It's that time of year again to revisit our biotech stock picks that continue to trade up a minimum 50 percent since we profiled them on our site. The near-term catalysts of the highlighted stocks, if any, are also mentioned in this report.
Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. (RPTP) is a biotechnology company focused on developing medicines that improve life for patients with severe, rare disorders. RPTP was trading around $3.46 when we alerted readers to the stock in April 2011, and based on Tuesday's (May 22, 2012) closing price of $5.33, it is up 54%. The stock set a 52-week high of $7.90 on Feb. 9, 2012.
The company's lead investigational compound is RP103, also known as Delayed-Release or DR Cysteamine which is being evaluated for potential indications, including Nephropathic Cystinosis, Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Huntington's Disease.
Raptor submitted a New Drug Application for RP103 to the FDA as well as its Marketing Authorization Application to the European Medicines Agency for the potential treatment of nephropathic cystinosis in March of this year. A Priority Review has been sought for the NDA, the company's first submission, and if granted, could lead to a decision for marketing approval in the fourth calendar quarter of 2012.
Shares of Micromet Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing BiTE or Bispecific T cell Engager antibodies, were trading around $6 when we alerted readers to the stock last May. The company was acquired by Amgen Inc. (AMGN) in March of this year for $11 per share. That represents a gain of 82%.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(REGN) was profiled on our site last June when it was trading around $57. Based on Tuesday's closing price of $126.07, it is up 117%. The stock set a 52-week high of $145.04 on Apr 26, 2012.
The company has sought approval of ARCALYST for a supplemental indication in preventing gout flares in patients initiating uric acid-lowering therapy. Earlier in the month, an FDA panel of experts voted against approval of ARCALYST for the additional indication. The regulatory agency's final decision is set for July 30, 2012.
ARCALYST is already approved for a rare orphan disease CAPS (Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes). Last year, sales of ARCALYST brought in only $19.9 million compared to $25.3 million in 2010.
Shares of Adolor Corp. were trading around $1 when we alerted readers to the stock last June. The company was acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals (CBST) last October for $4.25 per share in cash. That implies a gain of 166%.
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ARIA) is an emerging global oncology company focused on developing breakthrough cancer medicines. The stock was trading around $9.32 when we alerted readers to the stock in June 2011, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $16.59, it is up 78%. ARIA set a 52-week high of $17.60 on May 16, 2012.
The company is scheduled to announce updated results from a pivotal phase II trial of Ponatinib, dubbed PACE, at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology being held in Chicago, June 1-5, 2012.
The PACE trial is evaluating Ponatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) patients who are resistant or intolerant to either of the second-generation CML therapies, or who have the T315I mutation for which no current treatments are known to be effective.
Pharmacyclics Inc. (PCYC) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative small-molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and immune mediated diseases The stock was trading around $10 when we alerted readers to it last July, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $32.69, it is up 199%. PCYC touched a new 52-week high of $32.94 yesterday.
The company is expected to present updated results from a phase Ib/II study of ibrutinib on chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma relapsed/refractory and treatment naïve patients in an oral presentation at European Hematology Association in June 2012.
Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc. (INFI) is an innovative drug discovery and development company with a therapeutic focus on oncology and difficult-to-treat diseases. The stock was trading around $7 when we alerted readers to it last August, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $12.40, it is up 76%. INFI touched a 52-week high of $13.75 on May 10, 2012.
Important data readouts are expected in the second half of 2012 from four of the company's six ongoing trials across three distinct development programs. Stay tuned...
Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDIX) is a biopharmaceutical company building a pipeline of drug candidates for hepatitis C, a market with high levels of unmet need. IDIX was trading around $5.04 when we alerted readers to the stock in September 2011, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $8.68, it is up 72%. The stock set a 52-week high of $15.25 on January 19, 2012.
VIVUS Inc. (VVUS) is a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to address obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes, and male sexual health. VVUS was trading around $8 when we alerted readers to the stock last September, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $23.96, it is up 174%. The stock set a 52-week high of $26.75 on Apr 27, 2012.
In April, the FDA approved Vivus' STENDRA tablets for the treatment of erectile dysfunction , marking the first new prescription agent approved in nearly a decade. The company's obesity treatment Qnexa is under FDA review, with a decision date postponed to July 17, 2012.
Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ACHN) was trading around $4 when we alerted readers to the stock last October, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $6.93, it is up 58%. The stock set a 52-week high of $12.95 on Jan. 13, 2012. The company's pipeline includes drug candidates for HCV, in addition to antibacterial drug candidates for the treatment of serious, resistant bacterial infections.
Shares of biotechnology company Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. (THLD) were trading around $1 when we alerted readers to the stock last October. Shareholders have had a good ride so far, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $6.52, it is up 293%. The stock set a 52-week high of $9.07 on Mar 30, 2012.
Threshold Pharma's lead product candidate is TH-302, an anticancer agent. A number of trials are underway with TH-302. A trial, dubbed 404 trial, is evaluating TH-302 in patients with first-line advanced pancreatic cancer. The overall survival results and updated top-line efficacy analysis from the "404 trial" are expected in the second half of this year.
Affymax Inc. (AFFY) was trading around $4 when we alerted readers to the stock last November, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $14.17, it is up nearly 203%. The stock set a 52-week high of $16.25 on March 27, 2012.
In March, the FDA approved OMONTYS Injection, a once-monthly treatment for dialysis patients, co-developed by Affymax and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.
Amicus Therapeutics Inc.(FOLD) is a pioneer in developing small-molecule drugs called pharmacological chaperones to address human genetic diseases resulting from misfolded proteins. FOLD was trading around $2.86 when we alerted readers to the stock in November 2011, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $4.55, it is up 59%.
The company was added to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index after the close of trading on May 18, 2012.
Amicus expects preliminary results from phase II study for pompe disease in the second quarter, and phase III study results of migalastat HCl monotherapy for fabry disease in the third quarter of this year.
Shares of specialty biopharmaceutical company Santarus Inc. (SNTS) were trading around $2 when it was profiled on our site last November, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $5.82, it is up nearly 114%. The stock touched a 52-week high of $6.60 on May 11, 2012.
The company anticipates reporting top-line results from phase III studies for RHUCIN and rifamycin SV MMX during the second half of the year. RHUCIN is being evaluated as a potential treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema, and antibiotic Rifamycin SV MMX for treatment of travelers' diarrhea.
NewLink Genetics Corp. (NLNK) was trading around $7 when it was profiled on our site last November, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $11.79, the stock is up 68%. The stock touched a new 52-week high of $12.80 on May 22, 2012.
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SCMP) was profiled on our site last December when it was trading around $3. Based on Tuesday's closing price of $7.63, it is up 104%. The stock set a 52-week high of $8.50 on Apr 27, 2012.
Shares of Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN) were trading around $10 when we alerted readers to the stock last December, and based on Tuesday's closing price of $26.69, it is up nearly 155%. The stock touched a 52-week high of $28.02 on May 16, 2012.
Earlier in the year, Amylin received FDA approval for Bydureon, a once-weekly version of the injectable diabetes medication Byetta, which has been available in the U.S. since June 2005. In March, Amylin rejected a $3.5 billion unsolicited takeover offer from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY).
Omeros Corp. (OMER) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing products for inflammation, bleeding and disorders of the central nervous system. OMER was trading around $3.94 when we alerted readers to the stock in December 2011, and based on Tuesday's (May 22) closing price of $10.13, it is up 157%. The stock set a 52-week high of $10.88 on March 13, 2012.
Repros Therapeutics Inc. (RPRX) is focused on the development of oral small molecule drugs for major unmet medical needs in male and female reproductive health. RPRX was trading around $4 when we alerted readers to the stock this April. Based on Tuesday's (May 22) closing price of $7.80, the stock is up 87%. The stock set a 52-week high of $8.45 on May 21, 2012.
Repros has two oral drug candidates in its pipeline - Androxal for male reproductive health and Proellex for female reproductive health.
Binary events like clinical trial results and FDA decisions are typical in biotech companies, and can cause significant swings in share price.
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Business News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.