IDRA: Idera Pharmaceuticals ($6.00)

IDRA will be presenting at the RBC Capital Markets' Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday the 25th at 8:00 a.m.  IDRA stock had a solid week gaining +36%, and has broke above prior resistance on above average volume.

Bottom Line:  IDRA has almost doubled from the point we purchased the stock in the low three area. The company plans to disclose their phase 2 psoriasis trial results by the end of the first quarter which could be a stock moving event.  We continue to hold shares of IDRA.

Contact: portfoliomgt1@gmail.com 

IDRA: Idera Pharmaceuticals ($4.64)

Idera Pharmaceuticals became a new holding in December when we started buying the stock here IDRA: $3.04, and traded in /out, then back in using volatility to our advantage to buy shares back. Since then, the stock has advanced nicely to $4.64 with the addition of new key employees.  The special thing about the new personnel is that they have prior ties while serving at Genzyme, an extremely successful company that was purchased by Sanofi for $20 billion dollars.  On January 9th, 2014, two new key people were hired by IDRA.  Lou Brenner MD, has joined as senior vice president and chief medical officer, and has experience with advancing clinical trials with previous companies.  Also, Dr. Mark Goldberg has been appointed as a new board member. Previously, while at Genzyme he played a key role in the development of four successful orphan therapies. Dr. Goldberg is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist and has published more than 50 papers.  So the list of employees that are currently at IDRA with prior experience working together at some point at Genzyme consist of the following:

CFO: Louise Arcudi
Chairman of Board:  James Geraghty
Board Member:  Mark Goldberg
Chief Medical Officer:  Lou Brenner

Near Term Catalyst:

• 16th annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2-10-14.
• Phase 2 top line results IMO-8400 plaque psoriasis, first quarter.
• Phase 2 top line results IMO-8400 plaque psoriasis dose escalation .60 mg. second quarter.

Bottom Line:  Idera Pharmaceuticals is making progress behind the scenes with the addition of key personnel that have prior experience growing an emerging biotechnology company while at Genzyme.  Near term catalyst could move the stock higher in the coming weeks.  Thank you for reading.

Contact: portfoliomgt1@gmail.com

IDRA: Idera Pharmaceuticals ($3.04)

Idera Pharmaceuticals is a new holding.  Idera is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases and certain genetically defined forms of B-cell lymphoma.  Their technology platform is based on nucleic acid therapies to inhibit over-reaction of Toll-like receptors.

Quick Facts:
135 million shares outstanding including warrants
84 million in cash
5M / Q burn rate
810 Million Market Cap
2031 for IMO-8400, 2034 IMO-9200 Patent Expiration

Clinical Trials:
Phase 2 Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis.
Phase 1/2 B-Cell Lymphoma with MYD 88 L265P.

Catalyst:
Phase 2 for Psoriasis top line results in January.
Complete enrollment Phase 1/2 B-Cell Lymphoma?

Bottom Line:  Idera is unique with their technology based around Toll like receptors.  The company is currently working on the dosing for their IMO-8400 and MO-9200 technologies.  They have cash for now that should last until third quarter of 2015, and also patent protection until 2031 and 2034.