Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (REGN), Amgen, Inc. (AMGN): Invest in the Next Biotech Frontier

While these data only represent interim data from 28 patients, the results are overwhelmingly positive.  With its robust pipeline, commitment to collaboration, and close partnership with Biogen, Isis makes a great play in the market for cardiovascular therapies.

Is this fish dead in the water?

Amarin Corporation plc (ADR) (NASDAQ:AMRN) may boast the most hotly contested drug, with its new fish oil formulation Vascepa breaking into the market earlier this year. Without delving into the scientific debate, let’s just say that treatment of elevated cholesterol and triglycerides with fish oils has been a controversial approach among clinicians. Nonetheless, Amarin received FDA approval for Vascepa in July 2012 and has taken on the daunting task of independently marketing and commercializing the product. Sales only clocked in at $5.5 million in the most recent quarter, and investors are still hopeful that Amarin Corporation plc (ADR) (NASDAQ:AMRN) can convince cardiologists that Vascepa works.  Even with a demonstrable effect in clinical trials, this Fool prefers to stay away from a controversial company with as-yet sluggish sales to support its business model — though there are plenty of valid arguments to the contrary.

After a recent period of explosive innovation in the biotech sector, investors can look to cardiovascular disease as the next frontier. Many opportunities exist to invest in this market, but be weary of those steeped in controversy.  The excitement over PCSK9 inhibitors may signal a paradigm shift in our thinking of heart disease, and the colossal markets for such drugs may be quite lucrative.

The article Invest in the Next Biotech Frontier originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Seth Robey.

Seth Robey owns shares of Amgen. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 

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