Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Message Board

Over Seas Today? Maybe Some Positive News Will Be Released?

"at my signal, unleash hell" (on shorts!) ;-)

coiled spring, Jerry...coiled spring....bwahahaha.

...nice steady ascent. $4.50 may have been the bottom; let's hope so. need to clear $5 before that verdict is in, but in any event, today's chart is very encouraging, especially against the background of a big broad market sell-off. string a few days like this together and I'd say we turned the corner.

...by way of selling 50 January $5.00 puts (that volume today is all me) when ASTX was down around $4.45.

Btw, take a look at the historical prices over the last year. When this stock broke out, it was up .30, .40 and .50 at times. Just a matter of time before the tide turns, shorts close out profitable positions and this stock regains some tailwinds.

In addition to partnering with Eisai and Janssen Cilag on marketing Dacogen, Astex has collaborative clinical-phase agreements with Novartis (NYSE: NVS ) for AT7519, a treatment for leukemia and LEE011, an enzyme inhibitor; AstraZeneca for AZD5363, an orally active, selective protein kinase B inhibitor, and AZD3293, a potential Alzheimer's treatment; and GlaxoSmithKline regarding therapies of Glaxo's choosing with the assistance of Astex Pyramid platform.

These partnerships provide milestone payments, and in some cases cost-sharing initiatives, which allow Astex to carry on multiple trials at the same time.

3. Cash

Finally, with Astex spending so much on researching and developing its now-extensive pipeline, it's imperative that you keep a close eye on its usage of cash.

Astex, thus far, has done a pretty good job of putting itself in position to receive milestone payments from its partners and spend within its means. As of its latest quarter Astex had $122.5 million in cash with no debt. Forming partnerships and Dacogen's approval have made Astex profitable and cash flow positive since 2009. Astex shareholders shouldn't have too much to worry about in terms of cash burn.

Conclusion

Now that you know what to watch for, it should be easier to analyze Astex Pharmaceuticals' successes and pitfalls in the future, and hopefully you'll gain a competitive investing edge.

If you're still craving even more info on Astex Pharmaceuticals, I would recommend adding the stock to your free and personalized Watchlist so you can keep up on all of the latest news with the company.

July 24, 2012

Astex Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology firm focused on therapies in the fields of oncology and hematology and small-molecule-drug discovery. It currently has one drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a pipeline filled with 10 clinical phase experimental drugs and multiple pre-clinical trials.

Today, let's look at three things investors should be watching regarding Astex Pharmaceuticals, which will provide us with better insight into the company.

1. Clinical-phase pipeline

Astex currently has one FDA-approved drug on the market, Dacogen, for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. It markets this drug in cooperation with Eisai Pharmaceuticals in North America and Janssen Cilag, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, everywhere else. Dacogen's sales have hit a stagnant point in recent quarters making it extremely important that Astex continues to develop its pipeline of drug hopefuls in order to grow its bottom line.

With four drugs in phase 1 trials, five hopefuls in phase 2, and an expansion of Dacogen in phase 3 trials, Astex offers shareholders a seemingly endless parade of study data with plenty more in the pre-clinical and discovery stages. The basis for Astex's success in discovering potential therapies lies in its proprietary fragment-based drug discovery platform known as Pyramid. This technology is able to computationally determine how low-weight molecules (fragments) and proteins will interact with one another, and has allowed Astex to create a bountiful clinical-phase pipeline.

2. Partnerships

In addition to discovering potentially new therapies, a small biotechnology company having a partner with an experienced sales and marketing team, and deep pockets, is often appreciated. Astex has worked rigorously to set itself up for success by partnering with many large pharmaceutical names.

And Astex is in the middle of this exciting market with their partnered drug AZD3293.

A Two-part Multiple Dose Study to Assess the Safety and Effects of AZD3293 in Healthy Elderly and Alzheimer's Patients
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified March 2013 by AstraZeneca
Sponsor:
AstraZeneca
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
AstraZenecaClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01795339
First received: February 18, 2013
Last updated: March 22, 2013
Last verified: March 2013

Sentiment: Strong Buy

Some selling after hours. Not a large amount, but they were willing to take .30 less for them. Maybe pumpettees should be prepared for tomorrow. Today they are all focused on upcoming events.

I was wondering when pumpettees would start blaming their misfortunes on manipulation. I informed this board at $6.90 that it was manipulated to that value and you better watch out. But pumpettees always learn the hardway. Normally they spend their whole lifes blaming bad luck, manipulation,management.

Well they got greedy and pig's get slaudered. I still believe you have some more value to give back. I stated you would see $300M in valuation disappear. That would take this to about $3.70 range. Only .87 to go.

They stoled $2.35 a share and you helped them. Be careful of these pumpettees. They are not very bright.

Sentiment: Sell