BioTech Stocks

Fed Chair Janet Yellen testified before the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. She presented the Fed’s semiannual Monetary Policy Report (MPR) to the Congress. In her prepared remarks, she stated that while valuation seems “stretched” in some areas of the bond market, equities “remain generally in line with historical norms.” Yet…

With second quarter earnings season coming to an end, focus in the biotech sector is back on pipeline and regulatory updates. Last week’s highlights included Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s (ACHN) impressive interim data on its experimental hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, Gilead Sciences’ (GILD – Analyst Report) legal victory and Amgen’s (AMGN – Analyst Report) hit…

Biogen Idec’s (BIIB) shares were up slightly (0.62%) on the FDA approval of multiple sclerosis (MS) product, Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a). The FDA approved Plegridy for the treatment of people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Plegridy Pen, a ready-to-use autoinjector, or a prefilled syringe can be used to administer Plegridy subcutaneously. Plegridy’s less frequent…

Amgen (AMGN) suffered a major setback when its phase III study, FOCUS (CarFilzOmib for AdvanCed Refractory MUltiple Myeloma European Study) on multiple myeloma treatment, Kyprolis did not meet its primary endpoint. The open-label study evaluated Kyprolis versus an active control regimen of low-dose dexamethasone, or equivalent corticosteroids, plus optional cyclophosphamide in patients suffering from relapsed…

The trading session has ended on a higher note as the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 16,569.98, up 0.10% and the NASDAQ Composite closed at 4,401.33, up 0.70%. The S&P 500 finished the day 0.28% higher at 1,936.92. During the trading session seven out of ten sectors finished on a positive note. The S&P…