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Biotech Business Daily (CHTP, CRXL, LLY, IOMI, MEDX, TRCA)

247wallst — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:10:21 +0000

Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHTP) falling today after first quarter earnings showed wider losses than first quarter 2007. Net loss was $8.7 million compared to a loss of $3.8 million in 2007. The wider loss was driven primarily through increased research and development expenses. Shares are down $0.44, or 8%, at $4.69. The 52-week range is $4.45 to $8.41.

Crucell NV (NASDAQ: CRXL) up today after cutting its net loss in half, posting $13.2 million in losses. The company has $120 million in new contracts for pediatric vaccine Quinvaxem to look forward to in the next two years. Revenues are on track to meet guidance. Also, the company announced this morning that Phase II testing of rabies monoclonal antibody combination product will begin in the Philipines. The product has already commenced testing in the U.S. Shares are up over 8% at $19.43 in mid-day trading. The 52-week range is $12.76 to $24.81.

Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) announced a partnership with TopCoder today, allowing Eli Lilly to outsource complex drug discovery through complex technology processes to the software developer. Shares are down less than 1% at $47.82. The 52-week range is $46.60 to $60.00.

Iomai Corporation (NASDAQ: IOMI) is soaring to new highs today after receiving a $189 million offer yesterday from vaccine maker Intercell AG which trades on the Vienna exchange. The offer of $6.60 per share is a 126% premium to the closing share price Monday of $2.92. As a result of the acquisition, Intercell will have full rights to Iomai’s diarrhea vaccine set to enter Phase III trials in early 2009. Shares are up a whopping 116% at $6.33 in mid-day trading on extremely high relative trading volume. The 52-week range for the biotech company is $0.70 to $4.70.

Medarex Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDX) received a boost after the company was upgraded by Needham & Co. to "Buy" from "Hold." Shares are up $0.56, or almost 8%, at $7.59. The 52-week range is $6.88 to $ 18.23.

Tercica Inc. (NASDAQ: TRCA) dropping over 15% today after posting wider net losses yesterday. The endocrine health biotech company generated a net loss of $17.5 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $12.4 million in the first quarter of 2007. Shares down $0.77 at $4.22 in early morning trading. The 52-week range is $4.27 to $8.11.

Rachel Lopez
May 12, 2008

Iomai and Pandemic Avian Flu Vaccine (IOMI)

247wallst — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:45:05 +0000

Iomai Corp. (Nasdaq: IOMI) is one of the interesting microcap stocks in the biotech sector with a government twist to its avian flu program. The company has announced positive interim results from a 500-subject Phase 1/2 trial of its patch used with an injected vaccine for H5N1 influenza (bird flu). The trial demonstrated a clinically relevant adjuvant effect when the Iomai patch was used with a single dose of the 45-microgram H5N1 vaccine. The trial found that a single 45-microgram dose of an H5N1 influenza vaccine, coupled with a single 50-microgram Iomai patch, was sufficient to provide an immune response considered protective in 73% of those tested. This is deemed a statistically significant improvement over those who received the H5N1 influenza vaccine alone.

Iomai has also noted that this is one of the first trials to demonstrate that a single dose of pandemic influenza vaccine may meet the level of protection suggested in FDA guidance, which recommends that a pandemic vaccine achieve immune response levels considered protective in 70% or more of vaccine recipients. No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported.

This trial was conducted under a $14.5 million contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the potential for an additional $114 million in follow-on funding. Iomai has shared the data with HHS and is now working with them to determine the next steps.

The only FDA-approved vaccine in the United States for the avian influenza H5N1 virus requires two 90-microgram doses, administered 28 days apart, to achieve hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) titers equal to or greater than 40% in 44% of vaccinated individuals.

This is a stock we have had under review for our "10 Stocks Under $10" weekly letter. Iomai has a mere $27 million market cap and its $1.05 closing price yesterday is at the lower end of its $0.70 to $5.15 trading range over the last year. Back in early 2006 and part of 2007 this stock traded north of $6.00. While it is a microcap with a small balance sheet, the company has ample operating capital according to its most recent balance sheet as long as that government funding from HHS remains.

Jon C. Ogg
March 20, 2008

52-Week Low Club (June 15, 2007)

247wallst — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:12:24 +0000

Stock Tickers: CNTF, DPZ, DVSA, IOMI, MEG, MGPI, MNI, VSE

So what if the stock market came back from a scare almost back to new highs. There are always a handful of stocks that manage to get their plaque put up in the 52-Week Low Hall of Shame…..

China Techfaith Wireless (CNTF) managed to close atthe same level as a prior low. $5.35 (unch).

Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) slipped down to its previous lows now that it paid out dividend, it’s one leveraged food chain. $18.81 (-$0.01)

Diversa Corp. (DVSA), $5.22 (-$0.06)…hopefully your portfolio isn’t Diversa-fied.

IOMAI (IOMI)…should be My oh my! $2.06 (-$0.03).

Media General (MEG) $33.88 (-$0.95)…..dipped after a ‘general earnings warning.’

MGP Ingredients (MGPI) $16.56 (-$0.19)…natural grain products developer….do you think ethanol demand is driving up their costs of business?

McClatchy (MNI) $26.48 (-$0.13)….newspaper readers still falling….the cranage continues.

VeraSun Energy (VSE)….maybe alternative energy is overrated. It managed to close up above the old lows, barely, and right at the end of the day. $14.40 (+$0.02).

Jon C. Ogg
June 15, 2007

Jon Ogg can be reached at jonogg@247wallst.com; he does not own securities in the companies he covers.