BioMarin Recieves Approval for Aldurazyme in Japan

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) announced today that it had recieved marketing approval for Aldurazyme in Japan, the firt exclusive treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) in that country.

Aldurazyme is already approved in the U.S. and Europe for treating MPS I, which is a fatal genetic disease characterized by the lack of enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase leading to a dangerous build up of complex carbohydrates in cells. The condition can cause pulmonary and cardiac failure, among other tissue and organ complications. Patients usually do no survive into adulthood

BioMarin entered into a partnership with Genzyme, whereby BioMarin is responsible for manufacturing Aldurazyme while Genzyme will commercialize the drug.

Shares of BioMarin closed Tuesday's trading a little over $16 a share ahead of the after-hours news release.

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Tuesday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

CYTRX CP [CYTR] +21.37%
ALNYLAM PHARMACEUT [ALNY] +18.80%
MEMORY PHARMACEUTICA [MEMY] +15.15%
BIOSANTE PHARMA INC [BPA] +10.78%
EXACT SCIENCES COR [EXAS] +10.61%



Diagnostic Substances

NYMOX PHARM CORP [NYMX] +10.54%
PONIARD PHARMA [PARD] +8.92%
VALERA PHARMACEUTICA [VLRX] +8.42%
GENELABS TECH INC [GNLB] +7.59%
PRESSURE BIOSCIENC [PBIO] +5.14%



Drug Delivery

NOVADEL PHARMA INC [NVD] +8.93%
MATRIXX INITIATVS [MTXX] +2.24%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +2.06%
FLAMEL TECH SA ADR [FLML] +1.76%
NEKTAR THERAPEUTIC [NKTR] +1.69%



Drug Manufacturers

SIRNA THERAPEUTICS [RNAI] +95.81%
SCICLONE PHARMA [SCLN] +12.72%
PROVECTUS PHARMA [PVCT.OB] +6.09%
AMERICAN ORIENTL BIO [AOB] +5.97%
OSCIENT PHARACEUT [OSCI] +5.71%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

MEDICAL SOLUTION MGT [MSMT.OB] +25.00%
UROLOGIX INC [ULGX] +5.71%
EXACTECH INC [EXAC] +5.63%
CANDELA CP [CLZR] +4.66%
BIOMET INC [BMET] +3.81%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

AMDL, INC [ADL] +23.95%
BIOJECT MEDICAL [BJCT] +21.90%
ENCISION INC [ECI] +8.83%
BIOMIMETIC THERAPEUT [BMTI] +6.72%
EP MEDSYSTEMS INC [EPMD] +6.61%



Medical Laboratories & Research

NEOGENOMICS INC [NGNM.OB] +7.58%
BIO-IMAGING TECH [BITI] +4.88%
PRIMEDEX HEALTH SYS [PMDX.OB] +3.21%
ARRAY BIOPHARMA IN [ARRY] +2.51%
PACIFIC BIOMETRICS N [PBME.OB] +1.82%


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Merck Looking To Become RNAi Technology Leader

Pharmaceutical giant Merck (MRK) shocked the biotechnology world today as the company announced it is buying little biotech Sirna Therapeutics (RNAI) for more than $1 billion. That figure is 100% more than Sirna's market value.

This is another move by Merck to enter the new darling of the biotechnology industry, RNAi technology. Discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998, which won them the Nobel Prize last month, RNAi is a new form of RNA, an acronym for RNA interference, that can turn off other genes much like an off switch.

Scientists are excited about the potential of RNAi as a new drug discovery tool, but some also believe that RNAi can be a drug in itself.

Central to the deal is Sirna's drug candidate for macular degeneration currently in phase 2 clinical trials.

While some may believe the $1 billion price tag placed on Sirna might be expensive, Merck's move places the company as one of the leaders in this new technological field of biotech research. It has a partnership with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY), a company founded in 2002, and is currently advancing its own RNAi candidate for treating lung infections caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Alnylam's drug is currently in phase 1 trials.

Shares of Alnylam were already up more than 24% in after hours trading late Monday, and will surely see more gains at the opening bell on Tuesday.



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Watch Alert: Sonic Innovations Inc (SNCI)

Shares of Sonic Innovations (SNCI) gained more than 17% on Monday on more than 14x the daily average volume.

There was no news release or media exposure that can be detected.

Sonic Innovations develops and markets digital hearing aids and auditory testing equipment.

Shares of SNCI closed at $4.88 after reaching a day high of $5.34.

SNCI has made it on BHI's Watch List.


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Monday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICL [RXHN.OB] +30.56%
POINT THERAPEUTICS [POTP] +19.20%
CRITICAL THERAPEUTIC [CRTX] +11.34%
IMMTECH PHARM INC [IMM] +9.95%
POLYDEX PHARM LTD [POLXF] +9.37%



Diagnostic Substances

LEXICON GENETICS I [LEXG] +2.54%
MONOGRAM BIOSCIENCES [MGRM] +2.21%
IMMUCOR INC [BLUD] +1.64%
ISTA PHARMACTLS [ISTA] +1.49%
SONUS PHARM INC [SNUS] +1.43%



Drug Delivery

ARADIGM CORP [ARDM] +6.48%
BENTLEY PHARMACEUTIC [BNT] +1.68%
FLAMEL TECH SA ADR [FLML] +1.04%
INSITE VISION INC [ISV] +0.67%
ANDRX GROUP [ADRX] +0.16%



Drug Manufacturers

SIGA TECH INC [SIGA] +4.95%
ACUSPHERE INC [ACUS] +4.66%
DURECT CORP [DRRX] +4.05%
GERON CORP [GERN] +3.82%
AMERICAN ORIENTL BIO [AOB] +2.86%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

SONIC INNOVATIONS [SNCI] +17.59%
ARRHYTHMIA RES TECH [HRT] +5.97%
CHOLESTECH CORP [CTEC] +4.08%
VOLCANO CORPORATION [VOLC] +3.67%
KINETIC CONCEPTS INC [KCI] +3.49%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CAS MEDICAL SYS INC [CASM] +17.65%
CARDIOTECH INTL [CTE] +14.76%
BIOMIMETIC THERAPEUT [BMTI] +13.12%
ENCISION INC [ECI] +8.70%
NUCRYST PHARMACEUTIC [NCST] +8.32%



Medical Laboratories & Research
AASTROM BIOSCIENCE [ASTM] +11.89%
BIO-IMAGING TECH [BITI] +9.28%
PSYCHEMEDICS NEW [PMD] +5.38%
ENZO BIOCHEM INC [ENZ] +4.92%
PREMD INC [PME] +4.68%


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GSK Vaccine Could Cut Cervical Cancer by 80%

At Monday's International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 9th Annual European Congress (ISPOR) in Copenhagen, Denmark, Glaxosmithkline PLC (GSK) announced that based on a mathematical model typically used for estimating the effect of cancer vaccines in a population its own cervical cancer candidate could reduce the rate of this cancer in women by as much as 80%.

GSK's cancer vaccine has been developed to prevent infection with the most prevalent cancer causing sub-types of HPV, HPV16 and HPV18. This was shown in an earlier study where the company's vaccine prevented recurrent HPV infections in women between the ages of 15-25.

The company claims that over 16,000 women have been vaccinated with its cervical cancer vaccine. The vaccine is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials.

Shares of GSK closed on Friday at $53.28, down by about 3%.

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Weekly Insider Report: Biotech and Medical Stocks


The BHI Weekly Insider Report is posted on BHI once a week, usually on Sunday or Monday. BHI does not take any responsibility for any financial loss or damage caused by or related to the following reports. BHI does not guarantee the accuracy of the reports. The following information should be used for entertainment purposes only.



This week's report:

BIOTECH
bought Trubion Pharm [TRBN]: Oct 17-23, $13 by Directors & Beneficial Owners
sold Illumina [ILMN]: Oct 20-25, $42.90-$44.80 by 2 Officers & Director
sold Gilead Sciences [GILD]: Oct 23-25, $67.20-$69.50 by 2 Officers & Director
sold Pharmaceutical Prod [PPDI]: Oct 20-24, $35-$35.49 by 2 Officers
sold Omrix BioPharm [OMRI]: Oct 23-24, $19.76-$19.95 by 2 Beneficial Owners
sold Vertex Pharm [VRTX]: Oct 23, $33.65 by Officer
sold Amylin Pharm [AMLN]: Oct 19, $46.47 by Director
sold Medicines Co [MDCO]: Oct 23, $24 by Officer
sold ISIS Pharm [ISIS]: Oct 19, $8.95-$9 by Officer



DRUGS
bought Iomai Corp [IOMI]: Oct 25, $4.38 by Director & Beneficial Owners
sold Adams Respiratory [ARXT]: Oct 20-24, $42.16-$43.47 by 2 Officers
sold Johnson & Johnson [JNJ]: Oct 24, $68.50-$68.62 by 2 Officers
sold Endo Pharm [ENDP]: Oct 23, $29.80 by Officer
sold Eli Lilly [LLY]: Oct 25-26, $56.83-$57.79 by Beneficial Owner
sold Pozen [POZN]: Oct 23, $15.00 by Officer
sold Somaxon Pharm [SOMX]: Oct 23, $15.03 by 5 Officers & Director
sold Cytokinetics [CYTK]: Oct 24, $6.99-$7.04 by Director
sold Corcept Pharm [CORT]: Oct 25, $0.84 by Officer



MEDICAL SUPPLIES
bought LeMaitre Vascular [LMAT]: Oct 19-23, $6.20-$6.43 by 2 Officers
bought Vascular Solutions [VASC]: Oct 25, $7.50 by Director
bought Aspenbio Pharma [APNB]: Oct 23, $1.80 by Officer
bought Optical Sensors [OPTL]: Oct 18, $1.30 by Beneficial Owner
sold Immucor [BLUD]: Oct 23-26, $26.00-$26.52 by Director & Officer
sold Kensey Nash [KNSY]: Oct 23-25, $31.00-$31.68 by Officer
sold Wright Medical Grp [WMGI]: Oct 24-26, $23.52-$24 by Officer
sold Arrow Int [ARRO]: Oct 20-25, $35.61-$36.12 by 2 Directors
sold AngioDynamics [ANGO]: Oct 24, $22.93 by Beneficial Owner
sold Iridex [IRIX]: Oct 19-20, $10.00 by Director


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Watch Alert: Insite Vision (ISV)

Shares of Insite Vision (ISV) ended trading on Friday up more than 17%, on more than twice the three month average daily volume.

No news or media exposure can be detected.

It is an extremely large jump relative to other stocks that have made it on BHI's watch list. However, such interest in a stock in one day, with no news, warrants attention.

Insite Vision develops and markets ophthalmic pharmaceutical products, including AzaSite, which is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

On August 28, the company announced that the FDA accepted its NDA for AzaSite for review.

Friday's action could be a sign of an FDA decision in the near future.

Insite has made BHI's Watch List.

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IBD Weekly Top Ranked Medical Stocks...


The following list represents the top ten medical stocks ranked according to Earnings Per Share and Relative Strength by Investor's Business Daily (10/28/06)

scores out of 100 (last week's rank, change in score):

1(2) Arrhythmia Research [HRT] EPS=91 RS=98
2(3) Icon [ICLR] EPS=93 RS=96
3(4) Immucor [BLUD] EPS=95 RS=93
4(6) Wellcare [WCG] EPS=94 RS=94(+2)
5(5) Systems Xcellence [SXCL] EPS=90 RS=95(-1)
6(-) Quality Systems [QSII] EPS=98 RS=86
7(-) West Pharmaceutical [WST] EPS=90 RS=92
8(-) Bio Reference Labs [BRLI] EPS=94 RS=87
9(10) Rochester Medical [ROCM] EPS=87 RS=94
10(7) Parexel [PRXL] EPS=92 RS=89 (-4)


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Friday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

INNOVIVE PHARMACEUTL [IVPH.OB] +13.33%
SENESCO TECH [SNT] +11.82%
PROGEN INDS LTD [PGLA] +8.40%
PRAECIS PHARMA [PRCS] +8.26%
BARRIER THERAPEUTICS [BTRX] +8.11%



Diagnostic Substances

DYADIC INTERNATIONAL [DIL] +9.78%
GENELABS TECH INC [GNLB] +9.03%
ORCHID CELLMARK INC [ORCH] +6.44%
SYNOVICS PHARMACEUTL [SYVC.OB] +5.26%
CYTOGEN CORP [CYTO] +2.55%



Drug Delivery

INSITE VISION INC [ISV] +17.32%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +6.83%
BIOPROGRESS PLC [BPRG] +5.02%
SYMBOLLON PHARM CL A [SYMBA.OB] +4.67%
ALKERMES INC [ALKS] +1.57%



Drug Manufacturers

VERTEX PHARMACEUT [VRTX] +17.62%
CARRINGTON LABS IN [CARN] +11.11%
DR. REDDY'S LAB LTD [RDY] +8.10%
DUSA PHARM INC [DUSA] +5.92%
SOMAXON PHARMACEUTIC [SOMX] +5.72%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

MEDICAL SOLUTION MGT [MSMT.OB] +14.29%
ZEVEX INTL INC [ZVXI] +7.58%
MEDIS TECH LTD [MDTL] +4.85%
CELSION CORP [CLN] +3.77%
PALOMAR MED TECH [PMTI] +3.41%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CPC OF AMERICA INC [CPCF.OB] +11.61%
ANGEION CORP [ANGN] +11.12%
CONCEPTUS INC [CPTS] +7.83%
UROPLASTY INC [UPI] +7.03%
PERKIN ELMER INC [PKI] +5.57%



Medical Laboratories & Research

MEDASORB TECHNOLOGS [MSBT.OB] +15.20%
NEOGENOMICS INC [NGNM.OB] +12.50%
PACIFIC BIOMETRICS N [PBME.OB] +9.71%
PREMD INC [PME] +6.88%
BRITESMILE INC [BSML] +4.35%


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Invitrogen Drops As Earnings Fall, Citigroup Cuts Stock

Shares of Invitrogen (IVGN) are down more than 12% as the company missed third quarter earnings and revenue estimates.

The company released its earnings report after markets closed on Thursday. It realized a loss of $130 million compared to a gain of $24 million for third quarter of 2005.

The company explained that earnings were impacted by a goodwill charge of $150 million during the quarter.

Management admits it had failed to continue the company's double digit growth rate that was seen over the last few years, and has promised to refocus the business strategy to maximize earnings and sales.

Citigroup however cut the stock to hold due to lack of information and clarity regarding just how the company intends to restrategize its business.

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Vertex Jumps On Hepatitis C Trials

Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) skyrocketed by more than 20% in pre-market action on Friday as the company announced positive results from its Hepatitis C drug trials.

24 out of the 26 patients who have recieved a combination therapy of interferon with Vertex's Hep C investigational protease inhibitor, telaprevir, did not show any evidence of viral RNA. Some patients were viral RNA free even after stopping therapy.

The details of the phase 1b study will be presented on Monday at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

Shares of Vertex are currently trading at $43.28 before the morning bell.

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Thursday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

CELGENE CP [CELG] +12.46%
ADVENTRX PHARMACTL [ANX] +8.83%
NANOGEN INC [NGEN] +7.33%
NPS PHARM INC [NPSP] +7.22%
IOMAI CORPORATION [IOMI] +7.19%



Diagnostic Substances

TRINITY BIO ADR [TRIB] +10.91%
IMMUCOR INC [BLUD] +5.62%
QUIDEL CP [QDEL] +5.53%
GENE LOGIC INC [GLGC] +4.94%
AKORN INC [AKN] +3.56%



Drug Delivery

COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +5.40%
GENEREX BIOTECH CORP [GNBT] +4.06%
PETMED EXPRESS INC [PETS] +3.92%
QUIGLEY CORP THE [QGLY] +3.69%
SKYEPHARMA PLC [SKYE] +3.26%



Drug Manufacturers

SEPRACOR INC [SEPR] +7.86%
PHARMAXIS LTD ADR [PXSL] +7.72%
MILLENNIUM PHARM [MLNM] +6.98%
COLLAGENEX PHARM I [CGPI] +6.96%
POZEN INC [POZN] +6.56%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

SIGNALIFE INC [SGN] +13.91%
PALOMAR MED TECH [PMTI] +13.82%
VARIAN MED SYS INC [VAR] +12.90%
QMED INC [QMED] +12.17%
CHOLESTECH CORP [CTEC] +11.27%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CPC OF AMERICA INC [CPCF.OB] +7.32%
NEPHROS INC. [NEP] +7.32% $
FOXHOLLOW TECH INC [FOXH] +6.56%
CYTYC CP [CYTC] +6.00%
BIOLASE TECH INCS3 [BLTI] +4.52%



Medical Laboratories & Research

SPHERIX INC [SPEX] +33.77%
MEDASORB TECHNOLOGS [MSBT.OB] +4.17%
NEOGENOMICS INC [NGNM.OB] +3.45%
PREMD INC [PME] +3.23%
AASTROM BIOSCIENCE [ASTM] +2.94%


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Cytyc Buys Endometriosis Device, Q3 Results Positive

Cytyc Corp (CYTC) announced late Wednesday that it had acquired certain assets from privately held Scottish company Helica, including a second generation thermal ablation device.

The Helica Thermal Coagulator, as the device is called, is used by obstetricians and gynecologists for treating endometriosis. It is estimated that over 16 million women suffer from the condition world wide.

Cytyc will pay Helica $1 million up front, and a two year earnout based on sales. Cytyc said it will pay a maximum of $9 million during that period. The second generation device will be launched in 2008.

Early Wednesday Cytyc released its third quarter results with revenue increasing 18% to $154.3 million, while diluted earnings per share also gaining 18% to $0.31 per share. That also included a tax benefit of $0.02 per share.

Domestic surgical product revenue increased by 33%, while international revenue increased by 34%.

Shares of Cytyc closed on Wednesday at $24.50, near its 52 week low of $22.79. The year high was $30.77 back in February of 2006.

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Wednesday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

BIO-MATRIX SCIENTIFI [BMSN.OB] +21.62%
ADVENTRX PHARMACTL [ANX] +12.30%
FAVRILLE, INC. [FVRL] +9.51%
IDM PHARMA INC [IDMI] +7.69%
CARDIOVASCULAR BIOTH [CVBT.OB] +7.32%



Diagnostic Substances

SYNOVICS PHARMACEUTL [SYVC.OB] +25.00%
SYNOVA HEALTHCARE GR [SNVH.OB] +6.67%
PALATIN TECH INC [PTN] +5.63%
REMOTEMDX INC [RMDX.OB] +4.21%
CYTOGEN CORP [CYTO] +3.05%



Drug Delivery

GENEREX BIOTECH CORP [GNBT] +6.49%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +5.14%
NEKTAR THERAPEUTIC [NKTR] +4.00%
BIOVAIL CORP [BVF] +2.47%
ALKERMES INC [ALKS] +1.68%



Drug Manufacturers

JAVELIN PHARMACEUTIC [JAV] +10.98%
ARENA PHARMACEUTIC [ARNA] +7.24%
PRANA BIO LTD ADS S1 [PRAN] +5.51%
TAPESTRY PHARMA INC [TPPH] +5.49%
MEDICINES CO (THE) [MDCO] +4.73%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

CANDELA CP [CLZR] +26.46%
CHOLESTECH CORP [CTEC] +11.60%
SRI/SURGICAL EXPRE [STRC] +7.87%
CHAD THERAPEUTICS [CTU] +4.76%
VOLCANO CORPORATION [VOLC] +4.35%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

NEUROMETRIX, INC. [NURO] +14.68%
UROPLASTY INC [UPI] +9.09%
TUTOGEN MEDICAL INC [TTG] +8.51%
IVAX DIAGNOSTICS INC [IVD] +7.19%
VASCULAR SOLUTIONS [VASC] +6.22%



Medical Laboratories & Research

MEDTOX SCIENTFIC INC [MTOX] +4.90%
BIO-REFERENCE LAB [BRLI] +2.53%
AASTROM BIOSCIENCE [ASTM] +2.26%
GENOMIC HEALTH, INC. [GHDX] +1.35%
ENZO BIOCHEM INC [ENZ] +1.19%


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Elan Q3 Results Disappointing

Irish biotech Elan Corp (ELN) released its third quarter results early wednesday. The numbers were less than stellar; net loss was almost double that of last year's third quarter results, and sales dipped 4%.

Investors were hoping that the launch of the highly anticipated drug, Tysabri, which was launched in July of 2006 to treat Multiple Sclerosis, would add significantly to Elan's bottom line.

Tysabri was launched earlier in 2005, but was recalled after serious brain infections were reported in patients. Two deaths were also reported.

Tysabri is co-developed with Biogen Idec (BIBB).

It seems investors are willing to give Elan and its drug Tysabri one more chance as shares of the company's stock dipped only 1% in trading on the Irish Stock Exchange. North American trading will surely see a similar small drop.

Investors would like to wait for the year end results in three months.

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Watch Alert: Bovie Medical (BVX)

Shares of Bovie Medical Corp (BVX) closed on Tuesday at $8.95 a share, up more than 10%. Volume was 4x the daily average.

No news release or media exposure were detected.

Bovie Medical develops and markets medical and surgical products. The company especially develops and distributes electrical surgical products to plastic surgeons and dermatologists for removing skin leasions in the office.

Earnings are positive with low debt.

Bovie Medical has made BHI's Watch List.

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Tuesday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

CARDIOVASCULAR BIOTH [CVBT.OB] +12.64%
NEOSE TECH INC [NTEC] +11.98%
CAMBREX CP [CBM] +7.09%
POINT THERAPEUTICS [POTP] +6.72%
VANDA PHARMACEUTICAL [VNDA] +5.47%



Diagnostic Substances

ADVANCE MAGNETIC [AMAG] +7.92%
TORREYPINES THERAPEU [TPTX] +6.39%
NYMOX PHARM CORP [NYMX] +5.79%
INTERLEUKIN GENETICS [ILI] +4.76%
VALERA PHARMACEUTICA [VLRX] +3.17%



Drug Delivery

MATRIXX INITIATVS [MTXX] +5.18%
NOVADEL PHARMA INC [NVD] +4.72%
BIOPROGRESS PLC [BPRG] +2.05%
FLAMEL TECH SA ADR [FLML] +2.03%
IOMED INC [IOX] +1.13%



Drug Manufacturers

UNITED THERAPEUTIC [UTHR] +9.05%
ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICA [ALXA] +8.55%
UNIGENE LABS INC [UGNE.OB] +7.95%
TAPESTRY PHARMA INC [TPPH] +7.69%
SIGA TECH INC [SIGA] +6.53%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

CAMBRIDGE HEART INC [CAMH.OB] +11.33%
SYNERGETICS USA INC [SURG] +5.62%
CHAD THERAPEUTICS [CTU] +5.00%
RESMED INC [RMD] +4.29%
LANGER INC [GAIT] +4.21%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CARDIOTECH INTL [CTE] +35.37%
IMPLANT SCIENCES CP [IMX] +14.48%
BOVIE MEDICAL CORP [BVX] +10.77%
ISORAY INC [ISRY.OB] +10.26%
MINDRAY MEDICAL INTL [MR] +8.91%



Medical Laboratories & Research

MEDTOX SCIENTFIC INC [MTOX] +12.90%
PRIMEDEX HEALTH SYS [PMDX.OB] +2.27%
MEDASORB TECHNOLOGS [MSBT.OB] +2.22%
RADIOLOGIX INC [RGX] +1.97%
OSI PHARMACEUTIC [OSIP] +1.69%


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The Biomedical Industry In One Stock!

H&Q Life Sciences Investors (HQL) is not actually a stock, but trades like one. HQL is a close-ended fund managed by Hambrecht and Quist Capital Management LLC, and trades on the Amex just like a stock.

What really gets us excited about HQL is that it invests in both public and private companies, large and small. An investor of HQL does not only hold a broad diversified position in the biomedical industry, but also carries financial vehicles not commonly available to small investors. HQL invests in convertible securities and warrants in addition to common stocks. As of June 2006, about 19% of its assets were made up of non-common stocks.

HQL, initiated in 1992, is the younger sibling of H&Q Healthcare Investors (HQH), which began trading back in 1987. According to the company’s website HQH holds a broader position in the healthcare industry, while HQL focuses more on exciting new biotechnology startups, although we fail to differentiate between the two when looking at their holdings.

So why are we recommending HQL right now? The fund just recently completed a public 1 to 3 rights offering that netted more than $70 million in cash. HQL is excited to take advantage of what it believes is a great time to find bargains in the biotechnology and medical industry, and according to the prospectus for the filing it plans on investing in those bargains. The subscription price of the filing was $12.82 a share. Almost immediately, the Chief Executive Officer purchased more than $20,000 worth of stock at the same price.

While all biotech indices, including the NASDAQ Biotech Index (NBI), saw gains over the last few weeks, HQL has lost ground, dropping down near the rights offering price of $12.82. The price closed on Monday at $13.67 a share.

Another reason for investing in HQL is the dividend. Let us repeat that last sentence just in case you missed it; a biotech investment that pays dividend! The fund pays out 2% of assets in dividend on a quarterly basis. The last distribution paid out to investors was $0.29 a share.

If a sound, broad, and exclusive investment in the biotechnology and medical industry is hoped for, HQL is not only the safest bet, it is the only such investment. And at $13.67 a share, we have no hesitation in recommending it.

The following are some highlights of HQL’s holdings as of June 2006:

Common Stocks and Warrants
Biopharmaceuticals 26.3%
Drug Delivery 2.5%
Drug Discovery Technologies 5.3%
Emerging Biopharmaceuticals 17.8%
Generic Pharmaceuticals 4.3%
Healthcare Services 4.5%
Medical Devices and Diagnostics 15.2%


Largest Holdings (Common Stocks)
Gilead Sciences (GILD)
Conor Medsystems (CONR)
IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX)
Cubist Pharmaceuticals (CBST)
Theravance (THRX)
Lexicon Genetics (LEXG)
Genzyme Corp (GENZ)
United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Exelixis (EXEL)
Epix Pharmaceuticals (EPIX)


Largest Convertible Securities (private companies)
Concentric Medical
CardioNET
Matritech
PHT Corp.
Agensys

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Monday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

OSIRIS THERAPEUTICS [OSIR] +15.16%
QUESTOR PHARMACEUTCL [QSC] +11.11%
IDM PHARMA INC [IDMI] +9.77%
IMMUNOMEDICS INC [IMMU] +7.56%
BIO-MATRIX SCIENTIFI [BMSN.OB] +7.14%



Diagnostic Substances

SONUS PHARM INC [SNUS] +4.36%
GENE LOGIC INC [GLGC] +3.66%
ADVANCE MAGNETIC [AMAG] +3.61%
EPICEPT CORPORATION [EPCT] +3.26%
REMOTEMDX INC [RMDX.OB] +3.17%



Drug Delivery

COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +12.58%
PETMED EXPRESS INC [PETS] +11.50%
FLAMEL TECH SA ADR [FLML] +8.68%
SYMBOLLON PHARM CL A [SYMBA.OB] +6.67%
BIOPROGRESS PLC [BPRG] +5.17%



Drug Manufacturers

CONNETICS CP [CNCT] +45.77%
TAPESTRY PHARMA INC [TPPH] +14.97%
AVI BIOPHARMA INC [AVII] +10.30%
SOMAXON PHARMACEUTIC [SOMX] +4.67%
ACCESS PHARMACEUTICL [ACCP.OB] +3.64%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

LANGER INC [GAIT] +8.41%
ARRHYTHMIA RES TECH [HRT] +8.26%
VNUS MEDICAL TECHNOL [VNUS] +3.67%
AMER MED ALERT CP [AMAC] +3.47%
CELSION CORP [CLN] +3.38%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

NEPHROS INC. [NEP] +18.18%
APPLIED IMAGING CORP [AICX.OB] +11.44%
BIOJECT MEDICAL [BJCT] +10.34%
APA ENTERPRISES [APAT] +8.80%
ENDOLOGIX INC [ELGX] +6.32%



Medical Laboratories & Research

GENOMIC HEALTH, INC. [GHDX] +4.66%
OSI PHARMACEUTIC [OSIP] +3.66%
SPHERIX INC [SPEX] +1.96%
BRITESMILE INC [BSML] +0.88%
ALLIANCE IMAGING INC [AIQ] +0.61%


_

ADVENTRX Licenses Antiviral Product To Theragenex

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals (ANX) announced today that it had licenses its proprietary antiviral product, ANX-211, to Theragenex.

ANX-211 is an antiviral that has been shown to be effective against viruses responsible for the common cold, influenza and other maladies. ANX-211 can be applied topically or intranasally.

Theragenex, a privately held biotech company, intends on commercializing its first product based on ANX-211 during 2007.

ADVENTRX acquired the rights to ANX-211 after it had bought out SD Pharmaceuticals back in April of 2006.

Shares of ADVENTRX closed at $2.64 a share on Friday, near the 52 week low of $2.35.

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Weekly Insider Report: Biotech and Medical Stocks


The BHI Weekly Insider Report is posted on BHI once a week, usually on Sunday or Monday. BHI does not take any responsibility for any financial loss or damage caused by or related to the following reports. BHI does not guarantee the accuracy of the reports. The following information should be used for entertainment purposes only.



This week's report:

BIOTECH
bought LifeCell [LIFC]: Oct 11, $30.19 by 4 Officers & Other
bought NeoPHARM [NEOL]: Oct 13-16, $7.48-$7.94 by Director
bought MacroChem Corp [MACM]: Oct 16, $0.54 by Officer
sold Illumina [ILMN]: Oct 9-13, $34.26-$35.27 by 3 Officers & Director
sold Acorda Ther [ACOR]: Oct 16, $15.87-$16.92 by Officer & Director
sold Biogen IDEC [BIIB]: Oct 16, $45.43-$45.63 by Officer
sold Alexion Pharm [ALXN]: Oct 16, $37.85-$37.87 by Officer
sold Vertex Pharm [VRTX]: Oct 11-18, $35.35-$36.26 by 2 Officers
sold Momenta Pharm [MNTA]: Oct 10-18, $14.90-$19.93 by 3 Directors & Officer



DRUGS
bought Iomai Corp [IOMI]: Oct 12-19, $5.40-$5.70 by Director
bought Memory Pharm [MEMY]: Oct 16, $1.11 by 2 Directors & Officer
bought Cytomedix [GTF]: Oct 17, $1.17 by Director
sold Adams Respiratory [ARXT]: Oct 12-13, $40.00 by Director & Officer
sold Myogen [MYOG]: Oct 19, $51.96 by Officer
sold Progenics Pharm [PGNX]: Oct 16, $24.00 by Officer
sold Immunogen [IMGN]: Oct 11-13, $4.00 by Officer
sold Pozen [POZN]: Oct 16-18, $15.00 by Director & Officer
sold MannKind [MNKD]: Oct 16, $21.10 by Officer
sold Cytokinetics [CYTK]: Oct 13-16, $6.67-$6.81 by 2 Officers



MEDICAL SUPPLIES
bought Cantel Medical [CMN]: Oct 13, $12.67-$12.83 by 4 Officers & Director
bought Emergency Filtration [EMFP]: Oct 17-18, $0.78 by Beneficial Owner
bought Cariodynamics Intl [CDIC]: Oct 17, $0.88 by Officer
sold Immucor [BLUD]: Oct 16-19, $26.24-$26.58 by 4 Directors & Officer
sold ICU Medical [ICUI]: Oct 12-16, $48.00-$48.44 by Officer
sold Wright Medical Grp [WMGI]: Oct 13-19, $23.52-$23.98 by Officer
sold Arrow Int [ARRO]: Oct 13-18, $34.33-$35.03 by Director & Officer
sold Javelin Pharm [JAV]: Oct 17, $2.66 by Beneficial Owner
sold DJO Inc [DJO]: Oct 16, $39.50-$40.07 by Officer
sold Angeion [ANGN]: Oct 12-13, $9.55-$9.73 by Director
sold Viasys Healthcare [VAS]: Oct 12-13, $28.00-$28.06 by Officer
sold Cantel Medical [CMN]: Oct 18, $13.30-$13.44 by Officer

_

Watch Alert: Lannett Co. (LCI)

Shares of Lannett Co. Inc. (LCI) jumped more than 10% on Friday on 4x the daily average volume.

No news releases, media exposure or conference presentation detected.

Lannett is a generic drug developer and was founded in 1942.

The company's stock is now on BHI's Watch List.

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IBD Weekly Top Ranked Medical Stocks...


The following list represents the top ten medical stocks ranked according to Earnings Per Share and Relative Strength by Investor's Business Daily (10/21/06)

scores out of 100 (last week's rank, change in score):

1(1) Lifecell [LIFC] EPS=99 RS=94
2(4) Arrhythmia Research [HRT] EPS=91(+1) RS=98
3(3) Icon [ICLR] EPS=93 RS=96
4(4) Immucor [BLUD] EPS=95 RS=93(-2)
5(6) Systems Xcellence [SXCL] EPS=90 RS=96(-1)
6(5) Wellcare [WCG] EPS=94 RS=92(-2)
7(8) Parexel [PRXL] EPS=92 RS=93 (-1)
8(7) Celgene [CELG] EPS=97 RS=88(-2)
9(9) Hologic [HOLX] EPS=99 RS=83 (-3)
10(-) Rochester Medical [ROCM] EPS=87 RS=94


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Friday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

MEMORY PHARMACEUTICA [MEMY] +26.76%
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES [BLSI] +15.11%
OSIRIS THERAPEUTICS [OSIR] +13.32%
VION PHARM INC [VION] +11.76%
VICAL INC [VICL] +9.91%



Diagnostic Substances

REMOTEMDX INC [RMDX.OB] +8.62%
AKORN INC [AKN] +5.68%
PALATIN TECH INC [PTN] +5.17%
EPICEPT CORPORATION [EPCT] +5.14%
EZ EM INC [EZEM] +4.63%



Drug Delivery

ALKERMES INC [ALKS] +2.86%
ELAN CP PLC ADR [ELN] +2.32%
HOSPIRA INC [HSP] +1.23%
SKYEPHARMA PLC [SKYE] +1.07%
ANDRX GROUP [ADRX] +0.82%



Drug Manufacturers

VYREX CORP DE NEW [VYXC.OB] +12.00%
LANNETT COMPANY INC [LCI] +10.24%
UNIGENE LABS INC [UGNE.OB] +10.00%
AVI BIOPHARMA INC [AVII] +7.37%
ADAMS RESPIRATORY TH [ARXT] +4.10%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

GIVEN IMAGING LTD [GIVN] +7.83%
SYNOVIS LIFE TECH [SYNO] +7.23%
CELSION CORP [CLN] +6.40%
DYNATRONICS CP [DYNT] +3.91%
ROCKWELL MED TECHS [RMTI] +3.76%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

ISORAY INC [ISRY.OB] +14.20%
TUTOGEN MEDICAL INC [TTG] +11.95%
MINDRAY MEDICAL INTL [MR] +8.34%
ANGEION CORP [ANGN] +6.97%
CARDIOTECH INTL [CTE] +4.94%



Medical Laboratories & Research

AASTROM BIOSCIENCE [ASTM] +6.77%
BIO-IMAGING TECH [BITI] +2.73%
LABORATORY CORP NEW [LH] +1.87%
PSYCHEMEDICS NEW [PMD] +1.16%
GENOMIC HEALTH, INC. [GHDX] +0.98%


_

Announcement: BHI feed url has changed

Dear Subsribers,

The address of BHI's feed has been changed. We moved our blog to our own domain, www.biohealthinvestor.com. Previously, we were hosted by Blogger.

As a consequence of the url change you will need to update the feed address. The easisest way to update the feed is to re-subscribe.

Please visit www.biohealthinvestor.com to re-subscribe.

thank you.

BHI

Thursday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

ACCENTIA BIOPHARMACE [ABPI] +41.67%
FERMAVIR PHARMACEUTL [FMVR.OB] +36.36%
ALFACELL CORP [ACEL] +15.86%
METABASIS THERAPEUTI [MBRX] +11.29%
IDM PHARMA INC [IDMI] +11.06%



Diagnostic Substances

ORCHID CELLMARK INC [ORCH] +11.59%
SYNOVA HEALTHCARE GR [SNVH.OB] +11.11%
NYMOX PHARM CORP [NYMX] +10.97%
AKORN INC [AKN] +5.25%
MYRIAD GENETICS [MYGN] +5.10%



Drug Delivery

BIOPROGRESS PLC [BPRG] +8.58%
EMISPHERE TECH [EMIS] +5.32%
SYMBOLLON PHARM CL A [SYMBA.OB] +3.96%
BENTLEY PHARMACEUTIC [BNT] +3.09%
NOVEN PHARMACEUTIC [NOVN] +1.52%



Drug Manufacturers

DUSA PHARM INC [DUSA] +15.80%
QUICK-MED TECHNOLOG [QMDT.OB] +14.29%
AVI BIOPHARMA INC [AVII] +8.82%
PROTALEX INC [PRTX.OB] +8.61% $0
ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICA [ALXA] +7.28% $0



Medical Appliances & Equipment

CRITICARE SYS INC [CMD] +10.39%
VOLCANO CORPORATION [VOLC] +5.70%
IRIDEX CP [IRIX] +4.30%
CELSION CORP [CLN] +4.17%
ESCALON MED CP [ESMC] +3.73%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

ANTARES PHARMA INC [AIS] +16.10%
INOVIO BIOMED CORP [INO] +9.26%
BARD C R INC [BCR] +8.28%
TUTOGEN MEDICAL INC [TTG] +8.12%
CARDIOTECH INTL [CTE] +6.58%



Medical Laboratories & Research

NATL DENTEX CP [NADX] +4.52%
ARRAY BIOPHARMA IN [ARRY] +3.87%
OSI PHARMACEUTIC [OSIP] +3.43%
QUEST DIAGNOSTC [DGX] +2.58%
ENZO BIOCHEM INC [ENZ] +2.51%


_

Watch Shares Of Vion On Thursday

Shares of Vion Pharmaceuticals (VION) jumped more than 13% on Wednesday on about 4x the daily average volume.

There were no news releases or media exposure that I could find.

Watch the shares of Vion closely tomorrow as there could either be a news release or another spike in price before a Friday news release.

_

SIGA Shares Double On Smallpox News

Shares of SIGA Technologies (SIGA) more than doubled on Wednesday after the company announced positive news from its lead drug SIGA-246 for smallpox.

SIGA-246 was shown to prevent smallpox in primates that have an amount of variola, the virus responsitble for smallpox, equal to that of late stage infections in humans. Researchers believe that the drug shows great potential in the prevention of smallpox in humans even several days following exposure.

There has not been a single naturally occuring smallpox incident since 1977. The study by SIGA in primates is the closest that research has come to studying the disease in humans.

The company also declared that SIGA-245 was the first ever example of 100% prevention of smallpox in a primate trial.


SIGA stock jumped by more than 120% to end trading at $4.54, with over 165x the daily average volume.

Interesting to note that a large trade was made in SIGA stock right before closing late Tuesday. The news of the study was released early Wednesday morning.

_

Wednesday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

ILLUMINA INC [ILMN] +19.49%
QUESTOR PHARMACEUTCL [QSC] +16.67%
VION PHARM INC [VION] +13.04%
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICA [ANDS] +9.67%
ZIOPHARM ONCOLOGY IN [ZIOP] +9.38%



Diagnostic Substances

AVANT IMMUNOTHERAP [AVAN] +14.89%
ORCHID CELLMARK INC [ORCH] +10.84%
AVALON PHARMACEUTIC [AVRX] +8.81%
SOLEXA, INC. [SLXA] +4.89%
EPICEPT CORPORATION [EPCT] +3.95%



Drug Delivery

BIOPROGRESS PLC [BPRG] +8.83%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +2.73%
SKYEPHARMA PLC [SKYE] +2.60%
BENTLEY PHARMACEUTIC [BNT] +1.82%
ALKERMES INC [ALKS] +1.55%



Drug Manufacturers

SIGA TECH INC [SIGA] +130.46%
AVANIR PHARMACEUTICL [AVNR] +9.76%
DEPOMED INC [DEPO] +9.53%
YM BIOSCIENCES INC [YMI] +7.55%
ARENA PHARMACEUTIC [ARNA] +6.54%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

MEDICOR LTD [MDCR.OB] +24.58%
NATUS MEDICAL INC [BABY] +7.27%
QMED INC [QMED] +4.46%
BIOMET INC [BMET] +4.46%
SHAMIR OPTICAL INDUS [SHMR] +4.28%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

OCCULOGIX, INC. [OCCX] +6.83%
IMPLANT SCIENCES CP [IMX] +6.78%
STRYKER CP [SYK] +5.86%
OPHTHALMIC IMAGING SYS INC [OISI.OB] +5.80%
INOVIO BIOMED CORP [INO] +5.19%



Medical Laboratories & Research

NEOGENOMICS INC [NGNM.OB] +7.42%
MEDASORB TECHNOLOGS [MSBT.OB] +6.43%
ACCELRYS INC [ACCL] +3.29%
PHARM PROD DEV [PPDI] +2.47%
GENOMIC HEALTH, INC. [GHDX] +1.56%


_

Tuesday's Top Biotech and Medical Stocks


Biotechnology

INTERMUNE INC [ITMN] +25.49%
ALFACELL CORP [ACEL] +12.00%
DISCOVERY LABS INC [DSCO] +10.14%
ADVANCED LIFE SCIENC [ADLS] +9.63%
ACCENTIA BIOPHARMACE [ABPI] +9.13%



Diagnostic Substances

PONIARD PHARMA NEW [PARDD] +21.56%
SYNOVICS PHARMACEUTL [SYVC.OB] +5.56%
THRESHOLD PHARMACEUT [THLD] +5.19%
ADVANCE MAGNETIC [AMAG] +4.64%
SONUS PHARM INC [SNUS] +4.00%



Drug Delivery

NEKTAR THERAPEUTIC [NKTR] +4.49%
MATRIXX INITIATVS [MTXX] +2.36%
EMISPHERE TECH [EMIS] +2.11%
INSITE VISION INC [ISV] +2.04%
IOMED INC [IOX] +1.09%



Drug Manufacturers

ICOS CP [ICOS] +16.15%
PROTALEX INC [PRTX.OB] +7.69%
SIGA TECH INC [SIGA] +5.35%
CARDIOME PHARMA NEW [CRME] +4.94%
ARENA PHARMACEUTIC [ARNA] +4.04%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

DYNATRONICS CP [DYNT] +5.79%
ALPHA PRO TECH [APT] +4.55%
RITA MED SYS INC [RITA] +4.06%
QMED INC [QMED] +3.86%
CELSION CORP [CLN] +3.42% $



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CPC OF AMERICA INC [CPCF.OB] +32.38%
CRYOCOR, INC. [CRYO] +7.69%
INOVIO BIOMED CORP [INO] +4.41%
PROTHERICS PLC [PTIL] +4.35%
EP MEDSYSTEMS INC [EPMD] +4.32%



Medical Laboratories & Research

OSI PHARMACEUTIC [OSIP] +4.61%
AETERNA ZENTARIS [AEZS] +3.11%
NEOGENOMICS INC [NGNM.OB] +3.01%
ARRAY BIOPHARMA IN [ARRY] +2.56%
NATL DENTEX CP [NADX] +1.03%


_

Millenium Ends Its Bid For AnorMED

Millenium Pharmaceuticals (MLNM) has announced on Tuesday that it will not increase its bid for Canadian biotech AnorMED (ANOR) following a bid by Genzyme (GENZ) for $13.50 a share.

Genzyme started the jostling for AnorMED when it offered $8.50 a share. That bid was quickly rejected by AnorMED's board as it courted Millenium to step in and make an offer, which it did, at $13.

Genzyme reviewed Millenium's second offer and increased its own to the current $13.50.

Millenium's decision not to increase its offer a second time opens the door for other companies to take over AnorMED, if Genzyme's offer is not accepted.

Millenium also expects to recieve a payment of almost $20 million for breaking talks with AnorMED.

AnorMED's stem cell mobilizer