The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Actavis and Alkermes - Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 26, 2015 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), AstraZeneca plc (AZN), ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD), Actavis plc (ACT) and Alkermes plc ( ALKS).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
3 Stocks Poised to Grow in Schizophrenia Market
Schizophrenia is a chronic neurological brain disorder which adversely affects a patient’s ability to think clearly. The symptoms are broadly categorized as positive and negative. While positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions and suspiciousness, negative symptoms include social withdrawal, lack of motivation and reduced emotional reactivity. Patients also suffer from lack of concentration and memory problems.
Although symptoms associated with the disease generally start appearing between 16 to 30 years, they become pronounced at a later age. Genetic, environment and different brain chemistry and structure are the primary causes identified over the years for the same. Most patients have multiple relapses which fuel clinical progression. Syd Barrett (a founding member of rock band Pink Floyd) and noted painter Vincent van Gogh are among countless others who were believed to have suffered from schizophrenia.
While presently there is no cure for schizophrenia, antipsychotic drugs are generally used for the management of its symptoms. These drugs are classified as standard antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics.
Atypical antipsychotics are a new class of drugs that boast of fewer side effects than conventional ones. Currently, the schizophrenia market is pretty crowded with quite a few established players and a couple of upcoming players. The situation is further intensified given the large unmet medical need for new therapies that have reduced side effects and improved efficacy profiles.
Leading drugs in this market include Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Risperdal and AstraZeneca plc’s (AZN) Seroquel XR (an extended release formulation of quetiapine fumarate), among others.
Meanwhile, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) is evaluating its lead candidate Nuplazid (pimavanserin) for the treatment of schizophrenia. The company has successfully completed a phase II trial on Nuplazid as a co-therapy for schizophrenia. It also plans to evaluate the candidate as a stand-alone maintenance therapy in between acute psychotic episodes in a phase II study on schizophrenia.
With about 30 million people across the world estimated to be suffering from schizophrenia, the commercial opportunity in this market is immense.
Our 3 Picks for the Schizophrenia Market
Although picking the correct stocks from so many options could be a daunting task, our proprietary methodology makes it fairly simple. One way to narrow down the list of choices is by looking at stocks that carry a favorable Zacks Rank – Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold).
We help you identify three players in the schizophrenia market which are poised for growth:
New Brunswick, NJ-based Johnson & Johnson focuses on the development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical, medical and consumer-related healthcare products. The company is already well-established in the schizophrenia market armed with Invega Sustenna and Risperdal Consta. The recent FDA approval of Invega Trinza should strengthen its position further in this market. Invega Trinza is the first and only schizophrenia medication that needs to be dosed just four times in a year. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Dublin, Ireland-based Actavis plc (ACT) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacturing, marketing, sale and distribution of generic, branded generic, brand, biosimilar and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products. Actavis is evaluating cariprazine for the treatment of bipolar schizophrenia. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Dublin, Ireland-based Alkermes plc (ALKS) was formed following the Sep 2011 merger between Waltham, MA-based Alkermes, Inc. and Elan Drug Technologies. Alkermes’ aripiprazole lauroxil, a once-monthly formulation for the treatment of schizophrenia, is currently under review in the U.S. with a response expected by Aug 22, 2015. Aripiprazole lauroxil is designed to have multiple dosing options and will have to be administered in a ready-to-use, pre-filled product format.
The company is also evaluating oral atypical antipsychotic candidate ALKS 3831 for schizophrenia (currently in phase II). ALKS 3831 is composed of samidorphan in combination with Zyprexa. The company also earns royalty on Invega Sustenna and Risperdal Consta from Johnson & Johnson. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
JOHNSON & JOHNS (JNJ): Free Stock Analysis Report
ASTRAZENECA PLC (AZN): Free Stock Analysis Report
ACADIA PHARMA (ACAD): Free Stock Analysis Report
ACTAVIS PLC (ACT): Free Stock Analysis Report
ALKERMES INC (ALKS): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
