CHICAGO, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces
the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the
Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events
impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently
featured in the blog include: Medco Health Solutions (NYSE:
MHS), Merck (NYSE: MRK), Vertex Pharmaceuticals
(Nasdaq: VRTX), National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE: NOV) and
Ameron International Corp. (NYSE: AMN).
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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
Medco to Better Tackle Hepatitis C
Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS) is making attempts to
curtail costs of treating patients suffering from hepatitis C
(HCV). The company's specialty pharmacy segment, Accredo Health
Group, considers patient adherence to the treatment most
significant as any contrary behavior could lead to liver cirrhosis
and certain cancers.
Accredo is optimistic about two new HCV medications --
boceprevir and teleprevir -- although the treatment process is
quite complex and requires greater degree of adherence.
In May 2011, Merck (NYSE:
MRK) received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) for Victrelis (boceprevir) to treat chronic hepatitis C
(CHC). The drug is approved for the treatment of CHC genotype 1
infection, in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, in
adult patients who were left untreated or failed previous
interferon and ribavirin therapy.
The FDA also approved Incivek (telaprevir), marketed by
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX), to treat certain
adults with CHC infection. The current standard of care for
patients with CHC infection is peg-interferon alfa and ribavirin
for 48 weeks. However, less than 50% of patients respond to this
therapy. It has been observed that the new treatments are more
effective and also shorten the duration of treatment to 24 weeks in
most patients.
To make the treatment effective, about 80-85% patient adherence
is required. It has been demonstrated that patients receiving
therapy from Accredo's nurses and specialist pharmacists are 10%
more receptive than others. Moreover, Accredo could reduce the cost
of therapy up to $13,000 by
identifying patients who would require only 24 weeks of
therapy.
To ensure better adherence of patients, Accredo is educating
them regarding the usage of the medications. Moreover, the patients
are also being encouraged to communicate with doctors about the
treatment program and seek their assistance in managing side
effects. This helps to improve patient's condition and do
away with the costly hospitalizations.
National Oilwell Varco to Purchase Ameron
Oilfield services firm National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE:
NOV) has agreed to acquire industrial parts maker Ameron
International Corp. (NYSE: AMN) for about $772 million in cash. The transaction, which has
been approved by the boards of both the companies but awaits
regulatory and shareholder approvals, is expected to close by the
fourth quarter of 2011.
As per the deal, Ameron shareholders would get $85 in cash for each share they hold. At Ameron's
Friday closing stock price of $66.27,
the deal values the company's shares at a 28% premium.
Pasadena, California-based
Ameron is a leading multinational producer of highly-engineered
products and materials catering to the chemical, industrial,
energy, transportation and infrastructure markets. In particular,
Ameron is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass-composite pipe for
transporting oil, chemicals and corrosive fluids and specialized
materials and products used in infrastructure projects.
The acquisition will allow National Oilwell Varco to broaden
scale and scope of the solutions that it offers to oil and gas
customers worldwide. Post merger, National Oilwell Varco expects
Ameron's products (particularly the fiberglass-composite pipe
producing operation) to benefit its oilfield pipeline business
through efficiencies and economies of scale.
Houston, Texas-based National
Oilwell Varco, formerly National Oilwell, is a world leader in the
design, manufacture and sale of comprehensive systems, components,
products and equipment used in oil and gas drilling and production
worldwide.
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