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Biotech / Medical : SCIO Scios Inc. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ausdauer who wrote (1434)	7/2/2002 8:23:16 AM
From: Linda Pearson	Respond to of 1477

Nadine Wong Recommends the Following Stock: SCIO CHICAGO, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- There may be two remedies for investors taken ill by this market. You can take two aspirin or follow the advice of a professional investor like Nadine Wong, editor of the BioTech Sage report. Get this professionals market insight and favorite stock recommendation in today's Featured Expert article. featuredexpert2.zacks.com . (Photo: newscom.com ) Here are the highlights from the Featured Expert column: Scios Inc. (Nasdaq:SCIO) focuses its research and development to find novel treatments for cardio-renal and inflammatory disorders. Their therapeutics are derived from small-molecule drug discovery and protein-based research. The majority of Scio's value lies in the commercialization of Natrecor for the treatment of acute Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Congestive heart failure involves the heart's inability to adequately pump oxygenated blood throughout the body and can result in death rates as high as 20% annually. For the 2002 first quarter, Scios reported Natrecor sales of $15.4 million, a 60 percent increase over the prior quarter, and earnings were a loss of 55 cents per share. The company anticipates second quarter Natrecor sales will be approximately $19 million. As a result, Scios raised its 2002 sales forecast for Natrecor from $55 to $60 million to $75 to $80 million because of greater market penetration in both academic and community hospitals. The impact is a decrease from a $1.55 loss to a $1.38 loss in 2002 on earnings per share. The 2003 sales of Natrecor are estimated at $117 million. With Natrecor, Scios is projected to reach profitability in the year 2004, with annual sales estimated to be $250 to $500 million. Sales of Natrecor will continue to grow, as the use of the drug becomes the standard of care for treating patients with CHF, especially since Natrecor is the first new drug on the market in its class to treat CHF and there are no near-term competitors on the horizon. In terms of marketing Natrecor, the drug has the advantage because there is no salesforce behind the competing generic drugs. Natrecor is Scio's workhorse. Natrecor will allow the company not only to grow profitable but also to further its drug research and expand its pipeline, which in our opinion is an important next step. Scios has two early-staged compounds, SCIO-469 and TGF-beta. SCIO-469 is a small molecule inhibitor of p38 kinase that can be given orally to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The compound is currently in Phase II clinical trials. The company is also developing small molecule inhibitors for the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor. TGF-beta is a cytokine that has been associated in diseases with chronic scar formation, or fibrosis and is in the preclinical development stage. In our opinion, Scios is an attractive company, which has weathered the prevailing market conditions very well. Discover all of the current recommendations from BioTech Sage along with their prescription for financial success by clicking: featuredexpert3.zacks.com . About Zacks Featured Experts To be a successful investor you need professional advice. Experts who know what they're talking about and can help you achieve your financial goals in good markets ... and especially in bad ones will help you improve your portfolio. That is why Zacks Investment Research has assembled the best investment experts in the business to offer their powerful advisory newsletters to you on all the major investment topics: Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures etc. Stock Picks from Featured Experts Highlighted in FREE Investment Newsletter The best way to tap into the powerful advice from these experts is through our free weekly e-mail newsletter, "Profit from the Pros". Each week we highlight several Featured Experts and their hottest stock picks in this free e-mail newsletter. Get your free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" at: freeprofit1.zacks.com . About Zacks Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research (CRD #7874), which was formed in 1978 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind our work is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. Our goal is to unlock their profitable insights for our customers. And there is no better way to enjoy this investment success, than with a FREE subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter. For your free newsletter, visit freeprofit2.zacks.com . Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. CONTACT: Terry Batey of Zacks.com, 312-630-9880, ext. 307, feedback@zacks.com Visit: www.Zacks.com MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here tbutton.prnewswire.com SOURCE Zacks Investment Research CO: Zacks Investment Research; Zacks.com; Scios Inc. ST: Illinois SU: INO prnewswire.com 07/02/2002 06:00 EDT