We have a very weak start to the week as biotech buyers appear to have stepped aside. At this point, I think it is safe to say that we are in the midst of a correction and now the question is a matter of degree. We should be approaching an area of support, so it […]
[Free Report] Merck KGaA Ends Cancer Vaccine Trials; RTRX Takes Heat
Following the failure of tecemotide (formerly known as Stimuvax) in a Phase I/II study in Japanese patients, Merck has decided to discontinue all clinical development of the drug, including the Phase III START2 and INSPIRE non-small cell lung cancer trials. Tecemotide is a MUC1 antibody-specific immunotherapy licensed from biotech company Oncothyreon. It had previously failed […]
Recent Option Activity (9/10 ~ 9/11)
The following stocks had recent and notable activity in their options: $MRK (9/10): 12,800 JAN15 50.0 strike Calls were sold (stock at $60.56) for 10.70 or total proceeds of $13.7 million. This trade is likely part of a larger “dividend capture” strategy (see: http://www.businessinsider.com/options-dividend-trade-strategy-2012-9) and should be viewed as neutral (not bearish or bullish). $SNSS […]
September 12 Biotech Update
Another day and another bit of weakness in the sector and market. The longer that we churn along at these levels the more it looks like stocks are resting for a continuation of the main trend (higher). It is not a high conviction view but unless the market breaks to the downside soon, it looks […]
September 11 Biotech Update
The market was pretty benign but biotechs seemed to really be taking it on the chin early. There does not seem to be a strong fundamental reason for the weakness as far as I can tell (unless you think the CELG selling is creating a larger pin action), so it looks more like profit taking […]
September 10 Biotech Update
Market seems a little heavy as does the sector. This is not to say that we cannot rally further from here but my base case is that the next move is likely to be a consolidation. While it is possible that this occurs through time, I expect it is more likely to occur through price. […]
Catalyst Watch – Vol. 2, Edition 26 (9/9/14)
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: AEZS: PDUFA is […]
September 8 Biotech Update
A slow start to a week, which I guess should have been expected given that last week was not exceptionally news filled. Without any real catalysts, it is likely the sector will track the broader market. The one advantage is that we have a series of investor conferences in September. While these usually do not […]
September 5 Biotech Update
It was an interesting day in the markets with NFP coming in under expectations. Rumors of a new ceasefire in the Ukraine and flash crashes in mega-cap companies. What is sort of interesting is that despite all of these events the market itself is basically flat, although I doubt it will stay flat and expect […]
September 4 Biotech Update
Markets are generally moving higher again this morning likely on the back of quantitative easing making its entrance into Europe. I expect a slightly stronger reaction to this news but it is still early, so I would not be surprised if the market strengthened throughout the day. Debates over the utility of QE aside, they […]
September 3 Biotech Update
So the market continues to make marginal highs and essentially is drifting higher as the path of least resistance remains slightly higher each day. At his point, however, we cannot discount the possibility of a correction as a lot of stocks have had good runs. Trying to time when these corrections occur is losing game […]
Quick Update
I have been out of the office all day and so have not had a chance to write anything. I wanted to write a brief note on the TTPH data given that I have been following it. I will have a lot more tomorrow on this and other stocks. Tetraphase released data from the lead […]
August 29 Biotech Update
It has been a little bit of a crazy week for me but thankfully there was not a ton of news as we head into the long holiday weekend. The sector seemed to be consolidating (or looking for a direction) and this also seems to be the case for the broader market. This is not […]
Catalyst Watch – Vol. 2, Edition 25 (8/26/14)
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: AEZS: PDUFA is […]
August 26 Biotech Update
It is Tuesday, so this will be a very short update. Luckily there is not a lot going on in the market. There seems to be some consolidation in the sector with the early trading but that can change on a dime especially with low summer volumes. 1. The one and only point I really […]
August 25 Biotech Update
I do not want to say this is a slow news day but outside of the ITMN deal, there is really not much else going on. The market is rallying and the sector is clearly moving with it if not taking the lead. Perhaps this will be the start of the long awaited catch-up in […]
A closer look at these veterinary stocks: PETX, KIN, PARN
Animal health (AH) is gaining more and more attention from investors as new companies go public amidst the biotech IPO frenzy. In this report, we’ll focus on three new veterinary stocks that began trading over the past few months. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA, ref ), animal care is a market […]
August 22 Biotech Update
Biotechs have been weak despite a decent macro environment (at least it was not a very negative one) and it was odd. Then someone pointed out that Yellen was scheduled to speak this morning and speculated that traders are avoiding biotechs in case she launches another grenade at the sector. While I did not expect […]
August 21 Biotech Update
Another slow day on the news front, so this should be another short report. I usually like to begin the reports with a sense of the market but right now it feels like a market looking for direction. There does not seem to be consistent leadership between days and the high growth sectors like biotech […]
August 20 Biotech Update
Another slow news day with a more of the same market. What looked like a developing trend of strong small cap performance has morphed back into the run of the large caps. Perhaps that is simply a signal that we are entering into a stock pickers market as opposed to broad plays on sectors. In […]
