use! d to inhibit the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins associated with joint inflammation in RA. LODOTRA has received regulatory approval in Europe for the treatment of moderate to severe, active RA in adults when accompanied by morning stiffness. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had completed two pivotal Phase III clinical trials of LODOTRA in a total of over 600 patients with RA. The first pivotal Phase III trial supported the approval of LODOTRA in Europe in March 2009, where it is approved for marketing in 14 European countries. LODOTRA achieved significant results and met the primary endpoint in each of the two pivotal Phase III clinical trials. Its LODOTRA product was developed and is owned by Horizon Pharma AG. As of December 31, 2010, the Company markets LODOTRA in Europe through three separate agreements. Pursuant to two separate agreements, it granted Merck Serono GmbH and Merck GesmbH, an affiliate of Merck Serono, the rights to distribute and market LODOTRA in each of Germany and Austria, respectively, and pursuant to the third agreement, it granted Mundipharma rights to distribute and market LODOTRA in the rest of Europe. The Company also has a manufacturing and supply agreement with Jagotec AG under which Jagotec or its affiliates manufacture and supply LODOTRA to the Company as bulk tablets.
The Company competes with Pfizer Inc., Pozen Inc., Abbott Laboratories and Amgen Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Monica Gerson]
Horizon Pharma (NASDAQ: HZNP) shares dropped 5.29% to $12.90 in pre-market trading after the company reported Q4 results. Horizon Pharma posted a quarterly loss of $0.04 per share on revenue of $30.10 million. However, analysts were expecting a loss of $0.08 per share on revenue of $32.18 million.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Top losers in the sector included Horizon Pharma (NASDAQ: HZNP), off 9.5 percent, and Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANAC), down 8.2 percent.
Top Headline
The Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX) reported a 13% gain in its fiscal second-quarter earnings. Greenbrier's quarterly profit surged to $15.6 million, or $0.50 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $13.8 million, or $0.45 per share. Excluding one-time items, it earned $0.51 per share. Its revenue climbed 88% to $502.2 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.60 per share on revenue of $508.69 million.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Top losers in the sector included Horizon Pharma (NASDAQ: HZNP), off 9.5 percent, and Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANAC), down 8.2 percent.
Top Headline
The Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX) reported a 13% gain in its fiscal second-quarter earnings. Greenbrier's quarterly profit surged to $15.6 million, or $0.50 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $13.8 million, or $0.45 per share. Excluding one-time items, it earned $0.51 per share. Its revenue climbed 88% to $502.2 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.60 per share on revenue of $508.69 million.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Lpath Inc (LPTN)
Lpath, Inc. (Lpath), incorporated on September 18, 2002, is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of bio-active lipid-targeted monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics. The Company has three product candidates, iSONEP, ASONEP and Lpathomab. The Company's program, iSONEP, is a mAb against Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P). As of December 31, 2012, it was in phase-II clinical trials for wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The Company is also advancing ASONEP, the systemic formulation of the mAb to S1P. ASONEP has completed a phase-I clinical trial and is entering phase-II clinical trials in Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Lpath's third product candidate, Lpathomab, is a mAb to the bioactive lipid, Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA). The Company also applies its technology platform, ImmuneY2, to discovering mAbs to new bioactive lipid targets.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Lauren Pollock]
Biotechnology company Lpath Inc.(LPTN) warned Pfizer Inc.(PFE) may divest itself of its exclusive option to co-develop the smaller firm’s leading product candidate. Lpath’s stock fell.
- [By Lauren Pollock]
Lpath Inc.(LPTN) said it is no longer actively seeking to reacquire exclusive rights to its leading product candidate from Pfizer Inc.(PFE), saying the pharmaceutical giant informed the company that its offers weren’t competitive. The biotechnology company in October had warned that Pfizer might may divest itself of its exclusive option to co-develop the smaller firm’s leading product candidate–known as iSONEP.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Antares Pharma Inc (ATRS)
Antares Pharma, Inc. (Antares) is a pharma company that focuses on self-injection pharmaceutical products and technologies and topical gel-based products. The Company�� subcutaneous and intramuscular injection technology platforms include Vibex disposable pressure-assisted auto injectors, Vision reusable needle-free injectors, and disposable multi-use pen injectors. In the injector area, it has licensed its reusable needle-free injection device for use with human growth hormone (hGH) to Teva, Ferring Pharmaceuticals BV (Ferring) and JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (JCR), with Teva and Ferring being its two primary customers. The Company has also licensed both disposable auto and pen injection devices to Teva for use in certain fields and territories and is engaged in product development activities for Teva utilizing these devices.
In the gel-based area, it received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in December 2011 for its oxybutynin gel 3% product, Anturol, for the treatment of overactive bladder. Antares also has a licensing agreement with Watson Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Watson) under which Watson will commercialize its topical oxybutynin gel 3% product in the United States and Canada. Its gel portfolio also includes Elestrin (estradiol gel) in the United States for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. Antares has designed disposable, pressure assisted auto injector devices to address acute medical needs, such as allergic reactions, migraine headaches, acute pain, emesis and other daily therapies.
Pressure Assisted Injection Devices
The Company�� Pressure Assisted Injection Devices consists of three products: reusable needle-free injectors, disposable pressure assisted auto injectors and disposable pen injectors. Reusable needle-free injectors deliver precise medication doses through high-speed, pressurized liquid penetration of the skin without a needle. The injector employs a disposable pl! astic needle-free syringe, which offers liquid medication delivery through an opening that is approximately half the diameter of a standard, 30-gauge needle.
Disposable pressure assisted auto injectors is a technology of controlled pressure delivery of drugs into the body utilizing a spring power source. The Vibex is designed to provide fast subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of up to 0.5ml with minimal discomfort and improved convenience in conjunction with the enhanced safety of a shielded needle. Disposable pen injectors are needle-based devices designed to deliver multiple injections from multi-dose drug cartridges. The devices contain mechanisms that specify the dose to be delivered by defining the amount of movement by the stopper in the cartridge with each device actuation.
The Vision/Tjet has been sold for use in more than 30 countries to deliver either insulin or hGH. The product features a reusable, spring-based power source and disposable needle-free syringe, which acts as the pathway for the injectable drug through the skin and allows for viewing of the medication dose prior to injection. The product is also reusable, with each device designed to last for approximately 3,000 injections (or approximately two years) while the needle-free syringe, when used with insulin or hGH, is disposable after approximately one week when used by a single patient for injecting from multi-dose vials. The Vision/Tjet administers injectables by using a spring to push the active ingredient in solution or suspension through a micro-fine opening in the needle-free syringe. The opening is approximately half the diameter of a 30-gauge needle. The Vision/Tjet is primarily used in the United States, Europe, Asia and Japan.
Antares has designed disposable, pressure assisted auto injector devices to address acute medical needs, such as allergic reactions, migraine headaches, acute pain, emesis and other daily therapies. Its Vibex disposable product combines a low-energy, spr! ing-based! power source with a hidden needle, which delivers up to 0.5ml of the needed drug solution subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Antares is also developing a Vibex MTX auto injector for delivery of methotrexate for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The Company�� multi use, disposable pen injector complements its portfolio of single-use pressure assisted auto injector devices. The disposable pen injector device is designed to deliver drugs by injection through needles from multi- dose cartridges. The disposable pen is in the stage of development where devices are being used in clinical evaluations.
Transdermal Products
The Company�� ATD system penetrates the skin to deliver a variety of treatments. The gels consist of a hydro-alcoholic base, including a combination of permeation enhancers. Products being developed/ commercialized include Anturol, Elestrin and Nestragel. Elestrin is a transdermal estradiol gel for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. Its other injectable drugs that are presently self-administered and may be suitable for injection with its systems include therapies for the prevention of blood clots and treatments for multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches, inflammatory diseases, impotence, infertility, acquired immune deficiency symdrome (AIDS) and hepatitis.
The Company competes with Ypsomed AG, SHL Group AB, OwenMumford Ltd., West Pharmaceuticals, Becton Dickinson, Haselmeir GmbH, Elcam Medical, Vetter Pharma, Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., The Medical House PLC, Watson, Abbott, Eli Lilly, Auxillium, Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals, Teva, Mylan, Roxane, Bedford Labs, APP Pharmaceuticals, Hospira, Pfizer, GSK/Astellas, Warner Chilcott and Allergan.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Luke Jacobi]
Antares Pharma (NASDAQ: ATRS) added 6.65 percent to close at $4.33 following the announcement that an FDA decision is expected on its drug on October 14. Equities
- [By Keith Speights]
1. Antares Pharma (NASDAQ: ATRS )
Antares has experienced a roller-coaster ride so far this year. The stock was up more than 10% early in January, then proceeded to fall by more than 20% by late February. Since then, Antares has clawed its way back and now stands up a little over 10% for the year.�
- [By Keith Speights]
Antares Pharma (NASDAQ: ATRS ) announced its first-quarter results �Wednesday morning but failed to impress the market. Shares were down around 3% in midday trading. Here are the highlights from the company's results.
- [By MONEYMORNING]
That's not always the case. I watched as one well-known blogger on The Street sabotaged Antares Pharma (Nasdaq: ATRS) right after FDA approval for a new rheumatoid arthritis delivery system a few months ago, and it's taken a long time for ATRS to finally recover. A similar thing happened to Sangamo Biosciences (Nasdaq: SGMO), which stopped my subscribers out of the stock. I advised them to buy right back into it, and we currently just exited with a 73.4% return on it.
