The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights:Celgene, Jazz, Sarepta, Alnylam and Regeneron

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Jan 23, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 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 Celgene (Nasdaq:CELG-Free Report), Jazz (Nasdaq:JAZZ-Free Report), Sarepta (Nasdaq:SRPT-Free Report), Alnylam (Nasdaq:ALNY-Free Report) and Regeneron (Nasdaq:REGN-Free Report).

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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

Last week, several biotech companies attended the J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference where pipeline updates, strategic goals and guidance for 2014 were presented. Many companies also presented preliminary results.

Celgene (Nasdaq:CELG-Free Report)Impresses with Prelim Results & Outlook: Celgene expects to deliver 2013 earnings of $5.96 per share, well above expectations. Total net product sales are expected to come in at $6.4 billion, up 18%. 2014 guidance also surpassed expectations.

Moreover, the company's long-term outlook looks good with Celgene raising its product sales targets as well as earnings outlook for 2015 and 2017.

Jazz (Nasdaq:JAZZ-Free Report)Hits 52-Week High: Jazz hit a 52-week high last week after it presented a strong outlook at the J.P. Morgan conference and announced the acquisition of global development, manufacturing and commercial rights to ADX-N05 from Aerial BioPharma. ADX-N05 is being developed for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in patients suffering from narcolepsy.

Meanwhile, Jazz expects to cross the $1 billion revenue mark in 2014, driven by continued growth of existing products and new product launches.

Sarepta (Nasdaq:SRPT-Free Report)Spikes on Study Data: Sarepta's shares jumped 40.1% on 120-week data from a phase IIb study being conducted on its experimental drug, eteplirsen, for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is the long-term extension phase of the study which had met its primary endpoint at week 48. Patients on the experimental drug continued to show stability in walking ability. Investors are now eagerly awaiting an update on the company's plans for phase III development.

Alnylam (Nasdaq:ALNY-Free Report)Continues to Attract Big Pharma: Big pharma companies continue to show a lot of interest in Alnylam – Sanofi expanded its agreement with the company for the development of rare genetic diseases. Genzyme, Sanofi's subsidiary, will acquire a 12% stake in Alnylam through a $700 million investment. This deal validates Alnylam's technology, ensures continued pipeline progress and provides the company with a pile of cash. Alnylam's shares shot up 40.9% on the news.

Regeneron's (Nasdaq:REGN-Free Report)Eylea Worth Keeping an Eye On: Regeneron was also there at the J.P. Morgan conference where the company said that it expects Eylea's fourth quarter sales to be about $400 million and $1.4 billion in 2013. Importantly, Eylea continues to represent significant growth potential in the form of additional indications and continued uptake for approved indications. Shares were up 11.8%.

Regeneron has also signed up with health care giant, Bayer, for the joint development of a PDGFR (Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Beta) beta antibody. The companies intend to explore the possibility of combining this antibody with Eylea for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration.

Regeneron will split development costs with Bayer and will get an upfront payment of $25.5 million as well as milestone payments. Moreover, U.S. commercialization rights remain exclusively with Regeneron. Will the companies be able to re-create the success they have enjoyed with Eylea? Given their successful track record with Eylea, confidence levels remain high.

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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