See the rest of the story here.

Theflyonthewall.com is Wall Street's specialist in breaking equity news. Veteran traders build a proprietary feed of news that's faster and more relevant than any other source. Try us for free and discover for yourself.

Winston Churchill once said, "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction." ICN Pharmaceuticals lacked focus and direction following the resignation of its founder Milan Panic in 2002. The company was a mess with sinking sales, the loss of two key patents and a bunch of divisions with little in common and no clear strategy. It was time to change. In November 2003, the drugmaker renamed itself Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX)

Shares of Santarus, Inc. (SNTS) have moved north of 7.5% this morning, which has made this specialty biopharmaceutical company a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank stock. Last week, the company announced third-quarter results that included another positive earnings per share surprise, as well as a raised 2009 guidance. Earnings estimates have responded in kind by gaining in the [...]

(SNTS) Top Performer for Wed: Santarus- Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers

Shares of Santarus, Inc. (SNTS) have moved north of 7.5% this morning, which has made this specialty biopharmaceutical company a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank stock.

Last week, the company announced third-quarter results that included another positive earnings per share surprise, as well as a raised 2009 guidance.

Earnings estimates have responded in kind by gaining in the past 7 trading days. Volume on Wednesday is approximately 317,000 shares, which is above the daily average of nearly 250,000.

Santarus focuses on acquiring, developing and commercializing proprietary products for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Its efforts are focused on ZEGERID® for the treatment of certain upper GI diseases and disorders, and GLUMETZA® to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

SNTS is 1 of 4 companies from the Medical-Drugs industry on the Zacks #1 Rank List, which today includes 225 stocks in total. The other 3 names are AstraZeneca plc (AZN), SuperGen, Inc. (SUPG) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX).

Earnings Estimates

Since its third-quarter report on Nov 4, Santarus has enjoyed sharp gains in analysts' earnings estimates. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this year is at 30 cents per share, marking a rise of more than 66% from 18 cents in just the past 7 trading days. The 4 covering analysts have unanimously contributed to this upward revision.

At the moment, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year is at 22 cents, marking a gain of 10% in the past week from 20 cents.

Raised 2009 Guidance

In its third-quarter report, Santarus boosted its guidance for 2009 based on a solid performance for that period, revenue growth for ZEGERID and GLUMETZA, its growth expectation for lower overall expenses, and the signing of its licensing agreement for Europe.

SNTS now expects product-related revenue of at least $141 million, instead of its previous outlook of $138 million, and also raised its total revenues expectation to at least $150 million, instead of $145 million. The company now expects net income of at least $10 million, versus breakeven to $1 million earlier, and reduced its estimate for 2009 R&D expenses.

For the quarter itself, Santarus earned 9 cents per share, which was sharply higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of a penny per share. It was also significantly better than the year-ago loss of 8 cents.

The medical/biotech industries can be very volatile, but SNTS has been able to consistently beat the quarterly Zacks Consensus Estimate. In the past 4 quarters, it has amassed an average surprise of more than 500%. (In each of those quarters, the company reported a profit while the Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegging a loss.)

Total revenues for Santarus advanced to $39.5 million in the quarter from $32.2 million, while product-related revenue advanced about 30% to $38.3 million from $29.5 million. Total prescriptions for ZEGERID and GLUMETZA rose, respectively, by 6.3% year over year and 9.2% sequentially.

Zacks Investment Research

 

Below is a list of the companies that made news in the healthcare sector on Friday, October 30, 2009. Biotech investors interested in seeing more details about these companies and a full list of their related stories can do so by typing the stock ticker symbol into the Stock Quotes box on the right side of the page.

Biodel Inc. (Nasdaq:BIOD) announced Dr. Solomon Steiner, Chairman and CEO of Biodel, will present a corporate update at the Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference on November 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am Atlantic Time.

AMRI (NASDAQ:AMRI) announced AMRI Director of Investor Relations Peter Jerome will present at the Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference in New York City on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. EST.

BioScrip, Inc. (Nasdaq:BIOS) announced third quarter net income of $5.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, on revenues of $333.5 million. These results compare to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.04 per share, on revenues of $359.4 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) announced its presentation at the Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 20th Annual Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ET will be webcast live and will be available in the investor relations section of the company’s Web site at www.celgene.com. Celgene management will provide an overview of the company.

ARYx Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARYX) announced it will present at the Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference in New York on November 4, 2009 at 10:15 am Eastern.

Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:JAV), a leading developer and marketer of specialty pharmaceutical products for pain management, received commitments from a single institutional investor, to purchase up to 3,186,700 shares of its common stock for estimated gross proceeds of approximately $3.9 million.

China-Biotics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHBT), a leading Chinese firm specializing in the manufacture, research, development, marketing and distribution of probiotics products, announced the appointment of Dr. Tom Gu as Vice President, effective November 2.

BMP Sunstone Corporation (Nasdaq:BJGP), announced it will participate in the following conferences: -- Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference, to be held November 3-4, 2009 at the Waldorf=Astoria hotel in New York.

Warner Chilcott plc (Nasdaq:WCRX) announced it has completed the acquisition of The Procter & Gamble Company's global branded prescription pharmaceutical business.

NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE:NBS), announced the Company has completed theacquisition of China Biopharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CHBP), a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company.

Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:JAV), a leading developer and marketer of specialty pharmaceutical products for pain management, received commitments from a single institutional investor, to purchase up to 3,186,700 shares of its common stock for estimated gross proceeds of approximately $3.9 million.

BSD Medical Corporation (NASDAQ:BSDM) announced published study results demonstrated improvement in overall survival, tumor response rates, and local tumor control from the addition of hyperthermia therapy, delivered using the BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System, to the standard treatment regimen for 45 patients with high-risk bladder cancer.

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE:SFE), a holding company builds value in growth-stage life sciences and technology companies, announced it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 prior to market open on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

Emergent Health Corp. (OTC:EMGE) Emergent (the “Company”) is pleased to announce a forward stock split of 11 shares for each 10 shares owned.

NeurogesX, Inc. (Nasdaq:NGSX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, announced it will hold a conference call on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. PT) to report results for its third quarter 2009.

Rosetta Genomics (NASDAQ:ROSG) announced Ayelet Chajut, its Executive Vice President, R&D, Head of Molecular Biology will speak at the 6th International Conference on Circulating Nucleic Acids in Plasma and Serum (CNAPS-VI).

Shire plc (NASDAQ:SHPGY) the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces results for the three months to September 30, 2009.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE:VRX) announced it has agreed to acquire the rights to several prescription and cosmetic dermatology products from a privately-held, Polish specialty pharmaceutical company.

Impax Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPXL) confirms it has initiated a challenge of the patents listed by Abbott Laboratories in connection with its TRICO® (fenofibrate) tablets, 48 mg and 145 mg.

PharMerica Corporation (NYSE:PMC), a national provider of institutional pharmacy and hospital pharmacy management services, announced Michael J. Culota, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will make a presentation regarding the Company at the Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference in New York City on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at 10:50 a.m. Eastern Time.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced it will report financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2009 on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, after the U.S. financial markets close.

Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc. (NASDAQ:HITK) announced it is scheduled to make an investor presentation at the 20th Annual Oppenheimer Healthcare Conference. David Seltzer, President and Chief Executive Officer, will deliver the Company's presentation on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at 3:55 p.m. Eastern Time.

GTx, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTXI) announced it will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, November 2, 2009 to provide an update regarding the New Drug Application for toremifene 80 mg to reduce fractures in men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy.

Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:TLCR) will release its third quarter 2009 financial results on November 9, 2009, after the stock market closes, and will host a conference call at 8:30 AM Eastern Time on November 10, 2009.

Covidien (NYSE:COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, announced its subsidiary, Mallinckrodt Inc., has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate (CII).

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced it will report financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2009 on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, after the U.S. financial markets close.

Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX) announced it will report its 2009 third quarter financial results in a press release to be issued after 8:00 am local time on Friday, November 6, 2009.

Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced the company’s plan to advance clinical development of its human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based produc , GRNOPC1, for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

On 9/21/09, Neuralstem (AMEX: CUR) ($2.50, +34%, heavy volume) announced that the FDA has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to commence a Phase I trial to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) with its spinal cord stem cells.[More...]

Yesterday, Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANDS) started a 12-week phase II trial of its ANA598 for hepatitis C patients. ANA 598 will be evaluated in combination with interferon-alpha and ribavirin (current standard of care) in the mid-stage study. Data from the trial is expected to be released at the end of this year and in the [...]

(ANDS) Anadys Begins Mid-Stage Trial

Tom Dorsey and Tammy DeRosier - The Market Dropped the Baton

Market Close Live for Wednesday 6/21/06 Topics covered today: 1) Market Wrap - Rally back to the downtrend line 2) Strong earnings from FedEx and Morgan Stanley fuel buying 3) Oil back above $70, Gold closes in on $600 4) Stocks from the PFG BREAKOUT Stock Scan 5) Analysis of individual ETF questions 6) Stocks and ETFs mentioned: PGN, T, CAG, PLG, PEY, XLP, WAG, PEP, PG, WMT, XLP, PBJ, YUM, KO, XLE, GIS, IGT, MAR, HLT, IACI, SBUX, PEJ, EWD, LDF, TK, OMM, USEY, LH, ABI, INTU, BOT, DAKT, GOOG, VRX, FDX, MS 7) "Market Close Live" IS NOW available as a "PODCAST" for those who have MP3 player. If you are interested in learning how to get "Market Close Live" on your MP3 player please email info@pennfinancialgroup.com. ***** TO GET YOUR STOCK/MARKET QUESTIONS ANSWERED YOU CAN EMAIL THEM TO: info@pennfinancialgroup.com