CHICAGO, Sept. 25, 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 Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:AUXL-Free Report), QLT Inc. (Nasdaq:QLTI-Free Report), Endo International plc (Nasdaq:ENDP-Free Report), Gilead (Nasdaq:GILD-Free Report) and Regeneron (Nasdaq:REGN-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
Mergers and acquisitions were back in the news last week with Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:AUXL-Free Report) being the target this time around. The company, which is looking to acquire QLT Inc. (Nasdaq:QLTI-Free Report), received a proposal from Endo International plc (Nasdaq:ENDP-Free Report).
Other updates last week include the usual regulatory and pipeline-related news. Gilead remained in the news thanks yet again to its hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, Sovaldi. Meanwhile, Amgen continues to progress with its pipeline.
Recap of the Week's Most Important Stories
1. Auxilium's shares shot up 44.9% on an acquisition proposal from Endo International plc. Endo is looking to acquire Auxilium in a cash and stock transaction valued at $2.2 billion (read more: Endo Looking to Acquire Auxilium Pharmaceuticals for $2.2B). Auxilium, however, said that Endo's proposal significantly undervalues the company. Auxilium will be going ahead with its planned acquisition of QLT Inc. (read more: Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Favors QLT Deal Over Endo Bid). Endo will most likely come back with a higher offer.
2. Gilead (Nasdaq:GILD-Free Report) saw its shares declining slightly on news that its experimental cancer treatment, simtuzumab, failed to achieve the primary endpoint in a mid-stage study. The study was conducted in treatment-naïve advanced pancreatic cancer patients. Shares were also impacted by a report from the CVS Health Research Institute which indicated a plateau and actual downward trend in Sovaldi utilization over the last several months (read more: Gilead Down on Weak Simtuzumab Data and Sovaldi News).
3. Regeneron (Nasdaq:REGN-Free Report) continues to progress with its blockbuster eye drug, Eylea. The company continues to expand the product label successfully with the latest label expansion being approved in Japan. Eylea can now be used in Japan for myopic choroidal neovascularization (read more: Bayer/Regeneron Successfully Expand Eylea Label in Japan). Earlier, Regeneron had announced Breakthrough Therapy designation for Eylea in the U.S. for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic macular edema (read more: Regeneron Gets Breakthrough Therapy Status for Eylea).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
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