Compugen, The Future of Drug Discovery

Here is some really good analysis on the Future of Drug Discovery. Computerized Genetic Analysis for targeted therapeutics using Comugen's technology. It is a very complex system that doesn't have a guarantee for success but it is changing the way pharmaceutical and biotech companies research innovative new drugs. Currently, Zacks has a #1 Strong Buy Ranking on Compugen (CGEN).  Visit their website at www.cgen.com.


Compugen collaborates with many companies and is poised for a breakout with a future blockbuster drug discovery, which would give them royalty payments for their innovation. Find out more about Compugen's collaborative partners here, some notable companies include Pfizer, Roche, Teva, and Merck.

Compugen Licenses Novel Oncology Target to Seattle Genetics

Agreement provides Seattle Genetics with research license and option for exclusive commercial license to monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics targeting Compugen-discovered target

Existence of target initially predicted in silico using Compugen’s Monoclonal Antibody Targets Discovery Platform

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Phase II Clinical Trials For Brain Cancer

Image via Wikipedia Wikinvest--Peregrine Pharmaceuticals  PPHM

Google Finance--Peregrine  PPHM
 
Peregrine Pharmaceutical Pipeline

Press Release From November 9, 2004--Peregrine's commitment to treat Brain Cancer Patients:

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals and New Approaches to Brain Tumor Therapy (NABTT) Consortium Enter Collaboration to Treat Brain Cancer Patients

Today's news seems positive.  More Clinical Trials are necessary but this could be pushed through due to their orphan drug status.  Here is a news article designating Peregrine as receiving Orphan Drug Designation for Cotara in 2002.  That is a long time but this is highly special needs cancer therapy that could be helpful if it gains FDA approval after Phase III clinical trials.  It will possibly take another year or two but these will be pushed through accordingly.  They use targeted Monoclonal Antibodies to kill the cancer tumors from the inside of the tumor without hurting surrounding cells.  That is the theory.  Hopefully it works and is approved for those at risk with Brain Tumors. 
 
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals (Symbol:  PPHM)  Reports Promising Interim Survival Data From Phase II Cotara(R) Brain Cancer Study

October 18, 2010
Single Medical Center Reports Interim Median Overall Survival of 86 Weeks in Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) Treated at First Relapse; Data Presented at 2010 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting

TUSTIN, CA and SAN FRANCISCO, CA,

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPHM), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer and viral infections, today reported interim data from an ongoing Phase II clinical trial of its novel brain cancer therapy Cotara(R). Interim median overall survival was 86 weeks for a cohort of 14 patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated at first relapse with a single infusion of Cotara. Cotara is a targeted monoclonal antibody linked to a radioisotope that is administered directly into the tumor, destroying the tumor from the inside out, with minimal exposure to healthy tissue.

Seattle Genetics Reports Disappointing Phase II Data For AML, and Upcoming Clinical Trial Results for NHL

Wikinvest-Seattle Genetics (SGEN)

Disappointing news reported from Seattle Genetics today. I actually like the stock after the price bottoms out as they are focusing their efforts on Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma drug, brentuximab.  Wait for the massive sell-off in the next week or two and wait for Clinical Trials results to come out in about 6 weeks from Phase II testing for NHL.  I anticipate a massive sell-off in the next couple of days after todays disappointing clinical trials news on a separate medication for AML, acute myeloid leukemia.

KEYWORDS: Antibody-Drug Conjugates, Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Seattle Genetics, AML, Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics, Hodgkin Lymphoma

Seattle Genetics is ditching further development of its clinical-stage acute myeloid leukemia (AML) candidate lintuzumab (SGN-33) after a Phase IIb trial failed to show the drug extended overall survival. The firm says it will now focus on the rest of its clinical pipeline, headed by the Phase III-stage Hodgkin lymphoma drug, brentuximab vedotin, which is being developed in collaboration with Millennium Pharmaceuticals.

Cancer Diagnostic Screening Top Emerging Companies: MabCure, Radient Pharmaceuticals, Exact Sciences

Another Cancer Diagnostic Test on my radar is MabCure, Inc., symbol (MBCI). I really like Cancer Diagnostic Testing stocks. They are difficult to find research on these companies and until the testing is approved they are serious cash cows, bleeding cash, and overcome by the dreaded Dilution of share price.

But once approved, this technology will increase investments ten-fold. They are highly profitable and the return on investment should be good for the companies' stocks. There is an increase in competition from new entrants and established companies. Top Tier companies include Myriad Genetics, Beckman Coulter, Roche, Siemens, Bio-Rad, and BD.

I focus on emerging testing markets currently seeking approval and MabCure fits that bill, along with Exact Sciences (EXAS), who is set to disclose their clinical trial Oct. 29, and Radient Pharmaceuticals (RPC) , who has their testing approved and is currently working on sales and validation of product.

For a quick list of all companies in the market visit the following link:

Worldwide Market for Cancer Diagnostics

This article was featured in Marketwatch on MabCure's technology.

MabCure, Inc. Announces Positive Results for New Ovarian Cancer Diagnostic Blood Test
Study Results Show 94 Percent Accuracy in Confirming Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer