Gilead Sciences (GILD), AstraZeneca (AZN), Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (BLCM): Redmile Group’s Top New Picks

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:BLCM) was one of Redmile Group’s largest new picks last quarter, as the investment firm revealed a stake of 860,800 shares in its last 13F filing. Since its IPO in December of 2014, when the company opened for trading at $24.56 per share, the stock has lost around 6% of its value. Nevertheless, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:BLCM) projects continued growth throughout 2015, as it plans to increase the size of its staff, and expand its operations. The company’s largest institutional investor last quarter was Julian Baker and Felix Baker’s Baker Bros. Advisors, which was betting big on the stock, disclosing a new position of 4.28 million shares.

Last quarter, Redmile Group added another new stock to its equity portfolio, acquiring 43,100 shares of Biogen Idec Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB). This acquisition was one of the investment firm’s smartest moves, as the stock has already gained 22% year-to-date, and is currently trading around its 52-week high of $415.76 per share. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Biogen Idec Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) is one of the most popular biotech equities held by billionaire hedge fund managers. Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Capital for example owned 359,400 shares at the end of 2014, while Israel Englander’s fund held a stake of 452,700 shares in the company.

Finally, Redmile Group revealed a new position in bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ:BLUE) last quarter, which amounted to 102,200 shares. The company’s shares are growing at an accelerated pace lately, as the stock gained 333% in 2014, and has already climbed another 4% year-to-date. In addition to the ‘Buy’ rating issued by numerous analysts, bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ:BLUE) enjoys the backing of several hedge funds. James E. Flynn’s Deerfield Management was one of the most bullish funds betting on the company, as it disclosed a stake of 850,900 shares last quarter, though that position was cut by 33% from the end of the previous quarter. In addition, Israel Englander’s Millennium Management owned 546,200 shares after increasing its exposure to the stock by 313% last quarter.

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