Biotech Stock Live Chat

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Welcome to September's Biotech Stock Live Chat. The floor is yours.

I'm here for the next 90 minutes to answer your biotech investing questions and hopefully spark some interactive debate on the hot biotech topics of the day. This chat only works if you participate, so please keep the questions and comments flowing in the box below.

One hot topic I'd like to hash out today is new drug launches. Are there identifiable factors that can help predict whether a new drug launch will be a success or failure? Is there something about Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) and its Hep C drug Incivek, for example, which could have told us in advance that the drug would beat early investor expectations?

Conversely, what signals were present with Somaxon Pharmaceuticals (SOMX) or Human Genome Sciences (HGSI) that could have helped us predict trouble with their respective new drug launches?

The investment bank Leerink Swann took a deep dive into this issue that yielded some interesting conclusions and potentially helpful ways for investors to think about drug launches. I'll share some of these findings today during the Live Chat.

The topic is important as investors look ahead to potential new drug launches from companies like NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP), Alexza Pharmaceuticals (ALXA), InterMune (ITMN), Biogen Idec (BIIB), Corcept Therapeutics (CORT), Incyte (INCY), Affymax (AFFY) and others.

Trending biotech and drugs stocks on Twitter these days include BioSante Pharmaceuticals (BPAX), Celsion (CLSN), Pharmasset (VRUS), Adventrx Pharmaceuticals (ANX) and Amarin (AMRN). Let's discuss.

Will the merger between Amag Pharmaceuticals (AMAG) and Allos Therapeutics (ALTH) close? The shareholder vote is scheduled for Oct. 21. I have some thoughts on the subject.

And obesity drug stocks are back in the news again after Vivus (VVUS) announced this morning that it will resubmit Qnexa to the FDA in October. The FDA is said to be planning another advisory panel for the first quarter.

Let's talk about these stocks today, or any other biotech investing subjects that pique your interest. Please join me live.

--Written by Adam Feuerstein in Boston.



>To contact the writer of this article, click here: Adam Feuerstein.

>To follow the writer on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/adamfeuerstein.

>To submit a news tip, send an email to: [e-mail].

Adam Feuerstein writes regularly for TheStreet. In keeping with company editorial policy, he doesn't own or short individual stocks, although he owns stock in TheStreet. He also doesn't invest in hedge funds or other private investment partnerships. Feuerstein appreciates your feedback; click here to send him an email.