Hot Biotech Companies To Invest In 2014

In an effort to commercialize its colorectal cancer therapy�Vectibix in China, biotech Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN  ) will form a joint venture with�Zhejiang Beta Pharma to capitalize on its�strong expertise in the development and commercialization of molecularly targeted therapies as well as its oncology sales network in�China, the company announced this week.

The new joint venture will be named Amgen-Beta Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. with Zhejiang Beta Pharma owning 51% and Amgen owning the remaining 49% interest.

"This joint venture brings us one step closer to providing Chinese patients with Amgen's medicines and supports our strategy of expanding in key, fast-growing markets," said Amgen Executive VP�Anthony C. Hooper.

Zhejiang Beta Pharma Chairman Lieming Ding was quoted as saying "Amgen is a pioneer and a global leader in the biotech industry. Our partnership with Amgen will be of long-term strategic significance not only for�Zhejiang Province, but also for the whole medical community in�China."

Top Stocks To Own For 2015: BioTime Inc (BTX)

BioTime, Inc., incorporated on November 30, 1990, is a biotechnology company focused on the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Its commercial strategy is focused on its line of research products, such as ACTCellerate cell lines and associated ESpan culture media, HyStem hydrogels, human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines, and royalties from Hextend. Its focus is to provide regenerative therapies for age-related degenerative diseases. In January 2011, the Company acquired the assets of Cell Targeting, Inc. (CTI), a biotechnology company focused on methods of painting molecules on the surface of cells, which in turn causes the cells to adhere to particular tissues, such as those afflicted with disease. On March 21, 2011, the Company acquired Glycosan BioSystems, Inc. (Glycosan) through a merger of Glycosan with OrthoCyte Corporation (OrthoCyte). Through the merger, OrthoCyte acquired all of Glycosan�� assets, including Glycosan�� Hystem hydrogel product line. In March 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with XenneX, Inc., pursuant to which it organized LifeMap Sciences, Inc. (LifeMap), a subsidiary formed to advance the development and commercialization of its human embryonic stem (hES) cell data base. In August 2011, four hES cell lines (ESI-035, ESI-049, ESI-051 and ESI-053) developed by its subsidiary ES Cell International (ESI) were approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for inclusion in the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry. In May 2012, the Company acquired XenneX, Inc., through a merger of XenneX into LifeMap Sciences. In September 2012, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, BioTime Acquisition Corporation. In October 2013, Geron Corporation announced the closing of the transaction to divest the Company's stem cell assets to Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc.

HyStem is a biomaterial, which mimics the human extracellular matrix, which is the network of molecules surrounding cells in organs and tissues which is essent! ial to cellular function. Its HyStem hydrogels may have other applications when combined with the diverse and scalable cell types its scientists have isolated from hES cells. HyStem-Rx is a clinical grade formulation of HyStem-C, a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix for cell delivery in human clinical applications. Its subsidiary, OncoCyte Corporation, is developing PanC-Dx, a non-invasive blood-based cancer screening test designed to detect the presence of various human cancers, including cancers of the breast, lung, bladder, uterus, stomach, and colon, during routine check -ups. BioTime Asia, Limited (BioTime Asia) sells products for research use and may develop therapies to treat cancer and neurological and orthopedic diseases in Asia. OrthoCyte Corporation (OrthoCyte) is developing therapies to treat orthopedic disorders, diseases and injuries. ReCyte Therapeutics, Inc. (ReCyte Therapeutics) is developing therapies for age-related cardiovascular and blood disorders. Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. (Cell Cure Neurosciences), is a biotechnology company focused on developing stem cell-based therapies for retinal and other neurological disorders, including the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. LifeMap Sciences, Inc. (LifeMap) is advancing the development and commercialization of our embryonic stem cell database and plans to make the database available for the marketing of research products and for use by stem cell researchers at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and other institutions via paid subscriptions or on a fee per use basis.

The Company�� blood plasma expander product, Hextend, is a physiologically balanced intravenous solution used in the treatment of hypovolemia, a condition caused by low blood volume, often from blood loss during surgery or injury. Hextend maintains circulatory system fluid volume and blood pressure, and keeps vital organs perfused during surgery and t! rauma car! e. Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the United States by Hospira, Inc., and in South Korea by CJ CheilJedang (CJ), under license from it.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines for Research Use

Combined with the Company�� ACTCellerate technology, it derives of a range of markets human embryonic progenitor cells (hEPCs). ESI�� six current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) hES cell lines have been approved by the NIH for inclusion in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, which renders those cell lines eligible for use in federally funded research. The ESI hES cell lines are available for purchase through www.biotimeinc.com. It also markets hEPCs developed using ACTCellerate technology. Its hEPCs are also available for sale through www.biotimeinc.com. It derived the complete genome sequence of five of the ESI hES cell lines to facilitate the development of products derived from these cell lines. It has made these GMP-grade cell lines, along with certain documentation and complete genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence information, available for sale.

The Company offers human stem cell products and technology that can be used by researchers at universities and at companies in the bioscience and biopharmaceutical industries. It has developed research and clinical grade hES cell lines, which it markets for both basic research and therapeutic product development. It also markets human embryonic progenitor cell (hEPCs) developed using ACTCellerate technology. These hEPCs are purified lineages of cells, which are intermediate in the developmental process between embryonic stem cells and fully differentiated cells. The ACTCellerate cell lines are also available for purchase through http://www.biotimeinc.com.

Human Embryonic Progenitor Cells

Through the Company�� subsidiary ReCyte Therapeutics, it had a license from Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) to use ACTCellerate technology, and the rights to market more than 200 human c! ell types! made using that process. ACTCellerate allows the rapid isolation of hEPCs, which are cells that are intermediate in the developmental process between embryonic stem cells and fully differentiated cells.

Through an agreement with ReCyte Therapeutics, Millipore Corporation became a global distributor of ACTCellerate hEPC lines. In addition to the products, which it is co-marketing with Millipore, it offers 92 other ACTCellerate hEPC lines for purchase at www.biotimeinc.com. Through its subsidiary LifeMap, it provides online biomedical database services to increase awareness of molecular markers and diverse cell types comprising its ACTCellerate hEPC lines. It also focuses to market additional cell types manufactured with its PureStem technology. PureStem cell lines are produced by the exogenous expression of specific transcription factors, which regulate the differentiation of cell types from hES or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. BioTime Asia has an agreement with Shanghai Genext Medical Technology Co., Ltd. to sell ACTCellerate hEPC lines and related ESpan growth media to the medical and biological research communities in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau on an exclusive basis. The marketing agreement includes provisions for an initial stocking inventory and annual milestones to maintain exclusivity. The Company�� California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)-funded research addresses the need for industrial scale production of purified therapeutic cells.

hES Cells Carrying Genetic Diseases

The Company focuses to add to its product line muscle progenitor cells produced from five hES cell lines carrying genes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy Type I, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1A, and Becker muscular dystrophy. It obtained the diseased hES cell lines from Reproductive Genetics Institute (RGI).

ESpan Cell Growth Media

The Company is marketing a range of! cell-gro! wth media products called ESpan. These growth media are optimized for the growth of hEPC types. Cells need to be propagated in liquid media, in both the laboratory setting, where basic research on stem cells is performed, and in the commercial sector. Its ESpan products are marketed through Millipore and Genext.

ESpy Cell Lines

The Company focuses for development of ESpy cell lines. The ability of the ESpy cells to emit light will allow researchers to track the location and distribution of the cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

HyStem Hydrogel for Research and HyStem-Rx for Cell Delivery Medical Devices

HyStem is a patented biomaterial that mimics the ECM, the network of molecules surrounding cells in organs and tissues that is essential to cellular function. Its HyStem technology forms the foundation for stem cell delivery products in both the adult and embryonic stem cell marketplace, including products manufactured using its ACTCellerate technology. As an injectable product, HyStem-Rx may address need in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries and other procedures by transplanting adipose derived cells or other adult stem cells. The transfer of cells in HyStem-Rx localizes the transplanted cells at the intended site and by providing a three-dimensional scaffold upon which cells can rebuild normal tissue. HyStem-Rx may support other emerging cell and tissue transplant therapies, such as those derived from hES and iPS cells, in addition to its potential application in the treatment of a range of conditions such as osteoarthritis, brain tumors, stroke, bone fracture, and wounds.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Stem cell stocks have not exactly been the best performers lately in part because the controversy over their use has died down over the years while major breakthroughs have been few or far between, but the industry along with small cap stem cell stocks Pluristem Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: PSTI), BioTime, Inc (NYSEMKT: BTX) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) are still quietly producing their share of news or minor breakthroughs worth taking note of. Just consider the following stem cell news or news from small cap players in the sector:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, biotechnology company BioTime (NYSEMKT: BTX  ) has received the dreaded one-star ranking.

Hot Biotech Companies To Invest In 2014: Nektar Therapeutics(NKTR)

Nektar Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, engages in developing a pipeline of drug candidates that utilize its PEGylation and polymer conjugate technology platforms. The company?s product pipeline consists of drug candidates across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, pain, anti-infectives, anti-viral, and immunology. Its research and development activities involve small molecule drugs, peptides, and other potential biologic drug candidates. The company?s proprietary drug candidates in clinical development comprise NKTR-118, a peripheral opioid antagonist, which has completed Phase II clinical trail for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation; BAY41-6551 that has completed Phase II clinical trail to treat gram-negative pneumonias; NKTR-102, a topoisomerase I inhibitor-polymer conjugate, which is in Phase II clinical trail for multiple cancer indications, including breast, ovarian, and colorectal; and NKTR-105 that is in Phase I clinica l trail to treat solid tumors. Its preclinical products consists of NKTR-119 (Opioid/NKTR-118 combinations) for the treatment of pain; NKTR-181 (abuse deterrent, tamper-resistant opioid) to treat pain; NKTR-194 (non-scheduled opioid) for the treatment of mild to moderate pain; NKTR-171 (tricyclic antidepressant) to treat neuropathic pain; and NKTR-140 (protease inhibitor candidate) to treat HIV. The company has collaboration with Bayer Healthcare LLC to develop BAY41-6551 (NKTR-061, Amikacin Inhale), which is an inhaled solution of amikacin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic; and a license agreement with AstraZeneca AB for the development and commercialization of Oral NKTR-118 and NKTR-119. In addition, Nektar Therapeutics has various license, manufacturing, and supply agreements for its technology with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, such as Affymax, Amgen, Baxter, Roche, Merck, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in San Franc isco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Keith Speights]

  How sweet it is
  Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR  ) shareholders saw sweet gains this week. The stock climbed 18% on positive clinical study results.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Nektar Therapeutics sa(NKTR)id its treatment for moderate to severe chronic pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 study. Shares fell 22% to $10.78 premarket.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Levadex's approval or rejection could also mean a good or bad day for Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR  ) , which looks to gain from royalty rights based on its contributions to Levadex's development. While impossible to predict, I'm going to go out on a limb and project an approval for Allergan.

• [By Rich Bieglmeier]

  Wednesday, June 11, 2014 could be a happy or sad day for event traders who follow the Food and Drug Association's (FDA) calendar. Two biotechs with considerable potential are slated to hear from the regulatory body regarding their applications for approval.

  Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OREX)

  The duo hopes to see �thumbs up from the FDA in a little more than a week. If all things go well, it could be party time for shareholders too.

Hot Biotech Companies To Invest In 2014: Neurocrine Biosciences Inc.(NBIX)

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders in the United States. It develops drugs for endometriosis, stress-related disorders, pain, tardive dyskinesia, uterine fibroids, diabetes, insomnia, and other neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders. The company?s products in clinical development include Elagolix, a Phase II drug for endometriosis; Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitor (VMAT2), a Phase II drug for movement disorders; CRF2 Peptide Agonist, a Phase II drug for cardiovascular diseases; CRF1 Antagonist, a Phase II drug for stress-related disorders; and Elagolix, a Phase II drug for uterine fibroids. Its research programs comprise G Protein-Coupled Receptor 119 (GPR119) for type II diabetes; VMAT2 for schizophrenia; GnRH Antagonists for men?s and women?s health, and oncology; Antiepileptic Drugs for epilepsy, essential tremor, and pain; and G Protein-Coupled Receptors for other conditions. The company has collaborations with GlaxoSmithKline to develop and commercialize CRF antagonists for psychiatric, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases; Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize Indiplon in Japan; Abbott International Luxembourg S.�r.l. to develop and commercialize elagolix and GnRH antagonists for women?s and men?s health indications; and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule GPR119 agonists for the treatment of type II diabetes and other indications. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Somaiya and team named Gilead and�Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) their top picks, hile putting Buy ratings on Celgene, Biogen Idec, Alexion (ALXN), Incyte (INCY), Pharmacyclics (PCYC) and Synageva (GEVA). BioMarin (BMRN), Infinity Pharmaceuticals (INFI) and Amgen (AMGN) earned Neutral ratings.

Hot Biotech Companies To Invest In 2014: Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc (FURX)

Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a drug development collaboration company. The Company�� product pipeline includes two marketed products and three programs in development, including late-stage compounds, in multiple therapeutic areas. Its programs include Priligy, Alogliptin Nesina, Alogliptin/Actose Combination, Alogliptin/Metformin Combination, Fluoroquinolone, Mu Delta and PPD 10558. In November 2011, it acquired full exclusive license rights to develop and commercialize the compound MuDelta under its existing development and license agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.

Priligy (dapoxetine) is a drug developed for the on-demand treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). Dapoxetine is a short-acting, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) designed to be taken only when needed one to three hours before sexual intercourse is anticipated rather than every day. Nesina (alogliptin) is a drug for the oral treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Alogliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that slows the inactivation of incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP).

Fluoroquinolone drug candidate is a Phase II-ready novel fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is being developed by the Company for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections, such as abscesses that occur deep in the skin layers and respiratory infections. This antibiotic has a spectrum of activity and is able to treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The Company is developing both oral and intravenous (IV) formulations. The Company is developing Mu Delta for treatment of diarrheal predominant irritable bowel syndrome (d-IBS). The Company is conducting a Phase II study on an oral formulation of Mu Delta.

The Company is developing PPD 10558 for the treatment of dyslipidemia. PPD 10558 has shown muscle safety in preclinical studies by minimizing the delivery of the drug to the muscle. The Company has filed an inve! stigational new drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Association and completed five clinical studies.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

  Forest Laboratories Inc.(FRX) agreed to acquire Furiex Pharmaceuticals(FURX) in a deal worth up to $1.33 billion that expands Forest Labs’ presence in gastroenterology. Furiex surged 28% to $102.21 premarket.

• [By CRWE]

  Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:FURX) reported dosing of the first patient in its Phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies evaluating efficacy, safety and tolerability of MuDelta (JNJ-27018966) in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D).