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This Month's Tiny Gems - December 2010
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD)
CAMAC Energy Inc. (AMEX: CAK)
China Housing & Land Development, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHLN)
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD)
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD) is a biopharmaceutical company focused using innovative technology to fuel drug discovery and clinical development of novel treatments for central nervous system disorders. All four of the product candidates in ACADIA's pipeline originate from discoveries made using the company's proprietary drug discovery platform.
The company's portfolio include three product candidates that are currently in clinical development and one product candidate in IND-track development. ACADIA's pipeline addresses diseases that are not well served by currently available therapies and represent large potential commercial opportunities. These product candidates offer innovative therapeutic approaches and may provide significant advantages over current therapies.
ACADIA's most advanced product candidate is pimavanserin, which is in Phase III development for Parkinson's disease psychosis. Pimavanserin, a new chemical entity that can be taken orally as a tablet once-a-day, selectively blocks the activity of the 5-HT2A receptor, a drug target that plays an important role in the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders. ACADIA holds worldwide rights to pimavanserin.
At September 30, 2010, ACADIA's cash, cash equivalents and investment securities totaled $32.2 million. The company believes that its existing cash resources and anticipated payments from its ongoing collaborations will be sufficient to fund operations to mid-2012. Three analysts provide coverage of the company with an average price target of $3.25, which is significantly higher than the current stock price.
CAMAC Energy Inc. (AMEX: CAK)
CAMAC Energy Inc. (AMEX: CAK) is a dynamic, independent energy company that targets high return, early cash flow global energy projects. Maintaining a balanced portfolio which includes upstream operations and downstream opportunities in Asia and West Africa, the company is committed to building success through strategic vision, unparalleled experience, and responsible corporate governance.
CAMAC Energy's principal assets include interests in the Oyo Oilfield, an offshore oil asset in deepwater Nigeria that started production in December 2009, and a 100% interest in the Zijinshan CBM gas asset located in the Shanxi Province, China. The company also operates a Enhanced Oil Recovery and Production (EORP) business in Northern China.
The company recently announced positive results from the ZJS-02 well that was successfully drilled on its Zijinshan Gas Asset in the Shanxi Province. Mud logs during drilling confirmed the presence of gas in several intervals ranging in depth from 1471 to 1742 meters. The electric logs and cores acquired during the drilling are currently being evaluated by third party contractors to fully assess the size of this discovery.
As of last report, CAMAC Energy holds $230.0 million in assets, $10.8 million of which are cash and equivalents, with only $8.1 million in liabilities. One analyst currently follows the stock with a "Buy" rating and $4.00 price target. Insiders own approximately 68.25% of the shares, aligning management's interests closely with shareholders.
China Housing & Land Development, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHLN)
Located in Xi'an, China Housing & Land Development, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHLN) is a leading real estate developer of residential and commercial buildings and land in northwest China. For nearly two decades the company has been acquiring, developing, managing and selling residential and commercial real estate properties and land through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in China.
Leveraging strong relationships with China's local state authorities, China Housing & Land Development has been able to capitalize on the supply of available land and develop residential and commercial properties. The company has proven its ability to outperform competitors in medium size residential and commercial real estate developments in greater Xi'an.
Total contract sales for the current year are anticipated to reach $168 to $205 million, a 62%-97% increase compared to $103.9 million in 2009. Total recognized revenue in 2010 is expected to reach $135 to $165 million, a 56%-91% increase compared to $86.6 million in 2009. Management believes that overall demand for housing, average selling prices and transaction volume trends in the Xi'an market continue to improve.
Currently two analysts track the stock, both of which provide a "Strong Buy" recommendation with an average price target of $5.83. Well positioned for even greater financial success, China Housing & Land Development has proven its ability to maximize growth and is poised to become a leading developer in the western China region.