Monday, August 06, 2012

Arena Pharmaceuticals and G protein coupled receptors


Arena (ARNA)
This is an interesting biopharmaceutical company. It is focused on developing and commercializing oral drugs that target G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the areas of inflammatory, metabolic, cardiovascular, and central nervous system.


Presently, they have studies that involve lorcaserin (BELVIQ) which they have granted Eisai Inc rights to commercialize in the US and  has been approved by the FDA.

Recently (12/2011), they have an early stage program for APD811 as an agonist of the prostacyclin receptor for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

This company is interesting because it is using genomic technology and molecular cloning to identify more novel GPCR genes (also called orphans because the ligands are not known). Additionally they are using /creating activated receptors of these receptors to examine what is downstream of the receptor. This way ARENA can study the receptors without knowning the ligand. Although you would think that eventually they will determine the ligands, to enhance the relevance of the receptors function in the body.
ARENA has several other drugs in the pipeline, but many still a bit in their infancy.  Some of these will be used for multiple sclerosis, arterial thrombosis and type II diabetes.

Program (Indication)
Development Status
Phase 1
Preclinical
Preclinical
Research

What about the stock? The stock has a recent increase from May at around 2 dollars to 7.28 dollars. In the last few days it has had some negative pressure, but I think this is a company to hold for the long run. It has a lot of potential, and it has a proven technology. Please check out the stock below. 

The stock looks like it has bounced off of the Bollinger bands, so it should start increasing in price if the Technicals are correct.
(Information compliments of Scottrade and http://www.arenapharm.com/








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