January 29- Biotech Update

Would you believe another snow day in Louisiana, which is number three in the past couple of weeks (if you were counting). In general, despite a very weak market , biotechs did fairly well, although it was the large caps holding up the sector with the small caps more mixed. It was nice to see […]

Week’s Option Activity (1/13 ~ 1/28)

The following stocks had notable activity in their options during the past week(s): $XOMA (1/13): 2,550 JUN risk reversals were purchased (stock at $8.32) for 0.40 or $102,000. 2,550 JUN 15.0 strike Calls were purchased for 0.88 and 2,550 JUN 5.0 strike Puts were sold against for 0.48. Buyer expects substantial upside movement and makes […]

January 28- Biotech Update

Well, we are having a snow/winter storm day in Baton Rouge, so the kids have no school and I need to work around them as best I can (so I apologize for the poor editing). I will try to keep this short and to the point and get it out earlier than usual as I […]

January 27 Biotech Update

It is amazing how quickly sentiment can change. Last week I was noting the shifts and the expectations for a correction. This was certainly needed but I think the speed of the move has less to do with fundamentals and more to do with jittery investors. Nobody wants to be the last one to sell, […]

Catalyst Watch – Vol. 2, Edition 2 (1/24/14)

Below are current tactical and strategic thoughts on approaching FDA and clinical trial catalysts for select names. Estimates, values and views are as of the date published (or are noted), are subject to potential future, pre-catalyst revision and are not intended as investment recommendations. Please read our Disclaimer: (1) Catalyst Watch List – Update: CHTP: […]

Upcoming Phase 3 trials

With a fresh start to 2014 and the biotech market still very strong, we wanted to examine some upcoming Phase 3 results that will be in focus in the first quarter. Expectations for some of these trials varies widely. We have a blend of small biotech to big pharma. Company: Merck (MRK) and Amgen (AMGN) […]

January 23rd Biotech Update

The macro backdrop today was not great but the sector did better than I would have expected going into the day. That being said there is likely a correction coming so buying this dip might not be the best strategy. I am still mainly sitting on the sidelines on stocks I am watching waiting for […]

January 22nd Biotech Update

I feel like a record stuck skipping over the same part but there has not really been anything new in the market this week either from a macro sense or even at the individual level. The sector was strong in the morning basically on the backs of the large caps (see GILD later in the […]

GERN- A Speculative Trade

To be clear, I’m not a big fan of Geron. However, upcoming events provide an interesting, although somewhat risky trading opportunity. The telomerase inhibitor imetelstat has demonstrated activity in the myeloproliferative disorders essential thrombosis and myelofibrosis. Geron is now planning a company sponsored P2 in MF set to begin around June; data may become available […]

IBB – In The Decision Zone

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) -Nasdaq The best indicator for our biotech portfolios are biotechnology indices such as IBB, NBI, XBI or XLV. By looking at the IBB daily chart, we get the whole picture of the latest epic run in the biotech sector during 2013, with a whopping run from 134.21 to 227.06 points, gaining 69.2%, while […]

January 21st Biotech Update on GILD ECYT ONTX

The sector is looking a little tired at these levels but it seems like everyone is expecting a pullback, which makes the contrarian in me wonder if there is another leg higher.  I am certainly not selling anything at this point but would be cautious about buying now.  I would not be surprised to see catalyst stocks […]

Catalyst Watch – Vol. 2, Edition 1 (1/14/14)

Below are current tactical and strategic thoughts on approaching FDA and clinical trial catalysts for select names. Estimates, values and views are as of the date published (or are noted), are subject to potential future, pre-catalyst revision and are not intended as investment recommendations. Please read our Disclaimer: (1) Catalyst Watch List – Update: KERX: […]

Week’s Option Activity (12/27 ~ 1/9)

The following stocks had notable activity in their options during the past week(s): $GERN (12/27): 663 JUN 5.0 strike Calls (stock at $5.10) were purchased for 1.40 or total cost of $92,820. Buyer makes money if stock trades above $6.40 by June expiration. $CHTP (12/31): 5,500 JAN 4.0 strike Puts (stock at $4.40) were purchased […]

A look at Innate Pharma

Immuno-oncology was one of the hottest themes of 2013 and its been almost entirely a big pharma story. We saw Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck and Roche reveal more data and future plans for their PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors. It’s going to be the hottest theme for awhile, so we want to highlight one company that has […]