Publicly traded companies hoping to derive their primary revenues from stem cell treatments and related activities are at the same place in their history that Columbus was two months into his first voyage across the Atlantic: they still don't know whether they're going to fall off the edge or find India. And, like Columbus, something different from either possible outcome, something unexpected, will most likely occur.
Research continues on every front in the stem cell arena. We still do not understand exactly how stem cells construct a body from the merger of a sperm and an egg. We don't know how they know where to go or what to do in regenerative situations. Parts of the human body repair with reasonable ease (think cuts or sprains), other parts do not seem to repair at all (think brain and nerves). While these basics are being studied (and this is one reason we so badly need federally funded embryonic research), adult stem solutions and one embryonic solution are being tested in FDA sanctioned clinical tests.
And currently that's the rub for the sector as a whole: There are two big players at the testing stage and they're being watched by the world. In Geron's case the FDA stopped it's embryonic stem cell trial, the first of its kind, in mid August while evaluating new information provided by the company.
This week Osiris Therapeutics, which has occasionally had a market capitalization that exceeded Geron's, collapsed in price and market capitalization after releasing poor results on its Phase III graft vs. host disease trial.
To add insult to injury, Opexa Therapeutics (now trading at $4.25 up from $1.49 last Friday) released data on an ongoing trial of a non-stem cell product called Tovaxin for Multiple Sclerosis. So while Opexa is a stem cell company, its success at the moment is coming from a non-stem cell solution. No wonder sector market values are a little schizophrenic.
August sector market value increased slightly (1.2%) while the Nasdaq Composite increased only slightly more (1.5%). Rather unremarkable. The real change took place in the first nine days of September. At the end of August, Opexa Therapeutics was 15th in market capitalization among our 21 stem cell sector companies. By September 9th, it was eighth. Osiris Therapeutics remained in second position capitalization wise even though it decreased by 48% in the first nine days of September.
August's largest percentage stock price increases among our 21 company Stem Cell Sector were:
- Opexa Therapeutics (OPXA) - 196%
- Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI.OB) - 151%
- Cryo-Cell International (CCEL.OB) - 102%
August's largest percentage stock price decreases in our 21 company Stem Cell Sector were:
- Advanced Cell Technology (ACTC.PK) - (-47%)
- Cytori Therapeutics (CYTX) - (-16%)
- Bioheart Inc. (BHRT) - (-15.5%)
Comparative 21 Company Stem Cell Sector chart August 31 vs. July 31, 2009:
The sector as a whole increased in value marginally during June as noted above.
Because of the volatility in the sector during the first nine days of September, were including one additional chart showing September 9 comparative values.
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