Dutch/Danish biotech company Genmab saw a strong rebound in its share price of more than 50% from a low of DKK 40. The primary reason for this in our opinion was due to the outcome of a renegotiated partnership with GSK on Arzerra. This provides Genmab with a upfront payment of STG 90 million. The payment is inclusive of the reduced R&D expenses for Genmab on Arzerra, giving Genmab much needed financial stability and also the first sign towards earning back its investors trust. More to follow.

There are rising problems with bacteria becoming resistant against antibiotics. MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals, where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public. However, the is possibly a treatment for both preventing and treating diffi cult to treat infections like MRSA in a far more cheaper and effective way than vaccines or the current failing antibiotics. That answer might me a revived remedy: phage therapy.

VLR Expands into United States with Financial Research Platform for Life Sciences Companies

Over 6,000 people piled into the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco for J.P. Morgan’s (JPM) “28th Annual Healthcare Conference.” Investors, company presenters, and entrepreneurs were emboldened by good biotech sector returns in 2009 of 18–28% with many stocks reaching new highs. Seasonality has been a factor with the so-called “January effect,” where small-cap stocks tend to spike for a number of reasons, this conference paramount among them. For example, the IBB ETF is up about 6% from November levels. Following are some brief notes from important companies presenting at JPM.

At the 28th annual JP Morgan Healthcare conference, which ran from January 11- January 14th 2010, there were more than 300 companies represented, making their presentations to more than 6000 public and private equity and venture capital investors. There was considerable enthusiasm for the sector this past week; it seemed like every biotech company rallied and closed the week up. But what will happen after the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference? Was the activity the last couple weeks just due to short term investor enthusiasm?