The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: AbbVie, Amgen, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Revance Therapeutics and Exelixis
January 08, 2016, 09:30:00 AM EDT By Zacks Equity Research, Zacks.com
Comment
Shutterstock photo
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - January 08, 2016 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include AbbVie (
ABBV
), Amgen (
AMGN
), Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (
LGND
), Revance Therapeutics, Inc. (
RVNC
) and Exelixis, Inc. (
EXEL
).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free .
Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:
5 Biotech Stocks That Doubled in 2015
It's been a roller-coaster ride for the biotech sector in 2015, with several stocks seeing major highs and lows as the year progressed. The year continued to see mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and licensing and collaboration deals being signed. Other highlights were the pricing controversy, stretched valuations and the usual pipeline updates.
Some of the important acquisitions announced/completed in 2015 include those between Shire-NPS Pharmaceuticals, Alexion-Synageva and AbbVie (
ABBV
)-Pharmacyclics among others. AbbVie's hefty price tag of $21 billion for Pharmacyclics may have raised quite a few eyebrows but it goes to show that lofty valuations will not deter large companies from pursuing acquisitions to boost their pipelines and product portfolios.
Licensing agreements and deals including those with opt-in arrangements also picked up pace with immuno-oncology remaining a favorite area. Companies like Kite, Ionis, Achillion and Juno were pretty active on the collaboration front. Most of the deals are with big pharma and biotech companies and are focused on immuno-oncology as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Meanwhile, the FDA approved 45 new molecular entities (NMEs) and biological products in 2015, up from 41 in 2014. Some of the important new product approvals in 2015 include Vertex's cystic fibrosis treatment, Orkambi, Amgen's (
AMGN
) PCSK9 inhibitor, Repatha, Regeneron/Sanofi's PCSK9 inhibitor Praluent, Gilead's Genvoya (HIV) and label expansions for products like Kyprolis.
But the sector had its share of hiccups with pricing concerns remaining a major issue - democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton's "price gouging" tweet triggered a slide in healthcare stocks in September.
2015 also marked the FDA approval and launch of the first biosimilar in the U.S. - Sandoz's Zarxio - a biosimilar of Amgen's Neupogen. The approval is a landmark decision and follows years of debate regarding the regulatory path for biosimilars. Unlike their pharma counterparts, biotech companies have not been exposed to generic competition in the U.S. But with the approval of Zarxio, the floodgates have opened.
However, despite these headwinds, the NASDAQ Biotechnology gained 10.5% in 2015.
A Look at 5 Biotech Stocks that Doubled in 2015
Here is a look at 5 biotech stocks that doubled in 2015 and should continue performing well this year.
First on our list is Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (
LGND
). La Jolla, CA-based Ligand's business model is based on developing or acquiring assets which generate royalties, milestones or other passive revenues for the company.
This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock had a good run in 2015 with its share price soaring 101.8% during the year. The company has a strong track record with earnings surpassing expectations in each of the last three quarters and an average earnings surprise of 43.66% over the last four quarters. 2016 earnings estimates for the company have been increasing. The company recently announced its intention to acquire OMT, Inc. and raised its revenue outlook for 2016.
Ligand also has partnerships with several leading health care companies like Novartis, Amgen and Pfizer among others that provide the company with funds in the form of milestone and royalty payments.
Next on our list is Newark, CA-based Revance Therapeutics, Inc. (
RVNC
), a company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of novel botulinum toxin products for multiple aesthetic and therapeutic indications.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock were up 105% in 2015. The company's shares shot up in late Oct 2015 on positive 24-week data from a mid-stage study comparing injectable RT002 to the current market leader Botox Cosmetic 20U and a placebo control in treating glabellar lines.
Revance's earnings track record is also pretty good with the company surpassing expectations in the last three quarters with an average surprise of 4.74% over the last four quarters. 2016 estimates are also seeing some positive revisions.
Revance has quite a few catalysts lined up for 2016 with the company expected to present results from some studies this year.
Exelixis, Inc. (
EXEL
) is another stock that had an excellent 2015. The company, whose shares slumped almost 77% in 2014, more than made up for lost ground in 2015 with its shares gaining 241.8%.
The South San Francisco, CA-based company has two approved products in its portfolio - Cometriq (cabozantinib) and Cotellic. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is currently looking to get cabozantinib approved for additional indications and recently finished submitting a rolling NDA for an advanced renal cell cancer indication.
In Conclusion
High risk and high returns -- this is a term that is often associated with the biotech sector. Biotech drugs, which are developed through a biological process/system or by using living organisms, require a lot of investment. The drugs are complex in nature and take several years to develop. Companies which hit the bull's eye become overnight success stories with shares even doubling or tripling on positive news. However, negative outcomes have an equally strong effect on the shares and failure may very well spell doom for these companies.
Strong pipelines, innovative treatments, impressive results, growing demand for drugs especially for rare-to-treat diseases, an aging population and increased health care spending should support growth in this sector. With the sector witnessing a lot of M&A and licensing activity, expectations are high that more such deals will follow. Catalysts remain in the form of regulatory events and pipeline updates.
On the flip side, the high cost of treatments, pricing controversies and the threat of biosimilars remain dampeners for this high risk-high return sector.
Irrespective of who wins the presidential race, drug pricing will remain a topic of discussion among policymakers, the media and the general public.
Want to find the best stocks for 2016? Find out more information about the market-crushing Zacks Top 10 list here >>>
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today . Find out What is happening in the stock market today on zacks.com.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
ABBVIE INC (ABBV): Free Stock Analysis Report
AMGEN INC (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report
LIGAND PHARMA-B (LGND): Free Stock Analysis Report
REVANCE THERAP (RVNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
EXELIXIS INC (EXEL): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
This article appears in: Investing Stocks
Referenced Stocks:
ABBV
,
AMGN
,
LGND
,
RVNC
,
EXEL
More from Zacks.com
Subscribe
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Biogen, Gilead, AbbVie, Intrexon and NewLink
Gilead (GILD) Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates, Gives 2016 View
Biotech Stock Roundup: Biogen, Amgen Top Estimates; Zika Virus Grabs Attention
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/the-zacks-analy...z3ziT3fEax
January 08, 2016, 09:30:00 AM EDT By Zacks Equity Research, Zacks.com
Comment
Shutterstock photo
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - January 08, 2016 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include AbbVie (
ABBV
), Amgen (
AMGN
), Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (
LGND
), Revance Therapeutics, Inc. (
RVNC
) and Exelixis, Inc. (
EXEL
).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free .
Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:
5 Biotech Stocks That Doubled in 2015
It's been a roller-coaster ride for the biotech sector in 2015, with several stocks seeing major highs and lows as the year progressed. The year continued to see mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and licensing and collaboration deals being signed. Other highlights were the pricing controversy, stretched valuations and the usual pipeline updates.
Some of the important acquisitions announced/completed in 2015 include those between Shire-NPS Pharmaceuticals, Alexion-Synageva and AbbVie (
ABBV
)-Pharmacyclics among others. AbbVie's hefty price tag of $21 billion for Pharmacyclics may have raised quite a few eyebrows but it goes to show that lofty valuations will not deter large companies from pursuing acquisitions to boost their pipelines and product portfolios.
Licensing agreements and deals including those with opt-in arrangements also picked up pace with immuno-oncology remaining a favorite area. Companies like Kite, Ionis, Achillion and Juno were pretty active on the collaboration front. Most of the deals are with big pharma and biotech companies and are focused on immuno-oncology as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Meanwhile, the FDA approved 45 new molecular entities (NMEs) and biological products in 2015, up from 41 in 2014. Some of the important new product approvals in 2015 include Vertex's cystic fibrosis treatment, Orkambi, Amgen's (
AMGN
) PCSK9 inhibitor, Repatha, Regeneron/Sanofi's PCSK9 inhibitor Praluent, Gilead's Genvoya (HIV) and label expansions for products like Kyprolis.
But the sector had its share of hiccups with pricing concerns remaining a major issue - democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton's "price gouging" tweet triggered a slide in healthcare stocks in September.
2015 also marked the FDA approval and launch of the first biosimilar in the U.S. - Sandoz's Zarxio - a biosimilar of Amgen's Neupogen. The approval is a landmark decision and follows years of debate regarding the regulatory path for biosimilars. Unlike their pharma counterparts, biotech companies have not been exposed to generic competition in the U.S. But with the approval of Zarxio, the floodgates have opened.
However, despite these headwinds, the NASDAQ Biotechnology gained 10.5% in 2015.
A Look at 5 Biotech Stocks that Doubled in 2015
Here is a look at 5 biotech stocks that doubled in 2015 and should continue performing well this year.
First on our list is Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (
LGND
). La Jolla, CA-based Ligand's business model is based on developing or acquiring assets which generate royalties, milestones or other passive revenues for the company.
This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock had a good run in 2015 with its share price soaring 101.8% during the year. The company has a strong track record with earnings surpassing expectations in each of the last three quarters and an average earnings surprise of 43.66% over the last four quarters. 2016 earnings estimates for the company have been increasing. The company recently announced its intention to acquire OMT, Inc. and raised its revenue outlook for 2016.
Ligand also has partnerships with several leading health care companies like Novartis, Amgen and Pfizer among others that provide the company with funds in the form of milestone and royalty payments.
Next on our list is Newark, CA-based Revance Therapeutics, Inc. (
RVNC
), a company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of novel botulinum toxin products for multiple aesthetic and therapeutic indications.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock were up 105% in 2015. The company's shares shot up in late Oct 2015 on positive 24-week data from a mid-stage study comparing injectable RT002 to the current market leader Botox Cosmetic 20U and a placebo control in treating glabellar lines.
Revance's earnings track record is also pretty good with the company surpassing expectations in the last three quarters with an average surprise of 4.74% over the last four quarters. 2016 estimates are also seeing some positive revisions.
Revance has quite a few catalysts lined up for 2016 with the company expected to present results from some studies this year.
Exelixis, Inc. (
EXEL
) is another stock that had an excellent 2015. The company, whose shares slumped almost 77% in 2014, more than made up for lost ground in 2015 with its shares gaining 241.8%.
The South San Francisco, CA-based company has two approved products in its portfolio - Cometriq (cabozantinib) and Cotellic. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is currently looking to get cabozantinib approved for additional indications and recently finished submitting a rolling NDA for an advanced renal cell cancer indication.
In Conclusion
High risk and high returns -- this is a term that is often associated with the biotech sector. Biotech drugs, which are developed through a biological process/system or by using living organisms, require a lot of investment. The drugs are complex in nature and take several years to develop. Companies which hit the bull's eye become overnight success stories with shares even doubling or tripling on positive news. However, negative outcomes have an equally strong effect on the shares and failure may very well spell doom for these companies.
Strong pipelines, innovative treatments, impressive results, growing demand for drugs especially for rare-to-treat diseases, an aging population and increased health care spending should support growth in this sector. With the sector witnessing a lot of M&A and licensing activity, expectations are high that more such deals will follow. Catalysts remain in the form of regulatory events and pipeline updates.
On the flip side, the high cost of treatments, pricing controversies and the threat of biosimilars remain dampeners for this high risk-high return sector.
Irrespective of who wins the presidential race, drug pricing will remain a topic of discussion among policymakers, the media and the general public.
Want to find the best stocks for 2016? Find out more information about the market-crushing Zacks Top 10 list here >>>
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today . Find out What is happening in the stock market today on zacks.com.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
ABBVIE INC (ABBV): Free Stock Analysis Report
AMGEN INC (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report
LIGAND PHARMA-B (LGND): Free Stock Analysis Report
REVANCE THERAP (RVNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
EXELIXIS INC (EXEL): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
This article appears in: Investing Stocks
Referenced Stocks:
ABBV
,
AMGN
,
LGND
,
RVNC
,
EXEL
More from Zacks.com
Subscribe
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Biogen, Gilead, AbbVie, Intrexon and NewLink
Gilead (GILD) Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates, Gives 2016 View
Biotech Stock Roundup: Biogen, Amgen Top Estimates; Zika Virus Grabs Attention
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/the-zacks-analy...z3ziT3fEax
I'm in it to win it!
NASDAQ DIP and RIP
Here is the best word that describes what i do here.
Intuitive;
means having the ability to understand or know something without any direct evidence or reasoning process.
I was born with it, I'm truly blessed!
Alway's searching for winners'
NASDAQ DIP and RIP
Here is the best word that describes what i do here.
Intuitive;
means having the ability to understand or know something without any direct evidence or reasoning process.
I was born with it, I'm truly blessed!
Alway's searching for winners'
