CHICAGO, Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN-Free Report), Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq:GILD-Free Report), Amgen (Nasdaq:AMGN-Free Report), Roche (OTC:RHHBY-Free Report) and Biogen (Nasdaq:BIIB-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
Biotech Stock Roundup
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 (Nasdaq:ACHN-Free Report) impressive interim data on its experimental hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, Gilead Sciences' (Nasdaq:GILD-Free Report) legal victory and Amgen's (Nasdaq:AMGN-Free Report) hit and miss on the clinical front.
Recap of the Week's Most Important Stories
1. Achillion, which focuses on the development of HCV treatments, scored a huge win last week with its experimental HCV treatment, ACH-3102. The company reported impressive interim data on the second-generation NS5A inhibitor which is being evaluated in combination with Gilead's Sovaldi in a mid-stage study.
Based on these results, Achillion intends to start a six-week treatment regimen of ACH-3102 and Sovaldi. Shares were up 9.6% and touched a 52-week high. The HCV market represents immense commercial potential. Even though treatments options like Sovaldi are currently available, newer and improved treatment options are highly awaited (Read more: Achillion Pharmaceuticals Soars on Mid-Stage HCV Study Data).
2. More HCV-focused news flowed in last week with Gilead scoring a legal win over Roche (OTC:RHHBY-Free Report) in an arbitration related to its HCV treatment, Sovaldi. There was more good news in store for Gilead with NICE – the UK's drug cost-effectiveness watchdog – backing Sovaldi. The positive recommendation came soon after Gilead submitted additional information about the drug's cost effectiveness (Read more: Gilead Scores Legal Victory Over Roche for Sovaldi, Shares Up).
3. Amgen had two sets of clinical data last week – the first on cancer treatment, Kyprolis and the second on AMG-416. The highly awaited Kyprolis data from the phase III FOCUS study was a disappointment with the primary endpoint being missed. However, this should not stop Amgen from going ahead with its plans to file for regulatory approval in the EU based on encouraging ASPIRE data presented earlier this month (Read more: Amgen's FOCUS Study on Multiple Myeloma Drug Kyprolis Fails).
Meanwhile, Amgen's AMG-416 fared well in a late-stage study conducted for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease, receiving hemodialysis.
4. Biogen (Nasdaq:BIIB-Free Report) continues to strengthen its position in the multiple sclerosis (MS) market. The company has added yet another MS drug to its portfolio in the U.S. with the FDA approval of Plegridy. Plegridy's less frequent dosing schedule (once every two weeks) could help it gain share from other beta interferon treatments that are currently available (Read more: Biogen Strengthens MS Portfolio with Plegridy FDA Approval).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
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