The index is being pushed higher by share in Biocryst Pharma (BRCX), which is up 70% on the day, Novavax (NVAX), which is up 68%, and Pure Bioscience (PURE), which is higher by 50%.

If the WHO and CDC begin to show less concern about the current virus, most of the stock will lose their gains.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Seattle Genetics (SGEN) announced an offering of private stock which took shares down 12% to $10.32.

Genentech (DNA) is set to report earnings after hours. The 24/7 Wall St. preview is already available.

Dendreon (DNDN) was hit with a wave of buying early in the day and is trading at three times normal volume up 8% to $6.56. Perhaps an unusual options activity in the FEB-08 $7.50 Calls is the culprit.  It had 18,457 contracts trade at that strike and the open interest before today was listed as 107,199 contracts.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (BCRX) is trading up 8% on well above normal volume. Named an interirm medical officer on Friday.

Compugen Ltd (CGEN) disclosed a collaboration with Merck (MRK) targeted at predicting peptides likely to activate selected G-protein coupled receptors and validating their agonistic activity. The agreement includes an option to Merck for exclusive worldwide licenses for such peptides. Shares moved up 10% to $2.06

Douglas A. McIntyre