Biotech Business Daily (ANIK, ATHX, HALO, IDRA, MRK, OMPI, REGN, DDD, SQNM)

There are lots of names moving in biotech and related fields today, and below are some of the top movers:

Anika Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIK) moving up after reporting solid first quarter earnings this morning. The leader in tissue protection products and healing and repair based on hyaluronic acid (“HA”) technology showed double digit revenues in each product line for total revenue growth of 39%. Shares are up over 12% at $9.68. The 52-week range is $7.85 to $22.49.

Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHX) dropping a whopping 23% today on no relevant news. Shares are down $0.70 to $2.30. The 52-week range is $1.55 to $10.00.

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) up over 8% to $5.37. They announced that first quarter earnings will be released May 8 after market close and on May 9 they will provide a pipeline update. The 52-week range is $4.19 to $11.00.

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDRA) announced today that under its collaboration agreement with Merck (NYSE: MRK), they achieved a preclinical milestone with a novel Toll-Like Receptor 9 agonists for an adjuvant in cancer vaccines. Idera should receive a milestone payment from Merck. Idera is up 3% to $14.34 off a 52-week range of $6.21 to $14.00. Merck is up over 1% to $38.77 on a 52-week range of $ 36.80 to $61.62. 

Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMPI) is up over 7% to $8.62 on now news. The 52-week range for the skincare developer is $6.80 to $25.60.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) up 5% today after first quarter results were released this morning. They showed a loss of $11.6 million, or $0.15 EPS, narrower than the $29.9 million loss in first quarter 2007. Shares are up $1.11 to $20.73. The 52-week range is $13.55 to $28.74.

SCOLR Pharma Inc. (AMEX: DDD) up over 8% today after announcing that it entered into a lease buyout deal to move into a cheaper location, with the proceeds of over $4 million, the company said it will be able to fund 2009 expenses. Shares are trading at $1.26. The 52-week range is $0.13 to $4.07.

Sequenom Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) up today after reporting financial results after close yesterday. They posted a net loss of $8.6 million compared to a loss of $3.8 million in first quarter last year. Revenues increased by 7%. Shares are trading up over 8% to $6.85 on a 52-week range of $3.16 to $11.63.

Rachel Lopez
May 1, 2008