Micromet hits 52-week-high on experimental cancer drug results

Micromet Inc. (NASDAQ:MITI) hit a new 52-week-high this morning as the stock continued to benefit from positive data on one of its cancer drug candidates being published in Science magazine. | Nasdaq: MITI |Comment

Salix slips 12% on plans to raise $50 million in offering

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s (Nasdaq:SLXP) stock slipped by 12% after the firm announced before the opening this morning plans to raise $50 million by offering convertible senior notes. | Nasdaq: SLXP |Comment

Dyax hits new 52-week high on positive trial results

Shares of Dyax Corp. (Nasdaq:DYAX) skyrocketed by nearly 18% this morning, hitting a new 52-week high, after the biopharmaceutical company said it soon plans to apply for federal approval of DX-88,... | Nasdaq: DYAX |Comment

Healthy outlook for Sinovac Biotech

One player in China's race to innovate the biotechnology industry is Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (AMEX:SVA). | AMEX: SVA |Comment

Idera Pharmaceuticals: On simmer

People say Idera Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:IDRA) is interesting, promising, an intriguing trailblazer. But, like last night’s fish dinner, look how they push the plate away. | Nasdaq: IDRA |Comment

Micromet: Taking a BiTE out of cancer

Micromet’s success hinges on its BiTE antibody technology platform, which is designed to direct the body’s cell-destroying T cells against tumor cells. It may be on to something. | Nasdaq: MITI |Comment

Acura Pharmaceuticals: Climbing onto institutional investors' radar

More than 75 million Americans suffer from pain — more than the number of people with diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. | Nasdaq: ACUR |Comment

Sector Watch: Biotech stocks

Biotechnology investments often offer big risks, but huge potential rewards. New drugs, such as ones in development by Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) and ChemGenex (Nasdaq:CXSP), can provide... | Nasdaq: CXSP |2 Comments

eResearch Technology: Outsourcing clinical trials

After an extended period of little or no growth, eResearch Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:ERES) is now on a roll. | Nasdaq: ERES |Comment

Sector Watch: Drug delivery stocks

Two relatively recent entrants into the war on prescription drugs are Acura Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ACUR) and Columbia Laboratories (Nasdaq:CBRX). | Nasdaq: ACUR |1 Comment

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals: Years ahead of competition

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:CXSP) wants to share an ancient Chinese secret with the world, one that could provide a knockout punch to a form of leukemia resisting other treatment. | Nasdaq: CXSP |Comment

Cytori Therapeutics shares up after protective patent granted

Cytori Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:CYTX) jumped more than 10% Tuesday after the company announced a patent was issued for its Celution System technology from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. | Nasdaq: CYTX |Comment

AspenBio edges upward after "buy" rating

AspenBio Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq:APPY) is trading heavier than usual after Lazard Capital Markets started coverage of the medical and biotech company with a “buy” rating. | Nasdaq: APPY |Comment

Polypore International: Lithium batteries and more

The specialized microporous membranes made by Polypore International Inc. (NYSE:PPO) are the sort of thing that no one seems to have heard of but may unknowingly come in contact with. | NYSE: PPO |Comment

Life Sciences: It pays to be the middle man

Many drug companies have now adopted the method of "outsourcing" clinical trial testing to firms such as Life Sciences Research, Inc. (NYSE:LSR), to assuage risk that could directly affect... | NYSE: LSR |Comment

Newsletter Watch: Omrix Biopharmaceuticals

See why Bill Martin, editor of BullMarket.com and founder of RagingBull.com, recently turned his analysis to Omrix Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:OMRI). | Nasdaq: OMRI |Comment

Newsletter Watch: Enzon Pharmaceuticals

This week, we examine biotechnology expert Marc Lichtenfeld’s investing strategy as well as his recent stock pick of Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ENZN). | NASDASQ: ENZN |Comment

Sector Watch: An apple, or pill, a day

Transition Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:TTHI) and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:SIRT) are two drug companies that want to make the transition into your golden years a bit more tolerable. | Nasdaq: TTHI |Comment

Newsletter Watch: Biotech stocks

Check out biotech pioneer James McCamant's insights into the sector, along with his favorite small-cap picks that include GenVec Inc. (Nasdaq:GNVC) and Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARIA). | Nasdaq: GNVC |Comment

Emergent BioSolutions: What, me worry?

There are terrorist attacks, and then there’s bioterrorism: deadly spores and killer bacteria. Reaching for the red phone of germ warfare is Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:EBS), developer of... | Nasdaq: EBS |Comment

Interview with Mary Lisanti

Mary Lisanti, president and chief investment officer of AH Lisanti Capital Growth, talks about the current environment for small caps in an interview with SmallCapInvestor.com. The former... | BMRN |Comment

Clinical trial fails for Keryx Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceutical company Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX), reported this morning that its Phase 3 clinical trial of Sulonex for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy failed. | KERX |Comment

Sciele Pharma: A Sular eclipse

With seven products to launch in 2008, Sciele Pharma Inc.'s (Nasdaq: SCRX) expansion into pediatrics and women’s health could spell serious near- and long-term growth for the company. | SCRX |Comment

PharmaNet Development Group plunges on weak 2008 forecast

PharmaNet Development Group Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGI) shares are plunging after the drug development services company forecasted a weaker-than-expected 2008 profit. For 2008, PharmaNet projects earnings... | PDGI |Comment

Acorda Therapeutics soars on trial results

Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) shares are soaring after the biopharmaceutical company said a study showed its experimental multiple sclerosis drug does not increase the risk for certain... | ACOR |Comment

NVE Corp. clocks robust Q3

NVE Corp. (Nasdaq: NVEC) reported robust third-quarter results after Wednesday’s close driven by increases in product sales and operating margins. | NVEC |Comment

MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals receives FDA OK for drug

Shares of MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MBRK) are rocketing this morning after the pharmaceutical company said it received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its... | MBRK |Comment

Orexigen Therapeutics prices public offering

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) shares are trading heavily after the obesity drug developer announced it will price its public offering of seven million shares of common stock at $11... | OREX |1 Comment

NMT Medical to terminate MIST II trial

NMT Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMTI) said today that it is closing down its patent foramen ovale (PFO)/migraine trial, MIST II, to focus its resources on its PFO/stroke opportunity. | NMTI |Comment

Northstar Neuroscience says Everest trial fails

Shares of Northstar Neuroscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSTR), are tanking to a new 52-week low in pre-market after the medical device company, which develops therapies for the treatment of neurological... | NSTR |Comment

FDA OKs Celsion's liver cancer trial

Celsion Corp. (AMEX: CLN) said today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its application for Phase III primary liver cancer trial. | CLN |Comment

Newsletter Watch: PURE Bioscience

Gene Inger, editor of The Inger Letter, looks at PURE Bioscience (OTC: PURE) as his favorite speculative small-cap stock pick for 2008 | PURE |Comment

Lifecore Biomedical to be acquired by PE firm, reports Q2 results below the Street

Shares of Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: LCBM) are rocketing in pre-market trading after the manufacturer of biomaterials and medical devices said today that affiliates of global private equity... | LCBM |Comment

Pharmasset soars on positive clinical trial results

Pharmasset, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRUS) shares are climbing to new heights after the pharmaceutical company reported that 85% of patients who took the firm’s Hepatitis C treatment in a Phase I clinical... | VRUS |Comment

Osiris Therapeutics rises on $225 million DoD contract

Shares of Osiris Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: OSIR) are rising following news after the close on Thursday that the stem cell therapeutic company has been awarded a $224.7 million contract from the... | OSIR |Comment

Metabasis Therapeutics reports positive results for Phase 1b trial

Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MBRX) announced this morning that it its Phase 1b multiple-dose clinical trial of MB07811, its product candidate for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, indicates... | MBRX |Comment

Sciele Pharma receives FDA approval for Sular formulation

Shares of Sciele Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCRX) are advancing this morning after the pharmaceutical company reported late Wednesday evening that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved four... | SCRX |Comment

GenVec reaches agreement with FDA

GenVec, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNVC), a biopharmaceutical company, said today that it reached an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to implement changes to the company’s Phase 2/3... | GNVC |Comment

IPO Watch: Elixir Pharmaceuticals

This company has no products on the market yet, but it has several in its R&D pipeline that could be interesting. It also has a smart group of experienced health care venture capitalists on board. | ELXR |Comment

Salix Pharmaceuticals sputters on generic competition

Shares of Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq: SLXP) are taking a beating today after the company’s competitor Mylan Inc., a generic drug developer, said Monday that the Food and Drug... | SLPX |Comment

Dendreon gains on CNBC tout

Shares of Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) are climbing in pre-market trading after analysts on CNBC's Fast Money show recommended the biotech company’s stock late Thursday. | DNDN |Comment

Cell Therapeutics rises on drug contract

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTIC) shares are up after the biopharmaceutical company reported that it completed the acquisition of the cancer drug Zevalin from Biogen Idec, which gives the... | CTIC |Comment

Encysive Pharmaceuticals issues revenue guidance, exploring strategic alternatives

Shares of Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ENCY) are soaring in pre-market trading after the biopharmaceutical company announced revenue guidance for its drug Thelin. | ENCY |Comment

Rigel Pharmaceuticals hits 52-week high after successful drug test

Shares of Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) are in heaven on news before the start of trading that a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis showed positive results during a clinical trial. | RIGL |Comment

Dendreon soars on news of Congressional investigation

Dendreon Corp. (Nasdaq: DNDN) shares began soaring shortly before 1 p.m. after CNBC reported that three members of Congress want a probe into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of... | DNDN |Comment

Geron receives $4M payment from Merck for IND application

Biopharmaceutical company Geron Corp. (Nasdaq: GERN), said this morning that it received a $4 million milestone payment from Merck on account of an Investigational New Drug application with the... | GERN |Comment

Cardiome Pharma receives approval of Kynapid

Cardiome Pharma Corp. (Nasdaq: CRME) and its co-development partner Astellas Pharma US, Inc. said late Tuesday night that the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and... | CRME |Comment

Sequenom, Inc.: Big genes to fill

It’s been a seven-year roller coaster ride for Sequenom, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM), but the maker of genetic analysis products used to advance medical research appears to have finally landed on stable... | SQNM |Comment

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals soars after swinging to Q4 profit

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AVNR) shares are climbing after the Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based firm reported fourth-quarter net profit of $12.1 million, or $0.28 per share, up from with a loss of... | AVNR |Comment

Vion Pharmaceuticals gains on positive Phase II data

Shares of Vion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VION) are gaining ground ahead of the opening after the development stage pharmaceutical company announced positive data from its pivotal Phase II trial of... | VION |Comment