Top Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014

In this video, Motley Fool industrials analyst Blake Bos reviews the latest earnings report from 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD  ) . Overall, it is a good report: Revenues and earnings slightly exceeded Wall Street expectations. The company maintained its guidance for 2013, but did point out that its tax rates will increase. 3D Systems was a little light on R&D spending, only 7%, so this would be something to watch in the future because growth companies typically spend more. Management noted that new products, including its new Cube X printer, have been selling well, but hard numbers will have to wait until the next quarter. The company plans on focusing on the medical device market and developing synergies with its recently acquired software company. The software acquisition looks particularly promising given its high profit margins.

Top Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Cell Therapeutics Inc (CTIC)

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI), incorporated in 1991, develops, acquires and commercializes treatments for cancer. The Company�� research, development, acquisition and in-licensing activities concentrate on identifying and developing new ways to treat cancer. As of December 31, 2011, CTI focused its efforts on Pixuvri (pixantrone dimaleate) (Pixuvri), OPAXIO (paclitaxel poliglumex) (OPAXIO), tosedostat, brostallicin and bisplatinates. As of December 31, 2011, it developed Pixuvri, an anthracycline derivative for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Another late-stage drug candidate of the Company, OPAXIO, is being studied as a potential maintenance therapy for women with advanced stage ovarian cancer, who achieve a complete remission following first-line therapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. As of December 31, 2011, it also developed tosedostat in collaboration with Chroma Therapeutics, Ltd. (Chroma). On May 31, 2012, CTI completed its acquisition gaining worldwide rights to S*BIO Pte Ltd.'s (S*BIO) pacritinib.

Pixuvri

As of December 31, 2011, the Company developed Pixuvri, an aza-anthracenedione derivative, for the treatment of non-Hodgkin�� lymphoma (NHL), and various other hematologic malignancies, and solid tumors. Pixuvri was studied in the Company�� EXTEND, or PIX301, clinical trial, which was a phase III single-agent trial of Pixuvri for patients with relapsed, refractory aggressive NHL who received two or more prior therapies and who were sensitive to treatment with anthracyclines. On September 28, 2011, CTI announced that a second independent radiology assessment of response and progression endpoint data from its PIX301 clinical trial of Pixuvri was achieved with statistical significance. The results of the EXTEND trial met its primary endpoint and showed that patients randomized to treatment with Pixuvri achieved a significantly higher rate of confirmed and unconfirmed complete response compared to patients treated with standard chem! otherapy had a significantly increased overall response rate and experienced a statistically significant improvement in median progression free survival. Pixuvri had predictable and manageable toxicities when administered at the proposed dose and schedule in the EXTEND clinical trial in heavily pre-treated patients. In March 2011, the Company initiated the PIX-R trial to study Pixuvri in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Pixuvri has also been studied in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who have tumor progression after at least two, but not more than three, prior chemotherapy regimens. In the second quarter of 2010, the NCCTG opened this phase II study for enrollment. The study is closed to accrual and results are expected to be reported by the NCCTG later in 2012.

OPAXIO

OPAXIO is the Company�� biologically-enhanced chemotherapeutic agent that links paclitaxel to a biodegradable polyglutamate polymer, resulting in a new chemical entity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company focused its development of OPAXIO on ovarian, brain, esophageal, head and neck cancer. OPAXIO was designed to improve the delivery of paclitaxel to tumor tissue while protecting normal tissue from toxic side effects. In November 2010, results were presented by the Brown University Oncology Group from a phase II trial of OPAXIO combined with temozolomide (TMZ), and radiotherapy in patients with newly-diagnosed, high-grade gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The trial demonstrated a high rate of complete and partial responses and a high rate of six month progression free survival (PFS). Based on these results, the Brown University Oncology Group has initiated a randomized, multicenter, phase II study of OPAXIO and standard radiotherapy versus TMZ and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma with an active gene termed MGMT that reduces responsiveness to TMZ. A phase I/II study of OPAXIO combined with radi! otherapy ! and cisplatin was initiated by SUNY Upstate Medical University, in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Tosedostat

In March 2011, the Company entered into a co-development and license agreement with Chroma Therapeutics, Ltd. (Chroma), providing the Company with marketing and co-development rights to Chroma�� drug candidate, tosedostat, in North, Central and South America. Tosedostat is an oral, aminopeptidase inhibitor that has demonstrated anti-tumor responses in blood related cancers and solid tumors in phase I-II clinical trials. Interim results from the phase II OPAL study of tosedostat in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that once-daily, oral doses of tosedostat had predictable and manageable toxicities and results demonstrated response rates, including a high-response rate among patients who received prior hypomethylating agents, which are used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a precursor of AML.

Brostallicin

As of December 31, 2011, the Company developed brostallicin through its wholly owned subsidiary, Systems Medicine LLC, which holds rights to use, develop, import and export brostallicin. Brostallicin is a synthetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) minor groove binding agent that has demonstrated anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile in clinical trials, in which more than 230 patients have been treated as of December 31, 2011. The Company uses a genomic-based platform to guide the development of brostallicin. A phase II study of brostallicin in relapsed, refractory soft tissue sarcoma met its predefined activity and safety hurdles and resulted in a first-line phase II clinical trial study that was conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

The Company competes with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer, Roche Group, Genentech, Inc., Astellas Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Celgene, Telik, I! nc., TEVA! Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. and PharmaMar.

Top Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Cerus Corporation(CERS)

Cerus Corporation, a biomedical products company, engages in the development and commercialization of the INTERCEPT Blood System. The company?s INTERCEPT system is designed to inactivate blood-borne pathogens in donated blood components intended for transfusion. It markets the INTERCEPT system for platelets and plasma primarily in Europe, the Russian Federation, and the Middle East. The company is also developing INTERCEPT Blood System for red blood cells or red blood cell system, which is designed to inactivate blood-borne pathogens in donated red blood cells for transfusion. Cerus Corporation has collaboration agreements with Baxter International, Inc.; and BioOne Corporation, as well as the United States Armed Forces. The company was founded in 1991 and is based in Concord, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Shulman]

  Cerus (NASDAQ: CERS) developed and markets the INTERCEPT Blood System, which is designed to inactivate blood-borne pathogens in blood components so the blood can be used in transfusions. In other words, it “cleans” donated blood of viruses, bacteria and parasites.

  Cerus is pretty much the only game in town with this remarkable technology, and it has gained approval in most large European countries. Why not the United States? Well, management has not stood up to the FDA. The approval has been held up by one member of the FDA even though Cerus hit the primary endpoints in its pivotal Phase III trial and is receiving grants from the Department of Defense.

  The FDA should quit dragging its feet eventually. There is no scientific or product risk in this stock. Their system works. My target price is $14 in one to three years.

5 Best Safest Stocks To Own Right Now: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc.(SPPI)

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial-stage biotechnology company, primarily focuses on oncology and hematology. The company engages in acquiring, developing, and commercializing a broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial products. It markets Zevalin, a prescribed form of cancer therapy, radioimmunotherapy; and Fusilev, a novel folate analog formulation and the pharmacologically active isomer of the racemic compound, calcium leucovorin. The company?s drugs in late stage development include Apaziquone, an anti-cancer agent; and Belinostat, a histone deacytelase inhibitor. Its drugs in development also include Ozarelix a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist, which is in Phase II clinical stage; SPI-1620, a peptide agonist of endothelin B receptors, which is in Phase I clinical stage; and RenaZorb, a lanthanum-based nanoparticle phosphate binding agent, which is in preclinical stage. The company was formerly known as NeoTherapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2002. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is based in Henderson, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another stock that's quickly moving within range of triggering a big time breakout trade isSpectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI), which is a commercial stage biotechnology company integrated in commercial and drug development operations, primarily in oncology and hematology. This stock has been destroyed by the short-sellers so far in 2013, with shares off by over 30%.

  If you look at the chart for Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, you'll see that this stock has been trending sideways for the last two months in a consolidation chart pattern, with shares moving between $6.92 on the downside and $7.77 on the upside. This sideways pattern is coming after shares of SPPI gapped down sharply back in March from $12.47 to below $8 a share with heavy downside volume. Shares of SPPI are now quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade above the upper end of its recent sideways chart pattern.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in SPPI if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $7.65 to $7.77 a share and then once it takes out its 50-day at $8 and its gap down day high at $8.26 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.43 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then SPPI will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone that started at $12.47 a share. Some possible upside targets if SPPI gets into that gap with volume are $9.50 to its 200-day at $10.89 a share.

  Traders can look to buy SPPI off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some near-term support levels at $7.09 to $7 a share. One can also buy SPPI off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop at around $7 a share.

  This stock is an absolute favorite target of the short-sellers, since the current short interest as a percentage of the float for SPPI is extremely high at 37.4%. This stock has explosive upside potential if it trades into that gap with volume, so make sure to have it on your breakout trading radar.

• [By Michael Shulman]

  Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SPPI) is a commercial-stage biotechnology company with a primary focus in oncology and hematology The company specializes in rescuing treatments abandoned, in development stages, by other companies.

  It has had a tremendous run based on market introductions and partnerships in the past two years, but now has even greater potential for a blockbuster with a drug called Zevalin for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This drug is currently approved as a salvage and adjunct therapy, and the company is in mid-stage trials for the use of Zevalin as a front-line treatment, which would be a much larger market.

  The risk in this stock is high. It could be cut in half or worse on bad news from one of several clinical trials. However, successful trial results could take this stock from under $7 to $32 in one to three years. SPPI could also become a takeover target.

Top Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc (Q)

Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. is a provider of biopharmaceutical development services and commercial outsourcing services. The Company operates in two segments: Product Development and Integrated Healthcare Services. The Company�� Product Development segment operates as a contract research organization (CRO) focused primarily on Phase II-IV clinical trials and associated laboratory and analytical activities. The Company�� Integrated Healthcare Services segment is a global commercial pharmaceutical sales and service organizations and Integrated Healthcare Services provides a range of services, including commercial services, such as providing contract pharmaceutical sales forces in geographic markets, as well as healthcare business services for the healthcare sector, such as outcome-based and payer and provider services. In August 2012, it acquired Expression Analysis, Inc.

Product Development

Product Development provides services and that allow biopharmaceutical companies to outsource the clinical development process from first in man trials to post-launch monitoring. The Company�� service offering provides the support and functional necessary at each stage of development, as well as the systems and analytical capabilities. Product Development consists of clinical solutions and services and consulting. Clinical solutions and services provides services necessary to develop biopharmaceutical products, including project management and clinical monitoring functions for conducting multi-site trials (generally Phase II-IV) (core clinical) and clinical trial support services that improve clinical trial decision making and include global laboratories, data management, biostatistical, safety and pharmacovigilance, and early clinical development trials, and strategic planning and design services that improve decisions and performance. Consulting provides strategy and management consulting services based on life science and advanced analytics, as well as regulatory and comp! liance consulting services.

The Company competes with Covance, Inc., Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., PAREXEL International Corporation, ICON plc, inVentiv Health, Inc. (inVentive), INC Research and PRA International.

Integrated Healthcare Services

Integrated Healthcare Services provides the healthcare industry with both geographic presence and commercial capabilities. The Company�� commercialization services are designed to accelerate the commercial of biopharmaceutical and other health-related products. Service offerings include commercial services (sales representatives, strategy, marketing communications and other areas related to commercialization), outcome research (drug therapy analysis, real-world research and evidence-based medicine, including research studies to prove a drug�� value) and payer and provider services comparative and cost-effectiveness research capabilities, clinical management analytics, decision support services, medication adherence and health outcome optimization services, and Web-based systems for measuring quality improvement.

The Company competes with inVentiv, PDI, Inc., Publicis Selling Solutions, United Drug plc, EPS Corporation and CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.

Top Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Johnson & Johnson(JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices and Diagnostics. The Consumer segment provides products used in baby care, skin care, oral care, wound care, and women?s health care fields, as well as nutritional, over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and wellness and prevention platforms under the brands of JOHNSON?S, AVEENO, CLEAN & CLEAR, JOHNSON?S Adult, NEUTROGENA, RoC, LUBRIDERM, DABAO, LISTERINE, REACH, BAND-AID, CAREFREE, STAYFREE, SPLENDA, TYLENOL, SUDAFED, ZYRTEC, MOTRIN IB, and PEPCID AC. The Pharmaceutical segment offers products in various therapeutic areas, such as anti-infective, antipsychotic, contraceptive, dermatology, gastrointestinal, hematology, immunology, neurology, oncology, pain management, and virology. Its principal products include REMICADE for the treatment of immune me diated inflammatory diseases; STELARA for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis; SIMPONI, a treatment for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis; VELCADE for the treatment of multiple myeloma; PREZISTA and INTELENCE for treating HIV/AIDS patients; NUCYNTA for moderate to severe acute pain; INVEGA SUSTENNAtm for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults; RISPERDAL CONSTA for the management of bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia; and PROCRIT to stimulate red blood cell production. The Medical Devices and Diagnostics segment primarily offers circulatory disease management products; orthopaedic joint reconstruction, spinal care, and sports medicine products; surgical care, aesthetics, and women?s health products; blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery products; professional diagnostic products; and disposable contact lenses. The company was founded in 1886 and is based in Ne w Brunswick, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Buffett]

   The world's largest health care company, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) owns popular brands you've no doubt heard of and used regularly -- such as Tylenol and Band-Aid. But what you might not know is that the company has the No. 1 or No. 2 position in more than half of its product lines. Beyond consumer products, Johnson & Johnson has a strong pharmaceutical division supported by a solid research pipeline, and it is a leader in medical devices.

  All of this has helped Johnson & Johnson produce the kind of steady, long-term earnings growth and profitability that Buffett likes. Earnings have risen in all but two of the past 10 years. And, over the past decade, Johnson & Johnson has produced an average 25.7% return on equity, according to Validea.

  That's well above the 15% minimum Buffett likes -- and a reason he owns 42.6 million shares. Morningstar is bullish on Johnson & Johnson, giving it a four-star (of a possible five) rating.

• [By Sy_Harding]

  Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide. The company has raised distributions for 49 years in a row. The 10 year annual dividend growth rate is 13%/year. The last dividend increase was 5.60% to 57 cents/share. Analysts are expecting that Johnson & Johnson will earn $5.24/share in 2012. I expect that the quarterly dividend will exceed 61 cents/share in 2012. Yield: 3.50%

• [By Michael]

  I really like JNJ.  They are the largest health care company in the world, in an industry that is ever growing.  They have extremely strong brands for consumer products all around the world.  They also have a strong business on the medical technology end as well.  As the world grays with increasing numbers of the elderly, a massive and emerging middle class in the emerging markets and just the nature of the health care industry in general, I think JNJ is very well positioned to take advantage of significant growth over the next decade.  They are also lending money to European banks.  That means they h ave a lot of cash.

• [By Guru Focus]

  Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has a market capitalization of $179.39 billion. The company employs 117,000 people, generates revenues of $65,030.00 million and has a net income of $9,672.00 million. The firm’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $12,841.00 million. Because of these figures, the EBITDA margin is 19.75 percent (operating margin 19.01 percent and the net profit margin finally 14.87 percent).

  Twelve trailing months earnings per share reached a value of $3.48. Last fiscal year, the company paid $2.25 in form of dividends to shareholders.

  Here are the price ratios of the company: The P/E ratio is 18.86, Price/Sales 2.77 and Price/Book ratio is not calculable. Dividend Yield: 3.46 percent. The beta ratio is 0.55.

Top Medical Stocks To Watch For 2014: Algeta ASA (ALGETA.OL)

Algeta ASA is a Norway-based biotechnology company engaged in the development of targeted cancer therapies based on its alpha-pharmaceutical platform. The Company�� principal product is Alpharadin for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from castration-resistant prostate cancer. The Company�� pipeline also includes Alpharadin for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from breast cancer, a combination of Alpharadin with Taxotere for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from prostate cancer and Thorium-227 showing various cancer indications. The Company develops Alpharadin in a development and marketing cooperation with Bayer Schering Pharma. Algeta ASA is active through the two wholly owned subsidiaries, Algeta Innovations AS and Algeta UK Limited. On April 12, 2012, the Company announced that it estabilished a subsidiary active in the United States, Algeta US.