New York, NY - Point Roberts, WA - March 26, 2014 (Investorideas.com
Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global news source for leading sectors
including biotech and pharma issues a sector snapshot of TSX biotech
stocks targeting ovarian cancer as part of their product pipeline.
Stocks mentioned include Quest PharmaTech Inc. (
TSX.V: QPT), Oncolytics (
TSX:ONC; NASDAQ:ONCY) , Immunovaccine, Inc. (
TSX.V:IMV) and Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (
AEZS) (
TSX: AEZ).
There are 17,000 women living with ovarian cancer in Canada. It is
estimated that this year in Canada, 2,600 women will be newly diagnosed
with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer for
women and is the most fatal women's cancer, says Ovarian Cancer Canada.
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.
Based on these promising data, Canada's NCIC Clinical Trials Group
(NCIC) agreed to sponsor and conduct a randomized Phase II study of
DPX-Survivac in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. We expect this
study to be initiated in 2014 with results available in 2017.
Immunovaccine also signed an agreement with the University of Rome for a
multicenter Phase II study of DPX-Survivac in glioblastoma patients.
The study is expected to begin in 2014 and its costs will be assumed by
this University.
- 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.
Six month chart :
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
|
http://www.tmx.com/en/listings/sector_profiles/life_sciences.html
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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When we initiated our first exosome research program, the medical
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