Friday's Health Winners & Losers

Earnings breathed life into a few biotech stocks, allowing some to end the week a bit higher.

Tercica(TRCA Quote) reported third-quarter earnings Thursday after the close, saying it earned $3.4 million, or 7 cents a share, in the quarter, vs. a loss of $13.1 million, or 35 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue increased to $23.4 million from $316,000 in light of a $20.3 million licensing milestone payment from Ipsen related to the marketing authorization in the European Union of Increlex solution, an injection for treatment of short stature.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected a loss of 25 cents a share on revenue of $9.6 million. Shares rose 80 cents, or 14%, to $6.49.

Also with earnings after the close on Thursday, Santarus(SNTS Quote) reported a net loss of $6.9 million, or 13 cents a share, compared to a loss of $12.4 million, or 26 cents a share, in the comparable 2006 period. Its quarterly revenue increased 105% to $26.5 million year over year, including a $5 million milestone payment the company received in August from Schering-Plough HealthCare relating to the companies' over-the-counter license agreement. Shares added 20 cents, or 9.4%, to $2.33.

NPS Pharmaceuticals(NPSP Quote) reported third-quarter net income of $14.1 million, or 28 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $21.1 million, or 45 cents a share, in the 2006 quarter. The company said the year-over-year change reflects aggressive expense reduction measures, increased revenue from royalties and product sales, and gains from the sale of fixed assets related to site closures in Salt Lake City and Toronto.