Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders in the United States. It develops drugs for endometriosis, anxiety, depression, pain, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, and other neurological and endocrine-related diseases and disorders.
The company’s research programs comprise Glucose Dependent Insulin Secretagogues for type II diabetes; Antiepileptic Drugs for epilepsy and bipolar disorder; and GnRH Antagonists for hormone dependent diseases and oncology. Its product pipeline also includes Indiplon 5mg and 10mg capsules, the FDA deemed approvable products, for the treatment of insomnia. The company has collaborations with GlaxoSmithKline to develop and commercialize CRF antagonists for psychiatric, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases; Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd. to develop and commercialize Indiplon in Japan; Abbott Laboratories to develop and commercialize elagolix for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain; and Boehringer Ingelheim to research and develop small molecule GPR119 agonists for the treatment of Type II diabetes and other indications.
Its products in phase 1 clinical development are:
- CRF1 Antagonist, for treating mood disorders and irritable bowel syndrome;
- Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitor, a product for movement disorders and schizophrenia;
- Elagolix, a product for uterine fibroids, and men’s and women’s health.
Its products in phase 2 clinical development are:
- Elagolix, a product for endometriosis;
- CRF1 Antagonist, a product for mood disorders;
- CRF2 Peptide Agonist, a drug for cardiovascular diseases;
Recently Wall Street analysts issued a positive outlook on the biotech company “Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc” with a buy rating and target of $12. If that rather courageous call “hits,” there is a tremendeous opportunity fot enterprising investors considering todays price.
While the possibility of a big return exists, know that Neurocrine, as is the case with all baby biotechs, can plunge just as hard. Just last month, for example, Neurocrine’s shares fell sharply on Food and Drug Administration concerns related to the company’s potential obesity drug, lorcaserin. However since it has many other products in the pipeline, there is a very good chance of recovery evenif it suffers a temperory setback.