RegMed Competitive and Market Intelligence 2/8/12, a lackluster session, stocks turn lower, hoping EU leaders pony-up
The 6 W’s: Who, what, where, when, why and what of it …
Today’s Gospel: Stocks are stuck in … purgatory … the market has acted very well since December and for the whole month of January with … no real pullbacks but … I think it has gotten ahead of itself … even though there’s improving macro-economic data.
Mid-Day: The NASDAQ is UP +1.75 (+0.06%) to 2,905.83 while the Dow is also DOWN -16.27 (-0.13%) to 12,861.93.
Mid-Day Market Commentary: Stocks have moved … modestly lower in … mid-day trading … on Wednesday … and buying interest has remained relatively subdued. The major averages still slowly are staying to the upside, adding to the … slim gains posted in the previous session.
Who is UP … Mid-Day:
- Advanced Cell Technology (OTC BB: ACTC);
- BioTime (Amex: BTX);
- Fibrocell (OTC BB: FCSC);
- Geron (GERN),
- Opexa (OPXA);
- Pluristem (PSTI);
- StemCells (STEM);
- Tengion (TNGN);
- ThermoGenesis (KOOL);
- Verastem (VSTM).
What’s new in the regenerative medicine/stem cell market … 5 … things to know today …
Financing: Juventas Therapeutics, has increased the size of an equity round to $20M and has secured $12M of the round. A 2008 filing showed the company securing $7.7M toward an $8.8M round of equity and securities. Blue Chip Venture Co., Early Stage Partners, Jumpstart, North Coast Angel Fund, Reservoir Venture Partners and Triathalon Medical Ventures are listed as investors.
Sistemic to participate in stem cell research project: http://www.scotsman.com/business/sistemic_joins_5m_arthritis_stem_cell_research_project_1_2102881 . Scottish company Sistemic will collaborate with Ti-Genix andOxfordUniversity scientists in a $7.8M project to develop cellular therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers inFrance, theNetherlands andSpain will participate in the project. The Bottom Line: Provides in-depth data during the clinical trial.
Science Brief: Researchers use molecule to direct bone-forming stem cells: http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=92271 . Researchers said a molecule called LLP2a-alendronate, when injected into the bloodstream of an animal model, instructed mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow to go to the surface of the bone, turn into bone-forming cells and synthesize proteins to improve bone growth. The Bottom Line: 12 weeks after the injection of the molecule, the researchers observed improved bone strength and increased bone mass in the femur and vertebrae, according to a study published online by the journal Nature Medicine. The researchers will move toward clinical trials.
Science Brief: Scientists develop brain cells that mimic Parkinson’s disease: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16913997 . US researchers have grown brain cells from donated skin cells of patients with genetically caused Parkinson’s disease. The development gives researchers a way to study how the Parkinson gene mutates to cause the disease. The Bottom Line: The cells can also serve as models for drug testing.
Pluristem to expand study of radiation exposure treatment: PSTI is planning to broaden research and development efforts on the use of its PLX placental stem cell treatment for acute radiation exposure. The move follows promising results of a preclinical study of the product. The Bottom Line: They believe that their PLX cells have the potential to both extend the window of treatment for radiation victims and to become an off-the-shelf nuclear catastrophe countermeasure product.
