Friday, June 29, 2007

Strong Showing of Healthcare Firms on FSB 100

by Sara Calabro
Med Tech Sentinel



Fortune Small Business is out with its annual FSB 100, a list of the most successful small public companies in the U.S. Almost a quarter of the list (21 companies) is made up of healthcare-related enterprises. Here’s a look at who made the cut and what makes them worthy:

Palomar Medical Technologies (PMTI), ranked number 8, is a Burlington, MA-based firm that makes pulsed light and laser systems for aesthetic applications such as permanent hair reduction, leg veins, acne, pigmented lesion removal, wrinkle reduction, vascular treatments and tattoo removal.

Somanetics (SMTS) (13), of Troy, MI, makes the INVOS Cerebral Oximeter, a non-invasive patient monitoring system that continuously measures changes in blood oxygen levels in the brain.

United Therapeutics (UTHR) (22), based in Silver Spring, MD, makes drugs for cardiovascular, cancer and infectious diseases. It also works in telemedicine, through its Medicomp subsidiary. Its FDA-approved heart monitor, CardioPAL SAVI, is the first ambulatory device to detect the p-wave, a portion of the ECG that represents atrial activity.

LifeCell (LIFC) (37), of Branchbur, NJ, makes biological products for the repair and replacement of damaged or inadequate human tissue. Its proprietary tissue-matrix technology removes all cells from the tissue without damaging the essential biochemical and structural components necessary for normal-tissue regeneration.


Quality Systems (QSII) (41). This Irvine, CA, subsidiary of NextGen Healthcare Information Systems makes practice-management, medical-records and e-business applications for medical and dental group practices.

A.D.A.M. (ADAM) (42) is a health information company located in Atlanta, GA, that makes physician-reviewed text, medical illustrations, multimedia, interactive tools and technology. One example is A.D.A.M. DecisionAssist, an interactive tool that helps consumers make important healthcare decisions, such as whether to have a particular surgery, proceed with a test or take certain medications.

Lifecore Biomedical (LCBM) (43), based in Chaska, MN, develops dental implant systems, tissue regeneration products, and medical grade hyaluronan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is widely distributed in the extracellar matrix of connective issues in animals and humans. Lifecore’s oral restorative products are surgically placed into the jawbone, which maintains underlying bone structure and provides fixation of restorations.

Pioneer Behavioral Health (49), based in Peabody, MA, offers inpatient and outpatient behavioral healthcare services, clinical research, and Internet- and phone-based referral services across the U.S.

Rochester Medical (ROCM) (51) is a Stewartville, MN, urology company that makes latex-free catheters and adhesives for incontinence.

MEDTOX Scientific (MTOX) (54), based in St. Paul, MN, develops drug-testing devices for use in pharmaceutical drug development, hospital care, and corrections and rehabilitation programs.

Vital Images (VTAL) (55), of Minnetonka, MN, is a medical imaging company that develops 3D software used for clinical diagnosis, disease screening and therapy planning. The software applies computer graphics and image processing to data supplied by CT, MRI and PET scanners.

Meridian Bioscience (VIVO) (58) is a Cincinnati, OH, company that develops diagnostic test kits for certain respiratory, gastrointestinal, viral and parasitic infectious diseases.

Spectranetics (SPNC) (62), of Colorado Springs, CO, makes single-use medical devices, for use in conjunction with its proprietary excimer laser system, for cardiovascular surgical procedures.

IntegraMed America (INMD) (73), of Purchase, NY, provides services to medical practices that specialize in infertility. Services include finance, administration, information systems, marketing and research. The company also sells pharmaceutical products and offers treatment-financing programs for patients.

SonoSite (SONO) (76). This Bothell, WA, company makes hand-carried ultrasound systems that are approximately the size and weight of a laptop computer. Read here about other emerging med tech companies located in the northernmost counties of Seattle.

Providence Service (82), located in Tuscon, AZ, provides counseling and support services in home- and community-based settings. The company’s social workers go into people’s homes to help with things like drug addiction and domestic violence.

Novamed (NOVA) (90) is a Chicago-based company that acquires and develops ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in partnership with physicians. The firm divested its practice management business in 2002 to focus exclusively on ASCs.

Streamline Health Solutions (STRM) (92) is a Cincinnati, OH-based workflow- and document-management provider specializing in streamlining business processes for healthcare professionals. The company’s goal is to bridge the productivity gap between paper-based processes and transaction-based healthcare information systems.

Psychemedics (PMD) (93) is an Acton, MA-based company whose technology analyzes hair samples to test for drug use. Comparison studies have shown Psychemedics’ tests to be 5-10 times more effective than urinalysis in identifying drug users.

American Medical Alert (AMAC) (99) provides remote health monitoring devices and 24/7 communication services for senior, disabled and chronically ill patients. An aging population has well positioned this Oceanside, NY, company. Fortune Small Business, in its July/August FSB 100 issue, highlighted the firm’s as a “small stock to bank on.”

Computer Programs & Systems (CPSI) (100), located in Mobile, AL, makes software for managing electronic medical records. Its systems tie together hospitals’ key departments and improve the availability and communication of patient information.


Now in its seventh year, the FSB 100 ranks public companies with revenues of less than $200 million and a stock price of more than $1, based on their percentage growth in earnings, revenue and stock performance over the past three years.




Med Tech Sentinel is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
___________________




Beijing Double-Crane Offers New Shares

by Richard Daverman, PhD
ChinaBio Today



Restructures Relationship with Parent Company

Beijing Double-Crane Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., which trades on the Shanghai exchange, will offer up to an additional 40 million shares of its stock to qualified investors.

A large number of those shares will go to Double-Crane’s parent, Beijing Pharmaceutical Group, which will exchange the shares for the remaining portions of Double-Crane’s five operating divisions that are still in BPG’s hands. After the transaction, Double-Crane will own 100% of the five operating divisions, and BPG will own a slightly larger number of shares of Double-Crane. Double-Crane will also receive some real-estate assets.

The exact number of shares was not released, though BPG will be restricted to a maximum of 30 million shares.

In addition to the BPG shares, Double-Crane will offer shares to outside investors. The company expects to raise 449.42 million RMB ($58.98 million), which will be used to expand Beijing Double-Crane Pharma's transfusion production lines.

At present, Beijing Pharmaceutical Group owns a 49% stake in Beijing Double-Crane, enough to be considered the controlling shareholder. The realignment is thought to be part of the government’s restructuring of its state-owned pharmaceutical companies.

Beijing Double-Crane Pharmaceutical produces, processes and sells pharmaceutical products, mainly in three broad areas: cardiovascular medicines, endocrine secretion drugs and infusion solutions. In 2006, the company had revenues of 4.05 billion, a decline of 12% from the previous year. Earnings were also 12% lower, at 165 million RMB. Beijing Double-Crane blamed the downturn on a change in the number of consolidated entities under its control.

The shares of Beijing Double-Crane ended the day at RMB 18.07. There are 441 million shares of the company outstanding (before the restructuring), giving the company a market capitalization of 8 billion RMB ($1 billion).



RELATED READING:
- China Aims to Modernize Traditional Chinese Medicine
- China Sets Lofty Goals for its Bioindustry
- Healthcare Park to be Built in Suzhou, China




ChinaBio Today is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
_______________




Friday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks

by H.S. Ayoub
BioHealth Investor.com



Biotechnology

GENAERA CORP [GENR] +14.74%
ADVANCED LIFE SCIENC [ADLS] +13.62%
CHELSEA THERAPEUTICS [CHTP] +13.39%
AURIGA LABORATORIES [ARGA.OB] +12.38%
REXAHN PHARMACEUTICL [RXHN.OB] +9.14%



Diagnostic Substances

ICAGEN, INC. [ICGN] +9.29%
AKORN INC [AKRX] +8.04%
IMMUCELL CP [ICCC] +6.96%
AMER BIO MEDICA [ABMC] +5.04%
PRESSURE BIOSCIENC [PBIO] +4.30%



Drug Delivery

MATRIXX INITIATVS [MTXX] +4.60%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +4.33%
INSITE VISION INC [ISV] +2.04%
BIOVAIL CORP [BVF] +1.80%
ACURA PHARMACEUTICAL [ACUR.OB] +1.38%



Drug Manufacturers

DUSA PHARM INC [DUSA] +8.07%
NEUROLOGIX INC [NRGX.OB] +7.34%
ELITE PHARMA INC [ELI] +7.11%
PROVECTUS PHARMA [PVCT.OB] +6.67%
AP PHARMA INC [APPA] +6.31%



Drug Related Products

IMAGENETIX INC [IAGX.OB] +19.20%
NATROL INC [NTOL] +4.67%
ZILA INC [ZILA] +3.73%
NATURAL ALTERNATIV [NAII] +2.21%
LABOPHARM INC. [DDSS] +1.77%



Generic Drugs

HELICOS BIOSCIENCES [HLCS] +7.86%
ISOLAGEN INC [ILE] +3.66%
HI-TECH PHARMACAL [HITK] +1.70%
CATALYST PHARMACEUTI [CPRX] +1.24%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

LECTEC CORP [LECT.OB] +20.00%
IRIDEX CP [IRIX] +9.36%
SPECTRASCIENCE NEW [SCIE.OB] +8.91%
ZOLL MEDICAL CP [ZOLL] +8.14%
ATS MEDICAL INC [ATSI] +8.02%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CRYOCOR, INC. [CRYO] +17.05%
CAS MEDICAL SYS INC [CASM] +11.43%
MILESTONE SCIENTIFIC [MLSS.OB] +10.00%
EP MEDSYSTEMS INC [EPMD] +9.64%
HEMOSENSE INC. [HEM] +7.43%



Medical Laboratories & Research

AETERNA ZENTARIS [AEZS] +2.67%
RADNET INC [RDNT] +1.71%
OSI PHARMACEUTIC [OSIP] +0.36%
PSYCHEMEDICS NEW [PMD] +0.30%




- Thursday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
- Wednesday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
____________________




CryoCor: Another Small Med Company Rallies Like Mad

by Douglas A McIntyre
24/7 Wall St.



CryoCor (CRYO) had revenue of $540,000 last year, and a loss of over $15 million. It did not do much better in 2004 or 2005. But, as of this morning, the company sports a market cap of $81 million.

Nice work, if you can find it.

CryoCor's shares are up on a deal with Boston Scientific (BSX). The two companies "are collaborating on the development of cryoablation, or extreme cold, to treat irregular heartbeat, or, cardiac arrhythmias," according to The Associated Press.

Continue article at 247WallSt.com



RELATED READING:
- Against Odds, CryoCor Gets Advisory Panel Nod
- FDA Gives CryoCor the Cold Shoulder




24/7 Wall St. is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
__________




Valuing Biotechs

by Brett Scott
Sizz's Biotech Blog




Valuing stocks can be a bit of an art and determining a value for biotech companies is even tougher, especially for biotechs without any products at market. So today I'll outline one of the methods I like to use when valuing companies. This method is called Risk-adjusted net present value, and it is fairly specific to the biotech industry.

Risk-adjusted net present value (rNPV) attempts to value a company by taking into account not only the future cash flows, but also the probabilities that those cash flows will even take place. This is especially useful for small biotechs that have not yet obtained FDA approval for a product. In using rNPV, we are able to find a company's value while taking into account significant events that could affect the stock price (like moving from Phase II to Phase III trials).

NPV is the same as a discounted cash flow analysis. It finds the present value of a firm's future cash flows. rNPV is similar. It is the present value of future cash flows, but those cash flows are adjusted by the probability of effect.
So, what are these cash flows? And, what are these probabilities?
These assumptions are crucial to our analysis of a small biotech.

1. Probabilities
Based on historical numbers, drugs in clinical trials have been approved by the FDA at the following rates:
Phase I: 20%
Phase II: 30%
Phase III: 67%
New Drug Application: 85%
(*These rates can differ +/- 5% based on differing types of drugs)
These percentages are the probabilities that we can use in finding rNPV. However, these percentages are the probabilities of a drug in each stage obtaining FDA approval. The percentage of drugs moving from one stage to another is the following:
Phase I to Phase II: 67%
Phase II to Phase III: 45%
Phase III to NDA: 79%
NDA to FDA Approval: 85%
These percentages are the probabilities that we use when a drug moves to a different stage.

2. Cash Flows
Determining a drug's cash flows can be very difficult. First, we must determine the costs. Secondly, we want to determine the potential revenues.

--Costs:
Costs tend to be determinate on the stage that a drug is in.
Phase I (1 year): $500,000 for animal testing + $12,000 per human subject (20-80 subjects)
Phase II (1.5 yrs): $1 mil for animals + $12,000 per human (100-300)
Phase III (3 yrs): $1.5 mil for animals + $6,000 per humna (1000-3000)
New Drug Application (1 yr): $1.8 million

--Revenues:
A peak sales estimate (which can usually be obtained about 3 years after FDA approval) can be determined by taking the market size and multiplying it by an estimated market share. Also, drugs tend to have a life of around 10 years. Revenues are usually assumed to ramp up, and ramp down with about 5-7 years of peak sales.


Alright, let's make sense of this information.

As an example, let's take Fictional Biotech, Inc. FBI has a drug in Phase II trials. This drug treats pancreatic cancer, which has a market of $2.6 billion. FBI's drug has an estimated market share of 8%, which leads to potential peak sales of approximately $200 million.
Now, let's take a look at some cash flows. For example purpose, we'll look at years 1, 3, and 10

Year 1: Costs: -$1.7 mil for phase II testing
Year 3: Costs: -$6.5 mil for phase III testing
Year 10: Costs: 60% of Revenue, Revenues: $200 mil

So, according to the rNPV method, these cash flows must be adjusted by the probability that they will occur.

Year 1: rNPV Cash Flow = (Costs x Probability) = (-$1,700,000 x 100%) This stock is already in phase II, so the probability is 100%
Year 3: rNPV CF = (Costs x Probability that drug will move to phase III testing) =
(-$6,500,000 x 45%)
Year 7: rNPV CF = (Revenues x Cost of Revenue x Probability that drug will obtain approval)
($200,000,000 x 40% x 30%)

To conclude this quick intro to rNPV, to get a value for the company, we find the net present value of all the cash flows that each drug in the pipeline could bring in. We discount at the company's weighted-average cost of capital, which is usually 20% or more for a small biotech firm.



RELATED READING:
- Short Squeezing Biotechs
- Strategy for Investing in Small Biotechs
- The Biotech Industry: 30 Years of Failure
- Weak U.S. Dollar Good for Biotechs!
- A Closer Look at Five Biotech ETFs



Sizz's Biotech Blog is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Against Odds, CryoCor Gets Advisory Panel Nod

by Sara Calabro
Med Tech Sentinel



Two days after CryoCor (CRYO) got word that FDA was not satisfied with safety and efficacy data for the company’s Cryoablation System, the agency’s advisory panel recommended the device for approval. FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisors, but it typically does. A final decision by FDA is expected in August.

San Diego-based CryoCor is seeking an approval for atrial flutter, a condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat too fast. Unlike other devices on the market that use heat to treat atrial flutter, the Cryoablation System uses extreme cold to destroy damaged cardiac tissue.

This is CryoCor’s second go-around with trying to gain approval for the Cryoablation System. FDA rejected the company’s application last year, prompting CryoCor to amend and resubmit in November 2006.



RELATED READING:
- FDA Gives CryoCor the Cold Shoulder



Med Tech Sentinel is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
___________________




China Aims to Modernize Traditional Chinese Medicine

by Richard Daverman, PhD
ChinaBio Today



TCM to Complement Western Medications

Chinese officials announced a new 20-year initiative to modernize traditional Chinese medicine. The goal of the plan is to position the system of centuries-old herbal drugs as a complement to Western medications, rather than to make it into an either-or alternative.

Under the initiative, the aim will be to improve standards, find new applications and standardize planting, production and processing of medicinal herbs. The plan was outlined in a report issued by the China National Center for Biotechnology Development, which is part of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

China wants to build TCM into an industry with revenues of RMB 400 billion ($52.6 billion) each year, though press reports did not specify when that level would be reached.

Presently, 85% of China’s rural population has access to TCM, according to the report. About 3,000 hospitals in China provide TCM treatment, and it is administered in 234 million hospital visits annually.



RELATED READING:
- China Sets Lofty Goals for its Bioindustry
- Healthcare Park to be Built in Suzhou, China
- China Biotech Weekly Review: TCM Goes Mainstream



ChinaBio Today is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
_________________




Thursday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks

by H.S. Ayoub
BioHealth Investor.com



Biotechnology

INTL STEM CELL CORP [ISCO.OB] +22.45%
PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEU [PLX] +10.87%
SENESCO TECH [SNT] +8.11%
MEDICURE INC [MCU] +6.92%
SUNESIS PHARMACEUTIC [SNSS] +6.77%



Diagnostic Substances

SURMODICS INC [SRDX] +10.57%
GENE LOGIC INC [GLGC] +6.40%
EPIX PHARMACEUTICALS [EPIX] +6.35%
AMER BIO MEDICA [ABMC] +4.39%
ORCHID CELLMARK INC [ORCH] +3.42%



Drug Delivery

NOVADEL PHARMA INC [NVD] +5.45%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +3.12%
DELCATH SYSTEMS INC [DCTH] +1.60%
QUIGLEY CORP THE [QGLY] +1.47%
MATRIXX INITIATVS [MTXX] +1.37%



Drug Manufacturers

NEXMED INC [NEXM] +7.10%
PROTALEX INC [PRTX.OB] +5.47%
ELITE PHARMA INC [ELI] +5.29%
POZEN INC [POZN] +5.01%
PRANA BIO LTD ADS S1 [PRAN] +4.61%



Drug Related Products

QUEST GROUP INTL [QSTG.OB] +23.76%
ZILA INC [ZILA] +11.67%
IMAGENETIX INC [IAGX.OB] +11.61%
PACIFICHEALTH LABS [PHLI.OB] +10.43%
USANA HEALTH SCIEN [USNA] +3.94%



Generic Drugs

CATALYST PHARMACEUTI [CPRX] +2.99%
ISOLAGEN INC [ILE] +2.50%
WATSON PHARMACEUTCLS [WPI] +1.64%
HELICOS BIOSCIENCES [HLCS] +1.57%
CARACO PHARMA LABS [CPD] +0.06%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

ALPHA INNOTECH [APNO.OB] +108.33%
LECTEC CORP [LECT.OB] +11.11%
NON INVASIVE MONITORNG SYS NEW [NIMU.OB] +10.09%
EDAP TMS SA ADR [EDAP] +9.55%
GIVEN IMAGING LTD [GIVN] +8.84%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

CRYOCOR, INC. [CRYO] +89.37%
IMPLANT SCIENCES CP [IMX] +15.94%
QUANTRX BIOMEDICAL [QTXB.OB] +14.29%
YOUNG INNOVATIONS [YDNT] +10.92%
NUCRYST PHARMACEUTIC [NCST] +5.50%



Medical Laboratories & Research

ALLIANCE IMAGING INC [AIQ] +4.17%
ERESEARCHTECHNOLOG [ERES] +3.47%
MEDTOX SCIENTFIC INC [MTOX] +3.39%
PSYCHEMEDICS NEW [PMD] +1.60%
BIO-REFERENCE LAB [BRLI] +0.95%




- Wednesday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
- Tuesday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
____________________




Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Criminal Investigation Ends Miami Biotech Park Development

by Hisham S. Ayoub, DMD
BioHealth Investor.com



The proposed development of a large biotech park was put to end by Miami-Dade County after a formal investigation was initiated following accusations that the Boston developer Dennis Stackhouse has mismanaged funds, and gave kickbacks to various officials and their families.

The planned Miami biotech park was intended to counter the large biotech project just north of West Palm Beach already in development, which has attracted numerous large clinical organizations, including the Scripps Institute.

This is a huge embarassement, if nothing else, to the image of Miami, and a disappointment to the University of Miami, since UM was excited to leverage its world class medical research to attract a surge in venture funding and licensing agreements.

I guess this completely downplays my earlier article on the biotech boom in Florida.



RELATED READING:
- Miami-Dade Ends Development of Plans for Troubled Biotech Project
- Florida: the Next Biotech Hub?




BioHealth Investor.com
______________________




China Sets Lofty Goals for its Bioindustry

by Richard Daverman, PhD
ChinaBio Today



Investing Rules Must Improve Along with Science

China wants to be number one in the world in bioindustry output by 2015, with total output at a level of two to three trillion yuan ($250 billion to $380 billion) by 2020.

These goals were articulated by Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology, in remarks delivered at the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 International Conference on Bioeconomy, being held this week in Tianjin.

Wan expects Chinese bioindustry output to reach 500 to 800 billion yuan ($64 billion to $102 billion) by 2010, which will grow to 1.6 trillion yuan ($205 billion) in 2015. In these numbers he is totaling output from several sectors, including agriculture-oriented biotechnology, medical biotechnology, biofuel technology, environmental biotech and marine biotech.

In terms of important technologies, Wan listed 35 breakthroughs in key biotechnologies, mentioning especially stem cells and genetic modification technology.

But Wan said that more than science was needed. China must also improve the financing of bioindustry and it must encourage investment in the sector. In that same vein, State Councillor Chen Zhili called for improved fiscal, taxation, financing and intellectual property right protection policies as a way to bring bioindustry output to its full potential.

In his remarks, Wan outlined a three-step process in bioindustry development: until 2010, China will seek to accumulate technology; from then until 2015, China will become a world power; from 2015 until 2020, China will seek to maintain its pre-eminence.



RELATED READING:
- Healthcare Park to be Built in Suzhou, China
- China Biotech Weekly Review: TCM Goes Mainstream
- China Biopharma Strikes Deal for Antiviral



ChinaBio Today is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
_________________




North Carolina Firm Puts New Twist on Brachytherapy

by Sara Calabro
Med Tech Sentinel



CivaTech Oncology, a startup based in Research Triangle Park, NC, that’s developing a device for delivering more consistent radiation to prostate-cancer patients, has raised $800,000 in an oversubscribed private financing.

The funding demonstrates angel investors’ confidence in the firm’s technology, which puts a new twist on brachytherapy. Typically, brachytherapy, a type of radiation treatment for cancer that utilizes implanted radioactive sources to kill tumor cells, surgically implants “seeds.” CivaTech Oncology’s new device will replace these individual seeds with a “radioactive string,” which the company believes should provide more uniform and consistent radiation delivery.

CivaTech is starting with prostate cancer, but its goal is to expand into treating other types of cancer with this form of low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Armed with a U.S. patent for its technology, the company is keeping headcount low while it gathers data for FDA submission. It is turning to consultants to solidify prototyping and testing milestones.

One of the company’s founders, Claudia Black, praised the Research Triangle Park region as a thriving one for medical device firms, in a press release. “The Triangle is poised to get on the map as a center for medical device excellence. Starting and growing a medical device company is less of an exception than it was 10 years ago.”



Med Tech Sentinel is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
___________________




Wednesday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks

by H.S. Ayoub
BioHealth Investor.com



Biotechnology

ALFACELL CORP [ACEL] +11.40%
DENDREON CORP [DNDN] +10.14%
CHELSEA THERAPEUTICS [CHTP] +8.18%
VIROPHARMA INC [VPHM] +7.66%
AMICUS THERAPEUTICS, [FOLD] +6.77%



Diagnostic Substances

SURMODICS INC [SRDX] +19.30%
IMMUCELL CP [ICCC] +6.28%
PRESSURE BIOSCIENC [PBIO] +5.88%
TRINITY BIO ADR [TRIB] +5.58%
CNS RESPONSE, INC. [CNSO.OB] +4.76%



Drug Delivery

EMISPHERE TECH [EMIS] +8.87%
ACURA PHARMACEUTICAL [ACUR.OB] +3.77%
NEKTAR THERAPEUTIC [NKTR] +3.04%
PETMED EXPRESS INC [PETS] +2.83%
QUIGLEY CORP THE [QGLY] +2.36%



Drug Manufacturers

UNIGENE LABS INC [UGNE.OB] +7.62%
ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICA [ALXA] +6.82%
NEUROGEN CP [NRGN] +6.61%
VERTEX PHARMACEUT [VRTX] +6.48%
MILLENNIUM PHARM [MLNM] +6.38%



Drug Related Products

CHINA SHENGHUO PHARM [KUN] +8.11%
LABOPHARM INC. [DDSS] +3.94%
AUXILIUM PHARMACEUT [AUXL] +3.77%
NUTRACEUTICAL INTL [NUTR] +3.44%
N B T Y INC [NTY] +3.07%



Generic Drugs

CATALYST PHARMACEUTI [CPRX] +1.80%
PHARMACUTICAL CO [PRX] +1.72%
CARACO PHARMA LABS [CPD] +1.63%
WATSON PHARMACEUTCLS [WPI] +0.37%
MYLAN LABS INC [MYL] +0.22%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

GIVEN IMAGING LTD [GIVN] +7.65%
VOLCANO CORPORATION [VOLC] +5.89%
CHAD THERAPEUTICS [CTU] +5.21%
CRYOLIFE INC [CRY] +4.97%
CUTERA, INC. [CUTR] +4.94%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

ENCISION INC [ECI] +4.03%
NMT MEDICAL INC [NMTI] +3.63%
I FLOW CP [IFLO] +3.63%
BAXTER INTL INC [BAX] +3.14%
ICU MEDICAL INC [ICUI] +2.86%



Medical Laboratories & Research

SPHERIX INC [SPEX] +9.59%
BIO-IMAGING TECH [BITI] +3.09%
NEOGENOMICS INC [NGNM.OB] +2.48%
OSI PHARMACEUTIC [OSIP] +2.40%
ENZO BIOCHEM INC [ENZ] +2.35%




- Tuesday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
- Monday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
____________________




Short Selling Volatile Biotechs

by Jon C. Ogg
24/7 Wall St.



Many of the recent biotech implosions are always interesting to see if short sellers are getting out of the way or adding pressure. Out of the biotechs we covered with recent implosions here is what we saw from May to June. Oddly enough, only Dendreon (DNDN) out of this group showed a drop in the short interest out of this group from May to June..

Dendreon (DNDN)...can't forget them. Recently we noted how options were weighing on the stock and how the company probably had a news vacuum coming up.
June Short Interest: 40.8 million shares, down almost 2% from May.
May Short Interest: 41.66M.

Adolor Corp. (ADLR)
June Short Interest: 6.5 million shares, up almost 10% from May.
May Short Interest: 5.9 million shares.

Allos Therapeutics (ALTH) didn't implode, but it looked like it was going to. Short sellers didn't have the news ahead of time so maybe the short-covering was a savior.
June Short Interest: 5.17 million shares, up 30% from May.
May Short Interest: 3.97 million shares.

Northfield Labs (NFLD)....going, going, gone.....Biotech Zombie.
June Short Interest: 8.06 million shares, up 8% from May.
May Short Interest: 7.4 million shares.

Continue reading article at 247WallSt.com



RELATED READING:
- Short Squeezing Biotechs



24/7 Wall St. is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
________________




Tuesday, June 26, 2007

New Reports Predict Growth for Medical Device Sector

by Sara Calabro
Med Tech Sentinel



BBC Research is out with a few reports that look at the medical device sector — and make hopeful predictions.

One, “The Global Market for Pain Management Drugs and Devices,” says devices account for only a small sliver of the pain-management pie — $1.87 billion in 2007, compared with $29 billion for pharmaceuticals. Devices, though, are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% to reach $2.6 billion by 2012. That compares to a CAGR of 5.63% for the entire pain-management sector and 5.6% for pharmaceuticals that address pain. The driver? BBC Research says it’s devices’ lack of side effects and their success at treating pain that is not successfully being addressed by drugs.

A second report, “The Medical Equipment Market in China,” also predicts growth. China sold approximately $9.2 billion worth of medical equipment in 2006, an increase of 12.2% over 2005, according to the report. Commitments by government to healthcare, an aging population and a rising standard of living in China are driving growth. The country’s medical equipment market has a CAGR of 9.2% and is projected to grow from $10 billion in 2007 to $15.5 billion by 2012.

The report singles out imaging diagnostic equipment (e.g., CT, MRI, color ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and digital x-ray systems) and clinical diagnostic laboratory instrument as especially hot areas, expected to grow at even faster rates from 2007 to 2012 — CAGRs of 12.9% and 13.3%, respectively.

The final report, “Microelectronic Medical Implants: Products, Technologies & Opportunities,” says the global market for microelectronic medical implants is projected to grow to $12.6 billion in 2007 (up from $11.7 billion in 2006) and $22.1 billion by 2012, at a CAGR of 11.9%.

Cardiac implants accounted for more than three-quarters of total implant sales in 2006, while neurostimulators captured 9%. Going forward, though, the market for neurostimulators is projected to grow over twice as fast as that for cardiac implants, which are predicted to lose market share to under 70% by 2012. Spinal fusion stimulators, with a CAGR of 9%, are also projected to lose share and become one of the slowest growing segments of the microelectronic sector. Neurostimulators are expected to be the biggest gainers, with total market share increasing from 9% to 14% between 2006 and 2012.


RELATED READING:
- Medical Devices Are ‘Flavor of the Month’ for Investors



Med Tech Sentinel is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
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Patients Beyond Borders Singapore edition

by David E. Williams
Health Business Blog



Medical tourism author Josef Woodman is following up with a Singapore edition of Patients Beyond Borders, just four months after the release of the original, groundbreaking book. (Listen to or read the transcript of my interview with Joe for more on the first book.)

According to the press release:

The 336-page guidebook features an in-depth overview of Singapore’s hospitals and clinics serving international patients, including detailed coverage of Centers of Excellence, specialties and super-specialties, patient liaison services, accommodation options, travel destinations and more
.


The new book will be launched in Singapore in late July during the World Conference of Family Doctors. SingaporeMedicine and Mr. Woodman will hold a joint press conference on the 23rd of July, followed by a media tour of some of Singapore’s finest hospitals.

Singapore sets the gold standard for international medical travel, with at least 11 JCI-accredited hospitals, high standards of medical care and excellent patient service. Prices tend to be higher than other places in Asia, but much lower than the in the US.

At the 4th WHCC in Washington, I met Dr. Jason Yap, Director of Healthcare Services of the Singapore Tourism Board. He laid out Singapore’s medical tourism strategy, which I found to be particularly clever. The logic goes something like this:

Singapore aspires to have world-class health care for its citizens;

With a population of under 5 million, the country lacks the minimum efficient scale required to support the various sub-specialties;

By orienting itself to serve the global market, Singapore can achieve sufficient patient volumes to support sub-specialists, and can make it attractive for Sinagporean and other world-class physicians to work there;

The strategy is supported by Singapore’s overall positioning as a modern, efficient, clean, technologically-advanced, orderly place with high customer service levels.


I can’t wait to read the book, and I’m also hoping to join the media tour in Singapore next month. If I make it, I’ll have a lot more to write about.




Health Business Blog is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
________________




Healthcare Park to be Built in Suzhou, China

by Richard Daverman, PhD
ChinaBio Today



Will Be Largest in China

The Suzhou International Healthcare Park Co. Ltd. is set to begin construction of the largest healthcare park in China, covering 200 hectares in the Wujiang Industrial Development Zone just outside of Suzhou.

Suzhou is a 45-minute train ride from Shanghai.

The company expects to spend 16 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) over the next three years to build facilities that will produce healthcare products.

The company has signed an agreement with the management committee of the industrial zone, leasing the land.

In the first phase of development, 700 million yuan ($92 million) will be spent to construct facilities over one-quarter of the space, 50 hectares. In the remaining space, standardized units will be built and leased to healthcare producers. All facilities are expected to be completed within three years.

The construction will be financed by a consortium of five banks. Other funding will come from foreign investors. So far, ten investors from Japan, the US and other countries have signed letters of intent with the company to produce healthcare products in the park.

Wujiang is a small city under Suzhou's jurisdiction. It currently has three main industries: textiles, telecommunications and IT. The healthcare initiative is aimed at diversifying this base.



RELATED READING:
- China Biotech Weekly Review: TCM Goes Mainstream
- China Biopharma Strikes Deal for Antiviral
- China Meditech Pays $3.3 Million for R&D Facility



ChinaBio Today is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
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Tuesday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks

by H.S. Ayoub
BioHealth Investor.com



Biotechnology

GENETIC TECH SPON [GENE] +10.28%
TRUBION PHARMACEUTIC [TRBN] +9.37%
CORCEPT THERAPEUTICS [CORT] +9.23%
TONGJITANG CH MD ADR [TCM] +7.55%
THIRD WAVE TECH IN [TWTI] +7.06%



Diagnostic Substances

REMOTEMDX INC [RMDX.OB] +7.28%
QUIDEL CP [QDEL] +5.30%
ORCHID CELLMARK INC [ORCH] +3.09%
EZ EM INC [EZEM] +2.27%
NEOGEN CP [NEOG] +1.93%



Drug Delivery

EMISPHERE TECH [EMIS] +8.41%
ELAN CP PLC ADR [ELN] +4.81%
COLUMBIA LABS INC [CBRX] +3.11%
NEKTAR THERAPEUTIC [NKTR] +2.47%
FLAMEL TECH SA ADR [FLML] +2.28%



Drug Manufacturers

CELL THERAPEUTICS [CTIC] +6.73%
NEUROGESX, INC. [NGSX] +6.16%
TAPESTRY PHARMA INC [TPPH] +5.68%
ADVANCIS PHARMA CP [AVNC] +4.17%
INSPIRE PHARMACEUT [ISPH] +4.01%



Drug Related Products

ZILA INC [ZILA] +9.09%
CHINA SHENGHUO PHARM [KUN] +5.79%
ARGAN INC [AGAX.OB] +3.45%
USANA HEALTH SCIEN [USNA] +3.19%
PERRIGO COMPANY [PRGO] +2.18%



Generic Drugs

PHARMACUTICAL CO [PRX] +1.16%
CATALYST PHARMACEUTI [CPRX] +1.16%
BARR PHARMA INC [BRL] +0.94%
HI-TECH PHARMACAL [HITK] +0.85%
HELICOS BIOSCIENCES [HLCS] +0.61%



Medical Appliances & Equipment

QMED INC [QMED] +12.73%
WORLD HEART CORP NEW [WHRTD] +6.40%
REGENERATION TECH [RTIX] +4.43%
UROLOGIX INC [ULGX] +4.26%
TOMOTHERAPY INC [TTPY] +3.84%



Medical Instruments & Supplies

VENTANA MED SYSTEM [VMSI] +47.72%
BIOJECT MEDICAL [BJCT] +11.67%
XTENT INC [XTNT] +11.36%
ENCISION INC [ECI] +6.77%
CARDIAC SCIENCE CORP [CSCX] +6.01%



Medical Laboratories & Research

MEDTOX SCIENTFIC INC [MTOX] +6.24%
GENOMIC HEALTH, INC. [GHDX] +4.87%
ALLIANCE IMAGING INC [AIQ] +4.55%
ARRAY BIOPHARMA IN [ARRY] +1.80%
PHARM PROD DEV [PPDI] +1.69%




- Monday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
- Friday's Top Biotech & Medical Stocks
____________________




Immucor: Trouble Ahead Despite Exciting Month

by Zachary Scheidt
ZachStocks



June has been an exciting month for Immucor (BLUD). The company operates on a fiscal year ending May 31, so this month kicks off a new year and already the company has received FDA approval for its newest product that will drive revenue for the next several years.

The new product is called Echo and it is basically a smaller version of the company's flagship product Galileo. Both machines are used to test blood samples and are unique in that the process is fully automated, drastically reducing the human error effect which can be so dangerous in the high stakes medical testing market. While Galileo can run 60 to 70 tests per hour, the new Echo is only about to process about 16 per hour. This makes the machine only marketable to small to mid size labs, while the Galileo is typically installed in hospital labs with much higher volume.

The company has guided us to expect 250 orders for the Echo machine in the first 12 months after approval. They estimate the worldwide opportunity to be 6,000 instruments so the potential for this product could keep them busy for quite some time. Currently the company has manufacturing capacity to turn out a bit over 20 machines per month, but they are investing in additional capacity and expect to ramp up to 30-35 machines a month shortly.

Investors should expect a bit of a financial blip as the company begins selling Echo. Accounting standards have the firm booking the full cost of the machine when the order is completed, but the revenue stream is spread out over the next 5 years of useful life. Additionally, the company makes good margins on the reagents or consumable products that go with the machines. It is expected it will take a bit of time for the reagent orders to start pouring in as labs generally take a bit of time to get started using the new kits.

With all this excitement, one would expect the stock to be making new highs. In fact, the stock has been weak on some concerns popping up on the horizon. For starters, Bio Rad Labs (BIO) just announced they are purchasing a Swiss company (DiaMed) which also makes laboratory tests including blood kits. This could be seen as a potential shot across the bow and may impact some of the positive pricing power Immucor currently enjoys.

Another point of concern revolves around whether small labs will be quick to sign up for the new product. While it is clear the product is effective and efficient, there is a pretty significant investment needed to be made in order to acquire the machine as well as the time it takes to train staff to use it. Many smaller labs will likely choose to stick with what continues to work until it is clear they need to buy the new machine to keep up with technology.

Finally, the CFO resigned effective 8/31/07 and while there doesn't appear to be anything negative forcing this resignation, it always raises a red flag and if nothing else, will be distracting to executives as they fill the position and get the new person up and running. The stock is not trading at a valuation that discounts strong growth and if there is a hiccup in that growth trajectory, it will likely face a multiple contraction. I would avoid the stock at this point and I am considering taking a short position if the timing is right.



RELATED READING:
- Molecular Diagnostics Have Edge in Med Tech Sector




ZachStocks is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
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Informa Life Sciences "Legal Strategies for Developing Generic Medicines"

by Aaron F. Barkoff
Orange Book Blog



Conference, July 9-11, Amsterdam, The Netherlands


Informa Life Sciences will hold its 2nd annual "Legal Strategies for Developing Generic Medicines" conference July 9-11 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ILS announces that the conference offers "the unrivalled opportunity to hear how the latest updates in the European Pharmaceutical Legislation and issues in patent litigation will affect your generics business."

According to the conference brochure, at this conference you will:

Discuss the implications of the most recent updates in European Pharmaceutical Legislation and regulatory procedures, including an overview of some of the new EU Member States;

Learn from case-study presentations of recent law court proceedings in pharmaceutical patent litigation;

Receive advice from experts in the generics industry on strategies to overcome evergreening and thoughts on authorised generics and reverse payments in Europe and the US;

Meet delegates in patent and IP departments from generics companies from all across Europe and the CEE.


The event features a pre-conference workshop on Monday, July 9: "Selecting a Reference Member State for your Generics Application." And, there will be an Evening Briefing on Tuesday, July 10: "Introduction to EU Pharmaceutical Law."

For additional information and to register, please visit the conference website.

Informa Life Sciences also invites all those interested to participate in their Confidential Generics Industry Poll. The results will be released at the conference next month.

Orange Book Blog is a media partner of this conference.




Orange Book Blog is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
_____________________




'SiCKO' Doesn't Offer Cure-All for Health Care

By Jeff Poor
Business & Media Institute




Michael Moore offers a lot of criticism for American health care, but his solution is taxing on viewers, citizens.


Even though Americans are living longer than they ever have before, we’re all in trouble because our health care system is failing us. That’s Michael Moore’s “SiCKO” in a nutshell.

In Moore’s world, some Americans live precariously with little or no health care, all politicians are on the pharmaceutical industry’s dole, the insurance companies are the root of all evil and the people in Canada, Western Europe and Cuba are immensely more civilized than Americans because they have government-run health care.

How is that for oversimplifying a complex situation?

By using a hodgepodge of anecdotal evidence and misleading information through humorous and emotional pleas, Moore makes that case. His solution to all these woes is socialized medicine in the United States, under the facade of universal health care.

Despite a three-month build-up, accolades from mainstream media outlets and Moore’s stunt-filled antics to get publicity, the movie itself is anticlimactic. One would have to be completely naïve to not know what they are going to get when they sit down to watch a Michael Moore “documentary.”

Moore narrates his documentary with a delivery that comes across like he is reading a children’s book during story hour at the public library – “See Dick run! Run Dick run. See Spot. Bark Spot bark. See Jane. See Jane die because there was no universal health care system in the United States that would have paid for her kidney transplant.”

It’s impossible not to feel sympathy for some of the hardship cases Moore illustrates. If you don't feel for someone who sawed off fingers or lost a loved one because of a poor decision by insurance company and couldn’t get a lifesaving operation, then you’re not human.

But in any nation – even those Moore celebrates – you would have to live under a rock to think there were not many unfortunate situations associated with health care – whether you’re insured or uninsured.

One of Moore’s biggest targets is health insurers. “I always thought the health insurance companies were there to help us,” Moore said. Did he really? On his Web site, one of the tenets he has to improve health care, aside from treating pharmaceutical manufacturers like a utility, is to abolish all private health insurers.

And even though he depicts them as greedy and selfish, Moore doesn’t tell you that one of his biggest targets in the industry – Kaiser Permanente (not only in “SiCKO,” but also in “The Big One”) – is that it is a nonprofit organization.

Perhaps his most dishonest attack is on the pharmaceutical industry. It is true that drugs are more expensive in the United States than other places around the world. And of course there is always the profit motive and Moore is certain we don’t forget, but he doesn’t tell why drugs are higher in the U.S. and downplays the enormous taxes that pay for drugs in other nations.

Again his oversimplification suggested there is rampant corruption involving pharmaceutical manufacturers and price controls will help everyone get the prescription medication they need. But, he doesn’t say why our pharmaceutical industry is so advanced. The profit motive inspires ingenuity. It also doesn’t help that other nations are undermining the industry’s profit motive by forcing price controls that are causing our prices to go up.

After discrediting and maligning everything about the American health care system imaginable, Moore parades around the world like he is Alexis De Tocqueville, just looking for fresh perspectives on how other countries handle health care. Of course, he finds his way to Canada, the United Kingdom and France where health care is viewed as a human right – like Americans view free speech or racial and gender equality.

Moore has a deep fascination with France – so much so that at times one might think at times during “SiCKO” they were watching a commercial put out by the French Bureau of Tourism. That makes sense in Moore’s case because France is a nation that has had an on-again, off-again relationship with socialism.

Moore’s final destination on his world tour is a stop in Cuba – one of the few remaining bastions of the failed form of government. He and several sick Americans board a boat from Miami and head to Cuba. First he hits viewers with his shenanigans of trying to get what he refers to as the best health care in United States at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where suspected enemy combatants are housed. Then Moore expects the viewer to believe the hostile dictatorial government of Cuba will just allow anyone to waltz right into Havana on a boat for a physical and to fill a few prescriptions.

If that is indeed the case, it is ironic thousands of Cuban refugees make their way across the Florida Strait every year seeking asylum from the Cuban government. If Cuba has such great health care, one has to wonder why Michael Moore didn’t go to Cuba instead of enrolling in the famed $3,800 a week Pritikin weight-loss clinic in Aventura, Fla.

At one point, Moore said, “I asked them to give us the same care they give their own Cuban citizens. No more, no less. And that’s what they did.” Right. In perhaps one of the most paradoxical twists of the entire movie, Moore interviews Dr. Aleida Guevara, daughter of the Marxist revolutionary responsible for untold deaths in Fidel Castro’s takeover of Cuba in 1959. Following in her father’s footsteps, Guevara condemned America; not for our capitalist ways, but for not providing universal health care.

Admittedly, Moore has a knack for comedy and that really goes a long way in making this movie watchable – something a lot of documentaries lack. But even the least skeptical of “SiCKO” viewers can’t possibly think this movie will be the magic bullet that will improve health care in America.

Luckily we don’t have across the board socialized health care in the United States. But we do in some sectors. Since Michael Moore has such confidence in the federal government running health care, perhaps he should have taken his film crew to a VA Hospital and seen how that sample of federally run health care functions compared to a private hospital.

That’s what Americans can expect if Moore gets his way.



RELATED READING:
- The Summer of SiCKO: Michael Moore's Film Makes Cannes Debut Today



Business & Media Institute is a regular contributor to BioHealth Investor
_______________________




Monday, June 25, 2007

Corcept Stock Rally On Weight Loss News Continues

by Hisham S. Ayoub, DMD
BioHealth Investor



Shares of Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. (CORT) continued their strong upward movement on Monday gaining more than 20% by day's end.


The stock has now gained more than 70% in three days since the company announced positive results from its proof of concept study of lower weight gain through the combination of olanzapine plus CORLUX.

This prompted Punk, Ziegel & Co. to raise its outlook on Corcept stock from "market perform" to "accumulate".

What was really impressive about this three day rally is how strong the volume has been, signalling that large institutional investors might be involved. Volume over the last three days, Thursday, Friday and Monday, was 538,400 / 891,300 / 822,967 respectively, while the 3-month daily average volume is a little over 70,000 according to Yahoo!Finance.

This wild action in Corcept stock can be mainly be attributed to the relatively tiny market cap of just $90 million.

Investors must be careful here, there still is a long way to go before Corcept's study adds anything to its bottom line, if ever.



RELATED READING:
- Sanofi Should Blame Itself for FDA Panel's Rejection of Acomplia




Dr.Ayoub is the founding editor of BioHealth Investor
________________




FDA Gives CryoCor the Cold Shoulder

by Sara Calabro
Med Tech Sentinel



San Diego-based CryoCor (CRYO) suffered a blow today, when it learned that FDA is yet again unhappy with the company’s pre-market approval application for its Cryoblation System, which uses extr