You want to invest in biotech. You hear about all the monstrous pops and mini-fortunes that are built overnight. The allure of catching a multibagger is an intoxicating idea -- netting one in your portfolio is even better. Simply put, the biotech industry offers investors something that few other investments can. So no one can blame you for targeting the next big stock.
However, that doesn't mean you get to cheat on the simple rules of investing. My fellow Fools have done an excellent job keeping biotech investors honest recently. Keith Speights laid out a list of pitfalls for beginners to avoid, while Dr. Brian Orelli reminded investors that not every press release is necessarily newsworthy. Today, I want to remind investors that diversity is still important within a biotech-heavy portfolio. Here's my ultimate biotech diversification strategy that focuses on three different kinds of growth.
Don't set sail without an anchor
Every portfolio needs a group of core holdings to weather out storms and net steady long-term gains. Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN ) is an easy choice for any biotech portfolio. I was tempted to include Johnson & Johnson for its impressive suite of biologics on the market, but biotech investors may not want hip implants in their portfolio, so we'll stick with Amgen. The $80 billion behemoth has increased its focus in recent years by bringing intriguing compounds into its pipeline, and should have no problem heading higher for the long-term.
Top 5 Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc (OMED)
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OncoMed) incorporated on July 19, 2004, is a clinical development-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on discovering and developing monoclonal antibody therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). It utilizes its technologies to identify, isolate and evaluate CSCs; identify and/or validate multiple potential targets and pathways critical to CSC self-renewal and differentiation; and develop targeted antibody and other protein-based therapeutics that are designed to modulate these CSC targets and inhibit the growth of CSCs. The Company's anti-cancer therapeutics include anti-DLL4 (demcizumab, OMP-21M18), Anti-DLL4/Anti-VEGF Bispecific, and Anti-Notch2/3 (OMP-59R5), Anti-Notch1 (OMP-52M51, Anti-Fzd7, Fzd8-Fc, RSPO-LGR.
Anti-DLL4 (demcizumab, OMP-21M18) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits Delta Like Ligand 4 (DLL4) in the Notch signaling pathway. The Company has completed a single-agent Phase Ia trial in advanced solid tumor patients. The Company focuses on conducting two Phase Ib combination trials of demcizumab. Anti-DLL4/anti-VEGF bispecific is a monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits both DLL4 and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF). VEGF is the target of Avastin. Anti-Notch2/3 (OMP-59R5) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the Notch2 and Notch3 receptors.
Anti-Notch1 OMP-52M51 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted to the Notch1 receptor. Anti-Fzd7 OMP-18R5 is a human monoclonal antibody identified by screening against the Frizzled7 receptor (Fzd7) that binds a conserved epitope on five Frizzled receptors and inhibits Wnt signaling. OMP-18R5 is in a Phase I single-agent trial in advanced solid tumor patients. Fzd8-Fc OMP-54F28 is a fusion protein based on a truncated form of the Frizzled8 receptor ( Fzd8). RSPO-LGR ligands signal through the LGR receptor family.
The Company utilizes several robust technologies for the discovery and optimization of its antibody and protein-bas! ed therapeutics, including multiple proprietary technologies. Its antibody technologies include Mammalian Display Technology, Bispecific Antibody Technology, Hybridoma Technology. Mammalian Display Technology utilizes flow cytometry to isolate mammalian cells expressing antibodies on the cell surface with desired characteristics from large libraries of candidate antibodies. Bispecific Antibody Technology is used to generate its anti-DLL4/anti-VEGF antibody. Hybridoma Technology is used for isolating antibodies from mice, including multiplex single-cell screening techniques.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday imposed a partial clinical hold on a second cancer treatment trial by OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc.(OMED) The FDA’s action follows a similar hold last Friday on another treatment targeting cancer stem cells.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Oncolytics Biotech Inc (ONCY)
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Oncolytics), incorporated on April 2, 1998, is a development-stage company. The Company is focused on its research and development of REOLYSIN, which is its cancer therapeutic. REOLYSIN is developed from the reovirus. This virus has been demonstrated in tumour cells bearing an activated Ras pathway. Oncolytics is directing a clinical trial program with the focus of developing REOLYSIN as a human cancer therapeutic. The clinical program includes clinical trials, which it sponsors directly along with Third Party Clinical Trials. Third Party Clinical Trials are clinical trials that are being sponsored by other institutions. As of December 31, 2011, the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Leeds and the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the University of Texas Health Center in San Antonio (CTRC) were sponsoring part of its clinical trial program.
The Company�� clinical trial program has included human trials using REOLYSIN alone, and in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, and delivered via local administration and/or intravenous administration. Oncolytics uses contract toll manufacturers to produce REOLYSIN. On December 31, 2011, the Company had two wholly owned subsidiaries, Oncolytics Biotech (Barbados) Inc. (OBB) and Valens Pharma Ltd. Oncolytics Biotech (US) Inc. and Oncolytics Biotech (U.K.) are wholly owned subsidiaries of OBB.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
With this in mind, I feel it'd be prudent of biotech-savvy investors to give Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY ) a closer look.
The big risks
I'm quite aware that there are a lot factors that'd raise a red flag with Oncolytics. Similar to Affymax, you could say that Oncolytics has put all of its eggs in one basket with its lead experimental drug, reolysin. According to Oncolytics' website, including its U.K., Canadian, and U.S. studies, reolysin as either a monotherapy or combination therapy is the basis for all 31 clinical trials! Obviously, if reolysin proves ineffective or unsafe, Oncolytics is going to be a world of hurt.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc (RNN)
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Rexahn) is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on the development of cures for cancer to patients worldwide. The Company�� pipeline features one drug candidate in Phase II clinical trials. The Company also has several other drug candidates in pre-clinical development. In addition, the Company has two renal cell carcinoma (CNS) candidates, Serdaxin, CNS Disorders drug for depression and neurodegenerative diseases and Zoraxel, which is a erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual dysfunction drug that are in clinical stages and the Company is are exploring options for further development . The Company�� drug candidate, Archexin is an anticancer Akt inhibitor.
Archexin
Archexin is potent inhibitor of the Akt protein kinase (Akt) in cancer cells. Archexin has FDA orphan drug designations for five cancers (RCC, glioblastoma, and cancers of the ovary, stomach and pancreas). Multiple indications for other solid tumors can also be pursued. Archexin inhibit both activated and inactivated forms of Akt, and to reverse the drug resistance observed with the protein kinase inhibitors. Archexin is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) compound that is complementary to Akt mRNA, and selective for inhibiting mRNA expression and production of Akt protein. As of December 31, 2011, Archexin was in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer with enrollment completed in September, 2011.
Serdaxin
Serdaxin is an extended release formulation of clavulanic acid, which is an ingredient present in antibiotics approved by the FDA. The Company had been developing Serdaxin for the treatment of depression and neurodegenerative disorders. From January to September, 2011, the Company conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared two doses of Serdaxin, 0.5 milligram and 5 milligram, to placebo over an eight-week treatment period for major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. As of Dec! ember 31, 2011, the Company had not made a determination of Serdaxin�� future paths or resource allocations to further develop Serdaxin to treat MDD.
Zoraxel
Zoraxel is an orally administered, on-demand tablet to treat sexual dysfunction. Zoraxel is a dual enhancer of neurotransmitters in the brain that play a key role in sexual activity phases of motivation and arousal, erection and release, and may be the ED drug to affect all three of these phases of sexual activity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was evaluating how to proceed with the Phase IIb study of Zoraxel.
The Company�� Pre-clinical Pipeline Drug Candidates includes RX-1792, which is a small molecule anticancer EGFR inhibitor; RX-5902, which is a small molecule anticancer ribonucleic acid (RNA) helicase regulator; RX-3117, which is a Small molecule anticancer deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis Inhibitor; RX-8243, which is a small molecule anticancer aurora kinase inhibitor; RX-0201-Nano, which is a nanoliposomal anticancer Akt inhibitor; RX-0047-Nano, which is an nanoliposomal anticancer HIF-1 alpha inhibitor and RX-21101, which is a nano-polymer Anticancer.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
At first glance, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:RNN) doesn't look like anything particularly trade-worthy. The stock's now where it was in late October, and where it was in late September, and even where it was in late June. In other words, though RNN has been much higher and much lower than its current price of $0.46 over the course of the past several months, it doesn't look like it's going anywhere - on a net basis - anytime.
- [By John Udovich]
So far this year, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NYSEMKT: RNN), Imprimis Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: IMMY) and Arrowhead Research Corp (NASDAQ: ARWR) are up 186.3%, 157.2% and 142.5%, respectively, since the start of the year���making them the best performing small cap biotech stocks for 2014. But given their lackluster performance over the past few years, what is the secret behind their phenomenal 2014 rise and will they keep rising? For starters, none of these small caps have really produced anything in the way of blockbuster news:
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: KaloBios Pharmaceuticals Inc (KBIO)
KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a United States-based company, which develops protein therapeutics. The Company develops and engineers antibodies and protein therapeutics. Its monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) technology that is being used for reengineering antibodies with products being developed in the areas of infectious disease, autoimmunity, and oncology. Its suite of technologies can also be used for discovery and engineering of other proteins, industrial enzymes and small molecule drugs. It conducts three clinical development programs in leukemia, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: KBIO) shares fell 64.48% to $0.65 in pre-market trading after the company reported top-line data from phase 2 study of KB001-A.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: ArQule Inc.(ARQL)
ArQule, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, engages in the research and development of cancer therapeutics directed toward molecular targets and biological processes. Its lead product ARQ 197 is non-adenosine triphosphate competitive inhibitor of the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase, which is being evaluated as monotherapy and in combination therapy in a Phase II clinical development program that includes trials in non-small cell lung cancer, c-Met-associated soft tissue sarcomas, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, germ cell tumors, and colorectal cancer. The company is also developing ARQ 621, a Phase I program focused on inhibition of the Eg5 kinesin spindle protein. Its clinical stage products include ARQ 501, ARQ 761, and ARQ 171, which are designed to kill cancer cells selectively while sparing normal cells through the direct activation of DNA damage response/checkpoint pathways. In addition, the company involves in pre-clinical development o f B-RAF and AKIP Kinase inhibitors. The company has collaborations with Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. ArQule, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
ArQule (ARQL), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, researches and develops cancer therapeutics. This stock closed up 3.4% to $1.49 in Thursday's trading session.
Thursday's Range: $1.44-$1.54
52-Week Range: $1.29-$2.94
Thursday's Volume: 908,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 567,811From a technical perspective, ARQL jumped higher here right above some near-term support at $1.40 with above-average volume. This move briefly pushed shares of ARQL back above its 50-day moving average of $1.53, before the stock closed just below that level at $1.49. This move is starting to push shares of ARQL within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if ARQL manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.54 to $1.60 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ARQL as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $1.40 or at $1.35 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 567,811 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then ARQL will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $1.66 to $1.78, or even $1.90 to $2.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Receptos Inc (RCPT)
Receptos, Inc. (Receptos), incorporated on June 9, 2008, is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutics for immune disorders. The Company�� product candidates span three specialty disease areas. The Company�� lead asset, RPC1063, is being developed as an oral therapy for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Its second asset, RPC4046, is being developed for the treatment of an allergic/immune-mediated disorder, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is an orphan disease. RPC1063 is an oral, once daily, selective and potent sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 receptor (S1P1R) modulator. RPC4046 is a monoclonal antibody selective to interleukin-13 (IL-13) and produced by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology.
As of December 31, 2012, RPC1063 was being tested in the Phase II portion of an accelerated design, randomized Phase II/III study for the treatment of RMS. In addition, Receptos has obtained special protocol assessment (SPA) agreement from the United States food and drug administration (FDA) on its clinical trial design for the planned Phase III portion of the Phase II/III study, as well as a second planned RMS Phase III study. RPC1063 is also being tested in a randomized Phase II study for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), a gastrointestinal (GI) disea se.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company was enrolling a randomized Phase II study evaluating the ability of RPC1063 to induce clinical remission in patients with moderately-to-severely active UC called TOUCHSTONE. The Company�� second asset, RPC4046 for the treatment of EoE, builds upon its competencies in immunology and GI diseases. In-licensed from AbbVie Bahamas Ltd. and AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie) RPC4046 is a monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-13 target, which has been validated in Asthma, a predominantly allergic/immune-mediated disorder.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Receptos (RCPT) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutics for immune disorders. This stock closed up 5% at $23.19 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 69,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 55,356
Volume % Change: 50%From a technical perspective, RCPT ripped higher here right above some key near-term support at $21 with decent upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of RCPT within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if RCPT manages to take out its all-time high at $25 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in RCPT as long as it's trending above support at $21 and then once it sustains a move or close above its all-time high at $25 with volume that's near or above 55,356 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then RCPT will set up to enter new all-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $30 to $35.
- [By John Udovich]
Small cap �biopharmaceutical stock Receptos Inc (NASDAQ: RCPT) was one of the many hot biotech IPOs of last year and its also up 72.4% since the start of this year alone, meaning its time to take a closer look at this small cap stock with potential treatments for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) along with the performance of biotech ETF benchmarks like the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index ETF (NASDAQ: IBB) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (NYSEARCA: XBI).
- [By Garrett Cook]
Receptos (NASDAQ: RCPT) shares shot up 38.62 percent to $93.90 after the company announced positive Phase 2 results for TOUCHSTONE Trial of RPC1063 in Ulcerative Colitis.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Own For 2014: Osiris Therapeutics Inc.(OSIR)
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., a stem cell company, focuses on the development and marketing of therapeutic products to treat various medical conditions in the inflammatory, autoimmune, orthopedic, and cardiovascular areas. It operates in two business segments, Therapeutics and Biosurgery. The Therapeutics segment focuses on developing biologic stem cell drug candidates from a readily available and non-controversial source, adult bone marrow. The Biosurgery segment works to harness the ability of cells and novel constructs to promote the body's natural healing. This segment focuses on developing biologic products for use in surgical procedures. The company?s lead biologic drug candidate is Prochymal, which is in phase 2 and 3 clinical trails for various indications, including acute graft versus host disease (GvHD), Crohn's disease, acute myocardial infarction, type 1 diabetes, pulmonary disease, and gastrointestinal injury resulting from radiation exposure. Its biologic drug candidates also include Chondrogen, a preparation of adult mesenchymal stem cells that is in phase 2 clinical trials for osteoarthritis and cartilage protection. The company has collaboration agreements with Genzyme Corporation for the development and commercialization of Prochymal and Chondrogen in various countries except in the United States and Canada. It also has a partnership with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for the development of Prochymal as a treatment for the preservation of insulin production in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lauren Pollock]
Osiris Therapeutics Inc.(OSIR) said Friday a proposed ruling from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services won’t immediately affect reimbursements for its Grafix stem-cell product. The regenerative medicine company said Grafix will maintain its current reimbursement status — also called transitional pass-through status — potentially through late 2015.
- [By Maxx Chatsko]
Additionally, stem cell therapies have remained elusive as the industry's ultimate Holy Grail. Osiris (NASDAQ: OSIR ) received Canadian approval for the world's first stem cell drug, Prochymal, for children battling acute graft-versus-host disease, or GvHD, last year. The approval meant more symbolically than to the bottom line, but it definitely put the potential of stem cells front and center for investors.
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