Galena Biopharma Inc (GALE), Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. (USA) (ONCY): 2 Drugs With Acquisition Potential

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Big pharmaceutical players, known as Big Pharma, depend on patents to fend of generic threats to their blockbuster drugs. So when a patent expires, cheaper generic products flood the market. The sales of the premium drug take a nose dive once similar compounds are available at cheaper rates.

Therefore, it is imperative for big-pharmaceutical players to continue the hunt for new candidates. In this lies the enormous potential of small biotechnology companies with promising candidates.

Patent cliff

The entire healthcare sector is heading towards a patent cliff. Blockbuster drugs like Lipitor and Seroquel IR are facing generic threats. Amongst the Big Pharma players, AstraZeneca plc (ADR) (NYSE:AZN) has suffered the most due to patent expirations. This is primarily because the company has a weak pipeline as compared to other leading players. If we look at the rest of the industry, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) has an extremely strong pipeline while Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:TEVA) already thrives in the generic space.

AstraZeneca plc (ADR) (NYSE:AZN) has recently announced that it is buying fish-oils drug maker Omthera for $443 million. The new CEO, Pascal Soriot, had earlier announced that he wishes to strengthen cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory pipelines. This acquisition increases chances that the cash rich AstraZeneca plc (ADR) (NYSE:AZN) will make an oncology related purchase next. The following biotechnology companies are working on some promising oncology candidates and have the ability to attract leading players like AstraZeneca plc (ADR) (NYSE:AZN).

Galena Biopharma Inc

Cancer vaccine

Galena Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ:GALE) is a biotechnology company which is involved in the discovery, development, commercialization and acquisition of pharmaceutical products. The primary candidate of Galena Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ:GALE)is NeuVax,  a vaccine for the prevention of breast cancer. The vaccine is in Phase III of global trials, assessing breast cancer recurrence in early stages. The combination of Herceptin and NeuVax for breast cancer is in Phase II trials. The vaccine is also in Phase II trials for prevention of prostate cancer.

In a recent move, Galena Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ:GALE) has acquired U.S. rights for Abstral. The drug received FDA approval back in 2011 as a relief for cancer pain. According to reports, the U.S. market for TIRFs, such as Abstral, is around $400 million.

Galena Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ:GALE) has a market capitalization of around $200 million and is also trading at a 100% discount to its mean sell-side target price of $4.90. It is a perfect fit for any company looking to expand its oncology portfolio. At current valuations it can be a perfect fit for AstraZeneca, which is looking to strengthen its Oncology franchise.

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