Thursday, August 21, 2014

5 Stocks that Might Benefit from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Well it seems that ALS research is getting a big bump from people dumping ice water on their heads and giving money to fight the disease.

Besides the millions of viral videos now circulating the web, there is an entire force of big pharmaceutical companies and non-profit clinics and universities hunting for a cure. The record influx of funds supporting Lou Gehrig’s disease may help them hone in on one.

In August, the ALS Association began putting those donations to work, awarding scientists with 21 new research grants valued at $3.5 million, it said in a report.

The stocks are:

Biogen IDEC (BIIB)Their drug dexpramipexole failed in a late stage trial but they are going back to drawing board to see what they can salvage.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AVNR) Their drug Nuedexta is supposed to treat pseudobulbar affect which is uncontrollabe laughing and crying. It might be used to help with ALS because some of them have this affliction as well.

Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISIS) They have a very early stage drug called ISIS-SOD1-Rx that is being studied right now to help with ALS. I'm long this stock.

Sanofi (SNY) They developed the only therapy for ALS which is a drug called Rilutek. It extends the life of an ALS patient but doesn't cure it.

Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co. (BMY) Their immune modulation therapies might be useful in treating ALS. This is from the ALS Forum:

BMS currently is developing a therapy aimed at microtubule stabilization. In addition, BMS has a large program aimed at immune modulation. Both microtubule stabilization and immune modulation could be potential opportunities for ALS therapeutics. [Updated: August 9, 2013]



BMS currently is developing a therapy aimed at microtubule stabilization. In addition, BMS has a large program aimed at immune modulation. Both microtubule stabilization and immune modulation could be potential opportunities for ALS therapeutics. [Updated: August 9, 2013] - See more at: http://www.researchals.org/page/4805/?filter_stage=&filter_location=&filter_class=Small+Molecule#sthash.G8GGvF9a.dpuf

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