AFR top picks

Australian Financial Review top 4 Bios for 2015 and on top of the list, Neuren

"On the basis of discussions with top analysts at broking firms and fund managers, The Australian Financial Review has selected four biotechnology stocks to watch in 2015.
NEUREN PHARMACEUTICALS
In November, the $183 million company revealed that a phase 2 trial of its drug showed benefits in the treatment of rare neurological disorder Rett syndrome. The genetic disease affects young children and has no cure.
The company will meet with the US Food and Drug Administration in early 2015 to push for orphan drug and breakthrough therapy status. If either of these designations are achieved it will be a big win.
Orphan status means companies can develop the drug with protection from rivals creating similar drugs, while breakthrough status allows for fast-tracking through the clinical trial and approvals process. Both recognise the need of a drug that could be the first to meet a clinical need of a rare disease.
Australian Ethical Investments equity analyst Tim Case is betting a ruling from the FDA “could result in a much shorter pathway to commercialisation.”
In addition to these regulatory milestones, which could give the share price a boost, most analysts like Neuren for its management team. Executive chairman Richard Treagus built up drug delivery outfit Acrux and was instrumental in nailing that company’s lucrative distribution deal with Eli Lilly.
“He has a fortune of credibility in the market,” Watermark Funds Management analyst Joshua Ross said.
Mr Sinatra noted Neuren had a range of diseases it is targeting with other drugs, giving it sufficient diversity. “Some of their tasks are quite hard but all they need is one,” he said."