Best Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014

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Hot Net Payout Yield Stocks For 2015: bluebird bio Inc (BLUE)

bluebird bio, Inc., incorporated on April 16, 1992, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, the Company is focused on transforming the lives of patients with severe genetic and orphan diseases using gene therapy. Gene therapy seeks to introduce a functional copy of the defective gene into a patient�� own cells, a process called gene transfer. Through gene transfer, a functional copy of the mutated gene is delivered to the patient�� cells, thereby correcting the underlying genetic defect that causes aberrant gene expression. As of December 31, 2012, the Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical study in France evaluating an earlier generation of its LentiGlobin vector for the treatment of �-thalassemia major and SCD. Initial proof-of-concept data from this study were published in Nature. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company plans to initiate an extension of this study under a revised protocol for LentiGlobin, which the Company refers to as the HGB-205 Study. The Company also plans o initiate a second Phase I/II clinical program in the United States for LentiGlobin, which the Company refers to as the HGB-204 Study, for �-thalassemia major. In March 2013, the Company entered into a strategic collaboration with Celgene Corporation, or Celgene, to discover, develop and commercialize, disease-altering gene therapies in oncology.

Its gene therapy platform is based on viral vectors that utilize a modified, non-replicating version of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) virus, that has been stripped of all of the components required for it to self-replicate and infect additional cells. The HIV-1 virus is part of the lentivirus family of viruses, as a result of which the Company refer to its vectors as lentiviral vectors. Its lentiviral vectors are used to introduce a functional copy of a gene to the patient�� own isolated blood stem cells, called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which reside in a patient�� bone marrow and are capable of differentiating int! o a wide range of cell types. HSCs are dividing cells, thus its approach allows for sustained expression of the modified gene as the Company is able to take advantage of a lifetime of replication of the gene-modified HSCs. Additionally, the Company has developed a cell-based vector manufacturing process that is both reproducible and scalable.

Adrenoleukodystrophy

Adrenoleukodystrophy is a rare X-linked, inherited, neurological disorder that is often fatal. ALD is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene which encodes for a protein called the ALD protein (ALDP), which plays a critical role in the breakdown and metabolism of long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA). Without functional ALDP, VLCFA accumulate in cells including neural cells in which they cause damage to the myelin sheath, a protective and insulating membrane that surrounds nerve cells in the brain. This damage can result in decreased motor coordination and function, visual and hearing disturbances, the loss of cognitive function, dementia, seizures, adrenal dysfunction and other complications, including death. ALD is divided into various sub-segments with three main phenotypes that impact brain function: CCALD (Childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, AMN (Adrenomyeloneuropathy) and ACALD (Adult Cerebral ALD).

�-thalassemia

�-thalassemia is a rare hereditary blood disorder caused by a genetic abnormality of the �-globin gene resulting in defective red blood cells (RBCs). Genetic mutations cause the absence or reduced production of the beta chains of hemoglobin, or �-globin, thereby preventing the proper formation of hemoglobin A, which normally accounts for greater than 95% of the hemoglobin in the blood of adults. Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in the blood that carries oxygen from the respiratory organs to the rest of the body. Hemoglobin A consists of four chains-two chains each of a-globin and �-globin. Normally existing at an approximate 1:1 ratio, genetic mutations that impair t! he produc! tion of �-globin can lead to a relative excess of a-globin, premature death of red blood cells. The clinical implications of the a-globin/�-globin imbalance are two-fold: first, patients lack sufficient RBCs and hemoglobin to effectively transport oxygen throughout the body and can become severely anemic; and second, the shortened life span and ineffective production of RBCs can lead to other complications such as splenomegaly, marrow expansion, bone deformities, and iron overload in organs.

Sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder resulting from a mutation in the �-globin gene that causes polymerization of hemoglobin proteins and abnormal red blood cell function. The disease is characterized by anemia, vaso-occlusive pain crisis (a common complication of SCD in which there is severe pain due to obstructed blood flow in the bones, joints, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, eye, or central nervous system), infections, stroke, overall poor life and early death in a subset of patients. Under low-oxygen conditions, which are exacerbated by the red blood cell abnormalities, the mutant hemoglobin aggregates causing the RBCs to take on a sickle shape (sickle cells), which causes them to aggregate and obstruct small blood vessels, thereby restricting blood flow to organs resulting in pain, cell death and organ damage. If oxygen levels are restored, the hemoglobin can disaggregate and the RBCs return to their normal shape, but over time, the sickling damages the cell membrane and the cells fail to return to the normal shape even in high-oxygen conditions.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Bluebird Bio (NASDAQ: BLUE) shares shot up 34.74 percent to $35.15 following the presentation of positive data on LentiGlobin BB305 at the European Hematology Association (EHA).

• [By David Williamson]

  In this video, health-care analyst David Williamson takes a look at the tremendous success of the�Bluebird Bio (NASDAQ: BLUE  ) �IPO. The company increased the size of its initial public offering, and priced shares at $17 -- above the top end of its range -- but that still couldn't contain investor appetite for this stock. Shares shot up 50% on the opening day of trading, and have remained there.

Best Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: CareFusion Corp (CFN)

CareFusion Corporation (CareFusion), incorporated on January 14, 2009, is a global medical technology company. The Company operates in two segments: Medical Systems and Procedural Solutions. The Medical Systems segment is organized around its medical equipment businesses. The Company�� Medical Systems segment�� business units and product lines include Infusion Systems, Dispensing Technologies, and Respiratory Technologies. The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around the Company�� disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. The Company�� Procedural Solutions segment�� business units and product lines include Infection Prevention, Medical Specialties and Specialty Disposables. In August 2011, the Company acquired Rowa. In June 2012, the Company acquired U.K. Medical Limited. In July 2012, Natus Medical, Inc. acquired the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business from CareFusion. Effective December 31, 2013, CareFusion Corp acquired Vital Signs Inc from GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co.

Medical Systems Segment

The Company�� develops, manufactures and markets capital equipment and related supplies for medication management, which includes its infusion and medication dispensing technologies, supply dispensing technologies and respiratory technologies. Its products are designed to enable healthcare professionals to improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and improving administrative controls, while simultaneously improving workflow and increasing operational efficiency. The Company sells these products primarily through its direct sales force, but use third-party distributors as well, particularly outside the United States. Many of its products in this segment are integrated with other information systems within the hospital, including financial and business systems that support patient admissions, discharges and transfers, operational systems that include inventory management and clinical systems that include pharmacy inf! ormation and electronic medical records.

The Company offers value-added services and programs, software technical services and clinical education, which are designed to enhance its customers��utilization of its medical equipment products. The Company�� project management, field service organization and customer call centers support its customers before, during and after product installation. The Company�� project management teams assist customers with the development of project implementation plans, which are designed to ensure rapid, seamless implementation of its products. The Company�� field service organization provides on-site expertise to resolve customers��service issues. The Company�� customer call centers provide additional support to its customers.

The Company is engaged in designing, developing and marketing of IV infusion systems that deliver medications and other fluids directly into a patient�� veins in precise, measured quantities over a range of infusion rates. The Company is provider of point-of-care systems that automate the dispensing of medications and supplies in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the United States. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and services mechanical ventilators and associated consumables for patients with respiratory disorders.

The Company competes with Baxter International, B. Braun, Fresenius Kabi, Hospira, Omnicell, McKesson; Drager, and MAQUET.

Procedural Solutions Segment

The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around its disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. In its Procedural Solutions segment, the Company develops, manufactures and markets single-use skin antiseptic and other patient-preparation products, non-dedicated IV infusion administration sets and accessories, reusable surgical instruments and non-dedicated ventilator circuits and other disposables used for providing respiratory therapy. The products in this segm! ent are u! sed in the operating room, interventional suites, and in the critical care departments of hospitals. The Company sells these products and services through a combination of direct sales representatives and third-party distributors.

The Company�� Infection Prevention business unit consists mainly of single-use medical products used in surgical and vascular access procedures, including skin preparation products and disposable IV infusion administration sets and accessories. The Company�� Medical Specialties business unit consists mainly of specialty medical devices used in delivering interventional care and reusable surgical instrumentation products. The Company�� Specialty Disposables business unit focuses on providing clinicians with respiratory consumable products that work either independently or in conjunction with its range of ventilators.

The Company competes with 3M, ICU Medical, Becton, Dickinson, Baxter International, B. Braun; Hospira; Smiths Medical; CR Bard, Integra Life Sciences, and Teleflex.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Heading notably higher as well, up 5.5%, was medical-products supplier CareFusion (NYSE: CFN  ) which is said to be in talks as a possible acquirer of Britain-based Smiths Group's medical division. Although neither company would comment on a potential sale it would clearly be a positive for CareFusion since its revenue growth has stagnated in recent years. We should hopefully know more about these developments over the coming weeks.

• [By John Udovich]

  Overlooked mid cap medical�technology and systems�stock CareFusion Corporation (NYSE: CFN) could offer nice growth in the healthcare space, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of potential benchmarks like the iShares Dow Jones US Medical Device ETF (NYSEARCA: IHI) and SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (NYSEARCA: XHE). I should mention that we have recently added CareFusion Corporation to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio because the�stock continues to be in a long-term thrusting patter and we believe its also�undervalued based on current valuation.

Best Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Opt-Sciences Corp (OPST)

Opt-Sciences Corporation, incorporated on November 1956, conducts its business through its wholly owned subsidiary, O and S Research, Inc. The Company deposits anti-glare and/or transparent conductive optical coatings on glass used primarily to cover instrument panels in aircraft cockpits. It also provides full glass cutting, grinding and painting operations, which augment its optical coating capabilities. Its products are designed to enable pilots to read aircraft instruments in direct sunlight or at night or in covert situations using appropriate night vision filters or to protect the instruments from electromagnetic interference. The Company�� business is dependent on a robust commercial, business, and regional aircraft market and to a lesser degree the military aircraft market. It generally has a four to twelve week delivery cycle depending on product complexity, available plant capacity and required lead time for specialty raw materials, such as polarizers or filter glass.

The Company�� offers incorporate an optical coating of some type. Its primary coatings are for aircraft cockpit display applications and consist of its anti-reflection coating used for glare reduction and its transparent conductive coating used for electromagnetic interference shielding. In addition, it also offers a full range of other specialty instrument glass, including night vision filter glass, circular polarizers, touchpads, glass sandwiches for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) as well as other custom designed specialty glass components and assemblies. It uses its technology to apply a micro thin optical non-glare and/or conductive coating to the glass. Both processes utilize the deposit of a thin film of metal or metal oxide on the surface of the glass. The process takes place in a heated vacuum chamber. It heats the deposited material to over 1800 degrees Centigrade causing it to evaporate.

The Company competes with JDSU, Mod A Can, Dontech, Schott Glass and Hoya Optics

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon] ng>Micropac

  Micropac is 76% owned by Heinz-Werner Hempel. He�� a German businessman. You can see the German company he founded here. He�� had control of Micropac for a long-time. I don�� have an exact number in front of me. But I would guess it�� been something like 25 years.

  ADDvantage

  ADDvantage Technologies is controlled by the Chymiak brothers. See the company�� April 4 press release explaining their decision to turn over the CEO position to an outsider. Regardless, the Chymiaks still control 47% of the company. Ken Chymiak is now chairman. And David Chymiak is still a director and now the company�� chief technology officer. Clearly, it�� still their company.

  By the way, the name ADDvantage Technologies has nothing to do with the Chymiaks. Today�� AEY really traces its roots to a private company called Tulsat. The Chymiak brothers acquired that company about 27 years ago. So, effectively, when you buy shares of AEY you are buying into a 27-year-old family-controlled company.

  That�� pretty typical in the world of net-nets.

  Solitron

  Solitron Devices is 29% owned by Shevach Saraf. He has been the CEO for 20 years. The post-bankruptcy Solitron has never known another CEO. Before the bankruptcy, Solitron was a much bigger, much different company. So even though we are not talking about the founder here ��and even though 70% of the company�� shares are not held by the CEO ��we��e still talking about a company where one person has a lot of control. Solitron only has three directors. Saraf is the chairman, CEO, president, CFO and treasurer. Neither of the other two directors joined the board within the last 15 years. So, we aren�� talking about a lot of tumult at the top.

  In fact, profitable net-nets seem to be especially common candidates for abandoning the responsibilities of a public company without actually getting taken private.

  OPT-Sciences

  This company is controlled by Arthu

Best Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: NephroGenex Inc (NRX)

NephroGenex, Inc. is a United States-based drug development company focusing on novel therapies for kidney disease. The Company has developed Pyridorin (pyridoxamine dihydrochloride), it targets diabetes-induced carbonyl and oxidative chemistries that are a principal causative factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy and other diabetic complications. It is conducting a new Phase 2b clinical trial (PYR-210) that is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Pyridorin in slowing the progression of overt nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  NephroGenex (NASDAQ: NRX) shares reached a new 52-week low of $6.67. On Monday, NephroGenex posted a full-year net loss of $6.3 million, or $19.71 per share.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  NephroGenex (NRX) fell 3% in afterhours trading after nearly tripled in value today after the drug developer announced positive safety study results for its diabetic nephropathy treatment Pyridorin late Tuesday. The stock closed at $12.94 a share.

Best Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc (SCMP)

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated on December 9, 2008, is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on research, discovery, development and commercialization of drugs based on ion channel activators known as prostones. The Company�� prostone-based compounds target the ClC-2 and big potassium (BK), ion channels. It is focused on developing prostones to treat gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, neurologic, and oncology-based inflammatory disorders, and is also considering other therapeutic applications of its drug technology. The Company�� products include AMITIZA (lubiprostone) and RESCULA (unoprostone isopropyl).

AMITIZA

The Company�� AMITIZA is being marketed in the United States for three gastrointestinal indications under a license agreement, or the Takeda Agreement, with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, or Takeda. The three gastrointestinal indications include chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), in adults, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), in adult women, and opioid-induced constipation (OIC), in adult patients with chronic, non-cancer pain. AMITIZA for OIC received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in April 2013. In Japan, AMITIZA is marketed under a license, commercialization and supply agreement, or the Abbott Agreement, with Abbott Japan Co. Ltd. (Abbott), for the gastrointestinal indication of chronic constipation (CC), excluding constipation caused by organic diseases. In Switzerland, the Company is marketing AMITIZA.

RESCULA

The Company holds license agreements for RESCULA in the United States and Canada and the rest of the world, with the exception of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the People�� Republic of China. The Company is commercializing RESCULA (unoprostone isopropyl ophthalmic solution) 0.15% for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP), in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in the United States. RESCULA may be used as an agent or concomit! antly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure. RESCULA is a BK channel activator and has a different mechanism of action than other IOP lowering agents on the market.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James Brumley]

  Still, for the nimble who know when to get out, OREX is one of the few cheap stocks worth a closer look.

  Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (SCMP)

  Finally, though the price of $7.60 clearly qualifies it as one pf the cheapest of the cheap stocks out there in the pharmaceutical world, that’s not the reason Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (SCMP) may be worth a look here. It’s the 30% slide we’ve seen SCMP stock suffer since peaking in mid-January. It’s not a pullback that’s bound to go unchallenged by the bulls.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another under-$10 stock that's starting to trend within range of triggering a major breakout trade is Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (SCMP), which is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary drugs based on prostones, and other novel drug technologies. This stock is off to a decent start in 2013, with shares up by 26%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, you'll notice that this stock has been downtrending badly for the last four months, with shares dumping hard from its high of $10.48 to its recent low of $5.40 a share. During that downtrend, shares of SCMP have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, the downside volatility for SCMP looks to be over in the short-term since the stock has started to reverse its downtrend and enter an uptrend. That reverse is quickly pushing shares of SCMP within range of triggering a major breakout trade above a key downtrend line.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in SCMP if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $6.33 to $6.66 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 115,383 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then SCMP will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $7.09 to $7.67 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give SCMP a chance to tag $8 to $9 a share.

  Traders can look to buy SCMP off weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $5.58 to $5.40 a share. One can also buy SCMP off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

Best Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Organovo Holdings Inc (ONVO)

Organovo Holdings, Inc. (Organovo), formerly Real Estate Restoration & Rental, Inc., incorporated in 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company has developed and is commercializing a platform technology for the generation of three-dimensional (3D) human tissues that can be employed in drug discovery and development, biological research, and as therapeutic implants for the treatment of damaged or degenerating tissues and organs. On December 28, 2011, Real Estate Restoration and Rental, Inc.�� (RERR) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which RERR merged with its, wholly owned subsidiary, Organovo (Merger Sub). On February 8, 2012, the Company merged with and into Organovo Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Organovo, with the Company surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Organovo Holdings (the Merger). As a result of the Merger, Organovo acquired the business of Organovo, Inc.

The Company has collaborative research agreements with Pfizer, Inc. (Pfizer) and United Therapeutic Corporation (Unither). As of March 31, 2012, it has five federal grants, including Small Business Innovation Research grants and developed the NovoGen MMX Bioprinter (its first-generation 3D bioprinter). The Company is engaged in the development of specific 3D human tissues to aid Pfizer in discovery of therapies in two areas of interest. In addition, in October 2011, it entered into a research agreement with Unither to establish and conduct a research program to discover treatments for pulmonary hypertension using its NovoGen MMX Bioprinter technology. Additionally, under the research agreement with Unither, the Company granted Unither an option to acquire from the Company a worldwide, royalty-bearing license in certain intellectual property created under the research agreement solely for use in the treatment or prevention of pulmonary hypertension and all other lung diseases.

The Company�� NovoGen MMX Bioprinter is an automate! d device that enables the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) living tissues comprised of mammalian cells. A custom graphic user interface (GUI) facilitates the 3D design and execution of scripts that direct precision movement of the dispensing heads to deposit cellular building blocks (bio-ink) or supporting hydrogel. The Company is using a third party manufacturer, Invetech Pty., of Melbourne, Australia, to manufacture its NovoGen MMX Bioprinter. Its bioprinting technology and surrounding intellectual property and commercial rights serve as a platform for product generation across multiple markets that employ cell- and tissue-based products and services.

The Company competes with Organogenesis, Advanced BioHealing, Tengion, Genzyme, HumaCyte and Cytograft Tissue Engineering.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  As the the year comes to end, there is still a steady flow of interesting news coming from small cap biotech stocks like Organovo Holdings Inc (NYSEMKT: ONVO), Advanced Cell Technology, Inc (OTCMKTS: ACTC) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB)�plus still largely private biotech companies like Genocea Biosciences (NASDAQ: GNCA), Retrophin (OTCMKTS: RTRX), Auspex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ASPX) and GlycoMimetics (NASDAQ: GLYC) who have filed to become the next potentially hot biotech IPOs���presumably some time early�next year. Just consider the following biotech news: