Biotech stocks taking it on the teeth too:

Biotech stocks fall with the broader market over fears a global recession is near.

Shares of biotechnology companies tumbled Friday as U.S. and world financial markets plunged over fears there could soon be a global recession, though they didn't fall as far as the broader market.

Mostly positive earnings results this week from the relatively defensive and insulated biotechnology industry could not stave off a decline.

The American Stock Exchange's biotechnology index fell 18.27 points, or 2.9 percent, to 611.82 in morning trading. The index tracks several bellwether stocks. The Nasdaq Stock Market's biotechnology index, which covers a broader range of small- and midcap stocks, fell 21.25 points, or 3.1 percent, to 672.39.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 321.06 points, or 3.8 percent to 8,332.76, while the Nasdaq fell 58.45 points, or 3.6 percent, to 1,545.46. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 36.48, or 4 percent, to 871.63.

Leaders of the biotech stock decline included powerhouse Genentech Inc., which fell $3.94, or 4.8 percent, to $78, while Amgen Inc. shed $1.53, or 2.6 percent, to $54.29. Elsewhere, Biogen Idec Inc. fell $1.60, or 3.9 percent, to $39.84, while Gilead Sciences Inc. fell $1.42, or 3.2 percent, to $44.05.

--from Yahoo bizz

More data coming from Sequinom

I'm here to decipher stock quote/clinical trial data to the layman. I don't know everything but I work in the field of biotech, so if I can't answer or post your question about some data, I have the resources to find the answer.
Upcoming, data from Sequinom. Just like my blood pressure, up and down.

Roger Tsien wins Nobel for GFP

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN - News), a provider of essential life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, today congratulates the three winners of the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry: Drs. Roger Tsien, Osamu Shimomura and Martin Chalfie, all of whom contributed to developing and expanding the use of fluorescent proteins in biological applications. Fluorescent proteins, including those developed by Dr. Tsien, form the foundation for dozens of products from Invitrogen.

Dr. Shimomura discovered a protein in jellyfish, called Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), that glows when excited by light energy, and Dr. Chalfie expressed the protein in multiple organisms. Dr. Tsien’s contribution was in creating a family of genetically engineered GFPs that have enhanced properties and distinct colors, thereby making GFP into a highly versatile research tool for both cell biology and animal modeling. In addition, his laboratory engineered GFPs to serve as sensors for various intracellular physiological events, allowing these key processes to be visualized in living cells in real time.

The applications of these fluorescent proteins are myriad, ranging from providing scientists with a quick indication of cell engineering success, to allowing researchers to monitor complex cellular and tissue functions in living organisms.

“The discovery of GFP and its subsequent genetic engineering have allowed biologists to probe phenomena that were previously not addressable” said Brian Pollok, Ph.D., Invitrogen’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We congratulate Dr. Tsien, Dr. Chalfie and Dr. Shimomura for their significant contributions to biotechnology. Their work clearly shows how the creation and application of novel research tools can change the landscape of biology.”

I was lucky enough to work within Dr. Tsien's laboratory when I was in graduate school at UCSD. He is a class individual, and deserves the recognition. Cell biology would not be the same with these discoveries. IVGN was down today 18 cents, but what wasn't? LOL.

an example of GFP, green flourescent protein, from the jellyfish. I have used this gene many times in my research of non receptor tyrosine kinases: the green part of the leading edge of the cell is a GFP labeled combined proteins termed focal adhesions. This is where the cell attaches to its environment.

FDA reports new deaths with diabetes drug Byetta

FDA working on new warning label for Amylin, Eli Lilly drug Byetta after deaths reported
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators are working on a stronger label for a widely used diabetes drug marketed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. after deaths continue to be reported despite earlier government warnings.

The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it has received six new reports of patients developing a dangerous form of pancreatitis while taking Byetta. Two of the patients died and four were recovering.

The drugmakers said in a statement that patients taking Byetta have shown "very rare case reports of pancreatitis with complications or with a fatal outcome." The companies added that diabetes patients are already at increased risk of pancreatitis compared with healthy patients.

The FDA announcement updated an October alert about 30 reports of Byetta patients developing the ailment. Regulators stressed that patients should stop taking Byetta immediately if they develop signs of acute pancreatitis, which can cause nausea, abdominal pain and potentially deadly complications.

More than 700,000 patients worldwide have used the injectable drug since it was launched in June 2005. It is marketed for patients with type 2 diabetes by San Diego-based Amylin and Eli Lilly.

Shares of Amylin Pharmaceuticals fell $5.59, or 16.3 percent, to $28.62 in afternoon trading, while Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly dipped 80 cents to $47.98.

I will describe later today what's going on that produces the toxicity.

(On a side note, My lack of posts for the last few weeks is being blamed on a friend of mine moving to a beach house in Rosarito in Baja California, a case of scotch and local women. I'm back in the US now and should have BT101 up and running again.)

Returning from Chicago..

I will spend most of tonight recapping the biotech market action and post.
The combined staff of 101 and DT have been on a fact finding mission in Chicago and although we didn't recover any property, we did come back with a story or two.

I'll do my best to get you up to date with Elan, Merck and SP news etc.

Updates on the market and drugs

coming tonight.
Leaving the real job early today. Stay tuned.
In the mean time, check out drunktrader.com for some entertainment.

Addendum: The wi-fi service at this location in chicago BLOWS.

Breaking News...

I am teaming up with the great staff of http://www.drunktrader.com/ in search of some missing IT ware. Both DT and me plus our staff have co-operated in the past on several ventures and to hear that Isis has pulled this type of behavior is unacceptable. We will be joining forces both online and in person to see this injustice is dealt with.

It's quite possible that the entire team of BT101 will be summoned to a fact finding mission to Chicago in the coming days. Please understand that while clinical trial data and biotech stocks are our top priority, one must always step up when a friend is in need. I will keep you updated.

Amgen Still Rolling on results

Amgen Inc. led drug stocks higher early Monday, as the biotech giant gained on a report of progress with an osteoporosis drug candidate, denosumab.

Late Friday, Amgen released favorable data for denosumab, a product many investors are hoping can jump-start the biotech group's top line. Amgen's financial performance has been lackluster this year, due largely to weakened sales for its flagship anemia drugs Aranesp and Epogen amid heightened safety concerns.

Amgen is slated to release its second-quarter earnings report after the market closes on Monday.

I'll get some info on denosumab (another monoclonal antibody therapy) and get another post up with an explanation. Stay tuned.

AMGN is trading at 60.58, +6.67, +12.4% in afternoon action.

BioTech Market Update:

The staff at Bio took the day off today and hit up Where the Surf Meets the Turf at Del Mar. The racing was good, the betting better and the scenery the best. Nothing like hanging out by the Pacific, beautiful women and men and the best jockeys the sport has to offer. Did I mention they have beer?

Here's what happened whilst 101 staff was gambling away their salaries:

Biotech stocks got a nice boost early Monday from news that Swiss drugmaker Roche plans to buy the remaining 44% of Genentech Inc. that it doesn't already own for $43.7 billion.

The Amex Pharmaceutical Index was down marginally at 306.0 while the Amex Biotechnology Index, of which Genentech is a component, jumped 3% to 819.5.
Genentech shares soared 14% to $93.52, notably above Roche's bid price of $89 a share, indicating investors may be anticipating a counter-offer.

Early Monday, Roche announced its bid, stating the merger would stream-line drug discovery and increase productivity. The deal would also give Roche total control over Genentech's marketed products, which include such oncology drugs as Avastin, Herceptin and Rituxan.
Genentech is a leading marketer of biologic oncology drugs. Roche sells Genentech's products overseas, while the biotech group markets them in the U.S.

Shares of partners Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. fell on news that they were delaying release of their respective quarterly financial reports, which were expected early Monday morning, until after market close.

The companies attributed the postponement to the expected release of new data on their controversial cholesterol drug Vytorin at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Sales of Vytorin have been in the dumps since this winter, when a medical study showed the drug wasn't any more effective in battling heart disease than generic versions of Merck's cholesterol drug Zocor. Vytorin is a combination of Zocor, which lost patent protection in 2006, and a newer drug called Zetia.

Biogen Idec shares were up 5% at $67.95. The biotech, which is slated to roll out its earnings report early Tuesday, co-markets Genentech's blockbuster oncology drug Rituxan.

Also climbing was Biogen partner Elan Corp. Elan and Biogen market the multiple sclerosis therapy Tysabri.

Off topic...But well worth it

GOOG once again was in left field concerning it's 2Q earnings report. Check this youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJXxmiKv3hw

PPHM---Peregrine Pharma

I'm looking at them carefully. I can post some of their "promising" pipeline drugs, if there are any at 37 cents a share.

Might have to pick up some shares and anticipate a bump up the closer fall comes. Stay tuned.

The Market is down: There is still action to be had in BioTech

Check out what happened in biotech on friday just before market close. ANDS had a nice spike right before the market closed jumping up 66 cents a share to close at $2.97. This should be a reaction to the news that they are returning to Hep C treatment with their drug termed ANA598:


Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in developing medicines in the areas of hepatitis C and oncology. It develops ANA598, a small-molecule non-nucleoside inhibitor of the NS5B polymerase for the treatment of hepatitis C; and ANA773, an oral toll-like receptor 7 agonist prodrug for cancer. The company was founded in 1992. It was formerly known as ScripTech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and changed its name to Scriptgen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 1994. Later, the company changed its name to Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2000. Anadys Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Illumina hits record high....Nice time to be in their ESPP

Illumina shares reach record high as analysts reaffirm positive sales outlook

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of genetic analysis instrument maker Illumina Inc. reached an all-time high Wednesday as analysts reaffirmed a positive sales outlook for the company.
Shares reached $91.41 during the trading session, before retreating. The stock maintained a gain of $1.55, or 1.8 percent, to close at $90.10.

Goldman Sachs analyst May-Kin Ho raised her second-quarter profit forecast for the company to 30 cents from 29 cents per share and counted Illumina among biotech companies that will excel because of sales. For the year, she expects profit of $1.23 per share, up from prior forecasts for $1.19 per share.

The company, meanwhile, expects second-quarter profit of 37 to 40 cents per share, topping the 28 cents per share expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.
During the first quarter, Illumina swung to a profit as analytic instrument sales more than doubled with the help of its Genome Analyzer and Genome Analyzer II systems.
Ho previously said the company's profit could increase by about 32 percent per year over the next few years. She and others view the company's Genome Analyzer II system as a key player in pushing the company's profit.

More tomorrow and just what this Analyzer thing is. check back.

Biotech Market update: 1 July 2008

BioTech/Big Pharma stocks in the news, 10am PST.

Drug stocks slipped in early action Tuesday, but shares of Myriad Genetics rebounded from a sell-off in the previous session over its move to discontinue development of its Alzheimer's disease drug candidate Flurizan.

The Amex Pharmaceutical Index were both down marginally at 290.2 and 737.0, respectively.

Myriad shares were up 4% at $47.30.

Myriad reported disappointing Phase III clinical results for Flurizan early Monday, an event that had been widely predicted by industry watchers on Wall Street. The company had been developing the compound for the treatment of mild cases of Alzheimer's disease.

Myriad's bad news appeared to ripple over into shares of other drugmakers working on Alzheimer's medications.

Shares of Wyeth were off 2% at $47.26, while partner Elan Corp. saw its stock slip 1% to $35.05.

Baxter International however, broke from the downward trend, with shares up 7% at $1.85.

Thanks to MarketWatch.
If any clinical data comes out that makes a splash it'll be here.

Glutoxim (NVLS) Lead Candidate

Glutoxim is a representative of thiopoietins, a new class of pharmaceuticals possessing a
modulating effect on intracellular processes of thiol metabolism [SH groups containing sulfur and hydrogen atoms]playing an important role in the regulation of genetic and metabolic processes in cells and tissues.
The drug’s mechanism of action consists in regulated escalation of redox state of cells. The new
level of redox systems and of dynamics of phosphorylation of signal-transmitting system key
proteins and transcription factors, primarily of immunocompetent cells, determines the
immunomodulating and systemic cytoprotective effect of the drug. [It keeps the inside of the cell in a reduced state, ready to lose electrons and bind up free radicals]

Glutoxim acts differently on normal cells, where it stimulates proliferation and differentiation [growth and growing into a specialized cell that cannot change again],
and on transformed ones, where it induces apoptosis (genetically programmed cell death). The
main immunophysiological properties of the drug include its high tropism to the cells of central
immunity organs and of the lymphoid tissue system, enhancement of spinal hemopoiesis
(erythropoiesis, lymphopoiesis and granulocyto-monocytopoiesis)[formation of new cells, red blood cells, white blood cells], activation of the phagocytosis [cell eating]
system (including cases of immune deficiency), restoration of neutrophil, monocyte and
lymphocyte count in peripheral blood and of tissue macrophage functional activity. The most
important immunobiochemical effects of the drug include stimulation of cascade mechanisms of
phosphate modification of the signal-transmitting system key proteins, initiation of the cytokine
system, [communication between cells--cytokine are small proteins that elicit very specific cellular reactions] including endogenous synthesis of interleukine 1, interleukine 6, tumour necrosis factor, interferons, erythropoietin, and reproduction of interleukine 2 effects by inducing expression of its receptors.

NVLT closed down 3 cents in today's trading to 0.50 cents per share in relatively normal trading volume.

Note: NVLT today announced that it was issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,371,411 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office extending the composition and method of use claims relating to NOV-002, Novelos’ lead compound in an ongoing pivotal Phase 3 trial for non-small cell lung cancer under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) and Fast Track. NOV-002 has also demonstrated positive results in Phase 2 trials for other oncology indications.

Novelos has a commanding intellectual property position around its oxidized glutathione-based product platform, which currently includes 6 issued U.S. patents, 2 European patents (that have gone national) and 1 Japanese patent. Overall, Novelos filed more than thirty patent applications worldwide. Together, these will provide broad and long-lasting coverage, up to at least 2019, encompassing composition of matter, method of use and manufacturing for Novelos’ compounds.

I'm having some down time..

Our mascot, UGA VI died yesterday. It's a sad time and it's right before the season kicks off.

RIP UGA.

more NVLT tomorrow.

Update: NVLT

I'm in the process of legging the ground work of NVLT's product pipeline. I can get more in depth tomorrow when I can gain access to scientific journals at work.

Some Background First:
The Company was incorporated in June 1996 as AVAM International, Inc. In October 1998, Novelos Therapeutics, Inc., a newly incorporated entity, merged into AVAM, and the name of AVAM was changed to Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. In 2005, the Company completed a two-step reverse merger with Common Horizons, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiary Nove Acquisition, Inc. Following the merger, the surviving company was Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. The Company is a biopharmaceutical company commercializing oxidized glutathione-based compounds for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis. NOV-002, its lead compound, is currently in Phase 3 development for lung cancer under a Special Protocol Assessment and Fast Track. NOV-002 is also in Phase 2 development for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer and early-stage breast cancer, and is also being developed for acute radiation injury. NOV-205, the Company's second compound, is in Phase 1b development for chronic hepatitis C non-responders. Both compounds have completed clinical trials in humans and have been approved for use in Russia where they were originally developed.

Ok, so what does glutathione based compounds mean?
IN the body, glutathione acts much like a scavenger, finding and neutralizing free oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide. It's a small molecule produced in every cell of the body. It has three amino acids. It originates from three primary amino acids in the body: glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Glutathione is actually a tripeptide made up the amino acids gamma-glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. The primary biological function of glutathione is to act as a non-enzymatic reducing agent to help keep cysteine thiol side chains in a reduced state on the surface of proteins. Glutathione is also used to prevent oxidative stress in most cells and helps to trap free radicals that can damage DNA and RNA. There is a direct correlation with the speed of aging and the reduction of glutathione concentrations in intracellular fluids. As individuals grow older, glutathione levels drop, and the ability to detoxify free radicals decreases.

NOV-002: (from Novelos website: www.novelos.com)
NOV-002, the lead compound, acts as a chemoprotectant and a chemopotentiator. NOV-002 was approved in Russia where it is marketed by PharmaBAM under the trade name Glutoxim®. NOV-002 has already been administered to over 10,000 patients, including clinical studies of 390 patients across many tumor types, demonstrating clinical efficacy and excellent safety. In one controlled, randomized Russian Phase 2 trial, NOV-002 in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy increased the one-year survival of advanced NSCLC patients from 17% to 63% (p < href="http://www.glutoxim.ru/" target="_blank">Glutoxim®. NOV-002 has already been administered to over 10,000 patients, including clinical studies of 390 patients across many tumor types, demonstrating clinical efficacy and excellent safety. In one controlled, randomized Russian Phase 2 trial, NOV-002 in combination with

Post is getting long. Repost with more info shortly. Reading the mechanism of action now.

F*** off Virus!

Im back!!! A very long illness but I'm back in the game. Now let me see if I can get this thing updated.

Evil Alcohol

The update on NVLT is on it's way, but I went through a week of a binge vodka tonic action. Not good and got some sort of evil death virus. I'm on the rebound now so check back soon. Thanks.

Coming Today: NVLT

NVLT:

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, commercializes oxidized glutathione-based compounds for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis in the United States. Its products in development include NOV-002, which acts as a chemoprotectant and an immunomodulator; and NOV-205, which acts as a hepatoprotective agent with immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. NOV-002, a small-molecule formulation of a natural metabolite, is in Phase III development for lung cancer, as well as in Phase II development for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer and early-stage breast cancer. NOV-002 is also being developed for acute radiation injury. NOV-205, a small-molecule formulation of oxidized glutathione and inosine, is in Phase Ib development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Novelos Therapeutics is based in Newton, Massachusetts.

I need to do some research on the compounds--eg how they work etc, and will post. Very interesting mechanisms of action.

I'm Back! Amgen reports lower sales

Amgen Inc. reported flat fourth-quarter earnings attributable to a 25% drop in sales for one of its top-selling products, the anemia drug Aranesp.

The Thousand Oaks, Calif., biotechnology giant also issued an updated financial forecast.

Amgen shares closed up 4.7% at $48.28 in after-hours trading.
Amgen earned $835 million, or 76 cents a share, in the quarter compared with $833 million, or 71 cents, in the year-earlier period. Average shares outstanding fell 7.1% to 1.09 billion.
Both periods reflected various charges. Adjusted earnings were $1 a share versus 90 cents.

Revenue declined 2% to $3.75 billion from $3.84 billion.
Still, Amgen's results topped Wall Street expectations. A poll of analysts by Thomson Financial pegged the results at 97 cents a share of earnings on $3.54 billion of revenue.
The company said it now expects to earn an adjusted $4 to $4.30 a share on revenue of $14.2 billion to $14.6 billion in 2008. A Thomson Financial poll has Amgen earning $4.37 a share on revenue of $14.49 billion.
Sales of Amgen's top-selling Aranesp dropped to $827 million. Epogen, a forerunner to Aranesp, also saw sales decline, down 3% to $638 million. The drugs, which are based on the hormone erythropoietin, are used to treat anemia associated with either kidney failure or chemotherapy.
Last year "was Amgen's most challenging year," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sharer said in a statement. "Despite the unexpected reduction in revenues of our erythropoietin products, we delivered earnings per share very close to the low end of our original guidance."
Sales of both drugs have been under pressure following changes in Medicare reimbursement policy and a move by the Food and Drug Administration in November to strengthen safety warnings in the drugs' prescribing information. The drugs are also beginning to face competition from generic versions overseas.
Amgen said Thursday that it is still in talks with the FDA about further revisions to the products' labels. It added it was also discussing labeling changes with European regulators.
On a conference call with investors Thursday night, Amgen management said that going into 2008, Aranesp sales appeared to be "flat but stable."
They said the introduction of generic versions of the drug overseas has so far resulted only in "mild price erosion" for Aranesp. They added, however, than any additional labeling or reimbursement changes could further hurt sales.

Earlier this week, Johnson & Johnson which markets Epogen under the names Procrit and Eprex, reported fourth-quarter sales of those drugs also were down 25% from the previous year.

In August, Amgen said it planned to slash 14%, or about 2,600, of its workers because of a slowdown in sales for its anemia drugs.

Sales of Amgen's other drugs were mixed.

Combined sales of Neulasta and Neupogen showed solid growth, rising 9% to $1.12 billion from a year earlier. The drugs help ward off infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Sales of Amgen's new colorectal-cancer drug Vectibix, however, saw sales dip to $33 million from $41 million in third-quarter 2007. Amgen attributed the slide to a decline in segment share and size.