Garry L./Shutterstock In America, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance. If you've seen your credit suffer due to bankruptcy, joblessness, medical bills or just a pattern of poor decisions, there is always a way for you to re-establish your credit. The problem is that you must obtain credit in order to build it, but it can be difficult to find a reputable lender when you have poor credit. A secured credit card can help. These cards require users to place a deposit with the bank as a condition of opening their account. The deposit is held as a security against default, but in all other ways secured cards are just like standard credit cards. Cardholders receive monthly bills that they must pay, and they will incur interest on any balance they carry over until the next month. The good news is that payments are reported to the major consumer credit reporting agencies, so that your credit score will rise with your record of timely payments. Also, some of these cards come with benefits such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, and standard consumer protections under federal law. For example, the Fair Credit Billing Act ensures that credit card users do not have to pay for fraudulent charges or goods not received. Finally, nearly anyone can qualify for a secured card once they have discharged any bankruptcies and proven their identity. How We Chose the Winners While there are some excellent secured cards on the market, there are also some inferior products with excessively high rates and fees. We looked for cards with a low annual fee, low interest rates and an affordable minimum deposit. Other valuable benefits can include rental car coverage, a credit limit beyond the deposit amount, cellphone insurance and even a travel rewards program. These are all things applicants should consider when trying to find the best secured credit card. As you work to build credit with a secured credit card, it's also good to get into the habit of monitoring your credit. Free tools can help you do that, like at Credit.com, where you get two credit scores and an overview of your credit profile updated every month, along with a personalized plan to help you build your credit over time. Now, let's take a look at this month's Best Credit Cards in America picks for the best secured credit cards.
Top 10 Small Cap Companies For 2016: Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc (BLCM)
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on discovering and developing cellular immunotherapies for various forms of cancer, including hematological cancers and solid tumors, as well as orphan inherited blood disorders. The Company�� product pipeline includes clinical product candidates, such as BPX-501, which is an adjunct T-cell therapy administered after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; BPX-201, which is a dendritic cell cancer vaccine; and Preclinical product candidates, including BPX-701, which is a T cell receptor (TCR) product candidate for solid tumors; BPX-401, which is a CAR-T product candidate for hematological cancers that express the CD19 antigen, and BPX-601, which is a TCR product candidate for solid tumors expressing the preferentially-expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME). The Company�� Chemical Induction of Dimerization (CID) technology platform engineers and controls components of the immune system in real time.
CaspaCIDe
CaspaCIDe is the Company�� Chemical Induction of Dimerization (CID) safety switch technology. The CaspaCIDe eliminates cells in the event of toxicity. The CaspaCIDe switch consists of the CID-binding domain coupled to the signaling domain of caspase-9 (iCasp9), an enzyme that is part of the apoptotic pathway. The infusion of rimiducid triggers activation of this domain of caspase-9, which in turn leads to selective apoptosis of the CaspaCIDe-containing cells. The CaspaCIDe technology is applied to its lead clinical product candidate, BPX-501 and to its TCR product candidate, BPX-701.
The CaspaCIDe technology has demonstrated clinical efficacy in human patients beginning as soon as 30 minutes after administration of the activating drug, rimiducid. In the preclinical studies, rimiducid reduced or eliminated CaspaCIDe-containing cells in a dosage dependent manner. The National Cancer Institute is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial for sarcoma! and other solid tumors with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct targeting a solid tumor antigen combined with CaspaCIDe.
CIDeCAR
CIDeCAR Technology consists of a CAR T cell that incorporates its co-stimulatory domain, MC, for improved T-cell activation and proliferation, and the CaspaCIDe safety switch. CAR interaction with cancer cell antigens leads to MC signaling, which then leads to activation of T cells. In the event of serious toxicity, rimiducid activation of caspase-9 eliminates the CIDeCAR T cells.
The Company has conducted proof-of-principle preclinical studies for CIDeCAR technology, CIDeCAR candidate BPX-401 and CIDeCAR solid tumor CAR targeting Her2, in which, both were evaluated in vitro. These preclinical studies demonstrated that CIDeCAR technology results in enhanced activation, proliferation and tumor cell killing; and the elimination of these CIDeCAR T cells after exposure to rimiducid.
GoCAR-T
The Company�� GoCAR-T technology incorporates a switch that activates CAR T cells when triggered by both rimiducid and the targeted antigen expressed on the surface of the cancer cells. The GoCAR-T technology separates the CIDeCAR dual co-stimulatory domain, MC, from the antigen recognition domain and moves it onto a separate molecular switch that can be controlled by rimiducid. GoCAR-T cells can only be fully activated when exposed to both the cancer cells and rimiducid. This separation controls the degree of activation of the CAR T cells through adjustments to the amount of rimiducid administered, but still in a tumor-dependent manner.
The Company conducted a proof-of-principle in vitro study for GoCAR-T technology, in which it demonstrated that the GoCAR-T cells targeting the PSCA antigen can only be fully activated, as evidenced by production of IL-2 (left panel) and T-cell proliferation (right panel) when the GoCAR-T cells are exposed to both their target PSCA-expressing human pancreatic cancer cells ! and rimid! ucid. In further in vivo studies of GoCAR-T technology, target antigen PSCA-expressing Capan-1 human pancreatic tumors were established in immune-deficient, or NSG, mice. After seven days, five mice received control T cells modified only with firefly luciferase, an imaging protein, and 10 mice received T cells modified with MC in the form of a molecular switch or iMC, plus a PSCA. CAR (together, BPX-601) and firefly luciferase. Five mice in this second group also received 5 mg/kg rimiducid weekly. T-cell imaging clearly demonstrated that GoCAR-T cells can be stimulated to proliferate in vivo when exposed to target antigen-expressing cancer cells by rimiducid administration.
DeCIDe
The DeCIDe technology is used to control the activation of dendritic cells. The DeCIDe technology couples the signaling domains of CD40 and MyD88 to its CID binding domain, to create inducible MC switch, which is then insert into dendritic cells along with the PSMA antigen to take control of the activation of the dendritic cells and the resulting immune response to cancer. Upon exposure to rimiducid, DeCIDe-containing dendritic cells become highly activated. The DeCIDe technology activates dendritic cells with rimiducid after the patient has been vaccinated and the dendritic cells have migrated to the draining lymph nodes.
The cultured BPX-201 cells transduced with DeCIDe switch technology produce supra-normal levels of IL-12 in response to rimiducid. These data demonstrates that, in addition to the temporal control of dendritic cell activation that DeCIDe technology affords, once exposed to rimiducid, DeCIDe-containing dendritic cells become highly activated, which may lead to more potent anti-cancer activity in patients.
BPX-501
The Company�� CaspaCIDe product candidate BPX-501, is under development for the treatment of hematological diseases. BPX-501 is an adjunct T-cell therapy administered after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), us! ing donor! stem cells. The BPX-501 eliminates donor T cells through the triggering of the CaspaCIDe safety switch upon emergence of Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The BPX-501 improves stem cell engraftment and accelerates immune system recovery, while providing for resolution of GvHD. The BPX-501 has a range of applications: an add-back of donor T cells administered to accelerate immune system recovery after allogeneic haplo-HSCT in which the T cells in the transplanted stem cells were depleted, and a donor T-cell infusion administered to prevent or treat relapse of underlying disease after allogeneic HSCT independent of donor match.
The product has undergone a 10-patient Phase I clinical trial with CaspaCIDe modified T cells. Four patients developed GvHD after donor T-cell infusion. A single dosage of rimiducid eliminated around 90% of the modified T cells and resolved GvHD in all four patients without recurrence of GvHD. In the second clinical trial of CaspaCIDe-modified T cells, these demonstrations have been replicated in preliminary data from three patients. BPX-501 is being evaluated in multiple Phase I/II clinical trials in the United States, which includes BP-001, a clinical trial in adults and and BP-003, a clinical trial in children. During the BP-001 clinical trial, BPX-501 is administered after initial allogeneic HSCT for hematological cancers. The BP-003 clinical trial in children with orphan inherited blood disorders includes the administration of BPX-501 after initial allogeneic HSCT. The Company also initiated an additional Phase I/II clinical trial, BPX-004 in children with hematological cancers or orphan inherited blood disorders.
BPX-201
The Company�� product candidate under development, BPX-201 is a dendritic cell cancer vaccine intended to treat metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). BPX-201 is an autologous therapy, in which the patient�� own white blood cells are extracted and modified ex vivo. The cells are matured and then gen! etically ! engineered to express the DeCIDe switch domains and the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) antigen. The modified cells are then washed, apportioned into individual dosages, and frozen for later administration to the patient. The incorporation of the DeCIDe switch in the presence of rimiducid activates the therapy.
The Company is evaluating BPX-201 in an 18-patient Phase I clinical trial for mCRPC. It is evaluating opportunities for BPX-201 in combination with other cancer immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors.
BPX-701
The Company�� CaspaCIDe T cell receptor (TCR) Product Candidate, BPX-701 is under development for the treatment of Solid Tumors. BPX-701 is a TCR-based therapy for the treatment of PRAME-expressing melanoma, sarcomas and neuroblastomas. BPX-701 is designed to target preferentially-expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAMEa gene) that is predominantly expressed in human melanomas but not in normal tissues.
The BPX-701 has demonstrated complete elimination in response to rimiducid. The Clinical Cancer Research 2011 has demonstrated that PRAME-specific clones showed high reactivity against a panel of PRAME positive tumor cell lines, metastatic melanoma, sarcomas and neuroblastoma tissues, and no reactivity against normal cell types, with the exception of low reactivity against kidney epithelial cells and intermediate reactivity against mature dendritic cells. The vitro studies demonstrated BPX-701�� affinity to panels of cancer cells presenting PRAME peptides and low affinity to non-tumor cells. In other in vitro studies, rimiducid administration has proved the ability to eliminate BPX-701 cells.
BPX-401
The Company�� CIDeCAR Product Candidate under development, BPX-401, is developed for the treatment of Hematological Cancers, such as acute lymphotcytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and certain types of non-Hodgkin�� lymphoma. The CIDeCAR consists of CAR T cells modified to! include ! its CaspaCIDe safety switch and in which the CAR incorporates the signaling domains of two proteins, MyD88 and CD40. These proteins form the Company�� dual co-stimulatory domain, MC, which is designed to activate T cells in the presence of cancer cells. The Company has generated preclinical proof-of-principle data in vitro signifying that BPX-401 has CAR T cell activation and proliferation potential, and may be effective in killing cancer cells.
BPX-601
The Company�� GoCAR-T Product Candidate, BPX-601, is proposed for the treatment of Solid Tumors. The BPX-601 is undergoing preclinical studies for the treatment of solid tumors overexpressing the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), such as some prostate, pancreatic, bladder, esophageal and gastric cancers. The Company�� GoCAR-T technology consists of CAR and T cells. GoCAR-T controls activation and proliferation of the CAR T cells through the scheduled administration of a course of rimiducid infusions.
BPX-601 is undergoing preclinical studies for the treatment of solid tumors overexpressing the PSCA antigen. The Company has demonstrated positive proof-of-principle data in an animal pancreatic tumor model.
The Company competes with Adaptimmune Limited, bluebird bio, Inc., Celgene Corporation, Cellectis SA, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Intrexon Corporation, Juno Therapeutics, Inc., Kite Pharma, Inc., Novartis AG and Pfizer Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap cancer drug stock Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: KITE) has surged after announcing a�strategic research collaboration and license agreement with Amgen, Inc (NASDAQ: AMGN)�involving Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) ��meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock, which had an IPO last June,�along with potential peers�Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: BLCM) and Juno Therapeutics (NASDAQ: JUNO) which are players in the CAR therapies space and had more recent IPOs.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: BIND Therapeutics Inc (BIND)
BIND Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on May 19, 2006, is a clinical-stage nanomedicine platform company developing Accurins, its targeted and programmable therapeutics. Accurins are designed with specified physical and chemical characteristics to target specific cells or tissues and concentrate a therapeutic payload at the site of disease to enhance efficacy while minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues. Its drug candidate, BIND-014, is in Phase II clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, and metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Accurins represent the evolution of targeted therapies and nanomedicine. Accurins are polymeric nanoparticles that incorporate a therapeutic payload and are designed to have prolonged circulation within the bloodstream, enable targeting of the diseased tissue or cells, and provide for the controlled and timely release of the therapeutic payload. The four components include Targeting ligands, Stealth and protective layer, Controlled-release polymer matrix and Therapeutic payload. The Company focuses to use its medicinal nanoengineering platform to develop Accurins in several therapeutic areas, with an initial focus on the treatment of various types of cancer. In addition, the Company entered into collaboration agreements with several biopharmaceutical companies to develop and commercialize Accurins that are based on its collaborators��therapeutic payloads. The Company�� programs include BIND-014, solid tumor accurin and hematologic cancer accurin.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
The biotech sector has been pretty exciting this year�with small cap biotech stocks Prana Biotechnology Limited (NASDAQ: PRAN) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) having recently produced noteworthy news for investors�while Acceleron Pharma, Inc (NASDAQ: XLRN), Ophthotech (NASDAQ: OPHT) and BIND Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BIND) have just�set term sheets for their upcoming IPOs. Just consider all of the following recent news:
- [By Anna Prior]
Bind Therapeutics sa(BIND)id a collaboration with Amgen Inc.(AMGN) has been ended after both companies agreed not to pursue an option to jointly develop a molecularly targeted cancer therapy. Bind Therapeutics shares fell 11% to $11.50 premarket.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Juno Therapeutics Inc (JUNO)
Juno Therapeutics, Inc. (Juno) is a United States-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in developing cell-based cancer immunotherapies based on its chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and high-affinity T cell receptor (TCR), technologies to genetically engineer T cells to recognize and kill cancer cells. Through genetic engineering, the Company inserts a gene for a particular CAR or TCR construct into the T cell that enables it to better recognize cancer cells. Its CAR technology directs T cells to recognize cancer cells based on the expression of specific proteins located on the cell surface, whereas its TCR technology provides the T cells with a specific T cell receptor to recognize protein fragments derived from either the surface or inside the cell.
To provide treatment, the Company harvests blood cells from a cancer patient, separate the appropriate T cells, activate the cells, insert the gene sequence for the CAR or TCR construct into the cells��Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), and grow these modified T cells to the desired dose level. The modified T cells can then be infused into the patient or frozen and stored for later infusion. Once infused, the T cells are designed to multiply, through a process known as cell expansion, when they encounter the targeted proteins and to kill the targeted cancer cells.
CD19-Directed Product Candidates
The Company�� product candidates, such as JCAR015, JCAR017, and JCAR014, which use CAR technology to target CD19, a protein expressed on the surface of almost all B cell leukemias and lymphomas. The Company has rights to commercialize each of these product candidates across the world. The Company�� JCAR015 is an advanced development product candidate, and it has demonstrated clinically meaningful complete remission rates in adult patients with r/r ALL. JCAR015 uses the CD28 costimulatory domain and CD3 enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), which requires fewer process steps for! manufacture than its defined cell composition product candidates. JCAR015 is being tested in a Phase I open label clinical trial of patients with r/r ALL for the treatment of refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
JCAR017 also targets CD19, but differs from JCAR015 in several important respects. JCAR017 uses the 4-1BB costimulatory domain and a defined cell composition of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. JCAR017 is in development for pediatric patients with r/r ALL. JCAR017 is being evaluated in a Phase I/II clinical trial in pediatric r/r ALL.
JCAR014 also targets CD19. JCAR014 uses the 4-1BB costimulatory domain and is composed of CD8+ central memory T cells and CD4+ T cells in a defined ratio. JCAR014 is being evaluated in a Phase I/II trial as a treatment for a number of B cell malignancies in patients relapsed or refractory to standard therapies.
Additional Product Candidates
The Company is exploring the potential of its CAR and TCR technologies against targets that have the potential to treat cancers not targeted by CD19-directed products, in particular, difficult-to-treat solid organ tumors, such as certain breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers, as well as B cell malignancies that do not express CD19. The Company�� CD22 is a cell surface protein widely expressed on B lymphocytes. It is expressed by B cell malignancies, including non-Hodgkin�� lymphoma (NHL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The Company�� L1CAM, also known as CD171, is a cell-surface adhesion molecule that plays an important role in the development of a normal nervous system. It is overexpressed in neuroblastoma, and there is increasing evidence of aberrant expression in a variety of solid organ tumors, including glioblastoma and lung, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers.
The Company�� MUC-16 is a protein overexpressed in the ovarian cancers, but not on the surface of normal ovary cells. CA-125 is a protein found in the ! blood of ! ovarian cancer patients that results from the cleavage of MUC-16. CA-125 levels in the blood are a common test for ovarian cancer progression because they correlate with cancer progression. Its MUC-16/IL-12 product candidate uses its armored CAR technology. IL-12 is a cytokine that can help overcome the inhibitory effects that the tumor micro-environment can have on T cell activity.
The Company�� ROR-1 is a protein expressed in the formation of embryos, but in normal adult cells its surface expression is predominantly found at low levels on adipocytes, or fat cells, and briefly on precursors to B cells, or pre-B cells, during normal B cell maturation. ROR-1 is overexpressed on a variety of cancers including a subset of non-small cell lung cancer, triple negative breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. It is expressed on B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. The Company�� high-affinity TCR T cell product candidate targets WT-1, an intracellular protein that is overexpressed in a number of cancers, including adult myeloid leukemia, or AML, and non-small cell lung, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, and colorectal cancers.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap cancer drug stock Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: KITE) has surged after announcing a�strategic research collaboration and license agreement with Amgen, Inc (NASDAQ: AMGN)�involving Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) ��meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock, which had an IPO last June,�along with potential peers�Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: BLCM) and Juno Therapeutics (NASDAQ: JUNO) which are players in the CAR therapies space and had more recent IPOs.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc (RNN)
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Rexahn) is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on the development of cures for cancer to patients worldwide. The Company�� pipeline features one drug candidate in Phase II clinical trials. The Company also has several other drug candidates in pre-clinical development. In addition, the Company has two renal cell carcinoma (CNS) candidates, Serdaxin, CNS Disorders drug for depression and neurodegenerative diseases and Zoraxel, which is a erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual dysfunction drug that are in clinical stages and the Company is are exploring options for further development . The Company�� drug candidate, Archexin is an anticancer Akt inhibitor.
Archexin
Archexin is potent inhibitor of the Akt protein kinase (Akt) in cancer cells. Archexin has FDA orphan drug designations for five cancers (RCC, glioblastoma, and cancers of the ovary, stomach and pancreas). Multiple indications for other solid tumors can also be pursued. Archexin inhibit both activated and inactivated forms of Akt, and to reverse the drug resistance observed with the protein kinase inhibitors. Archexin is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) compound that is complementary to Akt mRNA, and selective for inhibiting mRNA expression and production of Akt protein. As of December 31, 2011, Archexin was in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer with enrollment completed in September, 2011.
Serdaxin
Serdaxin is an extended release formulation of clavulanic acid, which is an ingredient present in antibiotics approved by the FDA. The Company had been developing Serdaxin for the treatment of depression and neurodegenerative disorders. From January to September, 2011, the Company conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared two doses of Serdaxin, 0.5 milligram and 5 milligram, to placebo over an eight-week treatment period for major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. As of Dec! ember 31, 2011, the Company had not made a determination of Serdaxin�� future paths or resource allocations to further develop Serdaxin to treat MDD.
Zoraxel
Zoraxel is an orally administered, on-demand tablet to treat sexual dysfunction. Zoraxel is a dual enhancer of neurotransmitters in the brain that play a key role in sexual activity phases of motivation and arousal, erection and release, and may be the ED drug to affect all three of these phases of sexual activity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was evaluating how to proceed with the Phase IIb study of Zoraxel.
The Company�� Pre-clinical Pipeline Drug Candidates includes RX-1792, which is a small molecule anticancer EGFR inhibitor; RX-5902, which is a small molecule anticancer ribonucleic acid (RNA) helicase regulator; RX-3117, which is a Small molecule anticancer deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis Inhibitor; RX-8243, which is a small molecule anticancer aurora kinase inhibitor; RX-0201-Nano, which is a nanoliposomal anticancer Akt inhibitor; RX-0047-Nano, which is an nanoliposomal anticancer HIF-1 alpha inhibitor and RX-21101, which is a nano-polymer Anticancer.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
At first glance, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:RNN) doesn't look like anything particularly trade-worthy. The stock's now where it was in late October, and where it was in late September, and even where it was in late June. In other words, though RNN has been much higher and much lower than its current price of $0.46 over the course of the past several months, it doesn't look like it's going anywhere - on a net basis - anytime.
- [By John Udovich]
So far this year, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NYSEMKT: RNN), Imprimis Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: IMMY) and Arrowhead Research Corp (NASDAQ: ARWR) are up 186.3%, 157.2% and 142.5%, respectively, since the start of the year���making them the best performing small cap biotech stocks for 2014. But given their lackluster performance over the past few years, what is the secret behind their phenomenal 2014 rise and will they keep rising? For starters, none of these small caps have really produced anything in the way of blockbuster news:
- [By James E. Brumley]
With just a quick glance at a chart of Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:RNN), it would be easy to conclude it's nothing but a volatile mess. When you take a step back and look at a long-term weekly chart of RNN, however, it starts to become clear that this small cap biopharma name is on the verge of a monster-sized breakout. First things first, however.
- [By James E. Brumley]
If you were lucky enough to step into Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:RNN) when your truly suggested it was a budding buy back on December 23rd, then congratulations - you're now up a little more than 60% (assuming you bought into RNN after the break above a key resistance line on the 27th). Now get out. Instead, use your profits from the Rexahn to take on a stake in GTx, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTXI). No, GTXI may not look like much at first, but when you take a step back and look at a chart of GTx, Inc. through a longer-term lens, the upside potential becomes clear.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: ResMed Inc (RMD)
ResMed Inc., (ResMed), incorporated on March 31, 1994, is a holding company for the ResMed Group. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment for treating, diagnosing, and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and other respiratory disorders that occur during sleep. The Company has developed a number of products for SDB and other respiratory disorders including airflow generators, diagnostic products, mask systems, headgear and other accessories. Its manufacturing operations are located in Australia, Singapore, France, Germany, Malaysia and the United States. Its distribution and sales sites are located in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Norway and Sweden. In December 2013, ResMed Inc acquired Unimedis SRO, a surgical appliance and manufacturing company.
Air Flow Generators
The Company produces continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), variable positive airway pressure (VPAP) and AutoSet systems for the titration and treatment of SDB. The flow generator systems deliver positive airway pressure through a patient interface, either a small nasal mask, nasal pillows system, or full-face mask. Its VPAP units deliver bilevel therapy. There are two preset pressures: a higher pressure as the patient breathes in, and a lower pressure as the patient breathes out. AutoSet systems are based on a technology to monitor breathing and can also be used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of OSA. The Company�� Stellar 100 and 150 ventilation devices, provide both invasive and non invasive ventilation applications for adult and pediatric patients.
ResMed Inc.�� CPAP products include S8 Escape, S9 Elite and S9 Escape. Its VPAP products include VPAP III STA with QuickNav, VPAP S / VPAP IV, VPAP IV ST, S8 Auto 25, VPAP Tx Lab System, S9 VPAP S, S9 VPAP ST! , S9 VPAP Auto, S9 VPAP Adapt, S9 AutoSet CS, S9 Auto 25 and S9 VPAP COPD. The Company�� automatic positive airway pressure products include S9 AutoSet and S9 Escape Auto. Its ventilation products include Elisee 150, VS III and Stellar 100 and 150.
Masks, Accessories, Motors and Diagnostic Products
Masks, accessories, motors and diagnostic products together accounted for approximately 46% of its net revenues in fiscal 2012. Its Mask products include Activa LT, Swift LT for Her, Swift FX, Mirage SoftGel, Quattro FX, Swift FX for Her, Mirage FX, Mirage FX for Her, Pixi Pediatric Mask, Quattro FX for Her, Swift FX Bella, Quattro Air and Swift FX Nano. Its diagnostic products includes ApneaLink + Oximetry and ApneaLink Plus (U.S.)
Accessories and Other Products
The Company to assist those professionals diagnosing or managing the treatment of patients have data communications and control products, such as the EasyCare, ResLink, ResControl, ResControl II, TxControl, ResScan and ResTraxx modules that facilitate the transfer of data and other information to and from the flow generators. These products include humidifiers, such as H5i and H4i, which connect directly with the CPAP, VPAP and AutoSet flow generators to humidify and heat the air delivered to the patient, helping to prevent the drying of nasal passages that can cause discomfort. Other optional accessories include cold passover humidifiers, carry bags and breathing circuits. The Company�� data/patient management products include S9 Embletta Adapter, ResScan v3.14, ResTraxx v17.1., ResTraxx v18.3, ResScan v3.16 and EasyCare 1.0.
The Company competes with Philips BV, DeVilbiss Healthcare., Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited, Apex Medical Corp, BMC Medical Co. Ltd and Weinmann Gerate fur Medizin GmbH + Co. KG.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
ResMed (NYSE: RMD ) : 2% projected forward yield
Like the previous companies, ResMed has operations on a global scale, but unlike the preceding device makers, its focus is on medical equipment that helps diagnose and treat sleeping disorders. Whereas growth at Smith & Nephew and Medtronic has been slow-and-go in recent quarters, ResMed has seen sales take off. In its recently reported fourth-quarter results, ResMed delivered record quarterly revenue and income of $414.6 million and $86.2 million. Revenue in its Americas and combined Europe/Asia Pacific regions rose by 11% and 12%, respectively, with the company announcing a 47% increase to its quarterly dividend.�
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Synageva BioPharma Corp (GEVA)
Synageva BioPharma Corp., incorporated in 1993, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products. It has several protein therapeutics in development, including two enzyme replacement therapies for lysosomal storage disorders and two programs for life-threatening genetic conditions. Its lead program, SBC-102, recombinant human lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), is its advanced pipeline program in clinical development for LAL Deficiency. This enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides that are delivered to lysosomes by a variety of routes, including low-density lipoprotein receptor mediated endocytosis. On November 2, 2012, Trimeris, Inc. merged with Synageva BioPharma Corp.
SBC-102 is produced by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology in egg white using its protein manufacturing platform. The Company has initiated natural history studies in approximately 20 countries. In addition to SBC-102, it is progressing protein therapeutic programs for other rare diseases, which are at different stages of preclinical development. These include two enzyme replacement therapies for other lysosomal storage disorders and two programs for other rare life-threatening conditions. As of December 31, 2011, its product candidate pipeline included SBC-102, SBC-103, SBC-104, SBC-105 and SBC-106.
SBC-104 is an extracellular protein that targets a severe, rare genetic condition. SBC-105 is an enzyme replacement therapy being developed to treat a severe, rare metabolic disorder. SBC-106 is a protein therapy that targets a severe and rare genetic condition.
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.
- [By Garrett Cook]
Shares of Synageva BioPharma (NASDAQ: GEVA) were down 14.42 percent to $89.69 after the company reported that Phase 3 study met primary endpoint and six secondary endpoints across multiple disease-related abnormalities. Citigroup initiated coverage on Synageva BioPharma with a Neutral rating.
Top 10 Medical Stocks For 2015: Hemispherx Biopharma Inc (HEB)
Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (Hemispherx) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the clinical development of new drugs therapies based on natural immune system enhancing technologies for the treatment of viral and immune based chronic disorders. Hemispherx focuses on two core pharmaceutical technology platforms Ampligen and Alferon N Injection.The commercial focus for Ampligen includes application as a treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and as an influenza vaccine enhancer (adjuvant) for both therapeutic and preventative vaccine development. Alferon N Injection is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved product with an indication for refractory or recurring genital warts. Alferon LDO (Low Dose Oral) is a formulation under development targeting influenza. It has three subsidiaries BioPro Corp., BioAegean Corp., and Core BioTech Corp. The Company's foreign subsidiary is Hemispherx Biopharma Europe N.V./S.A.
Ampligen
Ampligen is an experimental drug, which is undergoing clinical development for the treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Over 1,000 patients have participated in the Ampligen clinical trials representing the administration of more than 90,000 doses of this drug. The Company is also engaged in ongoing, experimental studies assessing the efficacy of Ampligen against influenza viruses.
Alferon N Injection
Alferon N Injection is the registered trademark for the Company's injectable formulation of natural alpha interferon. Interferons are a group of proteins produced and secreted by cells to combat diseases. The Company's natural alpha interferon is produced from human white blood cells. Alferon N Injection [Interferon alfa-n3 (human leukocyte derived)] is a highly purified, natural-source, glycosylated, multi-species alpha interferon product.
Alferon LDO (Low Dose Oral)
Alferon LDO [Low Dose Oral Interferon Alfa-n3 (Human Leukocyte Derived)]! is an experimental low-dose, oral liquid formulation of Natural Alpha Interferon and like Alferon N Injection should not cause antibody formation, which is a problem with recombinant interferon. It is an experimental immunotherapeutic that works by stimulating an immune cascade response in the cells of the mouth and throat, enabling it to bolster systemic immune response through the entire body by absorption through the oral mucosa.
The Company competes with Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, AstraZeneca, Baxter International, Fletcher/CSI, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, AVI BioPharma and Genta.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt Egan]
Shares of Hemispherx Biopharma (HEB) soared 11% on Wednesday amid the rising Ebola fears. Earlier this week, the company announced a series of research collaborations aimed at developing treatments to fight Ebola.
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