biotech

The Five Best-Performing Biotech Stocks of 2011 -- So Far

Pharmaceuticals are facing big patent cliff problems this year, but several biotechnology stocks have been doing quite well: Their biologic drugs command high prices, tend become blockbusters, and they are in far less danger from generic competition. Here are the big winners so far this year.

FDA Approves First New Lupus Drug in Half a Century

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first new drug to treat lupus in 56 years. It's not terribly effective: It only worked for 35% of the patients tested. But experts say the approval could prompt the development of more effective drugs.

Top-Selling Drugs About to Lose Patent Protection

The pharmaceutical industry is ready to fall off a cliff -- a "patent cliff." Over the next few years, some of the world's most popular and lucrative medicines will go off patent, and generic competition will siphon an estimated quarter of a trillion dollars from drugmakers' bottom lines.

Why Samsung Electronics Should Say No to Drugs

Samsung Electronics is known for its smartphones, TVs and memory chips. Now it wants to tackle biopharmaceuticals, on Friday announcing a new joint venture to produce drugs to treat cancer and arthritis. Here's why the move could prove an ill-needed distraction for the electronics giant.

Two Reasons for Clinical Data Shares to Soar Again

From October 2010 to February 2011, biotech Clinical Data's stock doubled, mostly thanks to FDA approval of its novel antidepressant. But also pushing the stock up -- and making it likely to perhaps double again -- is speculation that a Big Pharma will buy Clinical Data.

What Pfizer Sees in Lpath's Innovative Blindness Drugs

Lpath focuses on developing therapeutics that target bioactive lipids for treating a range of human diseases, including cancer and diseases that cause blindness. Its promising drugs have attracted attention -- and lots of money -- from Pfizer. More of both could be coming.

Six Stocks to Buy for Real Revenue Growth in 2011

The path to profits for most of Corporate America lately has been cutting costs rather than raising revenue. But a careful look reveals a few companies that are poised to deliver real revenue growth. We've found six with a plus: Their stocks look like bargains.

How to Profit From Soaring Food Demand

If you've been to a supermarket lately, you've probably noticed that food prices are soaring. And that spells an opportunity for investors. Asset-management expert John Stephenson offers tips for small investors aiming to tap into the agricultural market.

What a Wild Year It Was
for Health Care

Led by the health insurance reform law, a flurry of drug and food recalls, key medical breakthroughs and plenty of layoffs and lawsuits, 2010 proved to be an exciting -- if not always positive -- year. Here's our rundown of the biggest health care stories.

Genzyme Talks Up Possible Sales of Its New MS Drug

The U.S. biotech is holding an analyst and investor meeting focused on the commercial potential of its multiple sclerosis drug Campath. The goal: to convince Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis to raise its hostile takeover offer in a battle that has now gone on for five months.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Bid for Crucell

As part of its efforts to expand into the biotech market, Johnson & Johnson is making a long-anticipated bid for Dutch vaccine maker Crucell -- in spite of Crucell's recent manufacturing troubles.

Tiny Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Is Getting Plenty of Attention

What's Spectrum's particular allure? Beyond being the subject of takeover rumor, it has two oncology drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration that are already on the market, plus two other promising drugs that are in late-stage clinical trials.

Is ImmunoCellular Another Rising Star in Biotech?

Much like Dendreon, which has a promising prostate cancer drug, ImmunoCellular is developing a cancer drug. In this case, it battles brain cancer, and a Phase I trial turned in remarkable results. But unlike Dendreon, ImmunoCellular is still pretty much an unknown.

Growing Interest
in Achillion's Hepatitis Drugs

At a liver disease conference in Boston, one highlight is expected to be reports from Achillion about its new hepatitis C treatments, especially ACH-1625. The buzz is growing that the little biotech is attracting the attention of some players in Big Pharma.

A New Antidepressant Maker Has Lots of Folks Excited

Tiny biotech Clinical Data has developed a potential blockbuster called Vilazodone. If OK'd, it would be the first new depression treatment in 15 years. Its potential is so huge that several Big Pharmas may be looking to buy the startup.

Genzyme Rejects Sanofi-Aventis Takeover Bid

Genzyme, which makes drugs to treat leukemia and multiple sclerosis, has rejected a hostile takeover bid from French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis. The offer "dramatically undervalues" Genzyme, the company said Friday, putting its value about 30% higher.

Biotechs and Big Pharma Squabble in Sweden

At a recent life-sciences conference in Stockholm, execs of several U.S. and foreign biotechs clashed with Big Pharma in a lively debate on the merits of their respective goals and products. The result, however, was a stand-off.

Alcoholism Drug Vivitrol Approved for Narcotics Addiction

Drugmaker Alkermes said Tuesday it has received U.S. approval to market its addiction medication for use in patients addicted to narcotics like heroin and morphine. Vivitrol, a monthly injection, is already approved for alcoholism.

Sanofi Denies Offering $69-$80 Price Range to Genzyme

There's a new plot twist in the takeover battle between French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis and U.S. drugmaker Genzyme. A regulatory filing made by Genzyme on Thursday claims Sanofi may be willing to go much higher than its current $69 bid -- a claim the French company disputes.

Is This Tiny Aussie Biotech the Next Dendreon?

Dendreon's Provenge, which targets prostate cancer, catapulted that company's stock to record highs recently. Prima Biomed's CVac works similarly, but it has the potential to target multiple forms of cancer, giving the company an intriguing future.

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Buy ZymoGenetics for $885 Million

Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb plans to buy ZymoGenetics, its partner in developing a hepatitis C treatment, for $885 million. The move is part of a trend of pharmaceutical acquisitions as several big patents face expiration soon.