Four Promising Embyronic Stem Cell Stocks

The recent lifting of the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research has spurred many to ask, “Who stands to benefit?” In the process of attempting to answer this question, I came across several companies—some low profile—pursuing fascinating, and in some cases promising, embryonic stem cell projects:

Advanced Cell Technology (ACTC.PK) [MC: 8M] harnesses a technique for generating hES cells from an 8-cell embryo without impacting the embryo’s development potential. Advanced Cell’s hES program is currently in preclinical stages. Other programs include a myoblast (adult stem cell) program which is expected to begin a phase 2 heart failure trial shortly. The firm is also engaged in preclinical research to generate cell therapies for treatment of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) [MC: 17M] is focusing on production of stem cell lines with similar development potential as hES Cells, but aren’t derived from viable embryos. ISCO produces stem cells through parthenogenic embryos, which are non-viable embryos from an egg that was stimulated to divide without fertilization. These parthenogenic stem cell lines may facilitate matching to patients to avoid immune system rejection of transplanted cells. ISCO is pursuing cell therapy research targeted toward retinal diseases, liver disease, and diabetes.

Proteonomix, Inc. (PROT.PK) [MC: 9M] is developing methods to culture human embryonic stem (hES) cells using umbilical cord blood (UCB) feeder cells in place of current methods requiring animal cells, reducing the chance of pathogen transmission. The company plans to license this culture technology and is aiming revolutionize hES cell culture protocol. In addition, Proteonomix is preparing to commence operations in late 2009 of Proteonomix Cord Blood Bank to store UCB stem cells. PROT’s Proteoderm Inc. subsidiary markets high-tech prescription anti-aging cosmetics.

French firm Vivalis SA (Euronext VLS) [MC: 81M] licenses its EBx non-human embryonic stem cell technology and cell lines to vaccine and therapeutic antibody manufacturers. Vivalis asserts its cell lines have unique biological properties making for superior, more efficient for vaccine manufacturing versus traditional methods. Sanofi-Aventis (SNY), Novartis (NVS), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are a few of the larger companies that have signed Vivalis license agreements.

Disclosure: no positions

Comments

[Rage1979:]

Can you post anything relevant besides your standad KOOL pump message? Look at this guys message history..Since you clearly want to talk about KOOL, I suggest you write you own article. There are alot of interesting stem cell plays, and not every article has to name every company..

Mar 23 06:06 AM

[Stika:]

I don't care who does what or why as long as its ethical, and the more people reasearching stemcell tech the better, it creates hope for those of us waiting for the end product. Alot of people out there look forward to being able to walk, hear, see etc..... don't shoot down someone just because you happen to like someone else, its in humane.

I personally have alot to gain, as do alot of people i know, and its the little companies that grow into big ones. think of the kids that started playing with computers in there garage, they later went ont to become apple.

One step at a time, a great trek is made.
Jason.

Mar 26 07:08 PM

[Danny Furman:]

isco seems to be doing high school science and hiring professional grade web designers. ethical?

Mar 28 06:11 PM

[KOOLloser:]

Who would keep posting about KOOL unless it is to try to sell it?

Mar 30 12:13 PM

[Kres28:]

User 374873:

You need to put more effort into your touts--at least "appear" to care for the company.

First, help me to understand what an "investment grade company" is in a world that is trying to identify investment strategies (nuts-and-bolts) that failed and at the same time create (or save) approaches that are sound?

"Investment grade"? In Biotech? It's all about R & D and pipeline. From Start-up to established (Wyeth, Geron, Merck, Glaxo... etc...) Hmmmm, should I invest in an "investment grade" company that has no pipeline, is cutting R&D, and has patents expiring? Or, one that is praying the the FTC approves their buyout/merger(s) because their pipeline is dry?

Playing in Biotech is always risky. Plenty of challenges exist to get a drug/treatment from R&D to FDA approval on to manufacturing and then to market.

So what do you do? Know that most drugs in the pipeline will fail as you look for your "homerun". Yes, do your due diligence --research, research, research -- but in the end you simply need to have as many pieces of the legit pie (diabetes, stem cell, Alzheimer's, delivery systems, etc) as possible,

Oh, and don't put ALL your biotech investment in Thermogenesis (KOOL). But, I am certain you are happy with your 8% to 12% daytrading swings.

Apr 02 01:01 PM