Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy For 2014

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) has inoculated itself against today’s biotech selloff thanks to its stellar financial results.

The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) has fallen 1.3% to $128.69 at 2:10 p.m., as Biogen Idec (BIIB) has dropped 4.2% to $293.91 and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) has declined 3.7% to $291.81. Even Gilead Sciences (GILD), which managed to buck yesterday’s weakness, has dipped 0.4% to $73.59.

Not Alexion Pharmaceuticals. It’s gained 3.1% to $167.97 after reporting a profit of $1.56 a share, topping analyst forecasts for $1.26 and raising its full-year guidance. “Gotta love this company,” Piper Jaffray’s Joshua Schimmer and team titled a report this morning. They explain why:

[Alexion Pharmaceuticals] beat on 1Q14 this morning, lowered [operating expense] guidance, reiterated revenue guidance and raised EPS guidance. The company continues to deliver to shareholders and remains poised to easily deliver a sustainable 20%+ EPS CAGR through the end of the decade and beyond with plenty of room for upside in our model based on both Soliris performance and operating/tax margins. Recent weakness in shares creates a nice entry point for a company committed to quality. While this may not be the best tape for higher multiple growth stocks, [Alexion's] advancing pipeline, rapidly growing earnings, frequent beat/raises and high quality team suggests to us that organic EPS growth will power through any incremental multiple compression.

Top 5 Regional Bank Companies To Buy For 2015: IsoRay Inc (ISR)

IsoRay, Inc. (IsoRay), incorporated on June 15, 2004, develops, manufactures and sells isotope-based medical products and devices for the treatment of cancer and other malignant diseases. IsoRay International LLC (International) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. IsoRay obtained clearance from the Food and Drug Association (FDA) for treatment for all solid tumor applications using Cesium-131. Such applications include prostate cancer; ocular melanoma; head, neck and lung tumors; breast cancer; liver cancer; brain cancer; colorectal cancer; gynecological cancer; esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The seed may be used in surface, interstitial and intracavity applications for tumors with known radio sensitivity. The Company has an existing distribution agreement with UralDial LLC (UralDial) that allows UralDial to distribute Proxcelan Cs-131 brachytherapy seeds in Russia. The Company, through UralDial, has regulatory approval to sell Cs-131 seeds in Russia.

IsoRay markets the Proxcelan Cesium-131 brachytherapy seed for the treatment of prostate cancer; lung cancer; ocular melanoma; head and neck cancers; colorectal cancer, brain cancer; and gynecological cancer. The Company focuses to market Cesium-131 for the treatment of other malignant disease, such as breast cancer, in the near future through the use of existing technologies that have received FDA-clearance. Cesium-131 is a radioactive isotope that can be produced by the neutron bombardment of Barium-130 (Ba-130). When placed into a nuclear reactor and exposed to a flux of neutrons, Ba-130 becomes Ba-131, the radioactive material that is the parent isotope of Cesium-131. The radioactive isotope Cesium-131 is normally produced by placing a quantity of stable non-radioactive barium (ideally barium enriched in isotope Ba-130) into the neutron flux of a nuclear reactor. The irradiation process converts a small fraction of this material into a radioactive form of barium (Ba-131). The Ba-131 decays by electron capture to the ! radioactive isotope of interest (Cesium-131).

As of June 30, 2011, IsoRay had agreements with several independent radiopharmacies to assay, preload, and sterilize loose seeds. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, the Company loaded approximately 90% of Mick cartridges in the Company's own facility, which accounted for approximately 61% of seeds sold. Approximately 33% of seeds sold are strand configurations, including strands preloaded in needles and the remaining 6% of seeds are sold as loose seeds.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Ugh. It's fun to be right about a stock, but it's exhausting to be too right, too fast. Case in Point? IsoRay, Inc. (NYSE: ISR). Yours truly posted some bullish comments on ISR just a couple of days ago, explaining how that day's move above a key ceiling meant a new bull trend was underway, and more gains from that price would be far easier to muster. Well, good news for those who heeded the advice - IsoRay shares are up 44% today.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  I hate to be the one to say I told you so, but, I told you so. Back on February 26th I suggested IsoRay, Inc. (NYSEMKT:ISR) shares were a budding breakout play. The 48% rally that's played out for ISR in the meantime unfurled right on cue. While overbought in the very short run, this small cap stock looks like it's earning the right to be compared to the likes of bigger brothers in the cancer-treatment space... names like Roche Holding Ltd. (OTCMKTS:RHHBY) or Theragenics Corporation (NYSE:TGX).

• [By Vanina Egea]

  Strengthening portfolio and business stability is to be reinforced by the introduction of new products. Last December, Textron announced the successful first flight of the Scorpion Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)/Strike aircraft. ��he Scorpion compares very favorably to more costly aircraft currently used for low-threat missions,��pilot Dan Hinson said. The new product is expected to accommodate the budget constraints and shifting mission requirements of the US Department of Defense. The same department has granted the firm an additional contract worth $22.5 million to "deprocess" Mobile Strike Force vehicles and train the Afghan Army.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy For 2014: NephroGenex Inc (NRX)

NephroGenex, Inc. is a United States-based drug development company focusing on novel therapies for kidney disease. The Company has developed Pyridorin (pyridoxamine dihydrochloride), it targets diabetes-induced carbonyl and oxidative chemistries that are a principal causative factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy and other diabetic complications. It is conducting a new Phase 2b clinical trial (PYR-210) that is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Pyridorin in slowing the progression of overt nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  NephroGenex (NASDAQ: NRX) shares reached a new 52-week low of $6.67. On Monday, NephroGenex posted a full-year net loss of $6.3 million, or $19.71 per share.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  NephroGenex (NRX) fell 3% in afterhours trading after nearly tripled in value today after the drug developer announced positive safety study results for its diabetic nephropathy treatment Pyridorin late Tuesday. The stock closed at $12.94 a share.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy For 2014: KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals Inc (KYTH)

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated in June 2004, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription products for the aesthetic medicine market. The Company�� initial focus is on the facial aesthetics market. The Company�� product candidate, ATX-101, is a injectable drug in Phase III clinical development for the reduction of submental fat, which commonly presents as an undesirable double chin. Based on clinical trials conducted, ATX-101 has exhibited results in the reduction of submental fat. ATX-101 contains a synthetic form of sodium deoxycholate. In the United States and Canada, the Company is conducting two pivotal Phase III trials of ATX-101 for the reduction of submental fat. The Company initiated this pivotal Phase III clinical program, with planned enrollment of 1,000 patients, in March 2012.

In Europe, Bayer, its collaborator outside the United States and Canada, recently completed two pivotal Phase III trials of ATX-101 for the reduction of submental fat. In these multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal trials involving 723 patients, ATX-101 resulted in a reduction in submental fat, as assessed by a validated clinician scale and a patient satisfaction scale.

ATX-101 contains a synthetic form of sodium deoxycholate. ATX-101 is designed to be a locally-injected drug that causes proximal, preferential destruction of adipocytes, or fat cells, with minimal effect on surrounding tissue. Upon subcutaneous injection under the skin, ATX-101 disrupts cell membranes in protein-poor tissues, such as fat, while being attenuated by interactions with protein-rich tissue, such as skin, muscle and blood vessels. This attenuation by protein-rich tissue results in the preferential destruction of adipocytes by ATX-101. The destruction of adipocytes, or adipocytolysis, elicits a natural response, in which macrophages are attracted to remove cellular debris and fat particles t! hrough the lymphatic system. The macrophages also emit low levels of chemical messengers, known as cytokines, which attract fibroblasts, another cell type, to the area. Fibroblasts produce collagen, and it is believed that new collagen production, or neocollagenesis, promotes retraction of the skin in the areas of fat reduction. The fat removal process with ATX-101 is incremental with each treatment, thereby allowing for control of the aesthetic outcome.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Kythera Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KYTH) jumped 24.43% to $41.72 after the company reported positive ATX-101 top line phase III trial results for the reduction of submental fat.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  
  

  One stock that's quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade is Kythera Biopharmaceuticals (KYTH), which is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel prescription products for the aesthetic medicine market. This stock has been on a bullish run in 2013, with shares up by 48%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways and consolidating for the last month, with shares moving between $40.55 on the downside and $47.85 on the upside. Shares of KYTH are now starting to spike higher off some near-term support at $42.54 a share. That move is quickly pushing KYTH within range of triggering a major breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent range.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in KYTH if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $47.50 to its all-time high of $47.85 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 199,029 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then KYTH will set up to enter new all-time high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $55 to $57, or even $60 a share.

  Traders can look to buy KYTH off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $42.54 a share, or at $40.55 a share. One can also buy KYTH off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Kythera Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KYTH) shares jumped 28.69% to $43.15 in pre-market trading after the company reported positive ATX-101 top line phase III trial results for the reduction of submental fat.

• [By John Udovich]

  On Tuesday, small cap biotech stock Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: KYTH) surged around 25% after announcing that its ATX-101 REFINE-1 and REFINE-2 Phase III trials met all primary and secondary endpoints for the reduction of so-called double chins; but if investors missed out on that rally, small caps Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc (NASDAQ: ZLTQ), Solta Medical Inc (NASDAQ: SLTM) and Cynosure, Inc (NASDAQ: CYNO) each have a piece of the aesthetic market as well. In the case of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, its ATX-101 can be injected to deal with double chins���meaning its less invasive than liposuction as the drug dissolves fat cells but leaves other tissue alone. JP Morgan has noted:

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy For 2014: Amgen Inc.(AMGN)

Amgen Inc., a biotechnology medicines company, discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets human therapeutics based on advances in cellular and molecular biology for grievous illnesses primarily in the United States, Europe, and Canada. The company markets recombinant protein therapeutics in supportive cancer care, nephrology, and inflammation. Its principal products include Aranesp and EPOGEN erythropoietic-stimulating agents that stimulate the production of red blood cells; Neulasta and NEUPOGEN to stimulate the production of neutrophils, which is a type of white blood cell that helps the body to fight infections; and Enbrel, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor that plays a role in the body?s response to inflammatory diseases. The company also markets other products comprising Sensipar/Mimpara, a small molecule calcimimetic that lowers serum calcium levels; Vectibix, a monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor; and Nplate, a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist that mimics endogenous TPO, the primary driver of platelet production. In addition, it provides Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that targets RANKL, an essential regulator of osteoclasts. Further, the company offers product candidates in mid-to-late stage development in a variety of therapeutic areas, including oncology, hematology, inflammation, bone, nephrology, cardiovascular, and general medicine consisting of neurology. It markets its products to healthcare providers, including physicians or their clinics, dialysis centers, hospitals, and pharmacies; consumers; and wholesale distributors of pharmaceutical products. The company has various collaborative arrangements with Pfizer Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited; Array BioPharma Inc.; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd.; and Cytokinetics, Inc. Amgen Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Biotech giant�Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN  ) announced on Friday its third-quarter dividend of $0.47 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past two quarters after raising the payout almost 31% from $0.36 per share.