According to reported statistics, more than 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States annually, and more than 12,000 die each year.
In February news reports said, "As many as one in four hundred women test positive for the BRCA-1 gene, often called the "breast cancer gene."
They have not only a significantly increased risk for breast cancer, but also for ovarian cancer.”
http://www.wlbz2.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/23/6788983/
Leading U.S. biotech stocks have had a massive bull run this year, although recently the sector has had a correction on concerns of valuations. However some of the smaller microcap stocks have not seen the same volatile trading patterns.
For investors looking at TSX biotech stocks and life sciences stocks, a recently released interview in the Life Sciences Report (TSLR) with Roadmap Capital explains the difference in valuations in US and TSX biotech stocks best.
"TLSR: Why invest primarily in Canadian companies? If you were exclusively a resource investor, and looking for deep value as well as growth, this is understandable, but in the life sciences sector, where the goal is huge growth, why limit yourself to Canadian stocks? Is it about tax advantages? National pride?
HC: I should point out that the new fund has made investments in the U.S. already, and will continue to do so. But we are focusing primarily in Canada. Frankly, it's about where we see the best opportunities and risk/reward ratio. There's no shortage of innovation in Canada, but the long, drawn-out bear market that the Canadian tech and healthcare sectors went through for much of the last decade has left many interesting companies valued at levels far below what is available in other countries. To give you an example, we're putting money into a company with a $2.5M pre-money valuation. Comparable companies in the States would be valued in the $30-40M pre-money range currently. And we have invested a small amount of money into a private stem cell company called Hemostemix. It is raising money at a $25M pre-money valuation, when its best public comparables in the U.S. trade at valuations in the $200—400M range. It comes down to where we see the best valuation opportunities and risk/reward for our investors right now. - "
Source : http://www.equities.com/editors-desk/stocks/healthcare/apply-market-savvy-to-bear-market-debris-uncover-biotech-treasures-cleland-and-ireland cPhase 2 biotech tsx ovarian cancer co's
Sector Snapshot : Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Quest PharmaTech Inc.'s ( TSX.V: QPT).lead product, Oregovomab is currently completing a phase II clinical trial in both Italy and the U.S., is used in combination with standard chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. It is also being tested in combination with other immunotherapeutic agents for use in treating pancreatic cancer patients.
From a previous interview with Investorideas.com, Madi R. Madiyalakan, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, said "Our technology is focused on the immunotherapy of cancer. We utilize tumor directed monoclonal antibodies to activate the specific immunity; however we recognize that successful therapy requires orchestrated combination with chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and select additional immune modulators or adjuvants. Our lead product, Oregovomab, which is currently completing a phase II clinical trial in both Italy and the U.S., is used in combination with standard chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. We are also initiating a clinical trial using Oregovomab in combination with an immuno-adjuvant, Hiltonol® (TLR3 agonist), with standard chemotherapy. Oregovomab is also being tested in combination with other immunotherapeutic agents for use in treating pancreatic cancer patients. Our pipeline also includes proprietary antibodies against other cancer markers, most notably MUC1, PSA and HER2. We expect to advance our MUC1 targeting antibody into the clinic in the coming year. MUC1 expressing cancers include many commonly occurring solid cancers such as breast, pancreatic and lung cancers. "
Six month chart:
Oncolytics (TSX: ONC; NASDAQ:ONCY)
Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is focused on the development of oncolytic viruses for use as cancer therapeutics. The Company’s lead product, REOLYSIN®, a proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, is currently in late stage (Phase III) clinical testing in head and neck cancers. REOLYSIN® has been utilized in nearly thirty clinical trials including translational, Phase I, Phase II (single arm and randomized), and Phase III studies in a broad range of cancer indications. Ovarian cancer : OG-0186H (NCI / GOG Trial) Phase II Intravenous Administration of REOLYSIN® in Combination with Paclitaxel for Patients with Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancer US- status is ongoing.
Six month chart:
Immunovaccine, Inc. (TSX.V: IMV)
According to the company's financial report released March 17th, "During 2013, scientists provided compelling evidence that the human immune system could be trained to destroy cancer cells," said Dr Marc Mansour, chief operating officer. "These findings support the idea that immunotherapies have the potential to shift cancer from a life threatening disease to a chronic and manageable condition.
"Several large pharmaceutical companies also announced during the year that vaccines will play an important role in the development of their cancer therapy programs. These industry trends parallel our own approach to the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines. With our planned trials in ovarian cancer, glioblastoma and breast cancer expected to begin this year, IMV is well placed to participate in this rapidly evolving industry."
Highlights of 2013 and First Quarter of 2014
- DPX-Survivac - Positive data from Immunovaccine's completed Phase I study were presented at multiple venues throughout the year, including the 2013 ASCO annual meeting. We believe that these findings represent some of the strongest immune responses against a cancer target seen to date.
- DPX-0907 - Immunovaccine agreed to allow use of DPX-0907 in a Phase I/II study of breast and ovarian cancer patients at the Busto Arsizio Hospital in Italy. The study, which will be funded by Busto Arsizio, is expected to be initiated in 2014.
Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel treatments in oncology and endocrinology. Their pipeline includes Zoptarelin doxorubicin for Ovarian and prostate cancer, currently in Phase 11. Zoptarelin doxorubicin is a targeted cytotoxic peptide conjugate which is a hybrid molecule composed of a synthetic peptide carrier and a well-known cytotoxic agent, doxorubicin. The design of this product allows for the specific binding and selective uptake of the cytotoxic conjugate by the LHRH receptor-positive tumors. The binding of conjugate molecule zoptarelin doxorubicin to cancerous cells that express these receptors results in its accumulation in the malignant tissue. This binding is followed by internalization and retention of the cytotoxic drug, doxorubicin, in the cells. Therefore, since they target specific cells, cytotoxic conjugates are postulated to be more effective and have less side-effects than the respective non-conjugated/non-linked cytotoxic agents in inhibiting tumor growth.
Six month chart
TSX Life Sciences Snapshot
Life Sciences Markets at a Glance – YTD February 28, 2014
February 2014
|
TSX Venture (TSXV)
|
TSX
|
TSXV and TSX
|
Number of Issuers
|
69
|
39
|
108
|
QMV (C$)
|
2,153,038,500
|
63,319,048,526
|
65,472,087,027
|
New Listings
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
Equity Capital Raised (C$)
|
126,738,564
|
10,823,900
|
137,562,464
|
Number of Financings
|
18
|
2
|
20
|
Volume Traded
|
295,773,521
|
238,949,246
|
534,722,767
|
Value Traded (C$)
|
162,114,369
|
3,263,237,459
|
3,425,351,827
|
# of Trades
|
82,324
|
277,538
|
359,862
|
According to the TSX, nearly $3 billion of equity capital was raised by life sciences companies on TSX and TSXV in 2013.
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