Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Stocks Surge in December

The accompanying table (click to enlarge) includes the Top 10 Rated companies among a total of 64 and statistics for the ETF Innovators (ETFI) Cosmetic and Reconstructive Medicine (CRM) Index, which includes companies with market caps over $100M engaged in cosmetic medicine products, regenerative medicine + stem cells, orthopedic repair, joint replacements, and cardiovascular (heart + blood vessels) treatments.

The Top 10 Rated companies are dominated by those focusing on cardiovascular treatments, including VNUS Medical Technologies (VNUS), Thoratec (THOR), Edwards Lifesciences (EW), Vascular Solutions (VASC), ATS Medical (ATSI), and Abiomed (ABMD).

Over the past year, the Top 40 Rated companies in the CRM Index fared better than the Healthcare Sector SPDR (XLV), iShares Nasdaq Biotech ETF (IBB), and the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY) – thanks in part to a major surge in six stem cell and regenerative medicine companies highlighted below with their one-month stock price return and current market cap:

Osiris Therapeutics (OSIR) up 10.9% to $603M

Cytori Therapeutics (CYTX) up 87.6% to $110M

RTI Biologics (RTIX) up 48.5% to $157M

Integra LifeSciences (IART) up 15.4% to $967M

StemCells (STEM) up 20.6% to $122M

Geron (GERN) up 45% to $367M

The new administration is viewed as favorable for increased spending on basic scientific research (including stem cells) and, more importantly, companies such as Pfizer (PFE), Roche (RHHBY.PK), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Novartis (NVS), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are starting business segments focused on regenerative medicine through direct investments and partnerships as a new frontier for R&D to bolster their pipelines.

Comments

[Dan Jacome:]

Will any of the big companies go after the smaller stem players - which ones are targets?

2008 Dec 20 11:43 PM

[CLH:]

Stem cells have prodced little in 10 years. The gov. has plenty of important things to spend on. Stem cells will be at the bottom.

2008 Dec 21 08:11 AM

[natriley:]

Has anybody comments on RGBO which had a reverse stock split on Dec 1. Its website claims its products have passed review in Europe.

2008 Dec 21 10:19 AM

[stox2buy:]

Not many companies can grow revenue 10-20% this year and turn profitable for the 1st time in this kind of economy.

No debt, plenty of cash.

Take a look at Thermogenesis(KOOL), do your DD before investing.

2008 Dec 22 12:25 PM

[patp:]

do your DD on actc


On Dec 20 11:43 PM Dan Jacome wrote:

> Will any of the big companies go after the smaller stem players -
> which ones are targets?

Jan 19 05:22 PM

[Mike Havrilla:]

ThermoGenesis: A Stealth Stem Cell Play
Posted on 1/31/09 at my blog:

www.etfinnovators.com/...

Feb 01 10:49 AM

[curecell:]

The only stem cell stock worth investing is Thermogenesis (KOOL) and actually an excellent investment for years to come, why?

Not an R&D shop trying to find a cure for diseases but it's the only viable supplier of tools and equipments for stem cells processing and preservation from cord blood and bone marrow.

Actually, it's about to achieve sustainable profitability and entering high growth period with its new line of clinical devices called Res-Q's for stem cells and PRP in human and veterinary hospitals .

Mar 10 07:26 PM