Health Winners & Losers: King Pharma

Health stocks were mixed on relatively light news Monday, with one regulatory-inspired exception.

Big pharma stocks were both up and down -- but not by much -- pushing the Amex pharmaceutical index down about 0.59, or 0.2%, at 317.17. Component King Pharma(kg Quote) continued a second trading day of rebounding from its earnings damage last week. The stock added 36 cents, or 3.4%, to $11.07.

On the biotech side, the Amex and Nasdaq biotechnology indices gained 1.1% and 0.9%.

A component of the Nasdaq index, Cardiome Pharma(CRME Quote), was creamed after the company announced receipt of an "approvable" letter for the intravenous version of its Vernakalant, an experimental drug for irregular heart rhythm.

The company said it could take several months to respond to the letter, in which the FDA asked for safety data from ongoing and completed trials. Regulators could require an additional trial, although Cardiome said it is optimistic that won't be the case. The stock was falling $2.55, or 21.3%, to $9.40.

Elsewhere, Enzon Pharmaceuticals(ENZN Quote) said it is exploring strategic alternatives for its specialty pharmaceutical business. The company said it might sell the entire business or one or more of its products, and its manufacturing facility in Indiana.

Enzon said it has received confidential interest in all or parts of the specialty pharmaceutical business, and is evaluating the sale process. It previously announced it would spin off its biotech business. Shares were up 4 cents to $8.80.

In earnings, Obagi Medical(OMPI Quote) edged past Street expectations for its recent quarter but scaled back guidance. The company said it earned 20 cents a share on revenue of $27.8 million, while analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected 19 cents a share on $27.2 million.