Ziopharm Oncology's Global Strategy Provides Potential Upside for Investors

By Robert Schwartz:In this the age of targeted, gene and cellular therapies it is somewhat difficult to understand why a company to would choose pursue development of a nitrogen mustard, but that is exactly what Ziopharm Oncology (ZIOP) has elected to do.

By LifeSci Advisors: By Andrew McDonald, Ph.D., Ning Yang, Ph.D.

By Markus Aarnio:Pharmaceutical companies with a set Phase III data release dates usually have a runup leading into the release date. I usually try to buy the stocks 3-9 months before the catalyst date to make profit from the runup. I screened for companies that have a Phase III data release date set for this year. Here is a look at 5 companies that I found.

Jason Chew submits: Pharmasset (VRUS) is a biotech company focused on the development of HCV therapeutics. It has multiple drugs in development, all based on its core strength in RNA nucleoside analog chemistry. The current standard of care for HCV is a combination of pegylated alpha interferon (IFN-α) and ribavirin taken for up to 48 weeks depending on patient response.

ByAlexander Maxwell:As we all know, Ziopharm (ZIOP) announced some very disappointing news to shareholders Tuesday. Ziopharm's drug Palifosfamide failed to show any statistically significant improvement in progression free survival in soft tissue sarcoma. To Ziopharm's credit, the company handled the bad news rather well, announcing that it was discontinuing development of the drug.

Jason Chew submits: In January, Ziopharm (ZIOP) announced a strategic deal with billionaire RJ Kirk's synthetic biology company, Intrexon. In return for an $11,628,202 million investment in Ziopharm stock, Intrexon was issued 7.5% of Ziopharm stock and will receive an additional 7.5% once its lead candidate DC-IL-12 begins Phase II trials.

By Brian L. Wilson:Tuesday, was nothing short of a disaster for the oncologic drug company Ziopharm (NASDAQ: ZIOP) and its shareholders after the company reported that their flagship product palifosfamide performed so poorly in its 447 patient phase III trial for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma that the company gave up any hope of an FDA approval for this particular indication.

By Wall Street Teacher:As many of you know, I have been covering the fortunes of Ziopharm Oncology (ZIOP) for several years. I've always tried to write balanced articles that point out both the potential and the risks associated with this small oncology drug developer. I had no inclination to write another article until after the company's planned release of its Phase III results in its PICASSO trial, which is testing Palifosfamide in the soft tissue sarcoma indication.