Indication intelligence, analysis and sector perception

RegMed Investors’ (RMi) pre-open: which way today? I don’t see the legs of support

December 9, 2020 8:26am

COVID-19 infections are out-of-control, hospitalizations have dramatically rise, no fiscal aid package as negotiations stall as holidays approach with NO toll-out calendar for individual or even group plan for vaccination

Pre-open indications: 5 BUY and 6 SELLs

News: REGENXBIO (RGNX) announced interim data from Cohorts 1 and 2 of the ongoing P1/2 trial of RGX-121 for the treatment of patients up to 5 years old diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II) with a POSITIVE +1.13 or +3.02% pre-market indication. Pluristem (PSTI) CLI study is unlikely to meet its primary endpoint by the time of the final analysis with a NEGATIVE -$4.77 pre-market indication.

What I provide is an “intelligence daily” to ensure that shareholders are kept apprised based on a 24-hour surveillance of “our” universe, the RegMed/cell and gene therapy sector and its surrounding markets

Dow futures are UP +0.22% (+67 points), S&P futures are UP +0.11% (+4 point) and NASDAQ futures are DOWN -0.10% (-13 points)

Futures are mixed early Wednesday on optimism of a needle jab coming;

European stocks traded higher as market focus in the region remains firmly on the progress of post-Brexit trade deal talks between the EU and U.K.;

Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher as a coronavirus vaccine rollout commenced in the U.K., fueling some of the optimism among investors;

Henry’omics:

The Nasdaq notched a record close after rallying 0.5% while the small-cap benchmark Russell 2000 closed up 1.4% at another new record on Tuesday … which scare me?

An Update: RegMed/Cell and Gene Therapy Earnings Scorecard Q3/20 LPS Results https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11628

Tuesday’s night’s recap: RegMed Investors’ (RMi) closing bell: “sector’s treading water as momentum relaxes after fresh new market highs. Profit-taking underscores share pricing, another I told you so …” https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11668

The Nasdaq closed UP +62.83 points (+0.50%);
The IBB closed up +1.77% and XBI closed up +1.93%;
Sector volume was LOW with 10 of the 19-upside having higher than the 3-month average volume with the increased volume of 10 of 14-downside having higher than the 3-month average volume;
The CBOE Volatility Index (VVIX: INDEX) was down -0.62 points or -2.91% at 20.68
Tuesday’s percentage (%) of the 19-upside were +0.17% (MDXG) to +10.58% (EDIT) while the 14-downside of -0.70% (CLLS) to -6.64% (BLFS);

Q4:

Q4’s December, so far: 1 neutral, 1 negative and 4 positive closes

Q4’s November: 16 positive and 3 negative closes
Q4’s October: 1 neutral, 11 positives with 1 negative closes
Q3: July through September: 1 neutral, 28 positive and 34 negative closes with 2 holidays

Companies in my headlights – It’s your decision; I provide an idea and context:

Maintaining Sell:

Biostage (BSTG) closed flat at $1.35 with 761 shares traded after Monday’s -$0.07 to $1.35 with 5,098 shares traded, Friday’s +$0.07 to $1.42 with 3,514 shares traded, Thursday’s -$0.00 to $1.35 with 2,418 shares traded and last Wednesday’s -$0.01 to $1.36 with 8,574 shares traded;

Question#1: WHY is BSTG considered a “zombie” company, consider the trading pattern?
Question#2: WHY NO communication re clinical trial strategy or just anything re froward motion? Is there a language gap or a deliberate message deficiency by key management?

SELL into strength:

Athersys (ATHX) closed up +$0.125 to $1.87 after Monday’s $1.75, Friday’s $1.82, Thursday $1.72, and last Wednesday’s $1.78 with a POSITIVE +$0.01 or +0.53% aftermarket indication;

Maintaining BUY:

Applied Genetic Technologies (AGTC) closed down again -$0.10 to $4.45 after Monday’s -$0.14 to $4.55, Friday’s +$0.02 to 44.69, Thursday’s -$0.33 to $4.67 and last Wednesday’s +$0.18 to $5.00 with a NEGATIVE -$0.03 or -0.67% aftermarket indication and a sincere belief that it is OVERSOLD and I LOVE BOTTOMS;

bluebird bio (BLUE) closed down -$1.00 to $44.40 after Monday’s $45.40, Friday’s $46.92, Thursday $46.98, and last Wednesday’s $46.19 with a POSITIVE +$0.60 or +1.35% aftermarket indication;

Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) closed down again -$0.43 to $40.92 after Monday’s -$2.50 to $41.35, Friday’s -$0.05 to $43.85, Thursday’s -$0.88 to $43.90, and Wednesday’s -$3.40 to $44.78 with a POSITIVE +$0.04 or +0.10% aftermarket indication

Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) closed up +$0.67 to $47.26 after Monday’s $46.59, Friday’s $43.44, Thursday’s $42.92, and last Wednesday’s $41.08 with a POSITIVE +$0.24 or +0.515 aftermarket indication;

SELL from BUY:

Editas Medicine (EDIT) closed up +$4.13 to $43.18 after Monday’s +$1.26 to $34.49, Friday’s $34.49, Thursday’s +$33.23 and Wednesday’s-$31.56 with a NEGATIVE -$0.66 or -1.53% aftermarket indication;

Maintaining SELL:

Mesoblast (MESO) closed up +$0.25 to $16.79 after Monday’s $16.54, Friday’ $16.10, Friday’s $16.10, Thursday’s +$15.74 and Wednesday’s $15.84 with a NEGATIVE -$0.21 or -1.25%% aftermarket indication;

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) closed down -$3.25 to $146.47 after Monday’s +$2.18 to $149.72, Friday’s +$7.08 to $147.54, Thursday’s +$8.92, Wednesday’s +$1.96 and last Tuesday’s +$2.66 with a NEGATIVE -$0.47 or -0.32% aftermarket indication;

SELL on News:

Pluristem (PSTI) closed up +$0.06 to $11.46 but, has a NEGATIVE -$5.31 or -46.34% pre=market indication on news of recommendation of the CLI study is unlikely to meet its primary endpoint by the time of the final analysis of its P3 CLI study

BUY on news:

Regenxbio (RGNX) closed up +$0.87 to $37.37 with a POSITIVE +1.13 or +3.02% pre-market indication on news of REGENXBIO (RGNX) announced interim data from Cohorts 1 and 2 of the ongoing P1/2 trial of RGX-121. RGX-121 is an investigational one-time gene therapy designed to deliver the gene that encodes the iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S) enzyme using the AAV9 vector. RGX-121 is delivered directly to the central nervous system (CNS) via intracisternal administration.

The BOTTOM LINE: What goes UP, comes DOWN; news gets sold into and spurs share price appreciation … its like throwing dice in a crap game or a casino … some sessions.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change, and not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, nor investment advice.

Whether information or intelligence is good, bad or somewhere in between; I put into context what is relevant and useful for investors. All investments are subject to risks. Investors should consider investment objectives.

Henry McCusker, the editor and publisher of RegMed Investors does not hold or have positions in securities referred to in this publication.

35 companies, 1 interpreter!

Insight, foresight and recommendation

My motto … never leave an investor uninformed! I say today what others won’t, so you can do what others can’t.

My name is Henry McCusker; I endorse these opinions under my own name and with a subscription based membership.

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Editor and Publisher ... Henry McCusker enters his tenth (10th) year at RegMed Investors with past experience in sell-side analysis, buy-side management, corporate management and due diligence.

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The information included above as well as individual companies and/or securities mentioned should be construed as guidance in RMi reviews.

The facts stated and the opinions given in this publication are based on data and information considered to be reliable and have been carefully worked into my qualitative analyses and prognoses. However, no guarantee can be given as to their fairness, accuracy or completeness.

Henry McCusker, the editor and publisher of RegMed Investors does not hold or have positions in securities referred to in this publication.