Nano Stocks

There is an excellent column from Nanotechnology Now about the A123 Systems IPO as well as the state of other nanotech IPOs

There’s a lot to like about the article and it gives a good breakdown of the current state of potential IPOs for nanotech companies. Allan Shalleck the author notes that financing for nanotech companies remains tight in light of the financial crisis and that there is little appetite for companies that remain unprofitable (most nanotech firms). I feel that Alan’s conclusion that “the IPO window is still closed” is accurate for the time being especially in light of the roller coaster performance of A123 since October (the stock is still down more than 40% from October highs). However, he doesn’t really address the positive outlook for the broad economy going forward or the effect this stabilization might have on IPO prospects. 2010 may just turn out to be a year defined by Nanotech IPOs.

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In a recent NASA space mission the survivability of nanotube-based NRAM memory was demonstrated. NRAM is developed jointly by Nantero and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). Harris & Harris (NASDAQ: TINY) is one of the primary investors in Nantero.

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Disclaimer: Kevin Rippey owns shares in TINY

Ireland is set to kick off its first Nanoweek conference form November 30-December 4. Irish official Mary Coughlan, discusses that today 10% of Ireland’s exports are nano-enabled accounting for some €15 billion and predicts this figure to double by 2015.

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Aerospace giant Boeing (NYSE: BA) will present at this years AIChE Conference on November 12. In a presentation titled, “Utilization of Molecular Simulations in Aerospace Materials: Simulation of Thermoset Resin/Graphite Interactions” (a mouthful for sure), Boeing representative Andrea R. Browning Ph.D. will discuss the effectiveness of software modeling to explore relationships between monomer structure and bulk properties.

Boeing uses Accelrys (NASDAQ: ACCL) Material Studio for this type of modeling.

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Learning Markets reports that Headwaters, Inc. announced earnings below analyst expectations. Street consensus was $0.02 per share actual earnings was a loss of $0.40 per share. This figure compares with earnings of $0.24 per share at the same time last year. With respect to long term forecasts, Headwaters projects 0.0% growth over the next five years.

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Yesterday Elan and Biogen announced that Tysabri significantly reduces the amount of hospital required for patients suffering from moderate to advanced crohn’s disease compared to placebo.

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Altiar Nano and Proterra LLC introduced the first all American electric hybrid bus that meets California’s zero emissions standards. The bus is thirty-five feet long and is designed to replace current diesel buses on a one for one basis. The bus relies on various Proterra systems and Altair Nano batteries. Overall fuel economy is 25-29 miles per 500% better than comparable diesel buses.

Altair shares are currently up over 7% on the news.

Proterra EcoRide 35′

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Nanotechnology venture capital firm Harris & Harris participated in a new round of financing for the biotech diagnostic firm Metabolon Inc. The Series C funding raised an additonal $6 million in capital for Metalbolon Inc.

“Metabolon Inc., a Durham, N.C.-based provider of biomarker discovery and analysis, has raised $6 million in additional Series C funding. The round total is now $12.3 million, and the company has raised over $25 million in total VC funding. Syngenta Ventures and Fletcher Spaght Ventures were joined by return backers Sevin Rosen Funds, Aurora Funds, Harris and Harris Group, Fulcrum Financial Partners and Alexandria Equities.”

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Altair Announced yesterday its VP of Corporate Strategy will present a presentation at the WebBush Securities Clean Technology and Industrial Growth Conference in San Francisco on Nov. 2. The presentation will be available on webcast.

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The multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri made by Biogen in partnership with nanodelievery maker Elan has been cited by European pharma regulators for potential ties with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Elan shares were down more than 20% on the news, originally reported on NanoStock here.

An excerpt from recent analyst coverage reads:

“A European panel has started a review of controversial Multiple Sclerosis drug Tysabri, sold by Biogen Idec Inc. and ELN, citing a much higher number of rare brain infections than previously disclosed. The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, commonly called CHMP, reported that there are 23 cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, since the drug’s launch. Previously, there had only been 13 confirmed cases of the infection since the drug re-entered the market in 2006, following an 18-month removal that was prompted by a link to three previous cases of PML. The drug is key to the growth of both companies, and this recent news had Biogen shares recently trading down 5.8% to $44.49, while ELN’s American depository receipts fell 20% to $5.17.”

“For the second quarter of 2009, Tysabri in-market net sales increased by 27% to $253.8 million, up from $200.0 million for the same period of 2008. The increase reflects strong patient demand across global markets.”