Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR), Stemline Therapeutics Inc (STML): Humongous Health-Care Stocks This Week

Outside of this human abuse liability study, Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR)-181 is in a phase 2 study for patients with moderate to severe chronic pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. The market for opioids tops $10 billion annually in the U.S., but the drugs’ side effects and potential for addiction are problematic. Should Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) ultimately gain approval for its drug, its lowered euphoric effects should present a sizable revenue opportunity.

Easing on down the road
Which of this week’s humongous performers are the most likely to do well as they ease on down the road? I’ll go with Nektar. The biotech is further along in clinical development with several of its products than the other two companies and has partnerships with several strong pharmaceutical firms.

Having said that, I think all three of these companies have solid potential. My hunch is that the actions of the Federal Reserve won’t be of too much concern for shareholders in any of these companies. Potential FDA actions? Definitely. Ben Bernanke’s decisions? Doubtful.

The article 3 Humongous Health-Care Stocks This Week originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Keith Speights.

Fool contributor Keith Speights and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.