What Investors Are Looking At In The Stem Cell Sector

Stem cell stocks did poorly in 2014.

However, many of these companies have catalysts in the first quarter of 2015 that could bring attention to the sector.

In anticipation of a Phase 2 clinical update, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: BCLI) stock rallied nearly 100 percent. The stock has now sharply retreated after the company announced a warrant exercise agreement.

Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE: CUR) has a similar situation approaching. The company is expected to provide Phase 2 clinical results for NSI-566 for ALS in late January. Currently, the patients are undergoing an observation period and the data is locked.

Neuralstem CEO Richard Garr is presenting at the Biotech Showcase on Tuesday, January 13 at 12 p.m. EST. At the showcase, he will give an update on the clinical trial.

Related Link: Biotechs Presenting At The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference: Day 2

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• ATHX1.88-4.08%
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Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHX) will also be presenting at the same conference this Tuesday at 2 p.m EST.

On December 29, the company announced it has finished enrollment of its Phase II clinical trial for its MultiStem therapy for ischemic stroke patients.

Athersys expects to announce initial results toward the end of the first quarter.

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: PSTI) is a stem cell company that is partnered with United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR). The companies are conducting a Phase 1 trial of PLX-PAD for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Safety data is expected in the first half of 2015.

Pluristem will also be presenting at the Fourth Annual Scale-Up and Manufacturing of Cell-Based Therapies Conference on January 20. On January 27 and 28, Pluristem will present at the Cell and Gene Therapy Forum 2015 in Washington D.C.

Stemline Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: STML) and Verastem Inc (NASDAQ: VSTM), meanwhile, are two companies that are working on inhibiting cancer stem cells.

Verastem is expected to announce an interim analysis for its Phase II trial for VS-6063 (for mesothelioma) in the second quarter. Stemline recently raised about $60 million in a secondary offering; it will present at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference this week.