Surviving BioTech: How the Game is Played - Phase Funding, Drug Approvals and Resulting Revenue

NEW YORK, January 14, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The biotechnology industry is a high-risk, high-reward scenario. It is an unstable and unpredictable sector, primarily due to the scientifically intensive nature of the operation of biotech companies. Developing new types of drugs is promising, and to minimize risk, partnerships must be established in order to increase funds and revenues.

Learning to survive in one of the most volatile industries in the market today, VIVUS, Inc. VVUS -1.21% [Full Research Report](1) and Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. PPHM -1.87% [Free Research Report](2) are learning to play the game. Although the industry is not without significant risk, for those who get it right, the rewards can be astounding. Revenues earned by the global biotechnology industry are continuously increasing and are likely to continue on this trend of growth.

The industry is expected to exceed $320 billion by 2015. Factors that also help boost this industry are increased access to health insurance, the continued introduction of expensive new drugs, as well as the fact that the population today is rapidly aging.

As biotech companies are delivering new levels of health and sustainability, increased research and development (R&D) funding is needed so that they can discover and develop more advanced drugs to fulfill the health needs of consumers. As most biotech firms are small and private companies, partnerships with major pharmaceuticals are crucial to be able to increase R&D investments.

VIVUS, Inc. reported its third quarter financial results, recognizing net product revenues of $41,000 from prescriptions shipped from certified pharmacies to patients. VIVUS reported a net loss of $40.4 million, or $0.40 per share, as compared to last year's loss of $8.6 million, or $0.10 per share. The increase in net loss is due to increased selling, general and administrative expenses related to pre-commercialization and commercialization activities for Qsymia.

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported its second quarter of fiscal year 2013 financial results in which the total revenues were $6,139,000, compared to $4,232,000 of the second quarter of FY 2012. The increase was due to the contract manufacturing revenue generated by Peregrine Pharmaceuticals' bio manufacturing subsidiary, Acid Bioservices, which generated contract-manufacturing revenue of $6,061,000 for the second quarter of FY 2013, compared to FY 2012's $4,154,000. Contract manufacturing revenue is expected to be at least $18 million for FY 2013.

To further understand how the likelihood of drug approvals influences the manner in which companies leverage their future product pipelines, while at the same time establish cash-flowing relationships with larger brands, readers may explore our complete research reports below.

Reference Links:

(1) The Full Research Report on VIVUS, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [ http://www.NationalTradersAssociation.org/r/e.../d5b8_VVUS ]

(2) The Free Research Report on Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [ http://www.NationalTradersAssociation.org/r/e.../f9ad_PPHM ]

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