Posts for Ticker ‘STEM’

BioHealth Business Daily (BMRN, DVAX, SEPR, STEM, PCYC, OCLS)

biotech imageToday is an unusually active day for many emerging biotech stocks in the news and we are seeing significant moves in response. We have more detail on each with appropriate links through to more analysis and data at BioHealthInvestor.com or VSInvestor.com:

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) is seeing exponential trading volume in stock and options after a 10% rise today.

Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) is up over 50%after the FDA removed a clinical hold on its hepatitis treatment.

The fight over the Sepracor, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEPR) acquisition has now gone to the level of a class action status.  We noted the very low P/E and multiple valuations yesterday on this one.

StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) traded slightly higher on word that it will soon begin a study with the University of California, San Francisco Children’s Hospital using purified human neural stem cells as a possible treatment for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease.

Pharmacyclics Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYC) was trading up on news that its right offering is oversubscribed.

Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLS) is trading higher on report that it has been assigned a Medicare HCPCS code for its recently introduced Microcyn Skin & Wound HydroGel.

JON C. OGG
SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

Posted on: September 10, 2009 – 1:38 pm in Biotech, Drug companies, HI/LOW, Trading Alert, , , , , ,

The War On Diabetes Heats Up (NVO, AMLN, LLY, MNKD, PFE, VVUS, BMY, AZN, ARNA, GERN, STEM, OREX, GNBT, SPEX, ORMP, HDIX, PODD)

Biotech ImageDiabetes is becoming an epidemic in the U.S. and the Western World.  The ties to obesity are often direct, so the potential treatments are often directly tied as well.  We did a recent dig down for the next $170 billion opportunity for eight different major diseases and conditions, and now we have conducted a much deeper dig down specifically in the field of diabetes over at BioHealthInvestor.com.  We have recent and upcoming FDA action and data being presented from Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), MannKind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD), Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMLN), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Alkermes Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN).  There is a mini-race going on between some of the later stage studies from obesity and diabetes candidates from Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA), VIVUS, inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS), Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OREX) and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AMLN).  Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) and StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) were noted as two of the stem cell hopes, although stem cells may later rather than sooner.

Generex Biotechnology Corporation (NASDAQ: GNBT), Spherix Incorporated (NASDAQ: SPEX) and Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCBB: ORMP) were all noted in the much smaller or emerging plays.  Home Diagnostics, Inc. (NASDAQ:HDIX) and Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) have both recently had key events as the interest in test equipment companies continues to remain high.

FULL STORY with much more detail at BioHealthInvestor.com.

Posted on: August 10, 2009 – 10:56 am in Biotech, Drug companies, FDA, Healthcare, Medical, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biotech Business Daily (BIIB, VRTX, ALNY, STEM)

Here are some of the top stories affecting key drug and biotech stocks this Friday.  We also have links through to more detailed coverage and analysis at BioHealthInvestor.com:

Biogen Idec Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) kicks off the earnings season for the large biotech companies next week. We have a full earnings preview with current expectations and the bias.  A decline in analyst sentiment for the stock might set up the company for a slight earnings surprise, on the back of recent price increases for its high-profile multiple sclerosis drug Avonex.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VRTX) this morning said it will sell its rights to milestone payments tied to its hepatitis C drug telaprevir in Europe, a possible sign that the launch of the drug with partner Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) for 2011 may be on track.

Also, see our in-depth feature this week on five fast-growing biotechs with improving analyst estimates: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: FOLD), Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO), American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (NYSE: AOB), and Stemcells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM).

-The 24/7 Wall St. Team

Posted on: July 10, 2009 – 10:07 am in Biotech, , , ,

Biotech Business Daily (RIGL, BIIB, ARRY, ALNY, FOLD, HALO, AOB, STEM)

Here are some of the top stories affecting key drug and biotech stocks that have links through to more in-depth coverage and analysis today at the website BioHealthInvestor.com:

Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NASDAQ: RIGL) Phase IIb trial results Thursday morning of its rheumatoid arthritis candidate R788, is boosting its stock on speculation it may help the company attract a clinical partner.

Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) is enjoying a second day of gains after its new PEGylated interferon beta-1a (BIIB017) for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) received an FDA Fast Track designation.  This might be a game-changing event for the company with some risks as well.

Array BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY) now says it will discontinue development of ARRY-797 in chronic inflammatory diseases. Attention may now turn to Array’s ARRY-162, another anti-inflammatory that showed much more promising efficacy.

Also, see our in-depth feature this week on five fast-growing biotechs with improving analyst estimates: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: FOLD), Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO), American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (NYSE: AOB), and Stemcells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM).

-The 24/7 Wall St. Team

Posted on: July 9, 2009 – 11:09 am in Biotech, Drug companies, FDA, Medical, , , , , , , ,

BioHealth Business Daily (CI, AET, MYL, JAZZ, PTIE, GSK, ALNY, FOLD, HALO, AOB, STEM)

Here are some of the top stories affecting key drug and biotech stocks that are covered in-depth today at BioHealthInvestor.com:

Cigna corp. (NYSE: CI), Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET), and other managed care companies are rising despite making health care reform concessions, as shareholders see they have a seat at the bargaining table.

Mylan Inc. (NASDAQ: MYL) has received FDA approval for a generic version of an AstraZeneca (AZN) prostate cancer drug — a rather unusual new generic.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: JAZZ) shares are up more than 25 percent after the company took steps to ease a cash crunch that had curtailed drug development.

King Pharmaceuticals (KG) and Pain Therapeutics (PTIE) said  they expect to resubmit a new drug application in mid-2010, slightly later than anticipated.

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) announced a positive study on its Cervarix vaccine, although it’s unclear if the company can play catch-up to Merck & Co.’s (NYSE: MRK) Gardasil.

See our in-depth feature this week on five fast-growing biotechs with improving analyst estimates: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: FOLD), Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO), American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (NYSE: AOB), and Stemcells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM).

-The 24/7 Wall St. Team

Posted on: July 7, 2009 – 11:03 am in Biotech, Drug companies, FDA, Medical, Trading Alert, , , , , , , , , , ,

The Five Growth Biotech Names To Watch Right Now

biotechAlnylam (Nasdaq: ALNY) leads a short list of some of the fastest-growing biotech stocks
where analyst estimate revisions continue to rise.

BioHealth Investor began by analyzing 171 stocks in the biotech sector based on revenue growth over the trailing four quarters, identifying 30 stocks in the sector with better
than 50 percent revenue growth over the past 12 months.

We then screened those 30 stocks to look for those very few names that have seen both strong growth in at least the past two years and positive analyst estimate revisions in recent months, in an effort to find stocks with strong trends that still have potentially improving operations going forward.

The work resulted in growth biotech stocks to watch: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), Amicus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: FOLD), Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO), American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (NYSE: AOB), and Stemcells Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM). Read More »

Posted on: July 6, 2009 – 4:27 am in Biotech, , , , ,

GE Taking Decisive Step Into Stem Cells (GE, GERN, STEM, ASTM)

GE LogoGeneral Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is taking a bold and controversial new step into the field of embryonic stem cell research.  The company has signed an exclusive license and alliance pact with Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) to develop and commercialize cellular assay products derived from human embryonic stem cells for use in drug discovery, development and toxicity screening.  As noted over at BioHealthInvestor.com, this may have implications for other stem cell stocks such as StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM), Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) and others.
Read More »

Posted on: June 30, 2009 – 9:17 am in Biotech, Conglomerates, Drug companies, Law, Medical, Politics, , , ,

Russell Rebalance Included Many Cult Stocks (CBOU, DDRX, OPWV, STEM, UBET)

money-stack-imageThere are some interesting cult stocks which have recovered so much that they are being added into the Russell 3000 Index when the index gets rebalanced and reconstituted at the end of this month.  Some of these are new entirely and some of these have been booted off of the Russell 3000 Index before.  We have given some  detailed color and insight on the following cult stocks: Carribou Coffee Company (NASDAQ: CBOU), Diedrich Coffee Inc. (NASDAQ: DDRX), Openwave Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: OPWV), StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM), and Youbet.com Inc. (UBET).
Read More »

Posted on: June 19, 2009 – 11:26 am in Cult Stock, Index, Mutual Funds, Trading Alert, , , , ,

Should You Chase Stem Cell Stocks? (ASTM, CYTX, GERN, NBS, OSIR, STEM, KOOL)

money-stack-image15We are seeing massive gap-ups this morning in stem cell stocks.  President Obama is signing an executive order which will lift the Bush ban on funding of embryonic stem cell funding.  What is interesting here is that this is not really new news other than the timing and the formality.  The following prices are as of 8:19 AM EST.

  • Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) +87% at $0.62
  • Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) +38% at $3.20
  • Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) +29% at $4.99
  • Neostem, Inc. (AMEX: NBS) NOT TRADED
  • Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) NOT TRADED…. in pact with Genzyme, but for adult stem cells.
  • StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) +55% at $2.15
  • Thermogenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL) +41% at $0.57

Many of these stem cell stocks will trade more on a “vote of confidence” rather than over what this means as far as “new news” is concerned.

JON C. OGG

Posted on: March 9, 2009 – 7:29 am in Biotech, Politics, , , , , , ,

24/7 Wall St. Day Trading Alerts (STEM)(DRYS)(ACAS)(FDRY)(BRCD)(CYCL)(T)

Good news out of the sector is driving StemCells (STEM) up almost 20%. Details here.

DryShips (DRYS) is spiking up on news of the China stimulus package.

American Capital (ACAS) suspended its dividend sending its shares down sharply.

Foundry Networks (FDRY) is up on news of a revised buyout agreement from Brocade (BRCD).

Centennial Communications (CYCL) is staging a furious rally on a buyout by AT&T (T)

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: November 10, 2008 – 10:15 am in Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

StemCells Shelf Filing Seems Almost ‘Re-IPO’ (STEM)

StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) has filed a mixed securities shelf registration that will allow the company to raise up to $100 million in securities sales via any combination of stock, debt, preferred stock, and warrants. 

Interestingly enough, its market cap is a mere $99.4 million as of today’s close, so we could almost try to convince you this is a re-IPO equivalent.  Also, no underwriters were named.

Net proceeds from securities sold are earmarked for general corporate purposes such as working capital, capital expenditures, R&D, clinical trial expenditures, acquisitions of new technologies or businesses, and investments.

Shares closed down 3% at $1.23 in regular trading, and shares are down 10% at $1.10 in initial after-hours trading today. 

Jon C. Ogg
June 24, 2008

Posted on: June 24, 2008 – 3:55 pm in Biotech, Secondary Offering,

Biotech Business Daily (GSK, MRK, OMPI, STEM, TEVA, VNDA)

Here are some of the top stories today that affecting key drug and biotech stocks:

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) reorganized its corporate structure, increasing focus on emerging markets such as China, Russia, Brazil, India and the Middle East. New CEO Andrew Witty, who will take over on May 22, approves the moves. Shares are down $0.25 to $44.64 in mid-day trading. The 52-week range is $40.51 to $58.23.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) down slightly despite news Monday that they are to cut 1,200 sales jobs to cut costs. Yesterday, shares dropped $0.47. Shares are down $0.13 to $38.85 in mid-day trading on thin volume. The 52-week range is $36.80 to $61.62.

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMPI) dropping over 20% today after earnings reported Monday missed Street estimates. The skin care products maker showed a profit of $3 million for EPS of $0.13. Thomson analysts estimated $0.18 EPS. The company also reduced its yearly outlook. Shares are down $1.81 to $6.98, grazing new lows. The 52-week range is $6.80 to $25.60.

StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) sinking after first quarter earnings were reported this morning. They showed a net loss of $6.5 million or -$0.08 EPS, wider that -$0.06 EPS in 2007. Shares are down over 5% to $1.58. The 52-week range is $1.00 to $2.69.

Teva Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TEVA) reported solid first quarter earnings that beat estimates. Excluding a large charge for the $382 million acquisition of CoGenesys, Teva showed a net income of $529 million or $0.64 EPS, beating estimates of $0.63 EPS. Shares are down marginally to $46.49. The 52-week range is $38.13 to $50.00.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: VNDA) shares are dropping today after rising almost 40% yesterday after reporting narrower first quarter losses last Thursday, beating expectations. Also yesterday, Caris initiated coverage on the company with a “Buy” rating and a $22.00 price target, specifically citing the expectation that schizophrenia treatment Fanapta, will gain regulatory approval in July. Today, shares are down over 6% to $5.10 on unusually high trading volume. The 52-week range is $2.70 to $22.49.

Rachel Lopez
May 6, 2008

Posted on: May 6, 2008 – 12:17 pm in Biotech, , , , , ,

Biotech Business Daily (BIIB, GSK, ILMN, IVGN, LJPC, SIRT, STEM)

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) is sliding marginally despite reported earnings today that showed a 23% increase in earnings riding on sales growth on Avonex and Rituxan. The earnings beat estimates and the company raised its outlook. Shares are down $1.06 to $63.56 on a 52-week range of $45.77 to $84.75.

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) is up a marginal 1.5% to $44.42 on a 52-week range of $40.51 to $59.15. Today, the company showed a 13% decline in profit due to increased generic purchases that cut into sales on anti-depressants and heart medications. Yesterday, the company offered to purchase Sirtris Pharmaceuticals for $720 million.

Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) shares are up $8.12, 11%, after solid first quarter earnings that beat estimates and a strong positive outlook. The company posted earnings of $13.4 million after showing a loss of $298 the same quarter last year. Shares are trading at $80.59 and the 52-week range is $31.66 to $79.90.

Invitrogen Corp. (NASDAQ: IVGN) is up 7% after first quarter earnings showed doubled profit on sales increases, beating estimates. The company posted earnings of $58.7 million and $1.19 EPS. Shares are trading at $93.73 on a 52-week range of $65.00 to $99.15.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. (NASDAQ: LJPC) reported positive results on interim antibody data on Riquent for treatment of lupus. Lupus is a condition in which antibodies attack tissues. The results showed that higher dosages of the treatment reduced levels of antibodies more effectively. The late stage trial is expected to close in the second half of 2009. Shares are up 18% to $2.15 on a 52-week range of $1.45 to $7.10.

Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRT) is seeing shares up a whopping 82% after GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) offered to buy the company yesterday for $22.50 per share, an 84% premium to Tuesday’s close, for a total value of $720 million. Sirtris focuses on enzymes that affect the aging process and is developing a type-II diabetes treatment. Sirtris shares are up $10.07 to $22.30. The 52-week range is $9.50 to $21.99.

StemCells (NASDAQ: STEM) received a patent for neural stem cells from all tissue sources. This patent will require all other third parties seeking to commercialize neural stems cells to obtain a license from StemCells.  Shares are up $0.18 to $1.55, a 13% jump. The 52-week range is $1.00 to $2.83.

Rachel Lopez
April 23, 2008

Posted on: April 23, 2008 – 11:55 am in Biotech, , , , , , ,

Biotech Busine$$ Daily (ACOR, CERS, DNDN, STEM, TCM)

Biotechs always have some news movers regardless of which direction the markets are headed.  Here are some of the top movers in biotech today, although we would note that many of the largest market cap biotech stocks are up on a day that the DJIA, S&P 500, and NASDAQ are dragging lower.

Acorda Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ACOR) down 5% today to $19.56. Yesterday, a study the company sponsored on multiple sclerosis was released showing the negative impact MS had on people suffering from the disease. The 52 week range is $15.80 to $28.14.

Cerus Corp. (NASDAQ: CERS) stock up over 6% today to $543 on an announcement that the 32 studies of their INTERCEPT Blood System, a system that assists patients that underwent blood transfusions and avian flu deactivation, will be presented at the International Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion. The 52-week range is $4.18 to $10.29

Dendreon (NASDAQ: DNDN) up almost 8% in mid-day trading on no new news. Stocks are trading $0.40 higher at $5.16. The stock seems to be recovering from a slide March 12 when the company changed its tactics on for Phase III testing on prostate cancer immunotherapy Provenge.

StemCells Inc. (STEM) up by almost 8% today to $1.49, possibly in response to Nancy Reagan’s endorsement of Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, both supporters of stem cell research. The 52-week range is $1.00 to $3.09.

Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Co. (NASDAQ: TCM) up today on news that the company has appointed Morgan Stanley Asia Limited as its financial advisor. Shares have edged up $0.45 or by 5%, to $8.51 in mid-day trading on relatively high trading volume. The 52 week high is $12.88.

Rachel Lopez
March 26, 2008

Posted on: March 26, 2008 – 1:18 pm in Biotech, , , , ,

Super Tuesday Election Winner: STEM CELLS (STEM, GERN, ASTM, IVGN, KOOL, NBS, OSIR)

Despite not knowing whom the ultimate winner of the 2008 Presidential election will be, it looks like stem cells may be one of the real bright spots as far as which area in biotech will be open for more funding down the road.  If the Democrats win this is a shoe in.  If McCain wins, the current research clamp-downs won’t likely be as stringent in 2009 and beyond as they are today.  If Romney stages a comeback, despite many thinking of him as a religious figure our indications are that he at worst would not be anywhere as tough on the stem cell studies as the current administration.  Public companies such as StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM), Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN), Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM), and others are going to be watching closely.

If you look at Tradesports.com for the political futures, you can see the Presidential nominee futures right now if you want to make a determination where the actual money bets are going right now.  McCain is priced at $93.00 and Romney is now priced at $1.90, so this would indicate a 92.9% probability of a McCain nomination.  The Democrat race is much closer right now with Tradesports showing a Hillary Clinton nomination with a $54.60 price (down $8.40), and Obama with a $47.40 price (up $8.90).  So the futures are showing a McCain essentially as a shoe-in now, yet the Democrat race is still too close to call.  Guess what, this would be a win-win for stem cell research beyond this year.

Read More »

Posted on: February 6, 2008 – 9:33 am in Biotech, Politics, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biotech News Day (February 4, 2008) (AMAG, AOB, AMGN, CELG, MNTA, OMRI, SVA, STEM)

Below are some of the top issues affecting biotech shares today:

  • AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG), a biopharmaceutical company developing iron compounds to treat anemia, saw shares rise 4% to $56.00 after brokerage firm Robert W. Baird initiated coverage with an OUTPERFORM rating.
  • American Oriental Bioengineering Inc. (NYSE:AOB) shares are down almost 7% at mid-day with relative high volume trading to $9.50 on no real news.
  • Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) stock shows no reaction to deal with Japanese drug giant Takeda Pharmaceutical. Takeda is to purchase Amgen’s Japanese unit for up to $902 million plus royalties on sales in exchange for access to 13 of Amgen’s new drugs. Amgen hopes this will curb costs and provide cash as their high-selling anemia drug sales slow due to safety issues. 
  • Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) shares are down $1.76 to $57.94 at mid-day. Although earnings reported last Thursday met Wall Street expectations, the outlook for the success of its multiple myeloma cancer treatment, Revlimid, is mixed. Today, the company released Phase II data and news for its psoriasis drug CC-10004. The recent study showed positive results and the company announced plans to increase dosages. 
  • Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTA) shares continued to take a beating after they announced their earnings release date this morning. They had a rough quarter after the FDA rejected their genetic blood-thinner in November, losing about 60% of its share price. Shares are down $0.37 to $7.54 at mid-day. 
  • Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:OMRI) shares are slightly recovering today after a sharp plummet over the last 2 weeks following the FDA approval for competitor ZymoGenetics’ (ZGEN) Recothrom, that will compete with Omrix’s Evithrom in the thrombin drug market. Omrix announced last Friday that their CFO is resigning. Shares are up 4% to $21.27 on relatively heavy trading volume at mid-day. A month ago, shares were trading at over $30. 
  • Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (AMEX:SVA), the Chinese vaccine provider, has shares up over 5% to $4.11 at mid-day after Sinovec announced the private placement of 2,500,000 common shares for $9.75 million to Sansar Capital Management. 
  • StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ:STEM) stock continued to rise after news last Thursday that it plans to collaborate with Casey Eye Institute to study their leading product candidate, HuCNS-SC, a probable treatment for retinal degeneration which is a leading cause of blindness. Shares are up over 15% at mid-day to $1.77.

Rachel Lopez
February 4, 2008

Posted on: February 4, 2008 – 2:41 pm in Biotech, , , , , , , ,

Obama & Clinton Criticize Bush Stem Cell Veto (STEM, GERN, ASTM)

Stock Tickers: STEM, GERN, ASTM

Senator Obama has issued a statement regarding President Bush’s veto of the Embryonic Stem Cell Bill:

Senator Obama noted:  "By vetoing funding for stem cell research once again, the President is deferring the hopes of millions of Americans who do not have the time to keep waiting for the cure that may save or extend their lives. The promise that stem cells hold does not come from any particular ideology, it is the judgment of science, and we deserve a President who will put that judgment first and make this promise real for the American people."

Hillary Clinton noted (condensed): "You know, later today, apparently, the president will veto a bill passed by Congress to support stem cell research……Now, this is research that…holds such promise for devastating diseases. Yesterday, I met with a group of children suffering from juvenile diabetes. I co-chair the Alzheimer’s caucus in the Senate. I’ve worked on helping to boost funding for research to look for cures and a way to prevent so many devastating diseases. And we know that stem cell research holds the key to our understanding more about what we can do. So let me be very clear: When I am president, I will lift the ban on stem cell research…. This is just one example of how the President puts ideology before science, politics before the needs of our families, just one more example of how out of touch with reality he and his party have become. And it’s just one more example as to why we’re going to send them packing in January 2009, and return progressive leadership to the White House."

Stem cell investing is an issue that is frankly more politically igniting than perhaps any other issue for investors.  The key stem cell stocks that investors place bets on with the rise and fall of stem cell issues are StemCells Inc. (STEM-NASDAQ), Geron (GERN-NASDAQ), and Aastrom Biosciences (ASTM-NASDAQ).  It is always interesting which politicians and which candidates are pro or con on political issues that have implications for individual stock sectors.  If stem cell investing is yor primary focus, Obama is one of your friends. If not, well that answer is obvious too.

StemCells (STEM) closed down 2.3% at $2.48; Geron (GERN) closed down 3.1% at $7.39; and Aastrom (ASTM) closed down 2.1% at$1.39.

Jon C. Ogg
June 20, 2007

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

Posted on: June 20, 2007 – 5:10 pm in Biotech, , ,