DUSA - Trading Alerts

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, which has relentlessly climbing in the last year and especially in the last month, has taken a pause on Thurs (Apr 7) followed by a drop today (Apr 8). DUSA dropped from the 5.70's to 5.50's today (over 3%).

CHART

Based on the chart, DUSA appears to have a resistance around 5.17-5.23. So if you are a trader and had built a position from the 3's one would consider a protective stop just above 5. Good luck and happy trading.

SUPERGEN Acquires ASTEX PHARMA and agrees to change Name to Astex

Supergen (SUPG) agreed to acquire privately held British biotech company Astex Therapeutics ltd and change name to Astex Pharmaceuticals. Eventually, Supergen will start trading under the symbol ASTX. The combined company website as of now is Astex-supergen

By acquiring Astex, Supergen is expanding its pipeline somewhat. this is a somewhat promising, however, whether this makes the combined entity a more lucrative take over candidate, this is hard to comment on.

SUPG shares fell to 2.85 range or nearly 12% from about 3.2 the day before. The pertinent point to note is that Supergen is paying $25 million cash and about 35% of outstanding stock. In addition, they would pay over $30 million dollars over the next 30 months. So it is interesting to see the market responds with a 12% decline when an impending 35% dilution of shares is concerned. However, the incoming pipeline also has substantial value so an accurate price determination is hard for one person to gage at this point.

Changes in Portfolio

Some of my recent picks were listed here.
Closed out of BMY after holding through ex-div date and moderate profit. Reason: feel jittery about company's overall accounting risk wrt employee turnover and uncertainly on plavix. Might initiate a small option position (long call) to follow the company with lower risk.

CLDX: closed out of Apr $4 calls as well as a short term stock trade for 5% profit (held 2 days). However since CLDX seems to be holding well at the 200 day average of 4.25, I rentered into CLDX in a long position by buying Aug $5 calls.


Reduced holdings in DUSA to make cash for some other moves. However, maybe it was nt a smart play as DUSA climbs relentlessly!

Closed out of SUPG stock

Celldex - Why it's moving again and what's in store?

After being "let go" by Pfizer last year, the stock has seen several lows and then seems to be picking itself up again. This article seeks to discuss the potential for Celldex with its current trials/pipeline etc. Any input from other knowledgeable folks/traders etc appreciated.

Rindopepimut (CDX-110): Clinical Program (source:http://www.celldextherapeutics.com/wt/page/cdx_110)

Rindopepimut (CDX-110) is an immunotherapy that targets the tumor specific molecule called EGFRvIII, a functional variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein that has been well validated as a target for cancer therapy.

A list of upcoming events are normally shown here.

I am going to be adding more here in collaboration with inputs from Yahoo message board members and other pharma friends of mine.

Recent picks, climbing positions and updates

Stockgage recently closed some positions and then inititated some:

New additions are: BMY, LAVA options.

Closed positions in profit: #LAVA

Closed positions at small loss: URRE, #MENT (gasp!)


Old Positions Looking up: #CLDX #SUPG

Looking at new picks: RSTI CGNX

There is some speculation on the street that MENT might make a bid for LAVA around 560 million. Seems like a lowball offer to me. But, it will be fun to see CDNS jump into the picture too then!!
If you want to read about all these MENT LAVA CDNS SNPS Apache, read Semiwiki articles <<


St JOE's Real Estate just rented out some land for up to 20 (yes TWENTY years) for a sum of $ 55 million. The big question then is --> when does the timber get harvested. When does development begin, when do the real profits from real estate show up? This $ 55 million would just add to the balance sheet to make things look nicer. I think I might short this one!
Update:  I have finally initiated Jan 2012 $17.50 put positions in JOE. Let us see how this plays out!
Old adage: buy the rumor, sell the news.

Disclaimer: None of these are recommendations to buy or sell equities/options/investment etc