Optimism for US biotech, but developmental drugs draw scrutiny from FDA

There is plenty of optimism surrounding the US biotechnology industry as firmer pricing and new products have improved sales and earnings trends, notes The Bedford Report. Meanwhile, younger, more speculative firms continue to garner significant attention with potential blockbuster products working their way through the regulatory process.

The Bedford Report examines the outlook for companies in the biotechnology industry and provides investment research, most recently on BioSante Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BPAX) and AVI BioPharma (Nasdaq: AVII). Access to the full company reports can be found at: www.bedfordreport.com/BPAX and www.bedfordreport.com/AVII.

It recalled that, citing agency officials, The Wall Street Journal reported this month that the Food and Drug Administration has approved 20 new drugs so far this year - just one short of the total for all of 2010. Some lawmakers in Washington have been arguing that the FDA's tougher safety stance has slowed down the pace of drug approvals and is hurting the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.