July 26, 2021 5:51pm

Don’t get comfortable, there are more releases to come forth in the first few sessions in August

Pre-open indications: 6 HITs and 2 MISS

News: Biogen (BIIB) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) announced topline data from a P1b placebo-controlled, multiple ascending dose clinical study showed that BIIB080/IONIS-MAPTRx met its primary objective of safety and tolerability in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The study demonstrated robust time and dose dependent lowering of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) over the three-month treatment period and sustained reductions during the six-month post-treatment period.

My comments try to distinguish the temporary from real pricing digression or progress.

Who else is tracking a broad representative index of cell and gene therapy equities – the facts are supported by real numbers! 

The Dow closed UP +82.76 points (+0.24%); the S&P closed UP +10.51 points (+0.24%) while the Nasdaq closed UP +3.72 points (+0.03%)

 

Henry’omics:

Indexes “spurted” while the S&P reached another record high the Dow to an all-time high and the Nasdaq a new high.

A two-day meeting of the Fed starts on Tuesday, and all eyes may be on whether the central bank expresses any new concerns about high inflation when it concludes the conference on Wednesday.

 

Data Docket: sales of new U.S. single-family homes dropped unexpectedly in June, falling 6.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 units, the Commerce Department said on Monday. Economists had expected new home sales to increase to 795,000 units in June.

 

RegMed Investors’ (RMi) pre-open: “last trading week of July and closer to sector Q2 earnings’ releases” … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/12018

 

Q2/21 Earnings - (LPS - loss-per-share) Results … https://www.regmedinvestors.com/articles/11542

 

RegMed/Stem/Cell and Gene therapy’s 35 covered equities’ Advance/Decline (A/D) lines:

  • Monday opened negative at 11/21, 2 flats and 1 acquired, stayed negative at the mid-day to 9/21, 4 flats and 1 acquired, closing negative 12/21, 1 flat and 1 acquired;

 

The Biostage (BSTG) Chronicles: Monday dropped to the downside of -$0.06 to $1.65 with 406 shares traded after Friday and Thursday closing flat with 200 shares traded, Wednesday close of +$0.01 to $1.71 with 200 shares traded, Tuesday’s volume of 49 shares with a flat outcome proves I am RIGHT re the “pump” promoting, Monday’s 207 shares traded dropping -$0.01 to $1.70.

  • WHAT is the end game or play-book for this company, it has not done ANYTHING to monetize their asset of an approved IND with NO clinical trial initiative … so WHERE and WHAT is the value proposition?

 

Pre-open Indications: 6 HITs <SELL: Biostage (BSTG -$0.06), CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP -$3.05), Editas Medicine (EDIT -$0.99), Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT -$0.48), Sage Therapeutics (SAGE -$0.69), Verastem (VSTM +$0.01)> 2 MISS < Applied Genetic Technologies (AGTC +$0.05), bluebird bio (BLUE +$0.20),

 

There are clear winners and losers

Jumping with share pricing momentum:

  • uniQure NV (QURE), MiMedx (MDXG), bluebird bio (BLUE), AxoGen (AXGN), Adverum Biotechnologies (ADVM) to name 5 of the 12 inclining of the 35

Hammered in today’s market:

  • Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY), Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) – again, Ultragenyx (RARE), Fate Therapeutics (FATE), CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) – another again to name 5 of the 21 declining of the 35 covered

 

Key Metrics:

  • Sector volume was LOW with 2 of the 12-upside having higher than the 3-month average volume with very LOW volume of 3 of 21-downside having higher than the 3-month average volume;
  • Monday’s percentage (%) of the 12-upside were +0.30% (VSTM) to +3.84% (QURE) while the 21-downside ranges from -1.38% (MESO) to -4.68% (RGNX);

 

Monday’s (12 of 12) incliners:

  • uniQure NV (QURE +$1.00 after Friday’s -$0.48);
  • MiMedx (MDXG +$0.25 after Friday’s +$0.22);
  • bluebird bio (BLUE +$0.20 after Friday’s -$1.00)
  • AxoGen (AXGN +$0.08 after Friday’s +$0.18);
  • Adverum Biotechnologies (ADVM +$0.07 after Friday’s -$0.70);
  • Precigen (PGEN +$0.05);
  • Applied Genetic Technologies (AGTC +$0.05);
  • Voyager therapeutics (VYGR +$0.04);
  • Solid Biosciences (SLDB +$0.02);
  • Caladrius Biosciences (CLBS +$0.02);
  • Verastem (VSTM +$0.01);
  • Athersys (ATHX +$0.01);

Monday’s (10 of 21) decliners:

  • Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY -$4.30 after Friday’s +$0.60);
  • Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA -$3.71 after Friday’s -$10.17);
  • Ultragenyx (RARE -$3.36 after Friday’s -$0.83);
  • Fate Therapeutics (FATE -$3.18);
  • CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP -$3.05 after Friday’s -$2.50);
  • Regenxbio (RGNX -$1.64 after Friday’s -$2.33);
  • Vericel (VCEL -$1.660 after Friday’s +$0.40);
  • BioLife Solutions (BLFS -$1.43 after Friday’s +$0.25);
  • Editas Medicine (EDIT -$0.99 after Friday’s -$2.17);
  • Sage Therapeutics (SAGE -$0.69 after Friday’s -$0.74);

Closing – 1 flat – ReNeuron (RENE.L) and 1 - Stemline Therapeutics (STML) – acquired

 

Stats:

The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology (IBB) and the SPDR S&P ETF (XBI) indicators:

  • Monday, the IBB closed down -1.89% and XBI closed down -1.81%

The CBOE Volatility Index (VVIX: INDEX) tracked:

  • Monday was up +0.38 points or +2.21% at 17.58

Upside volume:

  • Monday: 2 out of the 12-upside had higher than the 3-month average volume;

Downside volume:

  • Monday:34 out of the 21-downside had higher than the 3-month average volume;

Percentage (%) movement/range statistics: price versus percentage …

  • Monday’s percentage (%) of the 12-upside were +0.30% (VSTM) to +3.84% (QURE) while the 21-downside ranges from -1.38% (MESO) to -4.68% (RGNX);

 

July, first month of Q3/21:

Monday (7/26) closed negative with 12 advancers, 21 decliners,1 flat and 1 acquired

 

The BOTTOM LINE: Reiterating, “Sector share pricing was subjected to a negative headwind as I had stated, “the algorithmic “Pac-Mans” ate the upside”.

Adding some warning signs for investors – Q2 earnings on the horizon; although uniQure NV (QURE) scored homerun with a solid net income and runway earnings debut.

A tool that hasn’t resonated … guidance is one factor of the sector. NO news has bake- in the decline of the sector.

Keep an eye on “runways” … as quarterly earnings come out

We have seen the first release of earnings; but, will the remainder of Q2 earnings “suck pond water”!

I’m STILL a “beware or the cautious man” whose focus has always been “warning analysis” … earnings’ season is NOT over … my advice, trim and skim any new highs if one can!”

 

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.

Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.