ISIS Pharma Should Jump on 'Multiple Catalysts'

Jefferies is out with a good call on ISIS Pharma (NASDAQ:ISIS), saying they believe a number of near-term events should drive share appreciation in 1H08. Reiterate Buy and $30 target.

* Firm's ongoing due diligence suggests that a partnership, with a substantial upfront payment, spin-off or sale could materialize sooner than "Street" expectations for the diagnostic division, Ibis Biosciences.

* Mipomersen P3 heterozygous FH (HeFH) trial(s) likely to commence shortly: Jeffco believes that one of the key points of discussion with the FDA centers around finalizing the most appropriate definition of a HeFH patient. Their physician consultants have expressed a large degree of comfort with all of the mipomersen data presented to date. As a result, they believe that safety is not a road-block to initiating P3 trials in the broader FH population.

* 113715, a PTB-1B inhibitor for Type 2 diabetes, could represent a partnership opportunity in 2Q08.

Notablecalls: Take a look at ISIS' chart. The stock has given back most of the huge gain following the GENZ deal. Now we have Jeffy coming out saying they see multiple catalysts, several of which look to be largely unknown to the public.

You have to understand that stocks like ISIS only move in anticipation of catalysts.

You gotta buy ISIS here. Actionable Trading Call alert!