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The 6 W’s: Who, what, where, when, why and what of it …

Today’s Gospel: Let’s applause sector activity … Or are we … just caught-up and selling on the news …investors don’t seem … to be that hopeful about the details of today’s announcements … will be compelling as Aldagen/CMXI or the Sanofi’s discontinuation of development of Prochymal in Graft-vs.-Host Disease (GvHD. Are we just accepting these news items… as blandly perceived or negatively slanted?

• So net-net, today’s news can be viewed as a situation where Sanofi is kicking the can down the road… OSIR can absorb a 6.95% share hit <it’s a down day’s mosquito bite> and go it alone at this point … 
• It also appears that Aldagen’s ….new parent/ investors are focused on the combination of monies, new investment, platforms, programs and … talent in the CMXI/Aldagen deal. Both stocks (OSIR and CMXI.OB) struggled for direction Thursday as initial enthusiasm is mixed … only catalysts and milestones fulfillment will validate these deals but, what about the combined valuation. Investors took a haircuts but, have an exit … and future <possible> payouts … But, look at what Ed Fields has been able to do in these years …

Mid-Day: The NASDAQ is UP +9.99 (+0.34%) to 2,925.85while the Dow is also UP +4.58(+0.04%) to 12,888.53.

Mid-Day Market Commentary: Stocks are turning in another … lackluster performance in … mid-day on Thursday despite upbeat news out of Greece and the US labor market. The major averages are lingering near the unchanged line after posting modest gains in the two previous sessions. The major averages are currently turning in a mixed performance, with the NASDAQ posting a modest loss. The choppy trading in the market comes in spite of reports indicating that Greek political leaders have reached an agreement on austerity measures need to secure a new bailout. Traders may be staying on the sidelines, waiting for an official announcement. The markets have also shrugged off the release of a report from the Labor Department showing a notable drop in initial jobless claims in the week ended 2/4. The report showed that initial jobless claims fell to 358K from the previous week’s revised figure of 373K.

Who is UP … Mid-Day:

• Advanced Cell Technology (OTC BB: ACTC);
• BioMimetic (BMTI),
• BioTime (Amex: BTX);
• NeoStem (Amex: NBS);
• Opexa (OPXA);  
• Pluristem (PSTI);
• ReNeuron (RENE.L);
• ThermoGenesis (KOOL);
• Tengion (TNGN).

What’s new in the regenerative medicine/stem cell market … 2 … things to know today …

Osiris (OSIR) drops after Sanofi discontinues P3 GvHD Program: OSIR is down as much as 6.65% .http://www.scimitarequity.com/blog/2012/02/09/osiris-osir-drops-after-sanofi-discontinues-p3-gvhd-program . The Bottom Line: This is not a positive for the Regenerative Medicine although … some believes that if Sanofi pulls out of 1 indication, they pull out of them all. However, it could be positive if OSIR receives … back … full rights to Prochymal. OSIR working to prepare BLA filing for Prochymal in US is developing Prochymal in refractory Crohn’s disease; acute heart attack … success in these endeavors will validate OSIR and the sector

Cytomedix (OTC BB: CMXI) acquires Aldagen in stock deal: in a $16M stock deal that broadens the firm’s regenerative therapies pipeline. http://www.scimitarequity.com/blog/2012/02/09/cytomedix-otc-bb-cmxi-acquires-aldagen-in-stock-deal . The Bottom Line: This strategic acquisition of Aldagen provides CMXI with a novel, patent-protected cell selection technology that fits well with existing commercial products and strengthens long-range growth profile. The combination now has autologous stem cells, platelet-derived signal molecules and plasma scaffolds platforms. Maryland-based CMXI develops biologically active regenerative therapies for wound care, inflammation and blood vessel development. Aldagen, a venture backed company  had raised more than $60M from investors including the Aurora Funds, Intersouth Partners, Harbert Venture Partners, CNF Investments and Tullis-Dickerson… which now have exits. Aldagen had taken steps toward an initial public stock offering but last year withdrew those plans citing market conditions.