Monday Biotech Deal Review: January 9, 2012

Happy New Year and welcome back to your Monday Biotech Deal Review for January 9, 2012, following a holiday hiatus.  Link below to our review of transactions that have occurred over the previous three weeks.  Noteworthy transactions include various acquisitions by Valeant as well as a refinancing of its existing debt facilities.   Read on to learn more. 

Monday Biotech Deal Review: July 25, 2011

Welcome to your Monday Biotech Deal Review for July 25, 2011.  Interesting tidbits from last week included the termination of the letter of intent relating to the proposed reverse-takeover transaction between Bradmer Pharmaceuticals and P1 Energy Corp., a distribution and marketing agreement between Valeant and Sanofi-aventis Canada, a $15M loan agreement between Protox Therapeutics and Oxford Finance LLC, the filing of a preliminary short-form base shelf prospectus in the Canada and U.S. by YM BioSciences, the closing of a $7M financing round for gIcare Pharma Inc., and the acquisition by Paladin Labs of a significant number of common shares of Afexa Life Sciences.  Read on to learn more. 

Monday Biotech Deal Review: May 2, 2011

Welcome to your Monday Biotech Deal Review for May 2, 2011.  This review is a double feature from last week’s Easter break.  Plenty happened in the interim, with Angiotech developments, private placements, licensing and other interesting corporate transactions and announcements.  Read on to learn more. 

Q3 Canadian Healthcare Review – Weakness Continues BUT Some Bright Spots

Data in the Q3 2010 Canadian Healthcare Review from the Equicom Group (co-authored by James Smith, Vice President Healthcare at Equicom and myself) shows a continuation of the weakness in biotech financing which we have seen in 2009 and 2010.

Bounceback From the Financial Crisis May Have Masked 2009 Weakness

While the level of funding seen during 2009 was a concern, the problem may have been partially hidden by the many large share price increases from lows they hit as a result of the financial crisis in late 2008. The level of funding in 2010 is lower and the impact of lower funding is now being seen in share price performance. Lower cash resources have resulted in lower activity levels and survival concerns, which has probably been a factor in the 40% or greater share price drop in the first 9 months of 2010 for 31 of 105 healthcare companies in the share price performance assessment. The bright spot is that investors can still make money in the sector, as 13 companies had their share prices increase by greater than 40% in that same period.

Protox and Oncolytics Start Q4 With a Bang

The $35 million dollar financing by Protox announced in September did not count in the Q3 total because the financing was not closed by September 30. The first $10 million tranche of that financing and the recent $25 million dollar bought deal financing by Oncolytics Biotech are a good start for Q4.

Pending Regulatory News May Build Buzz

There are also some upcoming events which could help create a little momentum in the sector. While Cardiome has had a delay in a U.S. Phase 3 study of its iv vernakalant (already approved in the E.U.), the start of Phase 3 trials of the oral version by its partner Merck would be a good boost. Theratechnologies is still waiting for the FDA decision on tesamorelin after the unanimous recommendation from an advisory committee. Bioniche’s parter Endo is expected to both release results from the first Phase 3 study of Urocidin™ and also start the second Phase 3 trial.

Evolution at Valeant and Angiotech

Two large companies continue to evolve. Valeant is slowly exiting from the NCE business and going back to its specialty pharma roots as it gives back clinical programs which were acquired by the prior Biovail management. Angiotech has announced a major debt restructuring which will cut its ongoing financing costs but will also result in major dilution for current common shareholders.

More to Come on Profitable Canadian Healthcare Companies

My focus as a biotech analyst over the years has been the development stage companies. The Canadian healthcare sector also includes numerous companies which are not only profitable but also do monthly distributions to shareholders. I will take a look at these companies in a future post.

Monday Biotech Deal Review: May 3, 2010

I guess the excitement of BIO was driving deals this week. To the delight of the economic development folks, government was in on the action — Ontario announced a BIP investment and announced a whole new strategy, and OICR funded three equity deals. The private sector was also out in force, with four new licensing deals (including some interesting structures) and more securities than the week might otherwise … warrant. Keep reading

Monday Biotech Deal Review: March 22, 2010

Bought deals are all the rage this week, with BioExx and Osta Biotechnologies both heading in that direction.  Also, everywhere we look, warrants are being exercised and debentures are being converted. We even noted the green shoots of a new Canadian listed biotech company poking through the ground via a CPC transaction.  Is there a Spring thaw in Canada’s biotech capital markets? 

Monday Biotech Deal Review: March 1, 2010

This week saw a lot of offerings move forward, in the shadow of Anthera’s shrunken and postponed IPO, but the news wasn’t all good in Canada either. ConjuChem filed for restructuring, and other companies are still holding on by their teeth. See who’s who

Monday Biotech Deal Review: February 8, 2010

This week’s Canadian biotech deals feature a new private placement, two medical device acquisitions, a truly dedicated CEO, some HIV funding from Merck. Seeking redemption?  

Monday Deal Review: March 30, 2009

Canadian deal and company info from this week