>> What would some of these be <<
depends on what you mean by "advanced". I also count companies with early stage trials if they have breadth in the pipeline and money to fund trials with relative independence.
VRTX, VPHM, NRGN, NBIX, and SEPR are examples. Not saying they're necessarily good investments, but they make a fairly attractive basket of a sort.
VPHM is very protected on the downside with lots of leverage. NRGN has breadth with Pfizer, a couple of early stage projects to itself as well as some developmental work, and screening capacity to envy. VRTX is now really, really solid if you're looking at "still gotta keep an eye open" 10 year appreciation.
If I were a pharma, all of those companies would be on my "desirable" list.
Sugen, Agouron and Sibia are, alas, gone. I guess that GLFD may soon have a little more depth than before, but, sheeesh.
I hesitate to go with PCYC for reasons that Peter has detailed, but it's a good one to consider. I got tired of management at OSIP taking better care of themselves than of shareholders, but it's another good program. The ICOS deal means that the TXB backups for ETA are real candidates. A friend likes VIRS for "big bounce" potential.
Others will have a variety of ideas. Most of my portfolio is in weird places, but I own some of the issues listed above. |
