ACCESS REALMONEY
Biotech
Feuerstein's Biotech-Stock Mailbag
04/05/08 - 11:41 AM EDT
- Article Tools
- Email this Article
- Print this Article
- Rss Feed
- Related Articles
- Pfizer's Melanoma Failure Will Hit Others
- InterMune Gains From Hep C Drug Data
- Takeda Pact No Cure-All for Cell Genesys
- Feuerstein's Biotech-Stock Mailbag
- Progenics Has a Few Reasons to Live
- FDA Backlog Leaves Biotech Stocks in Limbo
- Del.icio.us
- Digg
- StumbleUpon
Onward. Ron R. wants to play a game of M&A speculation. He writes: "Would it make good business and scientific sense for Gilead SciencesGILD to buy Vertex PharmaceuticalsVRTX? Gilead is the Master of the Universe when it comes to treatment of viral diseases, and is interested in cystic fibrosis. Vertex is the leader in the race to develop a highly effective hepatitis C anti-viral therapy, and has made a major breakthrough in discovering a drug that modifies a fundamental defect in cystic fibrosis. Gilead has the money, Vertex is cheap. Is this a fit? If you were [Gilead CEO] John Martin, would you buy Vertex?" I love this kind of speculation. It's fun. However, I don't quite see these two companies getting together. I still like my crazy idea of Gilead merging with GenentechDNA. I don't think I've ever predicted a merger or takeover; my track record is horrible, just look back at this column from 2003. (Try not to laugh too hard.) But I'm not about to let futility get in my way. So Ron, I'll see your Gilead-Vertex, and raise you a PfizerPFE-RigelRIGL. How about a Roche-PharmassetVRUS? Bayer-Onyx (an oldie but a goodie.) Some company is going to buy Middlebrook PharmaceuticalsMBRK. AmgenAMGN-AMAG PharmaceuticalsAMAG. Or will Roche buy AMAG? Don't ask me.
Fallout from the halt of a phase III study will extend beyond Pfizer, which saw shares drop 1% after hours.
An early-stage study shows drug candidate ITMN-191 is safe and well-tolerated.
The deal doesn't change the fact that the clinical data backing GVAX Prostate to date come from uncontrolled studies. In other words, it's not very reliable, Adam Feuerstein says.
Vertex's cystic fibrosis compound shows promise, but be cautious in your enthusiasm. Also, an update on the quest for blood substitutes.
The company, battered by a setback in its bowel drug, still has prospects for an alternate use of the treatment.
A lack of resources leads the agency to push back drug approval deadlines, adding murkiness to an already tricky sector.
Yahoo! is among the most searched stocks on TheStreet.com. Here's what Cramer had to say about the stock recently.
Catch up on his thinking on the hottest topics of the past week.
Investors will have to deal with a Fed meeting and another flood of earnings and economic data.
Ensco International and Echelon have the potential to move higher in coming days.
See who made what calls.
The addition of video is helping telecom companies compete against cable and satellite companies.
The June West Texas Intermediate contract reflects selling pressure ahead of Tuesday's expiration. But stocks in the sector are generally trading higher.
See who made what calls.
Keep on top of the market and the critical information you need to make more profitable investing decisions.
Sponsored by:
RSS
