ECYT – Update on Endocyte

It’s been awhile, but we wanted to update our coverage on Endocyte (NASDAQ: ECYT). Endocyte has a novel small molecule drug conjugates or SMDCs, and companion imaging diagnostics; think Seattle Genetics(NASDAQ: SGEN), but given orally. Endocyte expects that its cash will be between $145-160 million at the end of this year. Following the strong move […]

CRIS – Curis Pipeline May Propel Shares

Curis is best known for its hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitor Erivedge, which has been licensed to Genentech (Roche). Erivedge was approved for the treatment of inoperable basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in January 2012. The launch has been slow; sales reached only $30.6 million last year. Partnered early, Curis receives only 5% royalties, escalating to high […]

Recent Biotech IPOs

We want to highlight some biotech companies that have recently come public. The end of 2012 and continuing into the spring of 2013 brought forward a number of companies in search of new funding across various stages of development(Phase 1-3). Initially, shares in these companies will be rather illiquid, so expect to see some volatility. […]

ASTX – Astex Is One To Watch

Astex Pharmaceuticals is a promising small cap biotech company with both a marketed drug and pipeline products waiting in the wings. The Dublin, CA based company generates royalty revenue from sales of hypomethylating agent Dacogen (decitabine) for the treatment of AML and MDS. In recent years, the growing revenue stream has helped offset research spending […]

ZIOP – Quick update on Ziopharm

Ziopharm is nearing the top-line data from their Phase 3 study of palifosfamide in first-line soft tissue sarcoma. We have written extensively about them[ref] over the past 6 months in anticipation of this read out. After hours yesterday, CEO Jonathan Lewis gave a presentation at the Barclays Healthcare Conference in Miami[webcast here,transcript]. During this presentation […]

ARIA – Ariad: Overvalued

Investors have high expectations for Ariad’s recently approved drug Iclusig. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor performed well in a pivotal Phase II of resistant/intolerant CML and Ph+ ALL patients. The successful PACE trial allowed for accelerated approval in mid-December 2012, with the launch beginning a few weeks later. Briefly, there are currently five approved targeted therapies […]

NLNK – 2013 Outlook for Newlink Genetics

Earlier this year, we mentioned our interest in NewLink Genetics (NASDAQ: NLNK) throughout 2013 with a keen eye toward their upcoming interim Phase III data. Currently, Newlink’s main asset is novel immunotherapy called HyperAcute Pancreas, or Algenpantucel-L. With the recent $49 million cash raise and upcoming interim look, we wanted to take a deeper look. […]

Dynavax’s upcoming dance with the FDA

Dynavax (NASDAQ: DVAX) has an upcoming FDA decision on Hepislav with a PDUFA date of Sunday, February 24th. On November 15th Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee(VRBPAC) delivered a surprising 8 to 5 with one abstention that there was insufficient data to adequately support the safety of HEPLISAV. The stock cratered over 50% on […]

Upcoming WORLD symposium meeting

(with Jason Chew) Lysosomal Disease Network WORLD Symposium meeting The Lysosomal Disease Network (LDN) WORLD Symposium provides an interdisciplinary forum to explore and discuss specific areas of research and clinical interest related to lysosomal diseases. With regards to clinical data presentations, all of the important clinical data will be released on Friday, February 15th. Amicus […]

DEPO – Making sense of the AdCom Noise

Summary of our recent coverage/positions: October 26, 2011: We reiterated a BUY, see report April 21, 2012: We reiterated a BUY, see report October 17, 2012: We reiterated a BUY, see report January 31, 2012: I tweeted that I sold my shares, see tweet Respective Outcomes: Gains from coverage initiation in October 2011: +52% Gains from […]

Preview of the 2013 ASCO GU Symposium

The 2013 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium provides an interdisciplinary forum to explore and discuss specific areas of research and clinical interest related to lysosomal diseases. With regards to clinical data presentations, all of the important clinical data will be released on Friday, February 15th. Abstracts can be searched with this link. The embargoes on abstract […]