biotechnology

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deutsche Bank Initiates Coverage of Biotech Stocks

Several biotech stocks were on the move Monday after Deutsche Bank started rating them. The bank's analyst, Robyn Karnauskas, took a generally wary view on the biotech sector, putting buy ratings only on Gilead and Dendreon.

Sanofi-Aventis Opens Buyout Talks with Genzyme

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis sent a letter to major U.S. biotech firm Genzyme proposing a friendly takeover valued at $69 a share, or $18.4 billion. But that's a lot less than $80 a share, or $21.3 billion, that sources say Genzyme is looking for.