NIH Brings Back Stem Cell Interest (STEM, GERN, ASTM, NBS, KOOL, OSIR, CYTX)
The National Institutes of Health has just today announced the approval of the first 13 human embryonic stem cell lines for use in NIH-funded research under the NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research adopted in July 2009. Children’s Hospital Boston developed 11 of the approved lines and Rockefeller University in New York City developed two of the approved lines. While those are private and non-public, this has some excitement around the other embryonic stem cell line companies because the NIH said that an additional 96 lines have been submitted to NIH for either internal administrative review or consideration, including more than 20 that will be considered on December 4, 2009. We are seeing strength as follows:
- StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) up 5.5% at $1.14; 52-week range $0.89 to $3.07; market cap $135 million
- Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) up 4.8% at $5.70; 52-week range $3.00 to $9.24; market cap $522 million
- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) up 5.5% at $0.288; 52-week range $0.24 to $0.78; market cap $50 million
Neostem, Inc. (AMEX: NBS) is actually in adult stem cells, and shares are down 2.3% at $1.68; 52-week trading range is $0.41 to $2.72; market cap $61.3 million. ThermoGenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL) is also tied to adult stem cell lines but in products targeting stem cell companies; shares are up 3.4% at $0.61, its market cap is $34 million, and the 52-week range is $0.31 to $0.89.
Elsewhere in companies tied to stem cells… Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) is up 0.4% at $6.89; 52-week range $5.35 to $21.65; market cap $225 million. Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) is down 2.2% at $5.75, its market cap is $222 million, and the 52-week range is $1.42 to $6.04.
For a full data and explanation from the NIH website on what was approved, that can be found here.
JON C. OGG
DECEMBER 2, 2009
Geron Delay Dulls Stem Cell Sector (GERN, ASTM, CYTX, NBS, STEM, KOOL, OSIR, LIFE, CCEL)
Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) has some bad news in the land of stem cell investors. The stem cell leader has announced that its Investigational New Drug application for a cell therapy for neurologically complete, subacute spinal cord injury has been placed on clinical hold by the FDA pending the agency’s review of new nonclinical animal study data submitted by the company. This is an order that the FDA issues to a sponsor to delay a proposed trial or to suspend an ongoing trial.
As a reminder, no patients have yet been treated in this study. But this has investors spooked, even if it is just for a review of additional data. Stem Cell stocks often move hand in hand, and these are the other issues to watch on the news:
- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM)
- Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX)
- Neostem, Inc. (NYSE: NBS)
- StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM)
- Thermogenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL)
- Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR)
- Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE)
- Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CCEL)
Geron noted that the company has been undertaking studies to enable dose escalation of its spinal cord injury product and has also been investigating application of the product to other neurodegenerative diseases.
The company has also been performing additional product characterization and conducting further animal studies and the data from this work has been submitted to the FDA. Geron said that it will work closely with the FDA to facilitate the review of the new data and to release the clinical hold.
JON C. OGG
AUGUST 18, 2009
A Relatively New Approach To Stem Cells (CCEL, GERN, GE, NBS)
We have been partially fighting the urge to cover a relatively new angle on stem cell research for a while. Part of the resistance was due to the size and OTC-BB listing status of one of the companies we know of in the field, and part has been due to the actual process. Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) is our go-to stock for companies in the development of human embryonic stem cell based therapeutics, particularly after its recent deal with General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE). Neostem, Inc. (NYSE: NBS) is a company we have covered that has ties to stem cells from adults. The area we have been reluctant to cover is adult stem cell research from menstrual blood.
One company which has been active in the news that has been getting itself back on the map is Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CCEL). The company is small and its May balance sheet shows higher liabilities than assets. But the company is going to be presenting data on the proliferative ability of stem cells found in menstrual blood (MenSCs) and Cryo-Cell does have operations ongoing. It has also been public since the 1990’s and it has actually posted profits in the last three quarters.
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Business Week's Adult Stem Cell Play (NBS)
Every Friday morning we get to see the new Business Week, and the “Heard on the Street” segment which has been a stock-mover for well over a decade. The new version this morning has a positive article on the adult stem cell possibilities at NeoStem, Inc. (AMEX: NBS) titled “A Makeover at NeoStem.”
NeoStem collects and stores adult stem cells for future medical use. The article noted how this has catapulted its stock from $0.50 in March to over $2.00 at current levels.
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Persistent Merger & Acquisition Talk In Stem Cell Sector (GERN, ASTM, CYTX, NBS, STEM, KOOL, OSIR, LIFE)
It is not uncommon at all to have takeover rumors in the drug or biotech sector. That is also true in the speculative groups inside this. But we keep hearing the notorious “takeover chatter” in the stem cell sector, and particularly in Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN). This is out there again, but be advised that we have seen the same notes getting passed around on multiple occasions with nothing that has ever come from it.
What we wanted to show you was where these stocks are now compared to the date of March 9, 2009 when the Obama administration was signing the executive order breaking the Bush ban on embryonic stem cell funding. Some of the other stem cell companies are as follows:
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) is at $0.40, and was at $0.62 when we covered it on March 9; market cap today is $69 million.
Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) is at $2.83 and was at $3.20 when we covered it on March 9; market cap today is $97 million.
Neostem, Inc. (NBS) is at $2.16 and was at $0.69 when we covered it on March 9; market cap today is almost $17 million.
StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) is at $1.75 and was at $2.15 when we covered it on March 9; market cap today is $182 million.
Thermogenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL) is at $0.55 today, was at $0.57 when we covered it on March 9; market cap today is $31 million.
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) is in a stem cell pact with Genzyme, but for adult stem cells. This is a $12.19 stock, and shares were at $17.97 when we covered it on March 9; market cap today is $399 million.
There is also a much larger company called Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) and it has the Invitrogen unit that has many efforts, including a focus on creating unique primary and stem cell models for better and more efficient drug screening.
We would describe takeover chatter in this sector as something that feels like more fiction or a stretch rather than something we’d consider as any documentary evidence. The stem cell sector offers wonderful promises and wonderful cures for many diseases and conditions. But that is also after the ethical argument has been made. Despite the positive studies and the positive indications, the group overall is still in its infancy and there are now many international patent issues in the sector because this was largely off-limits for about seven years on the new development front from new lines of stem cells.
Obama Rocks Up Stem Cell Stocks (ASTM, CYTX, GERN, NBS, OSIR, STEM, KOOL)
There are major gap-ups this morning in stem cell stocks after Friday evening’s news that President Obama is signing an executive order which will lift the Bush ban on funding of embryonic stem cell funding. This is supposed to be signed today, although what is interesting here is that this is not really new news other than the timing and the formality. Many of these stem cell stocks will trade more on a “vote of confidence” rather than over what this means as far as “new news” is concerned.
The following prices are as of 8:19 AM EST.
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) +87% at $0.62
Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) +38% at $3.20
Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) +29% at $4.99
Neostem, Inc. (AMEX: NBS)
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) NOT TRADED…. in pact with Genzyme, but for adult stem cells.
StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) +55% at $2.15
Thermogenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL) +41% at $0.57
JON C. OGG
Obama Rocks Up Stem Cell Stocks (ASTM, CYTX, GERN, NBS, OSIR, STEM, KOOL)
There are major gap-ups this morning in stem cell stocks after Friday evening’s news that President Obama is signing an executive order which will lift the Bush ban on funding of embryonic stem cell funding. This is supposed to be signed today, although what is interesting here is that this is not really new news other than the timing and the formality. Many of these stem cell stocks will trade more on a “vote of confidence” rather than over what this means as far as “new news” is concerned.
The following prices are as of 8:19 AM EST.
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) +87% at $0.62
Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) +38% at $3.20
Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) +29% at $4.99
Neostem, Inc. (AMEX: NBS)
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) NOT TRADED…. in pact with Genzyme, but for adult stem cells.
StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) +55% at $2.15
Thermogenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL) +41% at $0.57
JON C. OGG
Are Geron & Stem Cell Stocks The Biotech Winners of 2009? (GERN, STEM, OSIR, GENZ, ASTM, NBS, KOOL, OPXA)
Yesterday we saw a rally in stem cell players of Geron Corp. (NASDAQ: GERN) and StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM). These are both winners that are currently in a winning sector, assuming that Obama administration opens the stem cell floodgates that have been dammed up for the last eight years.
Last month StemCells (STEM) won FDA approval for clinical trials. Today we have Geron (GERN) leading the sector on FDA approval for starting trials for embryonic stem cell studies on spinal cord injuries.
Geron (GERN) is up huge today. Shares are up 35% at $7.10, a new 52-week and a high back to levels not seen since 2007. Geron closed out 2008 at $4.67, so this is now up 50% for 2009.
StemCells (STEM) is also following suit with its shares up almost 14% at $2.45. This stock closed out 2008 at $1.36. That makes a gain of 75% or so for 2009 so far.
Osiris Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OSIR) entered into a pact in recent months with Genzyme (NASDAQ: GENZ) to develop and commercialize first-in-class adult stem cell products. Osiris is up a mere 1.5% today at $19.13. That is about flat compared to its 2008 close-out of $19.16.
But there is play in the speculative names in the sector as well. Technically, all of these are speculative stocks in the stem cell sector. But here are some of the “even more speculative names” in stem cells:
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (ASTM) up 21% at $0.62, up from a 2008 close-out price of $0.50.
Neostem, Inc. (NBS) is up 26% at $0.95 today, up from $0.47 as a 2008 close-out stock price.
Thermogenesis Corp. (KOOL) is often overlooked as a stem cell stock. But this one is up over 8% at $0.59 today. It closed out 2008 at $0.43.
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA) is also one of the more speculative names, and its stock is up over 20% at $0.43 today. It is hard to get excited about penny stocks for most skep[tics, but this stock is currently now up more than 100% from the $0.19 stock price where it closed in 2008.
There are other stocks in teh sector, but these are the main ones we follow in thr group. We rarely include pink sheet and OTC stocks.
Jon C. Ogg
January 23, 2009
Stem Cells Win In 2008 Presidential Election (STEM, GERN, ASTM, NBS, CHBP, KOOL, OSIR, OPXA, ACTC)
Tomorrow is the US Presidential Election, and while we do not have the known votes in, the exit polls for early voters and the polls taken from national sources are showing Obama over McCain by a small but widening margin. We are not a political sight and do not pretend to host any political opinions here. But there is one thing that looks more and more for sure: Stem Cells might as well be declared a winner regardless of who wins the election tomorrow.
In the past we have covered at 24/7 Wall St. how both Obama and Clinton attacked the Bush policies on stem cell research. After a quick review of “McCain Stem Cell” there is also a link on the McCain website showing that he has supported stem cell research.
StemCells Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) has seen a monster rally today with shares up some 40% at $2.02 on more than 7 million shares (almost 20-times volume) after the stem cell company said that its proprietary HuCNS-SC product candidate made from purified human neural stem cells can protect the retina from progressive degeneration when transplanted into a well-established animal model. Retinal degeneration leads to loss of vision in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. We’d like to note that the company had that old shelf filing. StemCells had also received a patent for neural stem cells from all tissue sources.
What is interesting here is that there have been many bits of data today and in recent days on the topic. We can’t assure you that the administration that takes control can stop the rampage in speculative stocks in a bear market. But either candidate is going to be more “pro-stem cell research” in their policies than what we have seen over the last eaight years.
Shares of Geron Corp. (NASDAQ: GERN) are also up over 11% as the hopes that good news in one stem cell company will translate to universal benefits. Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM) is also up even much more with gains of 46% today, but its stock is well under $1.00 at $0.58.
NeoStem, Inc. (Amex: NBS) has agreed to acquire China Biopharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CHBP). This acquisition is anticipated to expand the capabilities and reach of NeoStem, which is pioneering the pre-disease collection, processing and long-term storage of adult stem cells for future medical need. Suzhou Erye Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., the primary subsidiary of China Biopharmaceuticals is located in Suzhou, China and is currently tracking to generate revenues of approximately US$50 million and net over US$7 million in 2008. NeoStem will hold a 51% controlling stake in Erye who currently manufactures over 100 drugs on seven GMP lines, including small molecule drugs. Erye has been in business for more than 50 years and is respected for its quality, service and reliability. Erye has begun its three year expansion and relocation program which is anticipated to enhance revenues, profits, and manufacturing capabilities in one of the fastest growing medical markets, the Peoples Republic of China.
This is an old feature, but a small company won a new patent in bone marrow & stem cell transplants.
Thermogenesis Corp. (NASDAQ: KOOL) is a small overlooked stem cell related stock engaged in the design, manufacture, and marketing of automated and semi-automated devices, and single-use processing disposables
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) reports earnings tomorrow, although revenues here are negligible.
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPXA) is focused on autologous cellular therapy applications of its proprietary T-cell and stem cell therapies. In August it completed a $3 million private placement, to support the ongoing clinical development of Tovaxin, the company’s novel treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Advanced Cell Technology Inc. (OTC-ACTC) is involved in the development and commercialization of human embryonic and adult stem cell technology in the field of regenerative medicine. This is the most volatile of stem cell stocks and its stock has fallen from $1.00 to just over $0.04 of late. But the reason we have listed it here is because its shares are rather active and are active on most trading days.
Jon C. Ogg
November 3, 2008
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