"Sangamo Biosciences (SGMO) has been receiving the kind of news that biotech companies dream of, with multiple main-stream news outlets picking up the story that the company is developing what may be a 'functional cure' for AIDS," notes biotech sector specialist John McCamant.

The editor of The Medical Technology Stock Letter explains, "The treatments that SGMO is developing are exciting, and we see this stock going much higher this year and in subsequent years based on clinical progress.

"As tradition holds, Celgene (CELG) gave the first presentation at the recent 29th JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, where CEO Bog Hugin focused on Celgene's ongoing plans to become a world-wide company and expansion into global markets," reports John McCamant.

The biotech specialist and editor of The Medical Technology Stock Letter explains, "They expect 2011 to be the first year where the company earns a majority of sales outside the U.S. The company is currently conducting 25 Phase III trials on its various drugs.

"Celgene also announced 4th quarter 2010 earnings last week, and revenue was down 16%, mostly based on costs incurred due to the Abraxis acquisition.

"The visible growth story at Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) is the narcolepsy treatment Xyrem, which accounts for 85% of revenues," says growth stock specialist Mike Cintolo.

The editor of Cabot Top Ten Weekly Report explains, "But Jazz has great potential to make big money with other drugs too-all of which focus on the chemistry of the brain.

"Thanks to patents, Jazz has a decade to run with Xyrem before generic competitors can enter the market. Meanwhile, its drugs have potential to treat and/or cure obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, epilepsy and restless leg syndrome.

"Myriad Genetics (MYGN) is an innovative company that can diagnose your risk of cancer years before you have any symptoms," notes growth stock expert Lou Basenese.

The editor of White Cap Research explains, "Even better, it benefits from no competition and one of the best research and development teams around.

"Myriad Genetics' main product is called BRACAnalysis, which is a test that analyzes a woman's genetics to determine her likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Plain and simple, the test saves lives ... and money.

Shares of biotech giant Amgen, Inc. (AMGN) are trading slightly higher in after hours trading this afternoon after the company delivered better than expected earnings for its second quarter.

Going into this afternoon's earnings report, analysts had been expecting to see Amgen report $1.30 per share, but the company was able to beat out analyst estimates by reporting an actual $1.38 for the quarter.

Stocks had effectively no real market moving economic data to trade off of. We also saw a break-away from the inverse relationship between stocks and the US Dollar, as both were up on the day.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 10,414.07 +85.18 (0.82%)
S&P 500 1,114.05 +11.58 (1.05%)
Nasdaq 2,237.66 +25.97 (1.17%)

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Biogen Idec (BIIB) has made a bit of news the past two days, starting with Thursday's news that William Young is the company's new chairman of the board. BIIB's Bruce Ross will complete his term as director and will step down from the board at BIIB's 2010 shareholder meeting. William Young will take over effective January 1, 2010. Young is a veteran of the biotech industry, as he served with Monogram Biosciences, Genentech (where he was CEO), and Eli Lilly.

Ross noted, "I am pleased the Board has selected Bill Young as Biogen Idec's new Chairman. He is an experienced biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry executive with an extensive understanding of Biogen Ides, given his 12 years of service as a director of the company."

"I am recommending Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) as part of an 'offense-defense' thesis," says Ian Wyatt. In Top Stock Insights, he reviews the leading biotechnology company.

Wyatt explains, "Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage including REVLIMID, THALOMID and VIDAZA.

"Celgene is also researching stem cells derived from the human placenta as well as from the umbilical cord, thus tapping into a promising new technology while avoiding the political and ethical questions dogging others involved in stem cell research.

Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX) biotechnology company closed at $15.22. THRX September volatility is at 65, October is at 72, December is at 78 verses its 26-week average of 78 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing near term price movement.

Seattle Genetics (NASDAQ: SGEN) a clinical stage biotechnology company, closed at $12.09. SGEN October and March 2010 option implied volatility of 60 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

"I'm always looking for market leadership; right now, biotechnology stocks are moving up faster than most anything else," says Ron Rowland. In Money & Markets, he eyes biotech ETFs.

"Biotechnology is a fascinating sector, one that's made (and lost) a lot of money for millions of investors in recent decades. That's why, in my opinion, you should become familiar with this industry.

"Broadly speaking, it's the application of technology to biological materials - plants, animals and people.

"Nowadays a lot of biotechnology involves manipulating genetic material: The DNA that forms the basis for life. The goal is to produce new and useful substances that make life better and, of course, turn a profit along the way.

"How does one go about investing in the antibody space?" asks biotech specialist John McCamant. In The Medical Technology Stock Letter, he eyes Immunogen (NASDAQ: IMGN), and offers an in-depth report for biotech-savvy readers.

"As background, T-DM1 is a second generation Herceptin that may even exceed the original in sales because the armed antibody has been more potent to date by showing effectiveness in mBC patients who have failed either Herceptin or Tykerb.

"The company will continue to benefit from Genetech's extensive antibody experience as they continue to run all development for Immunogen's T-DM1.

"Midyear is as good a time as any to pause and reflect," says Richard Moroney in Dow Theory Forecasts -- a newsletter with the distinction of having been published for more than 50 years.

Here, he reviews the state of the market and offers a look at trio of favorite stocks which he considers "fundamentally superior" companies: Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB), Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), and Oceaneering International (NYSE: OII).

"Biotech company Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) is a prime example of a stock that plays both offense and defense," says Ian Wyatt.

In his Top Stock Insights, he explains, "The valuation is low and growth is attractive. With the pipeline of products in development, Celegene offers investors a huge upside potential."

"Celgene offers investors a steady product base, a variety of drug treatments in development and a cash pile ready to purchase existing technologies.

"Celgene engages in the discovery of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases. They have a number of products at the commercial stage.

Venture capital firms Braemar Energy Ventures and Lightspeed Venture partners led the Series C round for Solazyme, Inc., putting $57 million in fresh capital into the company. This brings total outside financing to above $76 million for the algae-derived biofuels company ... and shows yet another sign of life for private investment in green technology.

Solazyme uses microalgae biotechnology for the production of clean fuels, green chemicals, edible oils, and wellness products. The company seeks to "answer the increasing global demand for clean and renewable sources of oil" through sustainable and scalable technologies. The company's renewable oil production process relies on industrial fermentation, in which the algae consume nonfood biomass and industrial byproducts, which the algae converts to oil. End products include renewable diesel, biodiesel, and jet fuel.

"Genomics may be the 'next big thing' after the Internet and biotech. Finding those who can make money early onwill likely pay dividends to investors," expla]in small cap growth stock specialist Jim Oberweis, Jr.

In his The Oberweis Report, he explains the "politics" behind this bullish scenario as well as his top pick for log-term investors seeking exposure to the developing healthcare technologies if genomics and personalized medicine.

"We believe that the biotech boom was a direct consequence of rising National Health Institute (NIH) funding, cheap equity capital, and the ability to patent NIH-funded discoveries. And we see that happening again.