Sorrento gets a vote of confidence (and funding).

 

Stock Talk

  

Sorrento (SRNE) : As the vaccine news is getting much attention, let's not forget that many, many people will catch C19 before any vaccine is out to the general public and after as well. Possibly well into 2021 and beyond.   Sorrento (SRNE) is covering the bases in developing novel testing and antibody treatments on the table of development in early clinical trails.  Today, we see news on SRNE receiving funding from the government on one promising antibody they call STI 2020. 

 "If successful, it could provide an alternative method of protecting populations where vaccines do not work as well, such as the elderly or immunocompromised."

 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/darpa-jpeo-award-contract-smartpharm-130000106.html

Sorrento's C19 antibodies are basically one or two doses in easily administered shots, not long intravenous sessions like what Trump got at Walter Reed.  And then there is Covi-Drops, the newly announced nasal drops that a doctor could possibly prescribe for at-home treatment and protection.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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A little story on why many won't get the best vaccine right away - BUT the Military may get it sooner.

 

Market Talk

 

As the market continues exuberance about three recent vaccines being announced.  The Dow is nearing the 30,000 all time high mark. Actual vaccines will not be available to the general public for months. Then the logistics of getting the current "super cooled" vaccines intact and stable to people will not be as easy as the market just assumes. Yesterday we hear of Oxford/ Astra vaccine.  Never mind that two cases of transverse myelitis caused a stop of that trial and one more would have ended it.   Never mind that Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines will result in severe fatigue and high fevers in many and the long term protection that these vaccines is in question.  It has been said that one reason the FDA cut corners with with the two mRNA vaccines is because key people in the NIH hold patents on part of the design.

There are signposts that one smaller company has a better mousetrap, Inovio Pharmaceuticals.   I have posted before that messenger RNA cells are created by the DNA.  Inovio uses the genetic code to train the body to recognize that pathogen called Covid 19 (C19) and the more recent mutant and to launch immunity in a more natural balanced response of neutralizing antibodies AND the fighter T Cells that could provide longer term protection against the virus.  Inovio uses a handheld device the call "Cellectra" to deliver  the vaccine called INO4800. They used a similar approach to gain an EUA in S. Korea against a similar virus of the past, MERS.  Incidentally, the DoD quietly awarded a purchase order of $71 million to Inovio and set up a Ology, a private manufacturer of needed plasmid to apparently produce  vaccines  at their expanded facility in Florida. The Cellectra award included  a clause for Inovio to work with Ology.  Why was this DoD planning all "hush hush" while the highly charged politics and Washington OWS team was awarding billions to Pfizer and Moderna to pursue vaccines that require super cooling in transport and storage? The FDA, the NIH  and the OWS team made up of mRNA proponents of big Pharma.

 "Since June 2020, 214 human cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Denmark with SARS-CoV-2 variants associated with farmed minks, including 12 cases with a unique variant, reported on 5 November. All 12 cases were identified in September 2020 in North Jutland, Denmark.Nov 6, 2020"

  Just a short time ago , attributed deaths to C19 in the US was 200,000.  As of today, deaths have climbed to 256,000 people.  Infections are surging and severe illness is now being seen in the younger population as well.

The FDA recently lifted the "question hold" on INO4800 to proceed with Phase 2 clinical trial.  In the meantime, the INO trial is continuing in S. Korea. And who is funding the Inovio trial?  You may have guess it - Yep, The DoD.

Not to belabor my point.  By hook or by crook, the government has managed to delay the best vaccine, INO4800, in terms of safety and long lasting  protection in favor of biased big Pharma executives pumping frozen hooey. In a hapless fashion, the underlying result may be that the general public will be getting 2nd rate vaccine while the best vaccine will be reserved for the government and military.

There are a number of plasmid manufacturers that Inovio can use to produce INO 4800.  Most recently, Inovio arranged with Thermo Fischer to produce vaccines should approval come.

This post told the story of how the FDA has suppressed what now could be the next generation of a better vaccine than what is being planned. Suppressed using "Cellectra questions" to hold back proceeding with their Phase 2/3 trial back in September.  Some people want to know why questions could not be worked at the same time as the ongoing Inovio trial in the Pandemic.  Such shenanigans point to how how big Pharma manipulates Washington deciders to their advantage. Where was Trump and Pence ?  Apparently wrapped up in being re-elected and clueless on this matter in my view.

In this story I close with an  important part that Inovio is currently using Cellectra to administer treatments to several serious cancers such as brain cancer and hpv treatments in various trials and is on track to be the next generation of cancer treatments using targeted DNA treatment.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Wall Street looks past a grim Dark Winter of Democrat Hell on Main street

 

Market Talk

 

The market continues exuberance about recent vaccines being announced.  The Dow is over 29,500 as of this post. Actual vaccines will not be available to the general public for months. Then the logistics of getting the current "super cooled" vaccines intact and stable to people will not be as easy as the market just assumes.

Just a short time ago , attributed deaths to C19 in the US was 200,000.  As of today, deaths have climbed to 256,000 people.  On top of that Covid 19 infections are surging and severe illness is now being seen in the younger population as well.

So we see talk of lockdowns and various debates about applying lockdowns where the spikes occur. 

Since I live close to a Main street, I have a hard time getting behind this market and the pundits that are bullish.  I read one article that advocated buying stocks because it is "counter intuitive" and advocated doing the opposite of what the chart says that stock prices have peaked out.

To be honest,  I'll have to say I am skeptical about the market's rise.   Usually when this happens I just stay on the sidelines.  I hold "some" of the stocks I have posted about. For me, watching the progress or lack of progress in short and long term prospects of each particular issue and "trading"  accordingly  may be a thing to do. I may buy or sell some as developments progress or not.  

Since I can't get behind the apparent "market ebullience"  that looks past the coming pain and deaths on Main Street, I may forego posting for awhile. The market looks like a ship of fools to me from this vantage point. Then again, maybe things will be better in spring of 2021.  Maybe,  I hope so.

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Waiting on a better C19 vaccine and treatments: INO, SRNE and VXRT

 

Market Talk

 

The market is exuberant today on Pfizer's and Moderna's 90% or more effective C19 vaccine pronouncements with no data.  Perhaps so, but side effects and questions on the lasting effect of protection from the two shot frozen vaccines as well as the practicality of having to transport, store and administer them are concerning. Both Pfizer and Moderna execs have been selling their shares after the no data pump n dump jobs.

At this point, will wait before taking any pump n dump frozen vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna.   Both tweak my BS meter along with a potentially biased FDA toward Big Pharma.

I suspect that there may be better vaccines and treatments in the wings as touched on below.  These are small biotech's and a speculation with a high risk and potentially high reward.  These stay on my "some" not  "too much" list.

 Stock Talk

Inovio (INO) - the FDA lifted the hold on the Phase 2 part of the C19 vaccine called INO 4800. This is a DNA vaccine and unlike mRNA Pfe and moderna vaccines, Inovio's vaccine can be stored at room temperature for a year and refrigerated for up to 5 years.  Further, there are Inovio pipeline treatments in clinical trials for HPV and gbm brain cancer.  Announcements are not far off on Inovio's pipeline. I am staying long on some INO to see what I believe is potentially a disruptive biotech.  Such disruptive treatments like their DNA technology will find institutional hurdles and short sellers being tossed at them.  But often as they emerge,  big Pharma typically buys them out or takes them over at a premium over market. I suspect that part of the shorting going on is by big Pharma agents  working to keep the sp lower so the stock does not get too high before a takeover attempt. some may say Oh they can't because of a poison pill. However, once a big Pharma accumulates 25% of a company's stock intentions can become more clear because it has to be declared by SEC practice.

INO is starting to surge on today's news of the FDA lift of INO4800 hold. I believe today's pop is peanuts compared to the future value and I am holding .

 Sorrento (SRNE) -  has FDA cleared trials for giving C19 patients an antibody dose of CoviGuard (STI1499) at Temple hospital in Philadelphia.  Trials on additional refinements (eg, STI 2020) are starting as well. Since I posted that, Sorrento reported yet another C19 treatment, Covi-Drops nasal drops to administer protection against C19 in infected people.  If SRNE's STI 2099 works, this would be a boon to rendering  C19 ineffective in progressing and could be an at home treatment that Doctors can prescribe.

Vaxart (VXRT)  - This is a speculative company that is working to bring an oral tablet C19 vaccine to the market.  It is early but VXRT is reporting positive data in golden Syrian hamsters. It seems these hamsters are the gold standard for animal studies prior to gaining FDA clearence for human clinical trials.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/11/12/vaxart-reports-more-positive-data-from-animal-test/

It goes without saying that an oral vaccine, if proven safe and effective will have great advantages, especially in countries where frozen vaccines are not practical

 In Sorrento's case , the shorts have attacked the sp because the company is pursing  a broad line of products to address C19 and bigger things such as lung cancer (STI5656), but the regulatory process takes time. 

While these three are working through regulatory process, the shorts have pounced upon the stocks. This keeps these three  stocks in the speculative category.  However,  I suspect there is a fair chance things may turn around if they deliver.

In closing, another stock that looks to be a fair investment to sustain sp on metals is Yamana Gold (AUY)  on Gold and silver. I hold some shares of AUY and may buy more on dips. Yamana is projecting higher production and is increasing the dividend.  Those are two fundamentals that appeal to me. 

 

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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°F = (9/5 × °C) + 32. is an Important formula for Pfizer's vaccine chances and Why Inovio should be watched

 

Stock Talk

Yesterday Pfizer announced "early findings"  that their C19 vaccine may be "90% effective".  However, no real data has been reported. Regardless that high fevers and fatigue have been previously noted. The following is one formula that makes me circumspect:

 

 °F = (⁹/₅ × °C) + 32.

 

Here in the Unites States, we use Fahrenheit.  Both the  Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines that require super cooling to remain stable and effective and not harmful. The Pfizer vaccine requires a temperature of  Minus 70 Deg Celsius.  Plug -70 into the above formula and you will get :

  - 94 Degrees Fahrenheit (F) 

 

Now water freezes at PLUS 32 Deg  Fahrenheit.  For storing ice cream, the optimum temperature is 0°F (-18°C) or colder. The temperature in the supermarket's freezer case should not be above 10°F (-12°C). If kept at a proper temperature, ice cream will be thoroughly frozen and will feel hard to the touch.

 

So we see that Pfizer's vaccine requires MINUS 94 Degrees Fahrenheit  !!!

When is the last time you had a vaccine that required super cooling to MINUS 94 Degrees ? !

In contrast, Inovio's vaccine will remain stable at ROOM temperature for a Year and 5 Years in simple refrigeration

 

And yet the FDA placed a Hold on the C19 trial over questions on their Cellectra device used in many other trials and already ordered by the Pentagon.  I suspect that raises eyebrows of a corrupt FDA showing favoritism to affiliated big Pharma that may share patents with the NIH.

 

I maintain Inovio as a speculative "some" small position in my holdings.  On the pipeline, Inovio's GBM brain cancer  treatment 18 month survival results being presented this month may show the market that Inovio is not just a one trick pony.  

 

Not giving up on the notion that Inovio's INO 4800 C19 vaccine will yet be shown superior in balanced neutralizing antibodies and longer term targeted T cell protection over the other vaccines in the field.

One speculative nature is that smaller biotech is up against big Pharma with connections and sometimes market dark forces that can hold them back. I count Inovio as down by dark forces but not out.

 

These are my current views on Inovio. I am still waiting to see if FDA hold on INO 4800 will be lifted to start Phase 2/3 clinical trials .  I encourage any readers to read the quarterly conference call notes and decide for yourself if you can stand being in a highly manipulated stock such as Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO). It's a volatile stock and frustrating too.  I close with my own current notion that just "some shares " in a potential company of the future that may bring life saving DNA treatments may be worth considering.  The key words I maintain is some, not "too much". If things do workout "some" may be enough.

 

yea, yea I know - me and my sayings .

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Washington GRID LOCK - the market may like it.

 

Market Talk

  

So many including myself have been wondering how the market will react to the Presidential election. So it appears that the media has called the election for Biden.  The majority control of senate is up for grabs pending outstanding election results from Georgia, North Carolina and Alaska.   The Senate determines which drafted  laws get actually exercised. But the one notion that seems to be gaining traction is that progressive democrat agendas will be saddled by GRIDLOCK in Washington if republicans maintain control.  

 

It seems like market volatility may be in store pending certain outcomes.  The market seems to favor Washington grid lock.   It seems that the market is predicting republican control of the Senate and potential gridlock.  Decided changes  with such a close balance of power leaves me circumspect.

Stock Talk

I have posted my current views on the following.  To briefly summarize:

 

Yamana Gold (AUY) - I like the trend of increasing production results, higher dividend and solid gold and silver pricing in an uncertain world.

Inovio (INO)- waiting to see how the C19 vaccine INO4800 proceeds with Phase 2/3 after the FDA hold on Cellectra device questions. The pipeline on cancer treatments may be the real enchilada for Inovio but the market has eyes on how INO4800 proceeds in  a pandemic world.

 

Sorrento (SRNE) - This company has many hot irons in the fire. I am watching how CoviGuard (STI1499) and STI 2020 proceed in clinical trials of C19 patients.

I consider INO and SRNE  speculative "some" positions. However "if" just one of the hot irons strike we could be looking at stock rocket.

 

watching General Motors (GM) also.

 

and Dry $ Powder. 

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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Can the election relief rally last?

Market Talk

  

Trying to predict near term market movements can be a dicey proposition. As of this post, the election is undecided with much left on the table in terms of mail in votes still being counted. Add court cases on recent changes to voting procedures and America remains subject to a phase of indecision and election turmoil.

And yet?  the past few days have seen the dow  jones rise over 2,000 points in the past five days. Will the market continue in rally mode as the process plays out and then  either Trump or Biden will be the one with millions of people unsatisfied because the losing side will claim election corruption.  They may have to look into how many dead people cast mail in votes for Biden.

I will close with saying I donno4Sure.  But I think the rally may end with a thump as reality of increasing C19 cases and a dark Biden winter sets in. If the extreme left does get in there, maybe the market will rally in the near term on the notion of change.  But I doubt their policies will be good for the economy and change will bite us as it happens.

Stock Talk

Some of each of the below and dry powder is my way at this time.

 

Yamana Gold (AUY)

Inovio (INO)

 

Sorrento (SRNE)

 

and Dry $ Powder. 

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ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.. 

This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
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