Biotech Busine$$ Daily (ACAD, AMLN, CVTX, HALO, KOSN, MCU, NVAX, POZN, REGN, SIRT)

If you thought biotech news was getting quiet going into earnings season, think again.

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) presents Phase II data on pimavanserin, a treatment  for Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) at the 60th American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting today. According the results from the study, pimavanserin is safe and effective at improving psychosis scores without hindering motor abilities. Shares are up $0.46 to $8.36 on a 52-week range of $7.63 to $17.33.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AMLN) up almost 3% in mid-morning trading. They announced that the earnings call is schedule for March 21. Trading at $30.42 on a 52-week range of $23.75 to $53.25.

CV Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVTX) soaring today after they announced Tuesday that they will receive $185 milliion from TPG-Axon Capital for rights to the sales of Lexiscan, a drug for patients that are unable to exercise during heart tests and was granted FDA approval last Thursday. Shares are up over 15% to $8.63 on a 52-week range of $5.41 to $13.74.

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) announced pre-clinical findings in combinations of bisphosphonates and rHuPH20 at the American Association for Cancer Reseacrch conference today. The study showed that a combination of these molecules could reduce local irritation from chemotherapy by allowing a subcutaneous route of administration. Shares are up over 10% to $5.99 on a 52-week range of $4.19 to $11.00.

Kosan Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: KOSN) is still steadily rising after Monday announcement that Phase II testing for Epothilone KOS-1584 initiated. The drug targets patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Shares are up over 11% to $2.00 today. Monday, shares opened at $1.50. The 52-week range is $1.28 to $6.53.

Medicure Inc. (AMEX: MCU) up by 40% with the announcement that Phase II results for MC-1 and lisinpril for patients with type-II diabetes and hypertension will be presented at Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) Annual Conference today. The data from the study was previously released. Shares are up 40% to $0.09 on a 52-week range of $0.05 to $1.64.

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) reported positive results in preclinical studies of Trivalent, a seasonal influenza vaccine. Phase II testing is hoped to begin in the third-quarter this year. Shares are up over 5% to $2.51. The 52-week range is $2.24 to $4.38.

Pozen, Inc. (NASDAQ: POZN) skyrocketing today on news that migraine drug Treximet has received FDA approval. They partnered with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for development of the drug. It is a follow up for Glaxo’s similar drug, Imitrex, which is set to lose patent protection in 2009. Pozen up 34% to $14.19 on a 52-week range of $8.29 to $19.75. Glaxo is up marginally to $42.57.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) moving higher than the rest today on no new developments. Shares are up $1.37 to $19.60 on a 52-week range of $13.55 to $28.74.

Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRT) published a report by Scientific Advisory Board Co-Chairs that showed first in-vivo data demonstrating that SIRT1 enzymes suppress tumor development in colon cancer cells. Shares are up almost 5% to $12.56 on a 52-week range of $9.50 to $21.99.

Rachel Lopez
April 16, 2008